Advanced Excel skills are a high level of proficiency with the Microsoft Excel spreadsheet software program. Whereas basic users of Excel can use it to create spreadsheets, perform mathematical operations, and make simple tables and charts, advanced users can manage and analyze complex datasets, derive meaningful insights from them, and create persuasive data visualizations for presentations.

These advanced Excel skills are increasingly important in the age of “big data.” As organizations of all types seek to harness data-driven insights to improve performance, the ability to adeptly sort, filter, and analyze large datasets has become a major asset. Advanced Excel users are also experts at using lesser-known capabilities of this program like lookup tables, pivot tables, and pivot charts, along with data validation and debugging features to ensure accuracy.

Microsoft Excel has long been one of the most widely used pieces of software at businesses and other types of organizations worldwide, and the “big data” revolution has greatly expanded its usefulness. Thus, advanced Excel skills can benefit careers ranging from retail store managers to marketing analysts to sports reporters. In fact, the Digital Marketing Institute ranks expert data analysis as the number one future-proof skill in the workforce due to its ability to give insight into both business operations and the customer.

For some careers, advanced Excel skills may be even more central to your work. Accountants at large companies may need to manage massive spreadsheets spanning multiple business areas and tax jurisdictions to provide accurate data analysis for decision-makers, investors, and other stakeholders. Business analysts use Excel to build complex financial models to guide company valuations, portfolio allocations, and other important investment decisions. And, while data scientists generally rely on more specialized software, it can be important to learn to use Excel for data analysis for certain cases and/or organizations.

Yes, Coursera offers a wide range of online courses and Specializations on topics related to Advanced Excel including data analysis, data visualization, business analytics, and more. These courses are offered through top-ranked institutions from around the world including Macquarie University, University of Colorado Boulder, and Duke University, as well as leading companies like PwC, so you don’t have to sacrifice the quality of your education to learn online.

Best of all, taking classes remotely lets you learn on a flexible schedule that can fit into your existing work or family life. And, although online courses and Specializations through Coursera offer the same materials and credits as on-campus alternatives, they are available at a significantly lower tuition cost.