Ways to improve from average to advanced Excel user

Hi everyone,

I was wondering how average Excel users can improve their skills all the way to the Advanced level. Is it worth attending courses (which most of the times are really expensive) or practicing on your own is the best way?



Thanks

Luca

I want to move to a new job and most of the applications expect advanced experience with Excel. I thought about studying it myself but thought that a class could help...

According to most advanced courses these are the features taught...

 Defining Names From Worksheet Labels
 Using Names in Typed Formulas
 Applying Names to Existing Formulas
 Creating Names Using the Name Box
 Using Names to Select Ranges
 Pasting Defined Names Into Formulas
 Defining Names for Constant Values
 Creating Names From a Selection
 Scoping Names to a Worksheet
 Using the Name Manager
 Documenting Defined Names
Logical Functions
 Understanding Logical Functions
 Using IF With Text
 Using IF With Numbers
 Nesting IF Functions
 Using IFERROR
 Using TRUE and FALSE
 Using AND
 Using OR
 Using NOT
 Understanding Data Validation
 Creating a Number Range Validation
 Testing a Validation
 Creating an Input Message
 Creating an Error Message
 Creating a Drop Down List
 Using Formulas as Validation Criteria
 Circling Invalid Data
 Removing Invalid Circles
 Copying Validation Settings
Lookup Functions
 Understanding Data Lookup Functions
 Using CHOOSE
 Using VLOOKUP
 Using VLOOKUP for Exact Matches
 Using HLOOKUP
 Using INDEX
 Using Match
 Understanding Reference Functions
 Using ROW and ROWS
 Using COLUMN and COLUMNS
 Using ADDRESS
 Using INDIRECT
 Using OFFSET
 Creating Subtotals
 Using a Subtotalled Worksheet
 Creating Nested Subtotals
 Copying Subtotals
 Using Subtotals With AutoFilter
 Creating Relative Names for Subtotals
 Using Relative Names for Subtotals
 Understanding Pivot Tables
 Recommended Pivot Tables
 Creating Your Own PivotTable
 Defining the PivotTable Structure
 Filtering a PivotTable
 Clearing a Report Filter
 Switching PivotTable Fields
 Formatting a PivotTable
 Understanding Slicers
 Creating Slicers
 Inserting a Timeline Filter
PivotTable Features
 Using Compound Fields
 Counting in a PivotTable
 Formatting PivotTable Values
 Working With PivotTable Grand Totals
 Working With PivotTable Subtotals
 Finding the Percentage of Total
 Finding the Difference From
 Grouping in PivotTable Reports
 Creating Running Totals
 Creating Calculated Fields
 Providing Custom Names
 Creating Calculated Items
 PivotTable Options
 Sorting in a PivotTable 
Controls
 Understanding Types of Controls
 Understanding How Controls Work
 Preparing a Worksheet for Controls
 Adding a Combo Box Control
 Changing Control Properties
 Using the Cell Link to Display the Selection
 Adding a List Box Control
 Adding a Scroll Bar Control
 Adding a Spin Button Control
 Adding Option Button Controls
 Adding a Group Box Control
 Adding a Check Box Control
 Protecting a Worksheet With Controls