Excel Foundations for Government
Create clean, precise & comprehensive Excel spreadsheets using good design & documentation principles
Level up your excel expertise for government data professionals.
In government data, precision, efficiency, and clear communication are non-negotiable. Enhancing your Excel skills is essential to meet these demands and take your data management capabilities to the next level.
If the following goals resonate with you, this course is tailor-made to help you:
- Move beyond data entry: Transform from basic data entry to effectively analysing and managing data.
- Master tables, charts, and graphs: Gain proficiency in leveraging visual tools to communicate insights clearly.
- Advance formula application: Go beyond the basics and apply formulas with nuance and intuition.
- Fill knowledge gaps: Address areas where your understanding feels incomplete and boost your overall confidence.
- Boost efficiency and decision making: Learn how Excel can save you time, support informed decision-making, and present data effectively.
This practical course is designed to expand your expertise, empowering you to create more efficient, accurate, and professional workbooks. Whether you want to streamline processes, enhance visualisations, or deepen analytical skills, this workshop will give you the tools to excel.
Your event experience
The support and guidance of an expert who has been training in Excel since 2004
Real-world learning with practical examples to support your development and growth with Excel use and application
Walk away with a toolkit of practical resources and tools you can implement immediately in your role
100% online with excellent connectivity and experienced IT, AV, and delivery teams
Dedicated time for questions and reflection to ensure you are confident with the application of the training
Paul Harris
Senior Trainer, Minerra Analytics
While conducting all levels of MS Office Training for Access, Excel, PowerPoint, and Word, and VBA Training for Access, Excel, and Word, his specialty has been primarily Access and Excel. He has successfully delivered training to many organisations from a vast array of business sectors.
Paul’s consulting services comprise MS Access System Design and Development including VBA-controlled data processing, Automated Word/Excel document creation populated with selective data, and backend connections via ODBC, DAO, and ADO to various backend sources. He also has experience with SQL Server backend development including Views, Stored Procedures, and User Defined Functions.
Paul’s training style of explaining the how and why of things, rather than just following steps to achieve a result provide a great depth of understanding for training attendees.
Paul Harris (He/Him)
Paul Harris has been providing training services since 1997 and Systems Development Consulting Services since 2004.
While conducting all levels of MS Office Training for Access, Excel, PowerPoint, and Word, and VBA Training for Access, Excel, and Word, his specialty has been primarily Access and Excel. He has successfully delivered training to many organisations from a vast array of business sectors.
Paul’s consulting services comprise MS Access System Design and Development including VBA-controlled data processing, Automated Word/Excel document creation populated with selective data, and backend connections via ODBC, DAO, and ADO to various backend sources. He also has experience with SQL Server backend development including Views, Stored Procedures, and User Defined Functions.
Key benefits
Efficiently manage and analyse large data sets with Excel features
Get more out of formulas and be intuitive with usage
Communicate data more clearly and have greater clarity for informed decision-making
View how Copilot in Excel can be used to generate suggestions and highlight interesting data
Surpass basic Excel skills and master more nuanced features and functionality in Excel
Audience
This Microsoft Excel course is designed for beginner to early-intermediate users of Excel who want to improve their productivity and get more out of their spreadsheets. It is not appropriate for experienced or advanced-level users.
Relevant functions include (but are not limited to):
- Project, Program, and Operations
- Data Scientists and Analysts
- Procurement
- Finance and Auditing
- Analytics
- Auditing / Reporting
Agenda
All times are shown in AEST
Acknowledgement of Country, opening remarks & introductions
Refreshing essential Excel knowledge
- Entering and editing data
- Entering formulas confidently and intuitively
- Basic formatting
- Moving and copying data
- Common Excel function review
Doing more with Excel – going deeper
- Managing worksheets effectively
Morning break
Doing more with Excel – going deeper continued
- Identifying trends and anomalies
- Using more formulas/functions
- Inserting/deleting rows/columns
- Finding, sorting, and editing data
Dedicated question time & problem-solving
Close of Day One
Opening remarks & reflections on Day One
Working more effectively & efficiently with Excel
- Shortcuts to work faster and more efficiently: keyboard, mouse, and autofill shortcuts
- Linking cells, sheets & formulas
Morning break
Working more effectively & efficiently with Excel continued
- Getting more out of formulas
- The ‘Insert Function’ button
- Demo on CoPilot
Creating charts in Excel
- Visualising your data
- Effortlessly create dynamic charts
Dedicated question time & problem-solving
Close of Day Two & Close of Course
Pricing
Save up until 24 July
+GST
Early bird pricing
Save $500
Save up until 14 August
+GST
Early bird pricing
Save $300
Save up until 4 September
+GST
Early bird pricing
Save $100
Standard pricing
+GST
Bring your colleagues and save with a group discount
Groups of 5+ attendees save 10% Groups of 10+ attendees save 20%
Brilliant course, facilitator and learnings – practical and clear”
Dian Constable
Operations Manager, Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry, April 2026
Simple and easy to follow with engaging content with outstanding facilitators. Highly recommend.”
Bronagh Rooney
Administration Officer, Queensland Corrective Services, December 2025
I highly recommend this course; it was very useful, practical and well presented”
Ishara Wishart
Finance and Procurement Advisor, Respect Victoria, April 2026
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