7 Best Free Microsoft Excel Certification Courses Online in 2025

Free Excel Courses with Certificate are one of the best ways to improve your skills, boost your resume, and open new career opportunities without spending money. In today’s digital job market, Excel has become a must-have skill across industries like finance, business analysis, marketing, HR, and even freelancing. Whether you are a student, job seeker, or working professional, having a certified Excel course on your resume can give you a competitive edge. The best part? Many reputed platforms like Microsoft Learn, Coursera, edX, Udemy, and LinkedIn Learning offer free or affordable certification options that are recognized globally.

But here’s the good news: you don’t need to spend thousands of rupees to learn Excel or earn a certificate. Many trusted platforms now offer free Microsoft Excel certification courses online that you can complete at your own pace. These certifications not only boost your knowledge but also add credibility to your resume and LinkedIn profile.

In this guide, we will explore the best free Excel certification courses in 2025 – covering beginner-friendly options, advanced Excel training, and globally recognized certificates.

Why Choose Free Excel Courses with Certificate (Microsoft Certified Options)

Before jumping into the list of platforms, let’s quickly understand why investing your time in a free Excel certification can be a game-changer for your career:

• Enhances Employability
  Excel is one of the most in-demand job skills worldwide. Employers in fields like data analysis, finance, HR, digital marketing, and operations actively test candidates’ Excel skills during hiring. Having a certificate proves you are not just familiar with Excel but have completed structured training.
• Career Growth
  Basic Excel is common, but advanced skills like pivot tables, dashboards, macros, and VBA scripting set you apart from the crowd. Professionals with strong Excel knowledge are often considered for promotions and higher-paying roles because they bring efficiency to business operations.
• Globally Recognized Certificates
  Free certificates from platforms like Coursera, edX, Alison, or Microsoft Learn carry global recognition. Even though they’re free or low-cost, recruiters value them since they come from reputed institutions and tech providers.
• Cost-Effective Learning
  Many learners, especially in India, hesitate to spend thousands on a single course. Free courses break this barrier, offering top-quality learning at zero or very low cost. You can always upgrade later if you want an official, sharable certificate.
• Flexible & Self-Paced
  Whether you’re a college student, working professional, or job seeker, free Excel courses fit into your schedule. Most of these courses are online and self-paced, meaning you can learn evenings, weekends, or whenever you have time.

💡 Takeaway: Free Excel certifications not only save money but also add credibility to your resume, LinkedIn, and job applications—boosting your chances of landing better opportunities.

1. Microsoft Learn – Excel Training & Certification

Microsoft Learn offers official Free Excel Courses with Certificate through its guided modules and learning paths. Recruiters trust Microsoft badges, making them a reliable choice for students and professionals.

• What You’ll Learn:
  • Basics of Excel (cells, rows, formatting)
  • Formulas and functions (SUM, IF, VLOOKUP, etc.)
  • Data analysis techniques
  • Pivot tables & data visualization tools
• Certification:
  You’ll earn digital badges and achievements after completing modules. While they’re not the full MOS (Microsoft Office Specialist) certification, they are official recognition from Microsoft.
• Best For: Beginners and intermediate learners who want Microsoft-endorsed learning without spending money.

💡 Pro Tip: Completing Microsoft’s official learning paths looks impressive to recruiters because it shows you learned directly from the software provider itself.

🔗 Link: Microsoft Learn Excel Training

2. Coursera – Free Excel Courses (with Certificate Options)

Coursera provides Free Excel Courses with Certificate through financial aid programs. If you apply successfully, you get a globally recognized certificate without paying extra.

• Top Picks:
  • Excel Skills for Business – Macquarie University (very popular worldwide)
  • Everyday Excel – University of Colorado Boulder
  • Business Analytics with Excel – UPES, India
• Certification:
  Free if you apply for Coursera’s financial aid program. Otherwise, certificates are paid but affordable compared to offline institutes.
• Best For: Students and professionals who want university-level, job-ready training that is globally recognized.

3. edX – Excel for Everyone (Free to Audit)

Founded by MIT and Harvard, edX offers professional-quality courses from top universities and institutions. Their “Excel for Everyone” series is highly recommended for learners aiming at career advancement and data-heavy roles.

• What You’ll Learn:
  • Advanced formulas and data cleaning
  • Pivot tables & dashboards
  • Business analytics with Excel
  • Data visualization for reports and presentations
• Certification:
  The course content is free to audit, but if you want a verified, sharable certificate, you’ll need to pay.
• Best For: Professionals looking for recognized, high-quality training to boost their resumes.

💡 Pro Tip: edX certificates carry strong university branding (Harvard, MIT, University of British Columbia, etc.), which significantly improves your profile for job applications.

4. Alison – Free Excel Certification Courses

Alison is highly popular in India for offering Excel courses with free certificate. The digital certificates are free, and you can upgrade if you want printed or premium verification.

• Popular Courses:
  • Microsoft Excel 2019 for Beginners
  • Data Analysis Using Excel
  • Advanced Microsoft Excel
• Certification:
  Free digital certificate, with an option to buy a premium hard copy.
• Best For: Students, freshers, or anyone who needs absolutely free Excel certification without spending a rupee.

💡 Pro Tip: Alison’s courses are a great starting point for those preparing for job interviews, internships, or government exams where Excel knowledge is tested.

5. Udemy – Free Excel Courses (Limited Time)

Although not always free, Udemy often runs coupon campaigns where you can grab Free Excel Courses with Certificate. These are great because you get lifetime access after enrollment.

