Microsoft Excel stands as the most widely utilized application worldwide, boasting over 800 million users.

It is an essential tool for anyone involved in data analysis, number crunching, business reporting, charting, and various ad-hoc reports. If you're seeking a position that lists "Microsoft Excel" as a requirement, you should anticipate encountering several Excel-related questions during your job interview.

Fear not, as we are here to assist you in mastering these Excel interview questions!

This guide will walk you through the most common Excel interview questions that interviewers might ask when you are applying for roles in finance, accounting, auditing, budgeting, management, project management, administration, and sales, among others.

Here are the Top 7 Excel interview questions you should prepare for to advance to the next interview stage:

• #1 – VLOOKUP Function
• #2 – Freeze Panes
• #3 – Remove Duplicates
• #4 – Excel Tables
• #5 – Excel Pivot Tables
• #6 – Protect Sheets
• #7 – Merge Cells

For additional tips on acing your Excel interview questions, tune into our podcast below to gain insights from global Excel experts and MVPs:

Let's delve into each of these topics individually!

Before you proceed, ensure you download this Excel Workbook to follow along:

download excel workbook Excel-Interview-Questions.xlsx

#1 – VLOOKUP Function

• What are the parameters of a VLOOKUP function?
• What are the constraints of this function?
• What are the alternative functions that can be used to address these constraints?

VLOOKUP is the most commonly used function and is likely to be featured in your Excel interview questions.

It is designed to search for a value in the leftmost column of a data table and return a value from the same row in another column (to the right) within the table array.

The VLOOKUP syntax is:

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

where:

• lookup_value – the value you are searching for in the first column of the data table
• table_array – the data table
• col_index_num – the column from which you want to retrieve the value
• [range_lookup] – Approximate match (TRUE) or Exact match (FALSE). The default is TRUE. This is an optional argument.

In the example below, we have applied the VLOOKUP function to retrieve the price of an item from the stock list:

To explore the various applications of the VLOOKUP Function in Excel, CLICK HERE for Excel assistance!

The constraints of this function include:

• It cannot be used if the lookup value is not in the first column of the data table.
• If columns are added or deleted in the data table, the function will yield incorrect results.
• Vlookup only returns the first match, disregarding subsequent matches.
• The default setting for the range_lookup argument is an approximate match.
• Vlookup is case-insensitive.

To circumvent these limitations, you can use INDEX-MATCH or XLOOKUP. Familiarize yourself with these advanced functions to be ready for your Excel interview questions.

#2 – Freeze Panes

• How do you freeze the top row or first column in Excel?
• How do you keep column headings visible while scrolling through data?
• How do you freeze multiple rows in Excel?

You can easily freeze top rows or columns in Excel by following these steps:

Freeze Top Row

Navigate to View > Freeze Panes > Freeze Top Row

This will lock the first row of your sheet in place:

Try scrolling down; the top row remains visible!

Freeze First Column

To lock the first column of your data, go to View > Freeze Panes > Freeze First Column.

The first column of your data will be fixed!

Freeze Multiple Rows

To freeze multiple rows (e.g., from Row 1 to 5), select the 6th row and then go to View > Freeze Panes > Freeze Panes.

This will lock all rows above Row 6!

You can access Microsoft's tutorial on Excel freeze panes by Clicking Here.

#3 – Remove Duplicates

• How do you obtain a unique list of customers from sales data?
• How do you eliminate duplicate values from a column?

Let's use an example to illustrate how to tackle these Excel interview questions.

To eliminate duplicates from a dataset, follow these steps:

STEP 1: Select the column that contains duplicate values.

STEP 2: Go to Data > Remove Duplicates.

STEP 3: In the Remove Duplicates dialog box, ensure the “My data has headers” checkbox is selected and click OK.

Excel will remove the duplicate values and provide you with a unique list!

#4 – Excel Tables

• How do you convert a range of data into Excel Tables?
• What are the advantages of using an Excel Data Table?

Excel Tables offer an effective method for organizing and analyzing data accurately. They facilitate sorting and filtering data easily. Converting your data into Excel Tables brings numerous benefits.

Transforming a range into a formatted table is quick and straightforward. Follow these steps to do so:

STEP 1: Select the Data.

STEP 2: Go to Insert > Table.

