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Excel Interview Questions and Answers

Microsoft Excel is an excellent tool for performing data analysis, reporting, and automation. More than 250,000+ job openings across the world require expertise in Excel skills in various positions. The salary of an expert in Excel mainly lies in the range of ₹5 to ₹12 lakhs per year.

This guide contains a well-organized list of the most frequently asked Excel interview questions, categorized as basic, intermediate, and advanced. It will help you become acquainted with key Excel functions, formulas, and real-time usage. 

Table of Contents

Basic Excel Interview Questions for Freshers

1. How do you select multiple cells in Excel?

There are a few notable methods to select multiple cells in Excel, and they are discussed below:

Click and drag: To choose a specific group of cells, click on a cell, hold down the left mouse button, and drag the cursor to cover those cells. To choose the range, let go of the mouse button.

Shift key: Choose the first cell in the range, then choose the last cell in the range while holding down the Shift key. The initial and last cells themselves are also included in the selection of cells between them.

Ctrl key: To select a specific cell, click it while pressing the Ctrl key. You can choose non-contiguous cells or ranges by doing this.

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2. How do you insert a new row or column in Excel?

These procedures should be followed in Excel to add a new row or column:

Adding a Row:

Where you wish to place the new row, choose the row below. Select row 4, for instance, if you wish to add a row between row 3 and row 4.

To access the context menu, right-click on the chosen row.

Go to the context menu and select ‘Insert’ or ‘Insert Cells.’ This will add a new row above the currently chosen row.

Adding a Row

Adding a Column:

 

Select the column to the right of where you want the new column. Select column C, for instance, if you wish to add a column between column B and C.

To access the context menu, right-click on the chosen column.

Go to the context menu and select ‘Insert’ or ‘Insert Cells.’ This will add a new column to the left of the currently chosen column.

Adding a Column:

3. How do you delete a row or column in Excel?

The following techniques can be used in Excel to delete a row or column:

Remove a Row:

You can delete a row by selecting the entire row. To select the complete row, click on the row number on the left side of the Excel window.

To access the context menu, “right-click” on the chosen row.

Click ‘Delete’ or ‘Delete Cells’ to remove the selected row.

Remove a row

Remove a Column: 

You can delete a row by selecting the entire column. To select the complete column, click on the column number at the top of the Excel window.

To access the context menu, “right-click” on the chosen column.

Click ‘Delete’ or ‘Delete Cells’ to remove the selected column.

Remove a Column:

4. What is the SUM function used for?

Excel’s SUM function is used to determine the total or sum of a set of numbers. It enables you to easily add up several values that are contained in a given range or a collection of distinct cells.

5. What is the difference between relative and absolute cell references?

Relative Cell Reference: Excel’s default type of reference is a relative cell reference. A relative reference in a formula moves the formula’s location concerning the cell into which it is copied or filled.

Absolute Cell Reference: In contrast, an absolute cell reference does not change when duplicated or filled and remains constant. Dollar signs ($) are used in the cell reference before the column letter and row number to indicate it.

6. What is the difference between the COUNT and COUNTA functions?

The difference between the COUNT and COUNTA functions is defined further:

COUNT COUNTA
Count cells with numeric values only. Count Non-empty cells, including text and other data types.
Ignores text and non-numeric values. Includes both numeric and non-numeric values.

7. What is conditional formatting in Excel?

Excel’s conditional formatting tool enables you to format cells according to particular requirements or specifications. It gives you a tool to graphically emphasize or highlight data that satisfies predetermined criteria, making it simpler to see patterns, trends, or outliers in your spreadsheet.

8. What is the difference between a relative and an absolute cell reference in conditional formatting?

The difference between a relative and an absolute cell reference in conditional formatting is elaborated below:

Aspect Relative Cell Reference Absolute Cell Reference
Definition Adjusts based on the location of the rule application cell. Remains fixed regardless of where the rule is applied.
Dollar Sign ($) Usage Typically, no dollar sign ($) is used. The dollar sign ($) makes the reference constant.
Behavior when Copied/Dragged Adjusts new cell locations. Remains the same as originally defined.
Example If applied to A1 > B1, it adapts to A2 > B2. Always refers to A1 > B1, regardless of application.

