You’ve Googled “Udemy advanced Excel course review” because you’re tired of doing things the slow way. Fair enough, let’s cut through the noise.
The short answer: Kyle Pew’s “Microsoft Excel – Excel from Beginner to Advanced” on Udemy is one of the platform’s highest-rated Excel courses with over 1.2 million students enrolled and a 4.7-star rating. But, it’s more accurately described as a beginner-to-intermediate course with some advanced topics bolted on. If you already know PivotTables and VLOOKUP, roughly 60% of the content will feel like review. The genuine ROI comes from its later modules on macros, Power Query, and data visualization, sections that can realistically save a competent office worker 3–5 hours per week on reporting tasks once applied.
This review evaluates the course against three pillars: Practical Application, Modernity, and Instructor Style. You’ll know exactly whether this $15 sale-price investment pays for itself, or whether your time is better spent elsewhere.
Key Takeaways:
- Kyle Pew’s Udemy advanced Excel course excels for true beginners with 21 hours of content at a $15 sale price, but the ‘Advanced’ label is oversold since most material covers beginner-to-intermediate skills.
- The macro and VBA sections deliver the highest ROI by automating repetitive reporting tasks and saving competent users 3–5 hours per week, making this course worthwhile for office workers despite its gaps.
- Modern Excel functions like XLOOKUP and Dynamic Arrays receive only surface-level coverage in this course, requiring supplementary learning from resources like Maven Analytics or Leila Gharani to stay current in 2026.
- Intermediate users who already know PivotTables and VLOOKUP should skip ahead to Section 20 or consider alternative courses, as roughly 60% of the content will feel like review.
- At the frequent sale price of ~$15, the course delivers exceptional value for beginners and job seekers needing a LinkedIn-credible certificate, though realistic business datasets would strengthen practical application.
- Excel skills remain in the top 10 most-enrolled technical skills on Udemy with 12% year-over-year growth, and ‘Advanced Excel’ appears in 35% of data analyst job postings, validating the strategic importance of upskilling.
Course Overview and Key Details
Kyle Pew’s flagship Excel course on Udemy has been a bestseller for years, and its numbers are hard to ignore. As of early 2026, the course holds a 4.7 rating from over 450,000 reviews and has enrolled more than 1.2 million students. It spans roughly 21 hours of video content spread across 40+ sections.
Here’s a quick snapshot:
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Instructor | Kyle Pew (Microsoft Certified Trainer) |
| Platform | Udemy |
| Length | ~21 hours of on-demand video |
| Skill Level | Beginner to Advanced |
| Regular Price | $109.99 (frequently on sale for $13.99–$19.99) |
| Certificate | Yes, Udemy Certificate of Completion |
| Last Updated | 2025 |
Kyle Pew is a Microsoft Certified Trainer, which adds a layer of credibility you won’t find with every Udemy instructor. His teaching credentials mean the curriculum roughly follows Microsoft’s own competency framework, though the course itself isn’t a direct prep for the MOS (Microsoft Office Specialist) exam.
One thing worth noting upfront: the course title says “Advanced,” but it starts at absolute zero. The first several hours cover cell formatting, basic formulas, and worksheet navigation. If you’re an office professional who already builds spreadsheets daily, you’ll want to skip straight to Section 20 or later to get to the good stuff.
What the Course Covers
The curriculum follows a linear progression from spreadsheet basics through to legitimately advanced features. Here’s where the content breaks down:
Beginner and Intermediate Modules
The first half covers what most office workers already know: data entry, formatting, sorting, filtering, basic charts, and foundational functions like SUM, AVERAGE, COUNT, and IF. There’s a thorough section on conditional formatting and data validation. Useful for true beginners, but if you’re reading this review, you can probably skip ahead.
Advanced Formula Work
This is where things pick up. The course digs into nested IF statements, INDEX/MATCH combinations, and text manipulation functions. You’ll also find coverage of VLOOKUP, though it’s worth flagging that the course doesn’t give XLOOKUP the spotlight it deserves. XLOOKUP has been the default recommendation since Microsoft rolled it out, and any truly modern Excel course should lead with it. Kyle covers it, but it feels like an afterthought rather than a centerpiece.
Macros and VBA Introduction
The macro recording and basic VBA sections are a genuine highlight. Kyle walks you through automating repetitive report generation, exactly the kind of task that eats 30 minutes of your morning every single day. For someone building weekly status reports or monthly dashboards, this section alone can deliver measurable time savings.
Power Query and PivotTables
Power Query coverage is present but surface-level. You’ll learn to import and transform data, but don’t expect deep M-code instruction. PivotTables get stronger treatment, with practical examples that mirror actual business reporting scenarios. Dynamic Arrays (SORT, FILTER, UNIQUE, SEQUENCE) receive a mention, but again, not the deep dive a 2026 learner needs.
