Wall Street Prep Excel Crash Course: Study & Practice Guide
This guide is designed to help you prepare for the Wall Street Prep Excel Crash Course exam. It
includes key topics, formulas, shortcuts, and practice tips commonly tested in finance roles.
1. Essential Excel Shortcuts (Windows):
- Ctrl + Arrow Keys: Navigate large datasets quickly
- Ctrl + Shift + L: Apply/remove filters
- Ctrl + Shift + '+': Copy cell above
- Alt + E + S + V: Paste special (values only)
2. Commonly Used Excel Formulas:
- VLOOKUP(lookup_value, table_array, col_index_num, [range_lookup])
- INDEX(array, row_num, [column_num]) and MATCH(lookup_value, lookup_array, [match_type])
- IF(logical_test, value_if_true, value_if_false)
- SUMIFS(sum_range, criteria_range1, criteria1, ...)
3. Formatting Best Practices:
- Use consistent fonts, alignments, and number formats
- Use borders to separate sections clearly
- Highlight assumptions using a separate color (e.g., blue font)
4. Pivot Tables:
- Drag fields into Rows, Columns, and Values to summarize data
- Use filters to isolate specific periods or categories
- Double-click on a number in the pivot to drill into the raw data
5. Charts and Visualization:
- Use column or line charts to show trends over time
- Format charts with labels, titles, and appropriate axis ranges
- Avoid 3D effects or clutter for professional-looking visuals
6. Practice Tasks:
This guide is designed to help you prepare for the Wall Street Prep Excel Crash Course exam. It
includes key topics, formulas, shortcuts, and practice tips commonly tested in finance roles.
1. Essential Excel Shortcuts (Windows):
- Ctrl + Arrow Keys: Navigate large datasets quickly
- Ctrl + Shift + L: Apply/remove filters
- Ctrl + Shift + '+': Copy cell above
- Alt + E + S + V: Paste special (values only)
2. Commonly Used Excel Formulas:
- VLOOKUP(lookup_value, table_array, col_index_num, [range_lookup])
- INDEX(array, row_num, [column_num]) and MATCH(lookup_value, lookup_array, [match_type])
- IF(logical_test, value_if_true, value_if_false)
- SUMIFS(sum_range, criteria_range1, criteria1, ...)
3. Formatting Best Practices:
- Use consistent fonts, alignments, and number formats
- Use borders to separate sections clearly
- Highlight assumptions using a separate color (e.g., blue font)
4. Pivot Tables:
- Drag fields into Rows, Columns, and Values to summarize data
- Use filters to isolate specific periods or categories
- Double-click on a number in the pivot to drill into the raw data
5. Charts and Visualization:
- Use column or line charts to show trends over time
- Format charts with labels, titles, and appropriate axis ranges
- Avoid 3D effects or clutter for professional-looking visuals
6. Practice Tasks:
