Excel training has changed since Microsoft fully embedded Copilot into Excel 365. The strongest platforms now teach formulas, data modeling, and Copilot prompting as one connected skillset — not separate tracks. The five providers below cover the spectrum: best for analytics, best for VBA, best for beginners, best for finance, and best for advanced dashboards. Each card shows what they’re best for, the strongest reasons to choose them, the real trade-offs, and the latest rating.
At a Glance
| # | Provider | Best for | Copilot coverage | Price tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | XelPlus | Analytics, Power BI, and modern formulas | Strong | $$$ |
| 2 | Excel Campus | VBA, macros, and workflow automation | Light | $$ |
| 3 | Miss Excel | Beginners and visual learners | Light | $$$ |
| 4 | Excel University | Accountants, CPAs, and finance teams | Light | $$ |
| 5 | Excel.TV Academy | Dashboards, VBA, Power Query | Integrated | $$$ |
The right course depends less on rating and more on what you’re actually trying to do — automate a recurring report, pass a CPA Excel exam, build a stakeholder-facing dashboard, or just stop dreading the spreadsheet. The cards below are ordered by how well they cover that primary use case, not by overall popularity.
A note on Copilot in 2026. Copilot is no longer optional. The strongest platforms have added genuine prompt-craft modules (not just a sidebar mention); the weakest still treat it as a footnote. The “Copilot coverage” column in the table above reflects what’s actually in each curriculum at the time of update.
In-Depth Reviews
XelPlus Review
Best for: Analytics, Power BI, and modern formulas
Leila Gharani’s platform is the strongest single pick for analysts who want one place to learn modern Excel, Power BI, and Copilot together. The teaching is exceptionally clear, the curriculum stays current, and the Power BI material is comparable to a dedicated Power BI course.
Strengths:
- Deep, well-structured coverage of Excel 365 features — dynamic arrays, LET, LAMBDA, Power Query
- Power BI curriculum is rated as highly as the Excel content
- Recent Copilot modules cover formula generation, data prompts, and validation workflows
Considerations:
- Power Apps coverage is minimal — look elsewhere if that’s a priority
- Premium pricing; budget-sensitive learners may prefer single-course Udemy picks
Rating: 4.3/5
Excel Campus Review
Best for: VBA, macros, and workflow automation
Jon Acampora’s platform is the go-to for analysts whose biggest Excel pain point is doing the same thing every week. Excel Campus leans into VBA, macros, and ready-to-use templates more than any other platform on this list.
Strengths:
- Best-in-class VBA and macro curriculum for non-developers
- Lifetime access to purchased courses with active update history
- Includes downloadable templates and add-ins that get used in real work
Considerations:
- Power BI and Power Apps content is limited — Excel-first platform
- Copilot integration is incremental; pair with a dedicated Copilot course for AI-heavy workflows
Rating: 3.7/5
Miss Excel Review
Best for: Beginners and visual learners
Kat Norton’s platform turned Excel education into a TikTok-native experience and brought a generation of new learners into the tool. The pacing, visuals, and energy make Excel feel approachable for people who’d bounced off traditional training.
Strengths:
- Strongest first-90-days experience on this list for someone brand new to Excel
- Short, video-native lessons that fit around a workday
- Covers intermediate ground (PivotTables, XLOOKUP, dynamic formulas) without losing the beginner-friendly tone
Considerations:
- Limited depth on VBA, Power Query, and Power BI — graduate to another platform for advanced work
- Premium pricing for what is mostly beginner-to-intermediate content
Rating: 3.3/5
Excel University Review
Best for: Accountants, CPAs, and finance teams
Jeff Lenning’s platform is purpose-built for finance work — auditability, financial modeling, and the specific formula patterns that show up in month-end close and reporting. Carries CPE credit, which matters if you’re a CPA logging hours.
Strengths:
- Curriculum built around accounting and finance workflows specifically
- Structured certification track recognised in the finance industry
- Heavy on PivotTables, Power Query, and VBA for repeatable financial reports
Considerations:
- True beginners may find the pace assumes foundational Excel knowledge
- Power BI and Power Apps coverage is introductory only
Rating: 3.2/5
Excel.TV Academy Review
Best for: Dashboards, VBA, and Power Query
Disclosure: this is our own platform — included because the flagship Excel Dashboard Pro course, built on Jordan Goldmeier’s Dashboards for Excel methodology, fills a specific gap for analysts who want formula-and-chart-driven dashboards rather than pivot-only ones.
Strengths:
- Dashboard course covers techniques (dynamic ranges, form controls, chart hacks) most other platforms skip
- Practical scenarios — automated reports, dynamic visualisations — drawn from real client work
- Copilot lessons demonstrate AI-assisted dashboard building, formula creation, and analysis flows
Considerations:
- Limited beginner content — start elsewhere if you’ve never built a chart before
- Smaller catalogue than the XelPlus or Excel Campus platforms
Rating: 3.7/5
How to Pick
Start from your work, not the rating. A 4.7-rated VBA course is the wrong choice if you don’t need to automate anything. The “Best for” line at the top of each card above is the most important field on this page — match it to what you actually do at work and pick from there.
Trial the teaching style. Every platform on this list has free intro videos. Watch ten minutes from two providers before paying for either. Teaching style matters more than catalogue size when you’re putting in 20+ hours.
Plan for Copilot. Whether or not your current job uses Microsoft 365 Copilot, it’s becoming a stated requirement in analyst job postings. Pick a platform with real Copilot modules or pair your main pick with a dedicated Copilot course.
Who These Courses Are For
- Beginners — Start with Miss Excel for accessibility, then graduate to XelPlus once you’re past the basics.
- Analysts and data professionals — XelPlus or Excel.TV Academy, depending on whether you lean toward Power BI integration or formula/chart-driven dashboards.
- Finance and accounting — Excel University, paired with Excel Campus for the macro/VBA workflows.
- Automation-focused users — Excel Campus for VBA depth; supplement with the Copilot course on Udemy for AI-assisted workflows.
