Interview next week - need to learn Microsoft Excel & Access fast! Please help?

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redmandarin
redmandarin Posts: 832 Forumite
in Techie Stuff
The interview is next week and I'm going to be tested on Microsoft excel and access. I did a clait level 1 course years ago, but have not used them since (I've only used in-house systems). I think the test will use office 2003, so I need to learn the basics fast!

My pc (at home) has windows XP, is it possible to learn excel/access 2003 on this pc, without interfering with the xp versions - and if so please can you recommend any free software, and easy to understand basic tutorials?

Any help will be greatly appreciated, thanks!
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  • littlepanther
    littlepanther Posts: 155 Forumite
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    Firstly, good luck with the interviews. There are two websites I point people to one is free and the other costs $25 per month.

    The paid for one is comprehensive it is https://www.lynda.com, there are some free tutorials to watch but costs $25 per month, sign up for one month, you must remember to cancel.

    The other is free, it is https://www.jargonfreehelp.com, there are sections for Excel and Access on the menu. I emailed once to ask for pie charts, a couple of days later it was there.

    Both are excellent, Lynda is established and the Jargon Free one is adding more all the time.
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  • amcluesent
    amcluesent Posts: 9,425 Forumite
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    TBH I doubt whether the differences between 2003 and XP will make any difference to mugging up on the basics. If they were to test using office 2007 and its ribbon toolbar then you would have a serious problem.
  • littlepanther
    littlepanther Posts: 155 Forumite
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    Tutorials themselves should work.

    Office 2007 or 2010 could pose a problem, lynda.com has tutorials on it. But if you think it is one of these Microsoft I think still ha a trial on their website. Both work on XP. But when you install keep 2003 and don't install Outlook. You can have multiple versions of Excel and Access installed.

    Sounds like you might need a trainer for half a day. If you do and you're in London I know a number of reasonably priced freelance trainers, happy to pass on details if you PM me.
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  • PhilCo_2
    PhilCo_2 Posts: 136 Forumite
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    Depending on the level of job you're going for they're probably only wanting to see that you know the basics of how to open/create files, print stuff off and do basic calculations. Best way to learn formulas is to use the function wizard and help file and just have a practice. Vlookups are always useful to know in business as they are very powerful when used correctly. If you want to see some examples of formulas I have a free file with some on here. As for the buttons just go through them all and see what happens when you press them, you won't destroy anything!

    If you haven't got Excel then Open Office Calc will give you a similar menubar layout to Excel 2003 and the formulae are pretty similar, although Calc uses a semi colon instead of a comma.

    Learning the basics of Access in a week is going to be nigh on impossible especially if you don't know Excel (unless you're already used to databases). There weren't that many people in the places I've worked that knew how to use it anyway. Most managers are scared of it as they don't understand it so don't like people using it incase they leave and they're left with up the creek. You're probably more likely to be using a finished one rather than creating one and being able to do that depends more on how easy the person who created it made it to be used.

    Good luck.
  • littlepanther
    littlepanther Posts: 155 Forumite
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    Totally agree with PhilCo and as he said Access is a big ask just get basics under your belt. I've tried to help people cram before, it doesn't work. Philco is 100% correct. But don't give up you have a week to get a good grounding.

    If you can do functions and formulas in 2003 it is the same in 2007 and 2010. Click on the little fx button on the formula bar...just watch this video

    http://!!!!!!!/cDT5d8
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  • littlepanther
    littlepanther Posts: 155 Forumite
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    http://!!!!!!!/cDT5d8

    Sorry link didn't paste properly
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  • Lil306
    Lil306 Posts: 1,692 Forumite
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    Nice plugging yourself there Mr Connoly ;) - although drop that gay video :D

    Agreed, it varies what you will be tested on. If it's simple jobs like office / admin or data entry don't expect to be asked anything more than basics like simple functions & formulas / commands

    If you're going for a job application that's more specialist like Financials or Statisticals, something along that nature, I'd expect they'll be looking for someone with more specialist knowledge in that program

    I myself am doing college courses in Office (just basic ITQ, the new NVQs) it's quite surprising the stuff you learn but it only covers the basics and some more advanced stuff. I'm going to be getting some books to read and probably more courses as I want to get into Access Developer and Excel Developer stuff, since they're heavily utilised.... although probably covered doing a Microsoft Office Specialist exam anyway :)
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  • littlepanther
    littlepanther Posts: 155 Forumite
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    I can only assume you're referring to the video I linked to. I'm not Mr Connolly, who's he?

    I mentioned two video links. I can mention more. I just put people in touch with ones I like. I also like thetrainingsurgery.co.uk for tips and she is an excellent trainer.

    But you are right if they wanted specialist knowledge you'd know it.
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  • littlepanther
    littlepanther Posts: 155 Forumite
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    Other useful videos are:

    Mrexcel.com, he has useful podcasts on iTunes too. His can be a bit advanced but great tips and he does it nicely.

    There is http://dailyaccesstips.com

    Both free.

    Lynda.com is great for a comprehensive catalogue of courses from start to finish.

    Jargonfreehelp.com is for those getting started or who have a fear of technology. Start here with learning about functions and formulae an move to mrexcel and dailyaccesstips when you want to know more.
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  • Lil306
    Lil306 Posts: 1,692 Forumite
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    littlepanther wrote: »
    Other useful videos are:

    Mrexcel.com, he has useful podcasts on iTunes too. His can be a bit advanced but great tips and he does it nicely.

    There is http://dailyaccesstips.com

    Both free.

    Lynda.com is great for a comprehensive catalogue of courses from start to finish.

    Jargonfreehelp.com is for those getting started or who have a fear of technology. Start here with learning about functions and formulae an move to mrexcel and dailyaccesstips when you want to know more.


    PhilCo is MrConnoly (person who owns that website), wasn't anything bad just a short joke :D

    I was referring to the video on the home page, mainly because I hate those "earn money at home" videos

    Also, seconded that MrExcel, it's a very good site. I used to use it back in the days. Along with NotesNinjas (for Lotus Notes)
    Owner of andrewhope.co.uk, hate cars and love them

    Working towards DFD

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