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10 Best Excel Certifications of 2026
This list is for office workers who want to prove their spreadsheet skills to an employer or recruiter. It mixes two kinds of options: Microsoft's own MOS exams, which are the formal Excel certifications, and online courses that end in a certificate of completion and help you prepare. We compared documented features and published prices from each vendor's own pages. Scores weigh features (recognition and depth of skills covered) at 40 percent, and ease of use (time to finish, format) and value at 30 percent each. LinkedIn Learning's pricing page did not load from our location, so its price is marked as pending.
By the Mojolin research desk · Updated November 10, 2026 · 10 tools compared · Prices checked on vendor pages, latest November 10, 2026
Questions or corrections: editorial@mojolin.com
Mojolin is self-funded How we score
MOS Excel Associate is our top pick because it is the certification Microsoft itself issues, it tests you inside Excel, and one Certiport voucher costs $104 in the U.S. Move on to MOS Excel Expert once PivotTables and macros are routine, since it uses the same voucher price. For learning before the exam, Coursera's four-course Macquarie University program is the most structured, GoSkills fits short daily sessions, and Wall Street Prep's $39 course is the best value for finance staff. CFI is the pick if Excel is a step toward a finance credential like the FMVA. LinkedIn Learning is worth using if your employer already pays for it, and Exceljet and MyExcelOnline are the cheapest ways to build skills, though their certificates, where offered, are completion records rather than recognized credentials.
Top picks
Best overall
Microsoft Office Specialist: Excel Associate
8.8 / 10
Office workers who want a recognized, Microsoft-issued proof of everyday spreadsheet skills.
Read the review →Runner-up
Microsoft Office Specialist: Excel Expert
8.6 / 10
Analysts and power users who already work with PivotTables and want the higher Microsoft credential.
Read the review →Also great
Coursera Excel Skills for Business Specialization
8.3 / 10
Beginners who want a structured, university-backed course path with a shareable certificate.
Read the review →Comparison table
| # | Tool | Pricing | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Microsoft Office Specialist: Excel Associate | Office workers who want a recognized, Microsoft-issued proof of everyday spreadsheet skills. | $104 per MOS exam voucher in the U.S. Certiport store; $120 with a retake | 8.8 |
| 2 | Microsoft Office Specialist: Excel Expert | Analysts and power users who already work with PivotTables and want the higher Microsoft credential. | $104 per MOS exam voucher in the U.S. Certiport store; $120 with a retake | 8.6 |
| 3 | Coursera Excel Skills for Business Specialization | Beginners who want a structured, university-backed course path with a shareable certificate. | Individual programs $49 to $79 per month; Coursera Plus listed at $399 per year | 8.3 |
| 4 |  GoSkills Microsoft Excel 365 Basic & Advanced | Busy office workers who want short lessons and an accredited certificate. | $39 per month, or $249 billed yearly ($20.75 per month); 7-day free trial | 8.2 |
| 5 |  Wall Street Prep Excel Crash Course | Finance and banking staff who want fast, keyboard-driven Excel skills at a low price. | $39 one-time for the course | 8.1 |
| 6 |  CFI (Corporate Finance Institute) | Office workers moving toward finance roles who want Excel inside a broader finance credential. | Self-Study $497 per year, shown at $372.75 with a 25% discount when checked | 7.9 |
| 7 |  Excel University | Accountants and finance staff who want Excel certifications plus live help and CPE credit. | Study Pass $29 per month; Campus Pass with certificates $40 per month billed yearly | 7.8 |
| 8 |  Exceljet | Self-directed learners who want cheap, permanent training without a subscription. | Courses from $19 one-time (Excel 101); Core Formula $199 | 7.8 |
| 9 |  LinkedIn Learning | Workers whose employer already pays for LinkedIn Learning or who want Excel next to other business skills. | See vendor pricing (USD check pending) | 7.8 |
| 10 |  MyExcelOnline Academy | Office workers who want broad Excel and Microsoft 365 coverage on a low monthly plan. | $19 per month, billed monthly, cancel anytime | 7.7 |
Scoring weights
Every tool gets three editorial scores out of 10, from vendor documentation, product pages and the published price. The overall score is the weighted average below, the same method on every list. Full method
The full ranking
Rank 1 · Best overall
Microsoft Office Specialist: Excel Associate
Microsoft's own entry-level Excel certification, delivered by Certiport as a 50-minute exam taken inside the live application.
certiport.com8.8
out of 10
Best for: Office workers who want a recognized, Microsoft-issued proof of everyday spreadsheet skills.
