From: Michael G
Found the following while looking for help on Excel...
Michael G
+++
I have been asked occasionally my opinion on how to define a user's skill level with Excel. Usually the question goes something like this:
"If someone says they know MS Excel on their resume, what questions can I ask them to determine their level of expertise?"
I have prepared (what I think) is a fair list of what users should know at various levels of Excel understanding. I find that most users who claim to know Excel very well fall into the intermediate category on my scale. Also, I would say that for most degreed analytical-type positions, an intermediate level Excel user is adequate. For data entry and clerical work, a novice user is adequate.
Please keep in mind, this is STRICTLY my own opinion. Please feel free to disagree and even modify my list for your own taste, but please, don't write to me and suggest that I change my opinion. I really don't want to spend any time convincing you that I'm right.
NOVICE
Can successfully navigate and save an Excel workbook.
OK with Data Entry tasks.
If you think the cartoon paperclip is cute and useful, chances are, you fall into this category.
Novice Formulas:
SUM, AVERAGE, COUNT, ROUND
INTERMEDIATE
Knows what a Pivot Table is and how to build one.
Knows what an addin is and how to install one.
Understands and can use the AutoFilter feature.
Can record a macro and use it later.
Can successfully edit/modify simple recorded macros.
Most users who claim to know Excel very well fall into this category.
Intermediate Formulas:
IF, SUMIF, COUNTIF, VLOOKUP, CHOOSE
ADVANCED
Knows what array formulas are and how to use them.
Can create and modify macros with or without the macro recorder.
Knows how to build a macro that can be triggered by events.
Familiar with most, if not all, of the functions in Excel.
Comfortable teaching or helping others with Excel.
Advanced Functions:
INDIRECT, INDEX, MATCH, OFFSET
EXPERT
Can build addins for distribution and widespread use.
If you can think it, they can build it with Excel.
Most likely, a disturbed individual who spends too much time thinking about spreadsheets.
Expert Functions:
A true expert knows the strengths & weaknesses of every single one and has probably had to build some new ones that were not available.
GURU!
The true Excel elite.
Probably just a handful of them in the world.
If you are one, you know who you are.
If you're an Expert, you probably know their names.
From time to time, you might see one posting a response on a newsgroup.
Found the following while looking for help on Excel...
Michael G
+++
I have been asked occasionally my opinion on how to define a user's skill level with Excel. Usually the question goes something like this:
"If someone says they know MS Excel on their resume, what questions can I ask them to determine their level of expertise?"
I have prepared (what I think) is a fair list of what users should know at various levels of Excel understanding. I find that most users who claim to know Excel very well fall into the intermediate category on my scale. Also, I would say that for most degreed analytical-type positions, an intermediate level Excel user is adequate. For data entry and clerical work, a novice user is adequate.
Please keep in mind, this is STRICTLY my own opinion. Please feel free to disagree and even modify my list for your own taste, but please, don't write to me and suggest that I change my opinion. I really don't want to spend any time convincing you that I'm right.
NOVICE
Can successfully navigate and save an Excel workbook.
OK with Data Entry tasks.
If you think the cartoon paperclip is cute and useful, chances are, you fall into this category.
Novice Formulas:
SUM, AVERAGE, COUNT, ROUND
INTERMEDIATE
Knows what a Pivot Table is and how to build one.
Knows what an addin is and how to install one.
Understands and can use the AutoFilter feature.
Can record a macro and use it later.
Can successfully edit/modify simple recorded macros.
Most users who claim to know Excel very well fall into this category.
Intermediate Formulas:
IF, SUMIF, COUNTIF, VLOOKUP, CHOOSE
ADVANCED
Knows what array formulas are and how to use them.
Can create and modify macros with or without the macro recorder.
Knows how to build a macro that can be triggered by events.
Familiar with most, if not all, of the functions in Excel.
Comfortable teaching or helping others with Excel.
Advanced Functions:
INDIRECT, INDEX, MATCH, OFFSET
EXPERT
Can build addins for distribution and widespread use.
If you can think it, they can build it with Excel.
Most likely, a disturbed individual who spends too much time thinking about spreadsheets.
Expert Functions:
A true expert knows the strengths & weaknesses of every single one and has probably had to build some new ones that were not available.
GURU!
The true Excel elite.
Probably just a handful of them in the world.
If you are one, you know who you are.
If you're an Expert, you probably know their names.
From time to time, you might see one posting a response on a newsgroup.
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