I’ve spent a lot of time digging through the web to find Excel resources that are actually worth your time as a developer, finance professional, or data analyst.
The truth is, many Excel books out there are outdated, locked behind emails, or too surface-level to be useful in real projects.
That’s why I’ve put together this list of must-read Microsoft Excel eBooks for 2025 that I believe will really help you level up.
Whether you’re learning formulas, PivotTables, macros, or just getting started with Excel fundamentals, these books bring something practical to the table.
If you know of another quality free Excel book that should be added, feel free to contact us or leave a comment below.
Free Microsoft Excel eBooks
1. Beginning Excel 2019
Authors: Noreen Brown, Barbara Lave, Hallie Puncochar, Julie Romey, Mary Schatz, Art Schneider, Diane Shingledecker
Quick Overview: A beginner-friendly guide introducing core Excel skills, focusing on data entry, formatting, and basic analysis to help newcomers make informed decisions.
Main takeaways from this book are:
- Formulas like SUM, AVERAGE, IF, and VLOOKUP
- Charts, tables, PivotTables, and multi-sheet management
- Practical exercises on budgets and sales data
- Real-world application and printing preparation tips
2. Excel VBA Notes for Professionals
Authors: Compiled from Stack Overflow contributors
Quick Overview: Aimed at intermediate to advanced users, this resource dives into VBA programming for Excel automation with code snippets and best practices.
Main takeaways from this book are:
- Arrays, conditional statements, ranges, and user-defined functions
- PivotTables, charts, PowerPoint integration, and optimization
- Security, debugging, and tips to avoid common mistakes
- Enhancing efficiency in complex tasks with practical examples
3. Excel Fundamentals
Authors: Not specified
Quick Overview: This manual targets beginners, covering workbook navigation, data entry, simple formulas, and formatting to organize and present data effectively.
Main takeaways from this book are:
- Functions like SUM and AVERAGE, plus quick analysis tools
- Cell selection, borders, text wrapping, and chart creation
- Practical sections on printing and embedding charts
- Basics for users starting from scratch
4. Excel Basics: Foundations, Formulas, Graphs
Authors: Jeffrey Hsu and Gary Bronson
Quick Overview: Designed for self-study beginners, this book builds a solid foundation with formulas, functions, formatting, and graphing for analytical problem-solving.
Main takeaways from this book are:
- Overview of Excel software and essential features
- Formulas, functions, and data formatting techniques
- Graphing and visualization for decision-making
- Suitable for new users or those refreshing basics
5. Excel Advanced Training Packet
Authors: Not specified
Quick Overview: For advanced users, this packet focuses on complex formulas, multi-criteria filtering, and PivotTables for handling large datasets in professional settings.
Main takeaways from this book are:
- Formulas like VLOOKUP, COUNTIFS, and IF
- PivotTable setup, grouping, slicers, and reporting
- Table formatting for dynamic analysis
- Calculations on filtered data and advanced filtering
6. Excel 2021: A Step-By-Step Guide for Beginners
Authors: Robert J. Green
Quick Overview: This beginner-oriented book provides step-by-step instructions on Excel features, from basics to PivotTables, with tips and shortcuts for efficiency.
Main takeaways from this book are:
- Workbooks, data entry, formulas, and text functions like CONCATENATE
- Conditional tools like SUMIFS, date/time functions, and charts
- PivotTables, named ranges, and problem-solving
- History, applications, and boosts for home and corporate users
7. Excel 2019 All-in-One For Dummies
Authors: Greg Harvey
Quick Overview: An all-levels comprehensive guide combining eight books in one, with explanations for worksheet design, data analysis, and more.
Main takeaways from this book are:
- Worksheet design, charts, graphics, and data management
- Analysis, modeling, and sharing techniques
- Updates for Excel 2019 changes and streamlining processes
- Accessible for beginners with depth for intermediate users
8. CFI Excel Book
Authors: Corporate Finance Institute
Quick Overview: Targeted at finance professionals, this eBook summarizes essential Excel functionalities for financial services with shortcuts and formulas.
Main takeaways from this book are:
- Shortcuts, basic to advanced formulas, and functions
- Finance-specific applications like modeling
- Practical overviews and lists for career advancement
- Ideal for corporate finance with real-world focus
Want more Excel guidance? Explore these resources:
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