For most office workers, the MOS Excel Associate is the credential that answers the question of how to prove spreadsheet skills on a resume. Certiport, a Pearson VUE business, delivers the exam for Microsoft, and it describes the Excel Associate as validating foundational skills: creating and formatting spreadsheets, using basic formulas and functions, and visualizing data with charts. The Microsoft 365 Apps versions are 50-minute exams that use Live-in-the-Application testing, so you complete tasks inside Excel instead of picking answers from a list. The U.S. Certiport store lists a single MOS exam voucher at $104 and a voucher with retake at $120. Microsoft Learn lists exam languages from English to Japanese and Arabic and notes that the price depends on where the exam is proctored. The limits are clear: the voucher includes no course, and the Associate level stops before PivotTables and macros. We compared documented features and published prices, and on that basis it ranks first for broad recognition at a low cost.
Standout feature
Microsoft-issued, tested inside Excel, $104 per voucher.
Use cases
Administrative and operations staff
Add a verified Excel credential to a resume
Outcome: A Microsoft-branded certification earned in one 50-minute exam
Job seekers entering business roles
Show baseline spreadsheet skills to recruiters
Outcome: Proof of formatting, formulas and charting skills tested in Excel
Key features
- 50-minute exam using Certiport's Live-in-the-Application (LITA) testing
- Covers creating and formatting worksheets, basic formulas and functions, and charts
- Available for Microsoft 365 Apps and Office 2019
- Exam offered in more than 15 languages, per Microsoft Learn
- Counts toward the stackable MOS Associate and MOS Expert program credentials
Pros
- Issued under Microsoft's name, so employers recognize it
- Tasks are done in Excel itself rather than multiple choice
- One voucher price covers any MOS exam, including Excel Expert
Cons
- Only validates foundational skills
- No training is bundled with the exam voucher
- Microsoft notes the price depends on the country where the exam is proctored
Rank 2 · Runner-up
Microsoft Office Specialist: Excel Expert
The advanced MOS Excel exam, covering complex formulas, PivotTables, data analysis tools and macros.
certiport.com8.6
out of 10
Best for: Analysts and power users who already work with PivotTables and want the higher Microsoft credential.
The Excel Expert exam is the step up from the Associate. Certiport says it showcases advanced proficiency: complex formulas, PivotTables, data analysis tools and automation with macros, aimed at people who need to solve complex problems and drive data-informed decisions. Microsoft Learn's page for the Office 2019 version gives you 50 minutes to complete the exam, suggests about 150 hours of instruction and hands-on experience, and lists a 60-month renewal frequency. The same Certiport voucher used for the Associate exam works here, at $104, or $120 with a retake. If you also pass Word Expert, Certiport's stackable program awards the MOS Expert credential. The trade-off is difficulty: this exam assumes you already build PivotTables and record macros, and Microsoft lists no official training for it. For analysts, finance staff and reporting specialists, it is the strongest Excel-only credential on this list.
Standout feature
Microsoft's most advanced Excel exam for the same $104 voucher.
Use cases
Reporting and data analysts
Prove PivotTable and macro skills
Outcome: Microsoft's top Excel credential on a resume
Finance and operations staff
Qualify for analyst roles that list advanced Excel
Outcome: A tested credential instead of a self-rating
Key features
- Tests complex formulas, PivotTables, data analysis tools and macro automation
- 50-minute exam (Exam MO-201 for the Office 2019 version)
- Microsoft suggests about 150 hours of instruction and hands-on experience
- Office 2019 credential renews every 60 months, per Microsoft Learn
- Counts toward the MOS Expert program credential with Word Expert
Pros
- The most advanced Excel exam Microsoft offers
- Same $104 voucher as the Associate exam
- Signals skills employers ask for in analyst roles
Cons
- Harder to pass than the Associate exam
- Microsoft Learn lists no bundled training for the exam
- Narrower audience than the Associate level
Rank 3 · Also great
Coursera Excel Skills for Business Specialization
A four-course Excel program from Macquarie University on Coursera, from essentials to advanced formulas.
coursera.org8.3
out of 10
Best for: Beginners who want a structured, university-backed course path with a shareable certificate.
