By Quick answer: What is the best Power BI and Excel certification for beginners?
- Start — Microsoft Learn's free Power BI paths.
- Next — Google Data Analytics.
- Then — Microsoft PL-300.
- Practise — free tests along the way.
Key takeaways
- Start with fundamentals before specialist exams.
- Hands-on practice matters at every step.
- One finished certification beats several started.
Beginners in Power BI and Excel often start in the wrong place. These certifications are arranged in learning order, from first steps to a first job-ready credential.
Beginner Power BI and Excel picks
Ranked for this reader. Costs and formats come from each issuer's own page, checked on 3 November 2026; prices change, so confirm before you book.
| # | Certification | Cost | Time | Prove it free |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Microsoft Learn Free AI & Cloud TrainingMicrosoft | Free1 | Self-paced | Free test |
| 2 | Google Data Analytics Professional CertificateGoogle / Coursera | $49/mo Coursera plan2 | 6 months at 10 hours a week | Free test |
| 3 | Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst (PL-300)Microsoft | Exam priced by country3 | 100 minutes; renew free every 12 months | Free test |
| 4 | Kaggle Learn Micro-Courses (ML, Python, SQL)Kaggle (Google) | Free4 | Short micro-courses, a few hours each | Free test |
| 5 | Financial Modeling & Valuation Analyst (FMVA)Corporate Finance Institute | Paid subscription5 | Self-paced | Free test |
Prove it free before you pay for an exam
Take the free test first. Pay for an exam only when you pass.
Every pick above has a matching free practice test on Science of Apps, one of the world's largest libraries of free certification tests (1,200+). Check your level before you pay for an exam, or add a verifiable credential to LinkedIn while you study. (Disclosure: we publish these tests; the certifications above earn us nothing.)
- Microsoft Azure Fundamentals CertificationPractise for Microsoft Learn Free AI & Cloud Training before you pay.Start free test →
- Statistics for Data Analysts CertificationPractise for Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate before you pay.Start free test →
- PL-300 Practice TestPractise for Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst (PL-300) before you pay.Start free test →
- Machine Learning Fundamentals CertificationPractise for Kaggle Learn Micro-Courses (ML, Python, SQL) before you pay.Start free test →
Each pick, in the order beginners take them
- MicrosoftMicrosoft Learn Free AI & Cloud TrainingFree Power BI trainingFree
- CourseraGoogle Data Analytics Professional CertificateSpreadsheets and SQL$49/mo Coursera plan
- MicrosoftMicrosoft Power BI Data Analyst (PL-300)Power BI proofExam priced by country
Microsoft Learn Free AI & Cloud Training
- Cost
- Free1
Microsoft Learn's free Power BI paths. Microsoft Learn's free learning paths and sandboxes cover every Microsoft certification, from Azure and AI to Power BI. The training is free; only the certification exams are paid, and they're priced by country.
Best forfree Power BI training
Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate
- Cost
- $49/mo Coursera plan2
- Time
- 6 months at 10 hours a week
Google Data Analytics. Google's professional certificate teaches spreadsheets, SQL, Tableau and R through case studies and ends with a portfolio capstone. It's designed for beginners, takes about six months at ten hours a week and offers financial aid on Coursera.
Best forspreadsheets and SQL
Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst (PL-300)
- Cost
- Exam priced by country3
- Format
- 100 minutes; renew free every 12 months
Microsoft PL-300. Microsoft's Power BI Data Analyst exam proves you can prepare, model and visualise data and share reports securely. It's 100 minutes, priced by country, with free Microsoft Learn training and free online renewal every 12 months.
Best forPower BI proof
Kaggle Learn Micro-Courses (ML, Python, SQL)
- Cost
- Free4
- Time
- Short micro-courses, a few hours each
Kaggle visualisation. Kaggle's free micro-courses cover Python, pandas, SQL, data visualisation and machine learning, each in a few hours with hands-on notebooks and a free certificate. They're ideal practice alongside a structured course.
Best forfree practice
Financial Modeling & Valuation Analyst (FMVA)
- Cost
- Paid subscription5
CFI's FMVA. Corporate Finance Institute's FMVA teaches financial modelling and valuation in Excel through practical, self-paced courses. It suits FP&A and corporate finance analysts and is sold by subscription; see CFI for pricing.
Best forExcel modelling
A beginner plan
- Weeks 1–4 — Microsoft Learn Power BI paths.
- Weeks 5–6 — two dashboards in Power BI Desktop (free).
- Weeks 7–8 — PL-300 after a free practice test.
How we ranked these picks
We chose certifications open to beginners and ordered them as a learning path. Fees from official pages, checked 3 November 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Power BI and Excel certification for beginners?
Start with Microsoft Learn's free Power BI paths.
Can I learn Power BI and Excel with no experience?
Yes, in the order above.
How long does it take?
Typically three to six months part-time to a first job-ready credential.
Are there free options?
Yes; training for most exams is free.
Is there a free test?
Yes. Science of Apps offers free beginner tests.
Sources
- Microsoft — Microsoft Learn Free AI & Cloud Training, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Google — Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Microsoft — Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst (PL-300), official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Kaggle (Google) — Kaggle Learn Micro-Courses (ML, Python, SQL), official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Corporate Finance Institute — Financial Modeling & Valuation Analyst (FMVA), official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Checked November 4, 2026. Figures that change — fees, salaries, prices — are reviewed every six months; if something is out of date, tell us.
Where to go from here
- The best online certifications of 2027 — the full top 10 across every field
- Best Power BI & Excel Certifications of 2027: Top 10 Ranked — related guide
- Best AI Certifications of 2027: 10 Ranked by Career Impact — related guide
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027The Power BI and Excel certification roadmap for 2027: from beginner to expertA Power BI and Excel certification roadmap for 2027: Microsoft Learn and Kaggle, Google Data Analytics, PL-300, then FMVA or Google Advanced.
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027The best Power BI and Excel certifications of 2027: six for analysts and spreadsheet power usersThe 6 best Power BI and Excel certifications of 2027: Microsoft PL-300, Google Data Analytics, CFI FMVA, Tableau, Kaggle and Microsoft Learn free training.
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