10 Reasons Why Excel is Important to Students
Microsoft Excel is a powerful spreadsheet software application. It is part of the Microsoft Office suite of productivity tools, which also includes applications like Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
Excel is primarily used for working with numerical data, performing calculations, and creating various types of charts and graphs.
Excel is widely used in various industries and fields, including finance, business, science, engineering, education, and more.
Its versatility and extensive capabilities make it a valuable tool for tasks ranging from basic data entry to complex financial modeling and data analysis.
Here is why Excel is important for students:
DATA ORGANIZATION AND ANALYSIS: Excel allows students to organize and analyze data efficiently.
This is valuable for various subjects, including mathematics, science, and social sciences, where data manipulation, organization, and analysis are essential.
MATHEMATICAL AND STATISTICAL FUNCTIONS: Excel provides a wide range of mathematical and statistical functions.
These functions can help students solve complex problems and perform calculations for assignments, projects, and research.
GRAPHICAL REPRESENTATION: Students can create charts and graphs in Excel to visually represent data.
This is crucial for subjects such as math, economics, business, and science, where visual representations help in understanding and presenting information.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT: Excel can be used as a project management tool.
Students can create schedules, track progress, and manage tasks for group projects and assignments.
BUDGETING AND FINANCIAL PLANNING: Excel is a powerful tool for budgeting and financial planning.
It can help students learn about personal finance, create budgets, and analyze expenses. I have created a monthly Budgeting template in Excel. You can try it for free here.
STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: For students studying fields like psychology, sociology, or any other social sciences, Excel can be used to analyze survey data, conduct statistical tests, and visualize results.
CODING AND MACROS: Students interested in programming can use Excel to learn about automation and write VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) macros, which can be a valuable skill in various industries.
RESUME BUILDING: Proficiency in Excel is often listed as a desirable skill on resumes and job applications.
Students who are familiar with Excel may have an advantage in the job market.
PROBLEM SOLVING: Excel encourages critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Students need to understand the problem, design a solution using Excel functions, and interpret the results.
REAL-WORLD APPLICATIONS: Excel is widely used in various industries, including finance, business, engineering, and science.
Familiarity with Excel can prepare students for real-world applications and make them more competitive in their future careers.
If you would like to learn Excel, I have made a free Excel Tutorial for Beginners.
HOW TO GET FREE EXCEL FOR STUDENTS
Microsoft offers a program called “Office 365 Education,” which provides access to Office 365 applications, including Microsoft Excel, for eligible students and educators.
This program is often available for free or at a significantly reduced cost, depending on your school or institution’s agreements with Microsoft.
To check if you’re eligible and to access free or discounted Microsoft Excel for students, you can follow these steps:
CHECK WITH YOUR SCHOOL: Start by visiting your school or educational institution’s IT department or website.
Many educational institutions have partnerships with Microsoft to provide Office 365 to their students and staff.
STUDENT EMAIL ADDRESS: Often, you will need a valid student email address (usually ending in .edu) provided by your school to qualify for the free or discounted access.
Make sure you have access to this email.
VISIT THE MICROSOFT EDUCATION WEBSITE: Go to the Microsoft Education website and look for the section related to student offers or Office 365 Education.
VERIFY ELIGIBILITY: Follow the steps provided to verify your eligibility as a student.
This may involve signing in with your student email or using a school-specific verification process.
DOWNLOAD AND INSTALL: Once your eligibility is confirmed, you can download and install Microsoft Excel (along with other Office 365 applications) on your computer.
ACCESS ONLINE: You can also use the online versions of Office 365 applications, including Excel, through your web browser by logging in with your student account at office.com.
It’s important to note that the availability of free or discounted Microsoft Excel for students can vary depending on your location and educational institution.
Therefore, it’s best to check with your school’s IT department or visit the official Microsoft Education website to get specific information on how to access Microsoft Office 365, including Excel, as a student.
Ultimately, Excel is a versatile tool that can be applied to numerous academic disciplines and has practical applications in the professional world.
Learning Excel can enhance students’ analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills, making it an important skill for their educational and future career success.