While most Excel courses on Udemy are paid, there are often limited-time free courses and heavily discounted options. Many instructors release coupon codes that let you access otherwise premium courses at no cost. This makes Udemy a great choice if you are looking for self-paced, practical learning.

What You’ll Learn: You can start from the very basics such as formulas, formatting, and shortcuts, and gradually move into advanced topics like Pivot Tables, Macros, Power Query, and even Excel for business dashboards.

Certificate: Yes, Udemy provides a certificate of completion for all courses you finish, which can be added to your resume or LinkedIn profile.

Best For: Students, working professionals, and freelancers who prefer affordable yet flexible training that they can learn at their own pace.

💡 Pro Tip: Keep checking Udemy’s “Free Coupon” deals. Many instructors release Excel courses for free during promotional campaigns, and if you grab them, you’ll get lifetime access at zero cost.

6. LinkedIn Learning – Excel Training (Free 1-Month Trial)

During the free trial, you can complete multiple Free Excel Courses with Certificate that directly integrate into your LinkedIn profile. This is a huge plus for job seekers.

Top Picks:

• Excel Essential Training – Learn the basics and get job-ready.
• Excel: Advanced Formulas and Functions – Perfect for intermediate users.
• Excel Data Visualization – Learn how to create stunning charts and dashboards.

Certificate: The certificates you earn during the free trial can be directly added to your LinkedIn profile, making it visible to recruiters.

Best For: Professionals, MBA students, and job seekers who want to showcase verified Excel skills to employers.

💡 Pro Tip: Plan your trial period strategically. Dedicate 3–4 weeks to learning, and you can complete multiple Excel certifications for free.

7. Great Learning – Free Excel Courses with Certificates

Being India-based, Great Learning Academy is a favorite among learners who want Free Excel Courses with Certificate from a trusted local provider.

Popular Courses:

• Excel for Beginners – Learn the basics of spreadsheets.
• Excel Data Analysis – Focus on working with real data.
• Excel Dashboards – Learn how to create business-ready dashboards.

Certificate: You receive a free certificate after completion, which is especially useful for fresh graduates or learners in India looking for accessible certification options.

Best For: Indian learners, students preparing for placements, and working professionals who want short, practical courses with free certificates.

💡 Why Choose Great Learning? Its courses are well-structured, easy to follow, and designed with Indian job markets in mind.

Advanced Excel Certification – Free & Paid Options

Once you’ve built a strong foundation, it’s time to level up with advanced Excel certification. These certifications not only cover formulas and pivot tables but also dive deeper into automation, macros, and integration with Power BI.

Topics Covered in Advanced Excel:

• Pivot Tables, Pivot Charts & Dashboards
• Advanced Formulas (INDEX, MATCH, IF, SUMPRODUCT, etc.)
• Power Query & Power BI Basics
• Macros and VBA Programming for automation

Recommended Platforms:

• Microsoft Certified: Data Analyst Associate – Paid but globally recognized.
• Coursera Advanced Excel Business Specializations – Free to audit, with a paid certificate option.
• Alison Advanced Excel Courses – 100% free and beginner-friendly.

💡 Pro Tip: Even if you start with free courses, consider upgrading to a globally recognized certification if you plan to work in competitive industries like finance, analytics, or consulting. It adds more credibility to your resume.

Benefits of Free Excel Courses with Certificate

1. Boosts Your Resume – Certificates validate your skills in the eyes of recruiters.
2. LinkedIn Profile Advantage – Many platforms let you showcase certificates directly on your profile, attracting hiring managers.
3. Job Readiness – Excel is a core requirement across industries: finance, HR, marketing, sales, analytics, and freelancing.
4. Confidence in Skills – Having a certificate gives you the motivation and confidence to apply your knowledge in real-world projects.

💡 Employers often shortlist resumes that highlight Excel certifications because it shows proof of learning rather than just claims of knowledge.

Tips for Choosing the Best Free Excel Courses with Certificate

• Beginners: Start with Microsoft Learn, Alison, or Great Learning – they’re free, structured, and easy to follow.
• Intermediate Learners: Coursera or edX provide structured learning paths with a balance of theory and practicals.
• Job Seekers: LinkedIn Learning and Coursera offer recruiter-friendly certifications that carry strong brand value.
• Freelancers/Working Professionals: Udemy is ideal because of lifetime access – you can revisit lessons whenever needed.

💡 Always align your choice of course with your career goals. If your target is corporate jobs, go for recognized certifications (Microsoft, LinkedIn, Coursera). If you want practical skills for freelancing or small business, Udemy or Great Learning are more than enough.

Keep Reading:

• Government Free Online Courses with Certificates
• Top 10 Online Skills You Can Learn for Free to Start Earning

Conclusion

If you’re serious about building your career in business, finance, HR, or data analysis, enrolling in Free Excel Courses with Certificate is a smart step. These courses not only boost your resume but also give you hands-on skills that employers value. Start with free platforms like Microsoft Learn, Alison, or Great Learning, and later upgrade to advanced certifications from Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, or Microsoft itself. With the right Excel certification, you’ll stand out in the competitive job market.

👉 For learners who want an affordable yet recognized certificate, I strongly recommend checking out Alison’s Excel Certification Courses – they’re beginner-friendly, industry-relevant, and help you quickly add verified skills to your resume at just ₹703.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Did you find this guide on free and paid Excel certification courses helpful? If yes, don’t keep it to yourself! Share this post with your friends, colleagues, or on LinkedIn so more learners can benefit from these resources. Together, we can help more people boost their careers with valuable Excel skills.

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