Overview

he Economic Policy Research Network (EPRN) is inviting professionals, researchers, accountants, project managers, administrators, students, and anyone interested in strengthening their Microsoft Excel skills to apply for its Professional Training on Advanced Excel. This practical, hands-on programme is designed to help participants transform raw data into meaningful information that supports reporting, decision-making, and organizational performance.

Training Details

• Course Code: EPRN12/PT/26
• Training Dates: 14–16 August 2026
• Format: Intensive Weekend Programme
• Venue: EPRN Training Centre, University of Rwanda – Gikondo Campus

In today's data-driven workplace, advanced Excel skills are essential across finance, research, project management, administration, monitoring and evaluation, and business operations. This intensive training equips participants with practical techniques for data analysis, automation, reporting, visualization, and statistical analysis using Microsoft Excel.

Rather than focusing only on theory, the course emphasizes real-life applications through practical exercises and case studies. Participants will work with realistic datasets to build professional reports, automate repetitive tasks, create interactive dashboards, and improve data accuracy using advanced Excel features.

Whether you work in government, NGOs, private companies, academic institutions, or development organizations, this programme will help you improve efficiency and make better evidence-based decisions.

Why This Opportunity Matters

Upon completing this programme, participants will be able to:

• Analyze and organize large datasets efficiently.
• Build professional dashboards and interactive reports.
• Automate repetitive calculations and reduce manual errors.
• Improve accounting, budgeting, and financial reporting processes.
• Apply statistical tools for research and project analysis.
• Produce high-quality reports suitable for managers, donors, and stakeholders.
• Increase workplace productivity using advanced Excel shortcuts and automation techniques.
• Strengthen career competitiveness with internationally relevant data management skills.

Application Tips

Participants will receive practical instruction in the following areas:

Advanced Excel Fundamentals

• Customizing the Excel workspace
• Creating reusable spreadsheet templates
• Building reliable workbook structures
• Spreadsheet auditing and quality control

Hyperlinks, Security and Workbook Protection

• Managing shared workbooks
• Password protection and file security
• Protecting worksheets and formulas
• Secure collaboration techniques

Data Validation

• Creating validation rules
• Preventing incorrect data entry
• Using formula-based validation
• Maintaining accurate datasets

Preparing Data for Analysis

Participants will learn how to use:

• INDEX and MATCH
• Nested IF statements
• AND and OR functions
• DATE and TEXT functions
• Helper columns
• Advanced lookup techniques

Data Summarization

• SUMIF and SUMIFS
• COUNTIF and COUNTIFS
• AVERAGEIF and AVERAGEIFS
• Advanced PivotTables
• Data grouping
• Slicers
• Introduction to Power Pivot
• Basic DAX calculations

Data Analysis

Practical applications include:

• Sales analysis
• Expense tracking
• Loan amortization
• Descriptive statistics
• Regression analysis
• Interpretation of analytical results

Report Visualization

Participants will create:

• Interactive dashboards
• Conditional formatting reports
• Dynamic reporting tools
• Form controls
• Pick lists
• Excel Camera tool reports

Graphs and Charts

Learn how to:

• Build professional charts
• Create interactive visualizations
• Present trends and comparisons
• Automate chart updates

Decision-Making with Excel

• Building analytical models
• Business decision support
• Data-driven planning
• Strategic reporting techniques

Excel Productivity Tips

Participants will also discover:

• Time-saving shortcuts
• Hidden Excel features
• Productivity hacks
• Best practices used by advanced Excel professionals

Responsibilities

The programme is delivered through highly interactive workshop sessions using adult learning methodologies.

Participants will engage in:

• Instructor-led demonstrations
• Practical hands-on exercises
• Individual and group activities
• Real-world case studies
• Open discussions
• Question-and-answer sessions

Participants are encouraged to bring their own laptops for practical exercises throughout the training.

Requirements

Participants who successfully complete the programme and achieve a minimum score of 60% on the final assessment will receive an Official Certificate of Completion issued by the Economic Policy Research Network (EPRN).

How to Apply

• EPRN Members: RWF 60,000
• Non-Members: RWF 100,000

Participants may pay through any of the following methods:

Bank Transfer

• Bank: Bank of Kigali
• Account Name: Economic Policy Research Network
• Account Number: 00040 06945750 07 (RWF)
• Mobile Payment

• MTN MoMo Pay: 18281030683#

Online Payment

• Pay securely via PayPal through the EPRN website.

Interested participants can register by:

• Sending an email to info@eprnrwanda.org
• Calling or sending a WhatsApp message to 0788 357 648