Excel Skills for Business is the most structured course path on this list. Macquarie University built it as a four-course series on Coursera: Essentials, Intermediate I, Intermediate II and Advanced, with each course listed at 25 to 28 hours. Coursera estimates three months at 10 hours a week, shows more than 727,000 learners enrolled, and lists a 4.9 rating from 64,261 reviews. You earn a career certificate from Macquarie that you can add to LinkedIn or a resume. Coursera prices individual programs at $49 to $79 per month, and the specialization is included with Coursera Plus, listed at $399 per year. The FAQ is direct that the specialization cannot be taken for free, though financial aid is available on some programs. The certificate is a university course credential rather than a Microsoft exam, so it pairs well with MOS: use the course to learn, then sit the exam to prove it.
Standout feature
Four-course university program with 727,000+ learners enrolled.
Use cases
Career changers
Learn Excel from scratch on a schedule
Outcome: A Macquarie University certificate after four courses
Office staff preparing for MOS
Build skills before booking the exam
Outcome: Structured practice from essentials to advanced formulas
Key features
- Four courses: Essentials, Intermediate I, Intermediate II and Advanced
- Career certificate from Macquarie University
- About 3 months at 10 hours a week, per Coursera
- Included with Coursera Plus
- Financial aid or scholarships available on some programs
Pros
- Clear progression from beginner to advanced
- Coursera reports more than 727,000 enrolled
- Certificate can be added to LinkedIn
Cons
- Coursera states the specialization cannot be taken for free
- Not a Microsoft certification
- Three months of study is a bigger time commitment than an exam
Rank 4
GoSkills Microsoft Excel 365 Basic & Advanced
A CPD-accredited Excel course in bite-sized lessons, sold as part of the GoSkills subscription.
goskills.com8.2
out of 10
Best for: Busy office workers who want short lessons and an accredited certificate.
GoSkills is built for people who can only study in short sessions. Its Microsoft Excel 365 Basic and Advanced course has an estimated study time of 26 hours with 5 hours 42 minutes of video, split into lessons that mostly run five to seven minutes, from the Ribbon and cell referencing to formula auditing and PivotTables. GoSkills says the course is CPD-accredited and lists a 4.6 rating from 3,405 reviews, with Ken Puls as the instructor. Access comes through a subscription: $39 per month, or $249 billed yearly, which works out to $20.75 per month, and there is a 7-day free trial. That subscription also opens the rest of the GoSkills library. The certificate is a CPD course certificate, not a Microsoft exam, so it carries less weight with employers than MOS. As preparation that fits a lunch break, it is one of the easier options to stick with.
Standout feature
CPD-accredited Excel course in bite-sized lessons with a 7-day trial.
Use cases
Busy office workers
Improve Excel in short daily sessions
Outcome: A CPD-accredited certificate after about 26 hours of study
Small teams
Raise Excel skills across staff
Outcome: Shared course library with quizzes and tests
Key features
- CPD-accredited Excel course with a certificate
- Estimated study time of 26 hours, 5h 42m of video
- Bite-sized lessons with quizzes and tests
- Taught by Ken Puls
- Subscription includes the full GoSkills course library
Pros
- Short lessons fit around a workday
- 7-day free trial before you pay
- Yearly plan cuts the monthly cost to $20.75
Cons
- Subscription, so access ends when you stop paying
- CPD accreditation is not a Microsoft credential
- Monthly plan costs more than a MOS voucher after three months
Rank 5
Wall Street Prep Excel Crash Course
An exercise-based Excel course for finance professionals, covering shortcuts, functions, data tables and macros.
wallstreetprep.com8.1
out of 10
Best for: Finance and banking staff who want fast, keyboard-driven Excel skills at a low price.