9. How do you remove duplicates in Excel?

There are some processes to remove duplicates in Excel, and they are discussed further. Use Excel’s built-in Remove Duplicates function to eliminate duplicates and retain unique data. Here is how to go about it:

  • Choose the cell range containing the data you wish to eliminate duplicates from. This range may consist of one or more columns.
  • Open the Excel ribbon and choose the ‘Data’ tab. 
  • Select ‘Remove Duplicates’ from the list of ‘Data Tools’ options. 
  • There you will see a dialogue box. All columns in your specified range will be automatically selected in the dialogue box. 
  • Make sure the ‘My data has headers’ option is selected if your data has headers. 
  • Review the columns that you chose to remove duplicates from. You can uncheck any columns that you don’t want to be used for duplication checks if required.

How do you remove duplicates in Excel

10. How do you use the VLOOKUP function in Excel?

Excel’s VLOOKUP function may be used to find a value in a table’s leftmost column and return a similar value from a different column. It is very beneficial for carrying out search operations and getting data from huge data sources.

Syntax:

=VLOOKUP(lookup_value, table_array, col_index_num, [range_lookup])

Where, 

  • lookup_value: The value you want to look up. Select the cell whose value you want to match.
  • table_array: The table or range where Excel should search for the lookup_value. Here, select the range in which you want to match the lookup value to what you want as return-second-column respective values or third-column respective values, etc.
  • col_index_num: This represents what value you want in return. Keep in mind that for the second column, it will be 2, and for the third column, it will be 3, and so on.
  • range_lookup: [Optional] This parameter can be either TRUE or FALSE (or 1 or 0). It specifies whether you want an exact match (FALSE/0) or an approximate match (TRUE/1). If omitted, Excel assumes TRUE/1 by default, which means it will find the closest match if an exact match is not found.

How do you use the VLOOKUP function in Excel

11. What charts are available in Excel?

Excel has many types of charts, including bar charts, which display data with horizontal bars, while column charts display data with vertical bars. Both are used to compare values across categories. Pie charts, on the other hand, are utilized to demonstrate the distribution of categories in percentage or proportion. Pie charts are most effective when there are only a few categories, and they are easy to read at a glance.

12. What are Comments, and How Do You Use Them?

Comments in Excel are annotations that provide additional information about a cell’s content. To use them, right-click the target cell, select “Insert Comment,” and enter your note. The comment is represented by a small red triangle in the corner of the cell. Hover over it to view the comment’s content.

Excel Interview Questions for Experienced

13. Elaborate on the IF function in Excel.

Excel’s IF function enables you to run logical tests and return various values depending on the outcome. You can use your spreadsheet to execute conditional computations and make judgments thanks to it.

Syntax:

IF(logical_test, value_if_true, value_if_false)

 

Example: =IF(B2>=50, “Pass”, “Fail”)

Elaborate on the IF function in Excel

14. What is a pivot table in Excel?

A pivot table in Excel is an effective tool for data summary that enables structured, interactive analysis and summarization of enormous volumes of data. It offers a mechanism to glean insightful information, identify trends, and reach data-driven conclusions. An input dataset is organized into a structured table with rows, columns, and values using a pivot table. Without changing the original dataset, it enables you to dynamically group, filter, and change the data.

15. How do you add calculated fields in a pivot table?

To add calculated fields in a pivot table:

  1. Select Pivot Table: Start by selecting the pivot table.

Select Pivot Table

  1. Go to PivotTable Tools: Navigate to the “PivotTable Tools” or “Analyze” tab.

Go to PivotTable Tools

3. Click “Fields, Items, & Sets”: Choose this option from the toolbar.

Click “Fields, Items, & Sets

4. Select “Calculated Field”: Click on “Calculated Field.”

Select “Calculated Field"

5.  Create Calculated Field: Name your calculated field, define the formula, and click “Add.”

Create Calculated Field

6. Field Appears: The calculated field appears in your pivot table for analysis.

Adding calculated fields enhances data analysis in pivot tables.

16. What is the difference between a pivot table and a VLOOKUP function?

The difference between a pivot table and a VLOOKUP function is described below:

Aspect PivotTable VLOOKUP Function
Purpose Summarizes and analyzes data in a dynamic table format. Searches and retrieves specific data from a table based on a lookup value.
Functionality Provides data analysis, aggregation, and dynamic reporting capabilities. Focuses on data retrieval and reference based on lookup criteria.
Data Structure Works with structured data, columns, and headers. Requires a structured table with key lookup values and associated data columns.
Data Manipulation Enables dynamic filtering, grouping, and pivoting of data for insights. Primarily used for extracting specific data points from a table.
Calculation Performs calculations like sum, average, and count on data. Retrieves data based on a matching value and an associated column.
Complexity May involve setting up fields, filters, and hierarchical structures. Generally straightforward to use for lookup tasks with a simple syntax.
Use Cases Ideal for creating interactive reports, dashboards, and data exploration. Suitable for finding related information like prices, names, or IDs.
Visualization Offers graphical representation and charting options. Focuses on retrieving data rather than visualizing it.
Examples Analyzing sales by region and product category. Finding a customer’s contact information based on their ID.

17. What is data validation in Excel?

The ability to limit the kind of data that may be entered into a cell or a range of cells in Excel is known as data validation. Specifying particular criteria or standards for data entry it helps to ensure data correctness, consistency, and integrity. You can enforce data rules, avoid mistakes, and enhance data quality in your Excel spreadsheets by using data validation.

18. How do you create a drop-down list in Excel?

There are a few steps mentioned to create a drop-down list in Excel:

  • Choose the cell or cells in which the drop-down menu will be shown.
  • Open the Excel ribbon and choose the ‘Data’ tab.

How do you create a drop-down list in Excel

  • Now, simply left-click on the ‘Data Validation’ icon located in the ‘Data Tools’ category. This action will prompt a dialogue box to appear.

Data Tools

  • Navigate to the ‘Settings’ tab in the dialogue box.
  • Choose ‘List’ from the ‘Allow’ dropdown menu.

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  • Enter the values you wish to see in the drop-down list in the ‘Source’ column. These are your two choices:
  1. Directly type the values, separating them with commas (for example, Option 1, Option 2, Option 3).

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  1. As an alternative, you may choose from the drop-down list a group of cells that contain the values you want to utilize. For instance, you would put ‘=$A$1:$A$3’ in the ‘Source’ box if your choices were located in cells A1 to A3.

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If you want the drop-down arrow to show directly in the cell, make sure the ‘In-cell dropdown’ selection is selected. Users will still be able to access the drop-down list by pressing Alt + Down Arrow when the cell is chosen if you uncheck this option.

For the data validation to take effect and the drop-down list to be created, click ‘OK’.

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19. How do you modify the data source for a chart?

To modify a chart’s data source:

  1. Select the chart you want to edit.
  2. Locate and open the “Chart Data” or “Select Data” option in your charting software.

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  1. Adjust the data range references by selecting and editing them.
  2. Confirm the changes, and the chart will update to reflect the modified data source.

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  1. Ensure that the new data structure aligns with the chart’s requirements for accurate visualization.

20. What is a macro in Excel, and how can it be created?

A set of recorded or programmed instructions used to automate repetitive processes is known as an Excel macro. With only one command or button press, you can automate a sequence of processes or accomplish complicated procedures. The computer language Visual Basic for Applications (VBA), which is built into Excel, is used to construct macros. VBA is a potent programming language that lets you create unique procedures and functions to work with data, communicate with users, and automate a variety of Excel processes.

21. What is the Analysis ToolPak in Excel?

A Microsoft Excel add-in that offers more data analysis and statistical tools is called The Analysis ToolPak. It is intended to support users in carrying out challenging data analysis tasks and drawing well-informed conclusions from the outcomes. 

You must enable the Analysis ToolPak in Excel in order to utilize it. Here is how to go about it: 

  • Activate Excel and select the ‘File’ tab. 
  • From the menu, choose ‘Options’. 
  • Select ‘Add-Ins’ in the Excel Options dialogue box’s left-hand menu. 

