How do I choose the right Microsoft course for my goals?

Start by identifying the Microsoft product or skill you want to build— Excel for data , Power BI for analytics , Word and PowerPoint for communication , or Azure for cloud computing . For data analysis and dashboards, try the Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst Professional Certificate . Want to build everyday productivity skills? Explore the Master Microsoft Office 365 and Power Platform Specialization . Interested in cloud technologies? Consider Introduction to Microsoft Azure Cloud Services for a beginner-friendly cloud overview.

Which Microsoft course should I start with as a beginner?

These beginner-friendly courses offer step-by-step guidance using Microsoft tools for work or personal use: Work Smarter with Microsoft Excel – Learn essential Excel formulas, formatting, and data entry. Microsoft Power BI for Beginners – Guided Project to help you create interactive dashboards. Microsoft PowerPoint for Beginners – Build confidence in document creation and visual communication.

What’s the difference between a Microsoft course, Specialization, and Professional Certificate?

A course teaches one tool or task—such as creating spreadsheets, visualizing data, or managing cloud infrastructure, such as Data Visualization . A Specialization combines multiple courses for structured learning—like Microsoft 365 Fundamentals Specialization , which covers Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint. A Professional Certificate prepares you for a job role with end-to-end, career-aligned training—such as the Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst Certificate , which aligns with Microsoft’s PL-300 exam.

Can I take free Microsoft courses on Coursera?

While Microsoft does not offer its full Professional Certificates, Specializations, or courses for free, there are two ways to ensure you have selected the best topic and program to meet your goal. Preview the first module of many Microsoft courses at no cost. This includes video lessons, readings, graded assignments, and Coursera Coach (where available). Start a 7-day free trial for Specializations or Coursera Plus. This gives you full access to all course content across eligible programs within the timeframe of your trial. If you want to keep learning, earn a certificate from Microsoft, or unlock full course access after the preview or trial, you can upgrade or apply for financial aid.

Top Microsoft Courses - Learn Microsoft Online

In summary, here are 10 of our most popular microsoft courses

Getting Started with Microsoft Excel: Coursera Project Network
How To Visualize Your Data Using Microsoft Powerpoint: Coursera Project Network
Introduction to Data Analysis using Microsoft Excel: Coursera Project Network
Getting Started with Microsoft Word: Coursera Project Network
Create Charts and Dashboards Using Microsoft Excel: Coursera Project Network
Using Basic Formulas and Functions in Microsoft Excel: Coursera Project Network
Create a Project Management Tracker using Microsoft Excel: Coursera Project Network
Creating a Budget with Microsoft Excel: Coursera Project Network
Getting Started with Microsoft PowerPoint: Coursera Project Network
Introduction to Microsoft Office: Coursera Project Network

Microsoft Online Courses

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Getting Started with Microsoft Excel

How To Visualize Your Data Using Microsoft Powerpoint

Introduction to Data Analysis using Microsoft Excel

Getting Started with Microsoft Word

Create Charts and Dashboards Using Microsoft Excel

Using Basic Formulas and Functions in Microsoft Excel

What brings you to Coursera today?

Create a Project Management Tracker using Microsoft Excel

Creating a Budget with Microsoft Excel

Getting Started with Microsoft PowerPoint

Introduction to Microsoft Office

Create a Financial Statement using Microsoft Excel

Conditional Formatting, Tables and Charts in Microsoft Excel

Microsoft learners also search

In summary, here are 10 of our most popular microsoft courses

Frequently Asked Questions about Microsoft

How do I choose the right Microsoft course for my goals?‎

Which Microsoft course should I start with as a beginner?‎

What’s the difference between a Microsoft course, Specialization, and Professional Certificate?‎

Can I take free Microsoft courses on Coursera?‎

Other topics to explore

Filter by

SubjectRequired *

LanguageRequired *

Learning ProductRequired *

LevelRequired *

DurationRequired *

SkillsRequired *

SubtitlesRequired *

EducatorRequired *

Explore the Microsoft Course Catalog

Getting Started with Microsoft Excel

How To Visualize Your Data Using Microsoft Powerpoint

Introduction to Data Analysis using Microsoft Excel

Getting Started with Microsoft Word

Create Charts and Dashboards Using Microsoft Excel

Using Basic Formulas and Functions in Microsoft Excel

What brings you to Coursera today?

Create a Project Management Tracker using Microsoft Excel

Creating a Budget with Microsoft Excel

Getting Started with Microsoft PowerPoint

Introduction to Microsoft Office

Create a Financial Statement using Microsoft Excel

Conditional Formatting, Tables and Charts in Microsoft Excel

Microsoft learners also search

In summary, here are 10 of our most popular microsoft courses

Frequently Asked Questions about Microsoft

How do I choose the right Microsoft course for my goals?‎

Which Microsoft course should I start with as a beginner?‎

What’s the difference between a Microsoft course, Specialization, and Professional Certificate?‎

Other topics to explore

Subject
Required

Language
Required

Learning Product
Required

Level
Required

Duration
Required

Skills
Required

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