Wall Street Prep's Excel Crash Course is aimed at finance professionals, and it shows in the syllabus. The 91 lessons, 8 hours 39 minutes in total, focus on keyboard shortcuts drilled through exercises, the functions and table features most used in financial analysis, macro-based shortcuts, data tables and sensitivity analysis, and adding forms and toggles to models. Wall Street Prep says the course is used to train new hires and lists 110,309 students. At $39 one-time, it is one of the cheapest paid options here, and Wall Street Prep is registered with NASBA as a CPE sponsor, which matters for accountants tracking credits. The downside is fit: if your work is scheduling, inventory or admin reporting, the finance examples will feel narrow, and the completion record is a course credential rather than a Microsoft certification.
Standout feature
91 finance-focused Excel lessons for $39 one-time.
Use cases
Junior finance analysts
Learn keyboard-driven modeling before a new role
Outcome: Faster model building with shortcuts and data tables
Accountants
Brush up Excel while tracking CPE
Outcome: Course from a NASBA-registered sponsor
Key features
- 91 lessons, 8 hours 39 minutes
- Exercise-based drills for time-saving keyboard shortcuts
- Functions and table features for financial analysis
- Data tables and sensitivity analysis
- Macro-based shortcuts and VBA basics
Pros
- Low one-time price of $39
- Built around finance use cases
- Wall Street Prep is a NASBA-registered CPE sponsor
Cons
- Finance focus may not fit general office work
- Not a Microsoft certification
- Shorter than the multi-course programs on this list
Rank 6
CFI (Corporate Finance Institute)
Online finance training with Excel courses and accredited certifications such as the FMVA, sold as an annual membership.
corporatefinanceinstitute.com7.9
out of 10
Best for: Office workers moving toward finance roles who want Excel inside a broader finance credential.
CFI makes sense when Excel is the means and finance is the goal. Its Excel courses are self-paced and online, and they sit inside a membership that also includes the FMVA, which CFI lists as 44 courses with 18 required, plus the FPAP and other certifications. The Self-Study plan includes 8 accredited certification exams, 15 specialization programs, on-demand access to more than 250 courses and more than 575 verifiable CPE or CPD credits. CFI lists Self-Study at $497 per year, shown at $372.75 with a 25% discount when we checked, while Full-Immersion adds expert guidance and model reviews at $847 list. The value depends on your direction. For someone heading into FP&A or financial analysis, the FMVA and the downloadable models are worth far more than an Excel-only certificate. For an office manager who needs better lookups and PivotTables, it is more program than the job requires.
Standout feature
Excel training bundled with 8 accredited finance certifications.
Use cases
Accounting staff moving into FP&A
Build Excel modeling and finance skills together
Outcome: An FMVA certification and a library of models
Business analysts
Earn CPE or CPD credits while learning
Outcome: 575+ verifiable credits in one membership
Key features
- 8 accredited certification exams, including FMVA and FPAP
- 15 skill-focused specialization programs
- On-demand access to 250+ courses
- 575+ verifiable CPE/CPD credits
- Downloadable Excel models and templates
Pros
- Excel taught in a finance context with real models
- One membership covers every course and certification
- CPE/CPD credits for accountants
Cons
- Annual price is far above a single Excel exam
- More finance theory than many office workers need
- Full-Immersion tier costs more at $847 per year list
Rank 7
Excel University
On-demand Excel training with live office hours, Undergraduate and Masters certifications, and a CPE pass for CPAs.
excel-university.com7.8
out of 10
Best for: Accountants and finance staff who want Excel certifications plus live help and CPE credit.
Excel University stands out for live support. Its plans combine on-demand lessons with live office hours, which few online Excel courses offer. The Study Pass, at $29 per month, includes videos and practice files only. The Campus Pass, at $40 per month paid yearly, adds quizzes, certificates, live office hours and AI and automation lessons, and the CPE Pass for CPAs, at $52 per month paid yearly, allows up to 124 CPE. Certifications are awarded when you complete the Undergraduate and Masters programs, and you also receive a LinkedIn recommendation. The structure suits accountants best, since the content and CPE option are aimed at them. Note that the $29 plan does not include certificates, so the realistic price for this list's purpose is the Campus Pass, and the credential is the school's own rather than Microsoft's.
