Prior to coming on a Plum Solutions training course, we recommend that you have at least a working knowledge of Excel. We will assume you are already using Excel as part of your work at either an Introduction, Intermediate or Advanced level, depending on which course you are planning to undertake. In order to make sure that you gain the maximum possible benefit from coming on a course, we’ve put together a guide of the Excel technical prerequisites at a basic level that you should have prior to attending a cla
Prior to coming on a Plum Solutions training course, we recommend that you have at least a working knowledge of Excel. We will assume you are already using Excel as part of your work at either an Introduction, Intermediate or Advanced level, depending on which course you are planning to undertake. In order to make sure that you gain the maximum possible benefit from coming on a course, we’ve put together a guide of the Excel technical prerequisites at a basic level that you should have prior to attending a class with us.
These are not just standard Excel training courses, rather we teach the USE of Excel in a Financial Modelling or analytical context. For example, in the Financial Modelling in Excel course we look at how to calculate staff salaries which incorporates the use of a VLOOKUP. If a VLOOKUP is completely new to you then you’ll be focussing on the technical aspects of the function, rather than how to use it in a financial modelling context. Therefore, you’ll get the most out of your training if you are already familiar with the tools and techniques covered prior to attending the workshop. In most cases, links have been provided below to tutorials that you can take in order to brush up if necessary.
There are some tools that you must know before coming on a course, and these will be assumed prior knowledge, with no instruction given. We also recommend you are familiar with other certain tools before attending, and although these tools will be taught during the class, we believe you’ll benefit from being familiar with the concepts prior to coming on the course.
Note that this is not a course agenda, but rather a very basic guide of technical prerequisites, and you will learn a LOT MORE than what is outlined on this list! During live classes, we do adjust the programme at times, depending on the level and questions asked by students but rest assured that we will cover the topics outlined on the agenda for each course. Please see the course agendas to find out what you will learn.
| Course | Introduction to Financial Modelling in Excel |
Financial Modelling in Excel (Intermediate) |
Advanced Financial Modelling in Excel |
Data Analysis and Dashboard Reporting in Excel |
Budgeting and Forecasting in Excel | |||||
| Technical Excel Level | Introduction | Intermediate | Advanced | Intermediate | Intro / Intermediate | |||||
| Must Know |
Recomm ended |
Must Know |
Recomm ended |
Must Know |
Recomm ended |
Must Know |
Recomm ended |
Must Know |
Recomm ended |
|
| Basic Calculations | x | |||||||||
| Create a basic line or column chart | x | |||||||||
| Cell Referencing | x | x | x | x | x | |||||
| IF Statements | x | x | x | x | ||||||
| Conditional Formatting | x | x | x | x | ||||||
| Linking between sheets | x | x | x | |||||||
| Named Ranges | x | x | x | x | ||||||
| VLOOKUPS | x | x | x | |||||||
| SUMIF/S | x | x | ||||||||
| Data Validation & Drop-downs | x | x | x | x | ||||||
| Array formulas | x | |||||||||
| Data Tables | x | |||||||||
| Pivot Tables | x | |||||||||
| Tables | x | |||||||||