STEP 3: In the Create Table dialog box, Click OK. (Ensure the box next to My Data has headers is checked)

This is how your formatted Excel Data Tables will appear!

Converting your data range into an Excel Table provides numerous benefits, including:

• Structured referencing;
• Various built-in Table Styles with color formatting;
• Use of a “Total Row” that applies built-in functions to calculate column contents;
• Dropdown lists for Sorting & Filtering;
• Interactive buttons or Slicers for filtering Table data;
• When scrolling down from the Table, Headers replace Column Letters in the worksheet;
• Automatic removal of Duplicate Rows;
• Summarization of the Table with a Pivot Table;
• Support for calculated Columns to create dynamic formulas outside the Table;

#5 – Excel Pivot Tables

• What is an Excel Pivot Table?
• Why do you need an Excel Pivot Table?
• What features do Excel Pivot Tables offer?
• How can you filter data in a Pivot Table?

If you aim to analyze your data swiftly (without using Formulas) and generate informative reports, an Excel Pivot Table is the solution!

Pivot Tables in Excel are among the most powerful tools available in Microsoft Excel. They enable you to analyze over 1 million rows of data with just a few mouse clicks and display the results in an easy-to-read table.

Follow these steps to learn how to create an Excel Pivot Table and confidently answer Excel interview questions:

STEP 1: Select the Data.

STEP 2: Go to Insert > Pivot Table.

STEP 3: In the Create PivotTable dialog box, Click OK.
(Choose whether you want the Pivot Table in a New or Existing Worksheet)

This will create a Pivot Table structure. Simply drag and drop fields into the row and values sections, and your Pivot Table is ready!

Click here to access an interactive tutorial on the 50 different uses of an Excel Pivot Table!

Here are some advantages of using Pivot Tables in your data:

• They make it easy to create a summary report of your data.
• They help analyze large datasets with just a few clicks.
• You can generate a report without writing any formulas.
• To view transactions behind a Pivot Table value, simply double-click on any value.
• You can add interactive buttons or Slicers to filter your data.
• You can add new data to your data source and Refresh your Pivot Table to see the updated information in your report.

To filter data in the Pivot Table, create a Slicer:

STEP 1: Select a cell within the Pivot Table.

STEP 2: Go to PivotTable Analyze > Insert Slicer.

STEP 3: In the Insert Slicers dialog box, select the checkboxes next to the column (Sales Region) you want to filter.

An Excel Slicer will be created for the fields (Sales Region) you selected.

STEP 4: Select Americas to filter the data for that specific item.
The data has been filtered!

#6 – Protect Sheets

• How do you protect sheets in Excel?
• How do you safeguard formulas in your Excel sheet?

If your Excel Worksheet contains numerous formulas and you wish to secure them, you can protect your sheets. To protect sheets in Excel, follow these steps:

STEP 1: Use the Go To Special shortcut CTRL G

STEP 2: Select the Constants box and press OK (this will highlight all non-formula cells)

STEP 3: Press CTRL 1 to open the Format Cells dialogue box

STEP 4: Select the Protection tab and Un-check the Locked box

STEP 5: Go to Review > Protect Sheet > then enter your custom password (optional)

This will lock all non-constant cells, ensuring your formulas are protected.

To learn more about protecting your sheet and to excel in your Excel practice test, Click Here!

#7 – Merge Cells

• How do you merge cells in Excel?
• How do you combine multiple cells in Excel?

A great way to customize the layout of your Excel worksheet is to merge multiple cells into one cell.

Follow these steps to learn how to answer this Excel interview question on merging cells:

STEP 1: Ensure you select all the cells you wish to merge:

STEP 2: Go to Home > Alignment > Merge & Center

The top row is now merged!

Excel offers various methods for merging cells across rows and/or columns. Click here to learn more about these methods and confidently answer Excel interview questions.

Conclusion

This article has provided a comprehensive guide on the most frequently asked Microsoft Excel interview questions and answers in any Excel practice test.

Excel has many crucial features that you must prepare for before an interview. You can enhance your Excel skills by attending our FREE Excel webinar training on Formulas, Pivot Tables, and Macros & VBA!

Review these Excel help tutorials to assess your Excel proficiency and conquer your Excel interview questions, paving the way to your dream job.

For additional tips on acing your Excel interview questions, listen to our podcast below to gain insights from global Excel experts and MVPs:

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