Standout feature
Live office hours plus Undergraduate and Masters Excel certifications.
Use cases
CPAs
Improve Excel while earning CPE
Outcome: Up to 124 CPE on the CPE Pass
Finance staff stuck on a formula
Get answers from instructors
Outcome: Help in live office hours
Key features
- Certifications for completing the Undergraduate and Masters programs
- Live office hours for support
- Quizzes, certificates and AI and automation lessons on the Campus Pass
- CPE Pass for CPAs with up to 124 CPE
- Includes a LinkedIn recommendation with certification
Pros
- Live office hours are rare among online Excel courses
- Strong fit for CPAs who need CPE
- Clear tiered plans
Cons
- Certificates need the Campus Pass, not the cheapest plan
- Not a Microsoft certification
- CPE Pass costs $52 per month billed yearly
Rank 8
Exceljet
Short Excel video courses with practice worksheets, sold individually with permanent access.
exceljet.net7.8
out of 10
Best for: Self-directed learners who want cheap, permanent training without a subscription.
Exceljet is the budget pick, and it is honest about what it is: quick, clean video training. Courses are sold one at a time with permanent access, starting with Excel 101 at $19 for 28 videos and running through Core Excel at $99, Core Pivot at $79, Core Formula at $199 and topics such as Dynamic Array Formulas, Excel Tables and Conditional Formatting. Every video comes with a practice worksheet, a login also removes ads from the large free Exceljet function and formula reference, and there is a 30-day full refund guarantee. Teams can buy Bundle 4, the full catalog of 8 courses and more than 450 videos, plus a 10-user pack. What Exceljet does not offer, at least on its training page, is a certificate. So treat it as preparation and reference rather than proof of skills, and pair it with a MOS exam if you need something for your resume.
Standout feature
Excel courses from $19 with permanent access and practice files.
Use cases
Self-taught users
Fill gaps in formulas or PivotTables
Outcome: Focused courses with practice worksheets
Small teams
Train staff without subscriptions
Outcome: Permanent access through a bundle and user pack
Key features
- Courses from Excel 101 to Dynamic Array Formulas and Core Charts
- Practice worksheet with every video
- Permanent access that does not expire
- Ad-free access to the Exceljet site with a login
- 30-day full refund guarantee
Pros
- Lowest entry price on this list at $19
- No subscription to renew
- Concise videos that work well for review
Cons
- Training page does not mention a certificate
- Courses are sold separately, so the full set costs more
- Not a Microsoft certification
Rank 9
LinkedIn Learning
LinkedIn's video course library, with thousands of Excel courses and videos from beginner to advanced.
linkedin.com7.8
out of 10
Best for: Workers whose employer already pays for LinkedIn Learning or who want Excel next to other business skills.
LinkedIn Learning offers the biggest Excel catalog on this list. Its Microsoft Excel topic page lists 6,629 results, including 214 courses, 17 learning paths and thousands of short videos, filterable by beginner, intermediate and advanced level. Trending titles include Excel Tips Weekly, with more than 1.9 million viewers, and a recently released Excel Essential Training for Microsoft 365 taught by Leila Gharani. LinkedIn's business site also describes certification prep courses and assessments across several credential types. The catch is that a LinkedIn Learning completion certificate is not a Microsoft certification, and with a catalog this large, you need to choose courses carefully. We could not load the pricing page from our location, so the price is marked as pending. If your employer already provides LinkedIn Learning, it is a free way to prepare for a MOS exam.
Standout feature
6,629 Excel results, including 214 courses and 17 learning paths.