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  • Select ‘Excel Add-ins’ from the ‘Manage’ drop-down option at the bottom of the dialogue box, then click the ‘Go’ button. 
  • Check the box next to ‘Analysis ToolPak’ in the Add-Ins dialogue box, then click ‘OK’.
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Advanced Excel Interview Questions

22. What is the IFERROR function used for?

Excel uses the IFERROR function to address formula mistakes that might happen. If a formula produces an error, such as a #DIV/0! error (division by zero) or a #VALUE! error (invalid value), you can provide a value or an action to take. The syntax of the IFERROR function is the following:

IFERROR(value, value_if_error)

IFERROR function

23. What is the difference between the lookup and index functions?

  • Lookup: The LOOKUP function requires that the data be sorted and operates on a one-column or one-row range. Based on the position inside the range, it delivers the value that exactly matches the lookup value. whereas The 
  • Index: The INDEX function lets you specify the row and column numbers to obtain a value from a two-dimensional range (table or array). It gives back the value found where the specified row and column meet.

24. How is VLOOKUP different from LOOKUP?

Users have the option to utilize VLOOKUP for searching a value within the leftmost column of a table. Users have the option to utilize VLOOKUP for searching a value within the leftmost column of a table. The value is then returned from left to right, whereas, in the meantime, the user can search for data in a row or column using the LOOKUP function. It brings up the value in a different row or column.

25. How many report formats are available in Excel?

There are three formats:

  1. Compact Form
  2. Outline Form
  3. Tabular Form

26. What is the DATEDIF function in Excel?

The Excel Date/Time functions section includes the DATEDIF function. When working as a financial analyst, we might need to know how many days, months, or years separate two dates. We can compute the difference with the aid of the DATEDIF function.

27. What is a Slicer and how does it work?

Slicers are visual filtering tools in Excel that let you filter and work with data in pivot tables and pivot charts. By choosing particular values or categories, it offers a user-friendly approach to slice and dice data, making it simpler to analyze and examine the data. Slicers allow you to easily filter and analyze data in a pivot table or pivot chart without having to use complicated calculations or filtering tools. Slicers provide you with a simple, visual approach to examine your data, zero in on certain subsets, and discover new patterns by filtering and enhancing the view of your data in real-time.

28. What is the What-If analysis?

Change the input values in a formula or collection of formulas to explore various possibilities using Excel’s What-If Analysis function. It enables you to comprehend the effects of various inputs on the outcomes and aids in the development of sound judgments based on such circumstances. These flexible what-if analysis tools let you experiment with various scenarios by altering the inputs and evaluating the results. They are very helpful in financial modeling, forecasting, budgeting, making decisions, and any other situation where you need to understand how your calculations respond to input data.

29. Write the VBA function to calculate the area of a circle.

 

Function CircleArea(radius As Double) As Double

    ' Constant for Pi

    Const Pi As Double = 3.14159265358979

    ' Calculate the area of the circle

    CircleArea = Pi * radius * radius

End Function

VBA function

30. What are named ranges?

In Excel, named ranges are cell ranges, formulae, or constants that have been given user-defined labels or names. It is simpler to comprehend and deal with the data if you give a range of cells or a formula a meaningful name rather than just using the cell references (such as A1, B2, etc.).

The following steps can be taken to create a Named Range:

  • Select the range that you intend to give a name to.
  • From Ribbon, select Formulas
  • Click on ‘Define Name’ from the ‘Defined Names group’.

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  • Give any name of your choice

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31. What is the operator precedence of formulas in Excel?

To establish the order in which operations are carried out, Excel formulas adhere to a specified order of precedence, also known as operator precedence. From highest to lowest, the Excel operator precedence is as follows:

Expressions that are surrounded by brackets are evaluated first. The innermost brackets are examined first when they are nested.

