Data entry skills essential for most administrative and assistant roles. So, if you’re in one of these roles and you’re looking to progress your data entry skills further, we have spent the time researching the best data entry courses that are available online. We have included both free and paid courses, that are suitable for all levels, to ensure that you can find a course best suited to you!
But first, let’s answer a very important question – what is data entry?
Data entry is the important role of updating and maintaining information on computer systems and archives. It is so crucial because these systems play a huge role in the smooth operation of a business. Without accurate and usable data, many businesses and systems cannot function.
If you are assistant, or someone who would one-day like to be an assistant, you can learn how to input data through online learning. Suitable for all levels, I have spent the time researching the best online data entry tutorials out there. So, if you’re looking to progress your assistant skills, there will be an online course out there for you!
1. Excel for the Real World: Gain the Basic Skills of Microsoft Excel (Skillshare)
- Level: Beginner
- Completion time: 1h 2m
- Cost: 14 day free-trial
- Certification: No
- Number of people who have completed the course: 31,918
- Course rating: N/A
To data input, Microsoft excel is an essential tool. In this class, you will take a look at the Excel interface so that you are familiar with it. You will then learn to navigate your way through all necessary functions of the software and how to understand its practical applications. Specifically, you will take a look at using the Ribbon tool, structuring your Workbook, formatting, selecting data, writing formulas, listing and sorting, and using paste special.
Once you have finished this course, you should feel confident using Excel and inputting data. To progress your knowledge and skills further, you can take the other two classes included in this series.
2. Excel for the Real World II: Double Your Excel Speed with Keyboard Shortcuts (Skillshare)
- Level: Intermediate
- Completion time: 1h 10m
- Cost: 14 day free-trial
- Certification: No
- Number of people who have completed the course: 7,702
- Course rating: N/A
This class is the second in a three part series on using excel for data entry. In this class, you will learn all about the different keyboard shortcuts you can use to speed up your data workflow. You will learn about this in a way that is fun but will also maximize your data entry in a way that you didn’t even think was possible!
Most importantly, in this class you will learn by doing. You will follow a file called ‘Excel for the Real World’, where you will learn about how to get started with shortcuts, navigating within Excel, selecting stuff, using paste specials, using formula fills, formatting and how to use special shortcuts.
3. Data Entry Course for Beginners (Udemy)
- Level: Beginner
- Completion time: 2h 48m
- Cost: $69.99
- Certification: No
- Number of people who have completed the course: 7,436
- Course rating: 4.5/5 (out of 2,106 ratings)
Taught by Azharul Rafy, a passionate teacher and successful data entry professional, this Udemy course is a bestseller. Suitable for beginners who are wanting to do data entry as a freelance career, you will learn about Data Entry project types on Upwork and Fiverr.
The course will take a look at what skills you need to complete these jobs. As well as this, you will also learn about how to do the work for the projects. By the end, you should feel well practiced at data entry and should have the confidence to move forwards and try get clients to provide data entry service to and maximize your earnings!
4. Practice Video: Date Entry, Data Types, Editing and Deleting (Coursera)
- Level: All levels
- Completion time: N/A
- Cost: Enroll for Free
- Certification: Yes
- Number of people who have completed the course: 7,436
- Course rating: 4.9/5 (out of 39,720)
Offered by Macquarie University, this course is designed for anyone wanting to excel in business by learning the essentials of Microsoft excel. Once the course is completed, you will be able to expertly navigate the Excel user interface, perform basic calculations, format spreadsheets, create visualizations of data and graphs.
Whether you’ve used Excel before, or you haven’t, there will be something fun and exciting to learn. To top this off, the course also comes with a downloadable Excel workbook and full data set with applied examples so that you can practice your skills and really solidify your knowledge.
5. Excel 2013: Shortcuts (LinkedIn Learning)
- Level: Intermediate
- Completion time: 3h 16m
- Cost: 1-month free trial
- Certification: Yes
- Number of people who have completed the course: 3,524
- Course rating: 4.9/5 (out of 39,720)
Although looking at Excel 2013, this course offers you invaluable advice on how to use Excel efficiently and smoothly for data entry. You will discover over 65 tips, tricks and shortcuts in Microsoft excel. Specifically, you will look at how to invoke commands, manage and organize data and build formulas. Curt, the course instructor, will also share his power shortcuts for saving time on basic tasks.
So, from entering data to selecting cell ranges and summarizing data, this LinkedIn learning course should have you covered with all the skills you could ever need to know!
6. Excel spreadsheets made easy (Skillshare)
- Level: Beginner
- Completion time: 1h 9m
- Cost: 14 day free trial
- Certification: Yes
- Number of people who have completed the course: 765
- Course rating: N/A
This class is suitable for those with absolutely no knowledge of excel and want to be able to quickly progress their skills to be able to create spreadsheets and charts.
You will take a look at formatting, saving files, adding things to sheets, linking data, a class project and MUCH more! After covering all these lessons, you will have learnt how to create your very first spreadsheet, and illustrate it with a graph. You will learn plenty of useful tools so that you can rapidly obtain results and build something that looks good.
7. Xero Online Accounting – the Practical Data Entry Course (Udemy)
- Level: Beginner
- Completion time: 3h 9m
- Cost: 14 day free trial
- Certification: Yes
- Number of people who have completed the course: 187
- Course rating: 4.5/5 (out of 187 ratings)
All you need to complete this course is a bit commitment to complete all the assignment… it’s not just about watching the videos!
You will learn how to use Xero for day-to-day data entry. Using Xero, you can learn how to design sales invoice layouts, create and issue sales invoices, learn about important bank statements and saving time by avoiding making mistakes. If you, and your organization, want to use Xero for all your financial matters, you will also get a free Xero trial so that you can get used to it!
Conclusion
So, there you have it… the 7 best data entry courses that are available online. These classes are suited to anyone who is wanting to develop their skills to become a fantastic assistant in any industry.
Having excellent data entry skills will aid you thousands of careers, as these skills will allow you to manage and operate systems efficiently. Specific careers where data entry skills are particularly helpful include:
To gather the data entry skills that will make you progress in lots of careers, there are lots of online courses available for you. There are free courses that take as little as an hour to complete, and there are more expensive courses that much longer to complete! Some courses are suitable for those with no previous experience in similar roles. Whereas other courses are better suited for those with lots of experience as an assistant, but are specifically looking to increase their skill set further.
The online classes in this list are the best of the best. Each is taught by an experienced and dedicated teacher, and they all have lots of satisfied and happy customers.
So, which course you decide take depends on your experience, funds and spare time. Are you someone who has lots of assistant experience? Or, are you completely new to assistant roles? Do you have a huge amount of money to spend on your skill development? Do you have a lot of spare time, or are you just looking for a quick, but effective, skill top up?