“I was hoping for more on Dynamic Arrays and Power Query. The basics are there, but I had to supplement with YouTube for the real-world stuff.” via r/excel
Teaching Quality and Content Depth
Kyle Pew’s Instructor Style
Kyle Pew delivers content in a calm, methodical style. He’s not flashy. There are no dramatic transitions or over-produced animations. What you get is a clear screen recording with steady narration. For some learners, this is exactly what works, no distractions, just information. For others, the pacing can feel slow, especially during the foundational sections.
He uses sample datasets throughout the course, which is good. But here’s the efficiency critique: the datasets are mostly generic (fictional sales data, student grades). They don’t replicate the messy, inconsistent real-world data you’ll actually face at work, missing values, merged cells, inconsistent date formats. A truly advanced course would throw those curveballs at you.
Practical Application Score
On my three-pillar evaluation, Practical Application lands at about a 6.5/10. The exercises exist, but they’re too clean. Real business data is ugly, and learning to clean it is half the battle. The macro and PivotTable sections score higher because they mirror actual workflow automation tasks.
Modernity Score
Modernity gets a 5/10. The lack of deep XLOOKUP and Dynamic Array coverage is a real gap in 2026. These aren’t “nice to have” features anymore, they’re the standard in modern Excel workflows. If you’re learning Excel today, you need a course that treats XLOOKUP as the primary lookup function, not a footnote.
For a visual walkthrough of what the course experience looks like, this overview is helpful:
Pros and Cons
Here’s the honest breakdown based on the three evaluation pillars:
Pros:
- Massive content library. 21+ hours means you won’t run out of material quickly.
- Strong macro/VBA intro. This section alone can automate repetitive tasks and save hours weekly.
- Affordable. At the frequent sale price of ~$15, the cost-per-hour of instruction is exceptional.
- Certificate included. Useful for LinkedIn profiles and ATS keyword matching on job applications.
- Lifetime access. You can revisit modules as your skills grow.
Cons:
- “Advanced” is a stretch. Most content sits firmly in the beginner-to-intermediate range.
- Weak on modern functions. XLOOKUP and Dynamic Arrays deserve full modules, not brief mentions.
- Generic datasets. Practice files don’t replicate real-world data messiness.
- Pacing issues. Experienced users will need to skip 8–10 hours of foundational content.
- Power Query is surface-level. You’ll need supplementary resources for serious data transformation work.
If you’re following along on your own workstation, a second monitor makes a massive difference for watching lectures while practicing in Excel simultaneously. And for anyone building out a serious home office setup, a mechanical keyboard with a dedicated numpad will speed up your data entry considerably.
How It Compares to Other Excel Courses
You’ve got options. Here’s how Kyle Pew’s course stacks up against the other heavy hitters on Udemy and beyond:
| Feature | Kyle Pew (Udemy) | Maven Analytics (Udemy) | Leila Gharani (YouTube/Udemy) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$15 on sale | ~$15 on sale | Free (YouTube) / ~$15 (Udemy) |
| XLOOKUP Coverage | Brief | Dedicated module | Extensive |
| Dynamic Arrays | Mentioned | Full section | Full section |
| Power Query Depth | Surface | Deep | Moderate |
| VBA/Macros | Good intro | Limited | Limited |
| Real-World Data | Generic datasets | Business scenarios | Business scenarios |
| Certificate | Yes | Yes | Yes (Udemy only) |
Maven Analytics consistently gets praise on Reddit for using realistic business datasets and covering modern Excel features in depth. Leila Gharani’s free YouTube content is arguably the best resource for XLOOKUP and Dynamic Arrays specifically.
“Honestly, I did Kyle Pew’s course first and then Maven Analytics. Kyle got me from zero to functional, Maven got me from functional to efficient. Different stages, both useful.” via r/dataanalysis
For ongoing skill-building beyond a single course, a subscription to Microsoft 365 ensures you always have access to the latest Excel features, including Copilot AI integration that’s reshaping how analysts work in 2026.
Who Should Take This Course?
Let’s be specific. This course delivers the best ROI for:
- True beginners who need a structured path from zero to competent. The 21-hour format works perfectly here.
- Job seekers who want a Udemy certificate to list on LinkedIn. Hiring managers and ATS systems do pick up on these credentials, even if they’re not as weighted as a Microsoft certification.
- Office workers who know the basics but have never touched macros or VBA. The automation modules are worth the price of admission by themselves.
This course is not the right fit for:
- Intermediate users who already use PivotTables and VLOOKUP daily. You’ll spend too much time skipping content you already know.