  • Exponentiation (): Operations involving exponentiation are carried out next. For instance, the exponentiation operation is carried out first in the expression ‘=23,’ resulting in 8.
  • Division (/) and multiplication (): Operations involving multiplication and division are analyzed from left to right. For instance, the multiplication (6*3) is done first in the formula ‘=63/2’, then the division (/2), which yields the result 9 as the result.
  • Operations for addition (+) and subtraction (-) are assessed from left to right. For instance, the subtraction (10-4) comes first in the formula ‘=10-4+2’, then the addition (+2), and the result is 8 as a consequence.
  • String concatenation (&): The ampersand (&) operator is used when string concatenation is desired. It is assessed from left to right. For instance, the concatenation operator (&) is used to combine the two strings in the formula ‘= ‘Hello’ & ‘World,’ producing ‘Hello World.’

32. What are the exact match and the approximate match?

Aspect Exact Match Approximate Match
Definition Finds a value that exactly matches the lookup value. Finds the closest match less than or equal to the lookup value.
Use Case Ideal for finding precise data points, like exact numbers or names. Used when searching for values within a range or category.
Result Returns the corresponding data exactly matching the lookup value. Returns the closest matching value and associated data.
Notation Often represented as “FALSE” or “0” in the “range_lookup” argument. Represented as “TRUE” or “1” in the “range_lookup” argument.
Example Finding a specific customer’s account balance. Categorizing test scores into grade ranges.

33. What is the difference between formulas and functions in Excel?

Formulas are defined by the user and used to calculate certain results. Formulas are either simple or complex and can consist of values, functions, defined names, etc. A function, on the other hand, is a built-in piece of code that is used to perform a specific action. Excel provides a huge number of built-in functions like SUM, PRODUCT, IF, SUMIF, COUNT, etc.

  1. What are Wildcards in Excel?

Wildcards in Excel are special characters that represent unknown or variable values ​​when searching or filtering data. They are used as placeholders to match patterns or partial strings within a larger text or value. Wildcards are often used in functions such as COUNTIF, SUMIF, VLOOKUP, and others.

Wildcards in Excel

Here are the two main wildcards used in Excel:

  • Asterisk (*) wildcard: An asterisk (*) represents any number of characters (including the null character) in a string.

For instance, when you utilize the formula =COUNTIF(A1:A5, “app*”), it will tally all cells within the range A1 to A5 that start with the word ‘app’ and are followed by any additional characters.

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  • Question mark (?) Joker: A question mark (?) represents a single character in a string.

For example, if you use the formula =COUNTIF(A1:A5, “ap?le”), it will count all cells in the range A1-A5 that contain ‘ap’ and any single character,  then ‘le’. ‘.

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35. Explain the difference between the SUBSTITUTE and REPLACE functions.

The SUBSTITUTE function is used to replace an occurrence of the given text in a string with new text.

Syntax: 

SUBSTITUTE(text, old_text, new_text, [instance_num])

Example: 

We want to replace “IT” with “Information Technology” in the Department column.

=SUBSTITUTE(C5, "IT", "Information Technology")

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The REPLACE function is used to replace certain text in a string with new text.

Syntax:

REPLACE(old_text, start_num, num_chars, new_text)

Example:

We want to replace the first three characters of the Employee ID (103) with “999”.

=REPLACE(A2, 1, 3, "999")

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36. Write the function to calculate compound interest.

Excel’s FV function calculates the future value of an investment or loan based on periodic payments, a fixed interest rate, and a certain number of periods. It is often used in financial planning, investment analysis, and loan calculations.

The syntax of the FV function is as follows:

FV (rate, nper, pmt, [pv], [type])
  • interest: period-based interest. This should be consistent with the specified number of cycles. 
  • nper:  total number of payment periods.  
  • pmt:  payment made in each period. It can be a constant value or a cell reference. 
  • [dpv]: (optional) present value or capital of the investment or loan. If omitted, it is assumed to be 0.  
  • [type]: (Optional) Specifies whether payments are made at the beginning (1) or end (0) of each period. If omitted, it is assumed to be 0 (end-of-period payments).

Example: 

Formula Used: =A2*(1+B2/C2)^(C2*D2)

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37. Describe the volatile functions in Excel.

A volatile function in Excel is a function that recalculates when a change occurs in a workbook, regardless of whether the input values ​​have actually changed. These operations are called volatile because they can significantly affect the performance and responsiveness of the workbook, especially when dealing with large amounts of data or complex formulas.