Use cases
Employees with company access
Prepare for a MOS Excel exam at no personal cost
Outcome: Targeted courses by skill level
Managers
Assign Excel learning paths to a team
Outcome: Consistent training across staff
Key features
- 6,629 results for Microsoft Excel in the topic library
- 214 Excel courses and 17 learning paths
- Filters for beginner, intermediate and advanced levels
- Excel Essential Training (Microsoft 365) by Leila Gharani
- Certification prep courses and assessments across credential types
Pros
- Very large Excel catalog
- Often available free through employers
- Short videos are easy to fit into a workday
Cons
- Pricing page did not load for us
- Course certificates are not Microsoft certifications
- Quality and depth vary across a large catalog
Rank 10
MyExcelOnline Academy
A monthly membership with 30+ Excel and Office courses, practice workbooks and certificates of completion.
myexcelonline.com7.7
out of 10
Best for: Office workers who want broad Excel and Microsoft 365 coverage on a low monthly plan.
MyExcelOnline Academy is a low-cost membership that covers Excel and much of Microsoft 365. For $19 per month, billed monthly and cancelable at any time, you get more than 30 Excel and Office courses with over 1,000 short video tutorials, practice workbooks, PDF cheat sheets and certificates of completion. The advanced track alone lists 10 courses, 569 lessons and 29 hours, covering nested and array formulas, advanced lookups and a financial modeling case, while a Microsoft 365 track adds Copilot, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook and Teams. There is a 30-day money back guarantee. The FAQ says tutorials were recorded on Excel versions from 2010 to Office 365, so some screens may look dated. The certificate is a completion record, useful on LinkedIn but not a substitute for MOS. As a cheap way to cover Excel and the rest of Office together, it does the job.
Standout feature
30+ Excel and Office courses for $19 per month.
Use cases
Administrative assistants
Improve Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint together
Outcome: One membership with certificates of completion
Office workers adopting Copilot
Learn Microsoft 365 AI features
Outcome: Dedicated Copilot course in the Microsoft 365 track
Key features
- 30+ Excel and Office courses with 1,000+ bite-sized video tutorials
- Beginner, intermediate and advanced tracks
- Certificates of completion
- Practice workbooks and PDF cheat sheets
- Microsoft 365 track covering Copilot, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook and Teams
Pros
- Low $19 monthly price
- Covers Office apps and Copilot beyond Excel
- 30-day money back guarantee
Cons
- Certificate of completion, not a recognized credential
- Page leans on promotional bonuses
- Tutorials recorded across several Excel versions back to 2010
Frequently asked questions
+Which certification is best for Excel?
Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) Excel Associate is the best Excel certification for most office workers. Microsoft issues it, Certiport delivers it as a 50-minute exam inside Excel, and a U.S. voucher costs $104. Analysts who already use PivotTables and macros should take MOS Excel Expert.
+What is the best certification for Excel skills on a resume?
A MOS Excel certification carries the most weight on a resume because it is Microsoft's own credential and is tested in the application. Course certificates from Coursera, GoSkills or Excel University show completed training, and they work best alongside a MOS exam rather than instead of one.
+What is the best Excel certification course?
Coursera's Excel Skills for Business specialization from Macquarie University is the most structured course, with four courses and an estimated three months at 10 hours a week, from $49 per month. GoSkills suits short daily sessions at $39 per month, and Wall Street Prep's Excel Crash Course is the best value for finance staff at $39 one-time.
+Which online platform is best for Excel courses?
Coursera is best for a guided, university-backed path, and LinkedIn Learning has the largest catalog with 214 Excel courses, which is useful if your employer pays for it. Exceljet is the cheapest, with courses from $19 and permanent access, and Excel University adds live office hours.
+Which Microsoft Office certification is best?
For most office jobs, the MOS Excel Associate is the most useful Microsoft Office certification, since spreadsheets are part of most office roles. Certiport also offers Word, PowerPoint and specialized Excel exams for accounting, business finance and operational management, and any MOS exam uses the same $104 U.S. voucher.
+How long does it take to get Excel certified?
The MOS exam itself takes 50 minutes. Microsoft suggests about 150 hours of instruction and hands-on experience for the Office 2019 Excel exams, and Coursera estimates three months at 10 hours a week for its four-course specialization.
About this list
Updated November 10, 2026 by the Mojolin research desk. Mojolin is self-funded
Questions or corrections: editorial@mojolin.com
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