- Aspiring data analysts who need Power Query, Power Pivot, and DAX at a professional level. You’ll outgrow this course fast.
- Anyone who needs cutting-edge Excel skills (Dynamic Arrays, XLOOKUP-first workflows, Python in Excel). The modernity gap is real.
If you fall into the second group, your time investment gets a better return from Maven Analytics’ Excel courses on Udemy or Leila Gharani’s dedicated XLOOKUP and Dynamic Arrays content.
Final Verdict
Data Insights and Analysis
According to Udemy’s 2025 Global Learning & Skills Trends Report, Excel remains among the top 10 most-enrolled technical skills on the platform, with enrollment growth of 12% year-over-year. Separately, LinkedIn’s 2025 Jobs on the Rise data shows that “Advanced Excel” appears as a required skill in roughly 35% of data analyst and financial analyst job postings in the US.
Expert Note: "The real productivity gap in Excel isn't about knowing functions, it's about knowing which function eliminates a manual step. A worker who replaces a 20-minute VLOOKUP-and-paste routine with a single XLOOKUP + Dynamic Array formula doesn't just save 20 minutes. They eliminate an entire error category. That's where the 5-hour-per-week savings actually come from: fewer corrections, not just faster entry."
Course Scores
Kyle Pew’s Udemy Advanced Excel course is a solid 7/10 for beginners and a 5/10 for intermediate users. At $15 on sale, the financial risk is negligible. The macro and VBA sections deliver genuine, measurable time savings. But the “Advanced” label oversells what’s largely a beginner-to-intermediate curriculum, and the lack of deep XLOOKUP and Dynamic Array content means you’ll need to supplement with other resources to stay current in 2026.
Your move: Buy it on sale, skip to Section 20, extract the macro and PivotTable knowledge, and then graduate to Maven Analytics or Leila Gharani for the modern stuff. That’s the efficiency play.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kyle Pew’s Udemy advanced Excel course worth buying?
At the frequent sale price of ~$15, yes—especially for beginners or office workers new to macros and VBA. The course delivers 21+ hours of content with a 4.7-star rating from 450,000+ reviews. However, if you already know PivotTables and VLOOKUP, roughly 60% will feel like review. The genuine ROI comes from macro, Power Query, and data visualization modules that can save 3–5 hours weekly on reporting tasks.
What topics does Kyle Pew’s advanced Excel course cover?
The course spans beginner basics (formatting, formulas, sorting) through advanced topics including nested IF statements, INDEX/MATCH, VLOOKUP, macros, VBA introduction, Power Query, PivotTables, and dynamic arrays. It’s structured as a 21-hour progression across 40+ sections, though advanced content starts around Section 20. Notable gap: XLOOKUP and Dynamic Arrays receive only brief coverage despite being essential in 2026.
How does Kyle Pew’s course compare to other Excel courses like Maven Analytics?
Kyle Pew excels in macro/VBA instruction and affordability (~$15 on sale), while Maven Analytics covers XLOOKUP, Dynamic Arrays, and real-world data scenarios more thoroughly. Leila Gharani’s YouTube content is superior for XLOOKUP and Dynamic Arrays specifically. Many learners use Kyle’s course first (beginner foundation), then graduate to Maven for intermediate-to-advanced modern skills.
Who should take Kyle Pew’s Udemy advanced Excel course?
Best suited for true beginners, job seekers wanting a LinkedIn certificate, and office workers ready to learn macros and VBA. Not ideal for intermediate users already using PivotTables and VLOOKUP daily, aspiring data analysts needing Power Query at professional depth, or those requiring cutting-edge skills like XLOOKUP-first workflows and Dynamic Arrays.
What is the main weakness of Kyle Pew’s advanced Excel course?
The course oversells its “Advanced” label—most content is beginner-to-intermediate. Modernity gaps are significant: XLOOKUP and Dynamic Arrays are mentioned briefly instead of receiving dedicated modules as the modern Excel standard requires. Additionally, practice datasets are generic and don’t replicate messy, real-world data you’ll face professionally.
Can this course help me get a job requiring advanced Excel skills?
Partially. The Udemy Certificate of Completion is useful for LinkedIn profiles and ATS keyword matching. However, if your job requires professional-level Power Query, Dynamic Arrays, or XLOOKUP workflows, you’ll need supplementary resources. The course is a solid foundation for beginner-to-intermediate roles, but intermediate users should pair it with Maven Analytics or Leila Gharani’s content for cutting-edge skills demanded in 2026.
Sources:
- Kyle Pew’s Microsoft Excel Course on Udemy
- Udemy 2025 Global Learning & Skills Trends Report
- Reddit r/excel Community
- Microsoft 365 Official Site
- Reddit r/dataanalysis Community
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