Here are a few examples of the volatile function:

NOW(), RAND(), TODAY(), OFFSET(), etc.

  1. Write a function to extract the domain name from your Gmail.

=RIGHT(A2, LEN(A2) - FIND("@", A2))

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39. Write the formula to extract the first name from a name.

=LEFT(B2, FIND(” “, B2) – 1)

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40. When do we get a reference error?

A reference error typically occurs in spreadsheet programs like Excel when a formula or function references a cell that doesn’t contain valid data or a valid cell address. This error happens when the referenced cell is blank or contains an error itself, making it impossible for the formula to calculate or return a result.

41. What is the ABS function in Excel?

Excel’s ABS function is used to return the absolute value of a number. The absolute value of a number is its distance from zero, whether the number is positive or negative. The ABS function ensures that the result is always positive or zero.

42. Write a function to get the last date of the month.

Use the EOMONTH function to display the last date of the month in Excel. EOMONTH means ‘end of month’ and is specifically designed to return the last day of the corresponding month. 

The syntax of the EOMONATO function is as follows:

EOMONTH(start_date, months)

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43. Can we use VBA to edit the recorded macro?

Yes, you can use VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) to edit a macro saved in Excel. When you record a macro in Excel, it creates VBA code that represents the actions performed during recording. You can then use and edit this VBA code to make changes or improve the functionality of the recorded macro.

44. Use conditional formatting to highlight the top 10 selling products in each region.

  1. Select the sales data range, including the product and region columns.
  2. Click Home > Conditional Formatting > New Rule.

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  1. In the New Formatting Rule dialog box, select Use a formula (=C2>=LARGE(IF($A$2:$A$21=A2, $C$2:$C$21), 10) to determine which cells to format.

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  1. True Box Formula.
  2. Click Format and select the desired formatting for the top 10 selling products. For example, you can choose to highlight them in green.

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  1. Click OK twice to close the dialog boxes.

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45. How to Use the IF Function in Excel to Return a Specific Value Based on a Condition?

 

To achieve returning a specific value based on a condition, Excel’s IF function can be used. There is no built-in “True Box” formula. The IF function allows you to specify a condition and return one result if it’s true and another result if it’s false. For example, you could use the IF function to return a value of “Yes” if a cell is greater than 10 and “No” if it is not. This can be a useful tool in data analysis and decision-making.

Example:

=IF(B2>1000, "High Sales", "Low Sales")

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=IF(B2>1000, "High Sales", "Low Sales")
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where B2 = IF (B2>1000, "High Sales", "Low Sales")

where B2 = IF (B2>1000, "High Sales", "Low Sales")

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where B2 is the cell containing the product sales for a specific region.

Excel Interview Questions For Data Analyst 

46. What should you consider to design a user-friendly Excel dashboard?

To create a user-friendly Excel dashboard, keep the layout simple and organized with clear titles and labels. Group related information together and use consistent formatting to avoid confusion. Use charts and graphs to visually represent the data and make it easier to understand. Limit the amount of information displayed on one page to avoid overwhelming the user, and consider adding interactive features for further user engagement. Regularly update the dashboard to ensure it remains relevant and useful to its intended audience.

47. Why Would You “Freeze Panes” in Microsoft Excel?

Freezing a pane in a spreadsheet keeps a designated section of data stationary as you move through other information. This feature is often employed to ensure a particular element remains in place, such as an index or key data. By using freeze panes, users can navigate through a sheet without losing track of that important information, improving overall productivity and organization.

48. What Is a Surface Chart in Excel?

A surface chart is a 3D map used to display topological data that requires accurate coordinates. It provides a visual representation of the terrain, highlighting peaks, valleys, and slopes. The chart can be used to facilitate analysis and visualization of the topography of an area. It is especially useful for geology, geography, and earth science professionals who want to study and interpret landforms and identify patterns. The chart’s 3D nature allows for more precise analysis of data, providing insights that might not be evident from 2D visualizations.

