Is it worth it to pay for excel classes ? Learning on your own vs in class learning

I think it very much depends on your learning style. If you feel more confident when someone demonstrates something, go on a course. If you are happy to read a book and work through examples, then maybe that would work. Videos give you the best of both worlds, I guess.

As to what level, again, that depends on you and how you assess your knowledge of Excel. If you know little or nothing, start at the beginning with a basic Excel class or tutorial.

And, of course, how much are you prepared to pay for your course or tuition.

You can learn pretty much anything, at any level, for free now on the Internet. So that's probably the best place to start.

Regards, TMS

So to add to what TMS has said, I would say this.

Why do you want a class class when you can pay $30 for a specific book from amazon then walk through that book?
I have walked through a few books and they have all been very helpful and I have retained almost all of them because I use the new knowledge very frequeantly.

Now with that being said, I have completed Chandoo's Excel classes for Excel, Dashboards, PowerPivot and Advanced Powerpivot and they are great.

What is it that you are wanting to learn with Excel? Maybe we can direct you towards a good book or some videos.

Also have you checked out ExcelIsFun on youtube?! Mike has something like 4,400+ videos the last time I checked. Pick one of his playlists and start there. I directed a friend there and he learned a ton.
https://www.youtube.com/user/ExcelIsFun

Originally Posted by Ephy

Is there "enough" material online to really benefit an independent learner up into the advanced level?

Absolutely.

Although it may take you a while to filter through all the material. OTOH, a for-pay-class can not possibly cover all that material.

Some folks would consider me an "advanced user" but it took me many years to get there!

I hang out in Excel forums for many hours every day.

IMHO, if you can invest several hours every day reading the questions and solutions posted in forums like this one, then doing tons of experimenting, in about 4-6 years you too could be an Excel Guru.

I really liked this book whenh I first started getting into Excel modeling and Analysis:


http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-****.../dp/B002WTCA6Y

Excel 2010 version:
http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-****.../dp/0735643369

Excel 2013 Version:
http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Exce.../dp/0735669139

oh and HOW the heck did I forget to mention Chandoo's website!!!

http://chandoo.org/wp/

Welcome to the forum.

Did you notice that this thread is six years old?