49. What is a Bubble Chart in Excel?

A bubble chart is a type of scatter chart that represents a third variable through the size of the scatter dots. This chart allows for the tracking of three variables: X, Y, and the third variable indicated by the size of the bubbles. The larger the bubble, the larger the value of the third variable. This chart is useful for displaying multiple sets of data and comparing them visually.

50. What Is a Donut Chart in Excel?

A donut chart is a type of chart that uses concentric rings, similar to a pie chart but without a center. It can be a powerful visualization tool for presenting data in Excel.

51. How Can You Import Data From Another Workbook?

Microsoft Excel allows easy importing of data from another workbook through external references. By typing the source workbook name (SalesData) and the sheet from which data is to be pulled (Report), one can create an external reference between workbooks. 

The command is simply written as follows:

='[SalesData.xlsx]Sheet1'!A2“

=[SourceWorkbook.xlsx]Sheet1!$A$1”. 

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It is important to note that the file extension must be included in the source workbook name.

52. What Is a Logical Test in Excel?

The IF() function in Excel can be used to create logical tests where an output is produced based on a specified scenario. For example, the code =IF(A1>0,”Yes”,”No”) tests whether a number in cell A1 is greater than 0 or not. If it is, the output will be “Yes” and if it is equal to or less than 0, the output will be “No”. This function can be useful in a variety of situations where conditional outputs are required.

=IF(B2>1000, "High Sales", "Low Sales")

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53. What Is a Timeline Used for in Excel?

A timeline in Excel is used to represent a chronological sequence of events. It can visually display important dates and milestones on a horizontal or vertical axis, allowing users to quickly understand the sequence of events and their durations. Timelines can be applied to many industries and projects, such as project management, historical research, and marketing campaigns. Excel provides various tools and templates to create different types of timelines, including Gantt charts, milestone charts, and chronology charts.

54. What are the Major Types of Errors You Can Encounter in Excel?

Some of the major types of errors you can encounter in Excel are #DIV/0! (attempting to divide by zero), #REF! (a cell reference error), #NAME? (a formula error), #VALUE! (an error in a calculation due to an incorrect data type), and #N/A (a value is missing or cannot be found). It is important to identify and fix these errors in order to ensure the accuracy and integrity of your spreadsheet and its calculations.

55. What Does ‘Merge’ Do in Excel?

The “Merge” function in Excel helps to combine two or more adjacent cells into one cell. This is particularly helpful when dealing with lengthy texts or titles that are too long to fit in a single cell. The merged cell’s size automatically adjusts to accommodate the combined text. When you use the Merge function, the content from the upper-leftmost cell in the selected range will be preserved, and all other contents from the remaining cells will be removed. This function is located in the “Home” tab under the “Alignment” section in the ribbon.

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56. What Does It Mean to “Hide” a Sheet?

Hiding a sheet in a workbook means that it is no longer visible in the sheet navigation but can still be accessed and edited unless additional protection is put in place. This is useful for archiving old information while keeping it accessible if needed.

57. What Is the Order of Operations in Excel?

The order of operations in Excel is as follows: first, any calculations inside parentheses are performed; second, any exponentiations are completed; third, multiplication and division are carried out from left to right; and finally, addition and subtraction are executed from left to right. 

Remembering this order of operations is critical for getting accurate results in Excel. Invalid results can arise if the user does not follow the correct order.

58. How do you edit a formula?

To change a formula in a cell, double-click the cell to open the Formula Editor. You can then make your desired changes to the formula. The Formula Editor will automatically provide suggestions as you make changes, which can be helpful in remembering the correct parameters for the formula.

excel

59. What is a radar chart?

A radar chart, also called a spider or web chart in Excel, is designed to compare different values for a single item. It consists of axes that emanate from a central point, each representing a specific metric. The axis’s length indicates the value of that metric, and all the axes meet at the center of the chart. This chart type is useful for displaying multiple data points and comparing them quickly. It provides a clear visual representation of different values and can help in identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the item being compared.

  1. What is a stock chart?

A stock chart in Excel depicts the price of a stock over time, helping investors and traders track their investments and make informed decisions. These charts can display various data points, such as opening/closing prices, high/low prices, and trading volume. They are a crucial tool for analyzing market trends and forecasting future stock behavior. With Excel’s customizable features, users can create a personalized and visually appealing stock chart to analyze their portfolio’s performance.

Excel Salary Trends

Excel analysts in the US often make between $55,000 and $80,000 a year. Similarly, annual income in Europe ranges from €40,000 to €60,000. Excel experts in India earn between ₹300,000 and ₹600,000 a year.

Entry-level 

In 2024, entry-level Excel job roles will offer competitive salaries globally. In the United States, the salary of entry-level Excel positions ranges between $40,000 and $55,000 annually. In India, it ranges between ₹250,000 and ₹400,000 per year. These figures reflect the demand for Excel skills across industries and regions.

Intermediate Level

In the US, intermediate-level jobs range from $55,000 to $75,000, and in India, it is between ₹400,000 and ₹600,000 per year

Senior Level

Senior-level Excel positions in the United States pay between $90,000 and $120,000 per year, and in India, it is between ₹800,000 and ₹1,200,000 per year. These numbers demonstrate how highly sophisticated Excel skills are valued in both domestic and international markets.

Excel Job Trends

Global Trends

According to LinkedIn, there are currently more than 30000+ open positions for an Excel expert in the United States.

Projected Growth

There is a significant demand for Excel skills in middle-skill positions, with 78% of such jobs requiring proficiency in spreadsheets or Excel. With an average 12% increase in earning potential associated with Excel proficiency, the market is projected to see robust growth in Excel-related job opportunities, reflecting the increasing importance of these skills across various industries.

Regional Trends

In the future, India is anticipated to witness a notable surge in Excel Expert positions, with an estimated availability of over 20,000 jobs by 2024.

Job Opportunities in Excel

Job Roles Responsibilities
Business Analyst Business Analysts are responsible for communicating with both the technical team and the business team. They act as a bridge between the two and come up with inclusive solutions for the company.
Data Analyst Data Analysts heavily work on data. Their responsibilities include finding KPIs (Key Performance Indicators), visualizing data, and predicting future trends. They are also responsible for creating insightful reports and documents.
Market Research Analyst A market research analyst is responsible for performing duties like trend analysis, competitive analysis, sales analysis, etc. They are also responsible for creating extensive reports for the business.
MIS Executive MIS Executive stands for Management Information System. They create strategies for all information technology operations in a company. Their duties include working extensively on Excel to develop plans for the businesses.
Operations Analyst An Operations Analyst is responsible for setting up operations strategies for the organization. This includes heavy Excel work for reviewing existing policies, analyzing data, and creating reports.  
Administrative Assistant Administrative assistants are responsible for clerical tasks like file management, appointment scheduling, tracking company expenses, etc.

Roles and Responsibilities for Excel-Related Jobs

According to the job posted on Naukri.com by Netapp

Role: Data Analyst (MS Excel, PowerBI, Tableau)

  • Responsibilities 
  1. Maintain and update customer information in the Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system.
  2. Administer and set up customer success tools and platforms to fulfill business needs.
  3. Understanding of data analysis tools and methodologies.
  4. Project management expertise and experience.
  5. Experience with SaaS and subscription-based business models.
  • Skills Required:
  1. Well-developed systems proficiency, particularly in Excel
  2. Good knowledge of Pivot Tables, advanced filters
  3. Good written and oral communication skills
  4. An analytical mindset and critical thinking

 

Conclusion

Mastering Excel interview questions and answers is essential for those looking to advance their careers in data analysis, financial modeling, and business intelligence. It makes no difference whether you are just getting started and revising basic Excel functions or an expert working on advanced formulas, pivot tables, and even VBA; with this guide, you will be prepared to face your interview with confidence.

If you want to improve your skills, check out Intellipaat’s Excel courses. 

Stay prepared, stay confident, and get your desired job with exceptional Excel skills!

About the Author

Shailesh
Shailesh
Senior Associate - Digital Marketing

Shailesh is a Senior Editor in Digital Marketing with a passion for storytelling. His expertise lies in crafting compelling brand stories; he blends his expertise in marketing with a love for words to captivate audiences worldwide. His projects focus on innovative digital marketing ideas with strategic thought and accuracy.