Two different things called an Excel certificate
A course certificate says you completed a course and its quizzes. A certification exam says you passed a proctored test. Microsoft's Office Specialist: Excel Associate (Microsoft 365 Apps) certification is earned through exam MO-210, a 50-minute proctored exam that may include interactive tasks. Microsoft says candidates should have approximately 150 hours of instruction and hands-on experience with Excel.
Most people searching for a free Excel course with a certificate want proof for a CV or a training record. Decide which kind of proof the reader of your CV will accept before you choose a course.
What the free options give you
Microsoft's free MO-210 materials are published for educators to run with students, but the download includes a student study guide and project files. They map to the exam objectives, which makes them a useful self-check even if you never book the exam.
| Option | Length and level (official page) | What is free | Certificate | Proctored? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alison: Microsoft Excel Essentials | 3 to 4 hours of video; beginner | Studying and completing the course | Optional paid certificate, CPD-accredited; free Learner Record as proof of completion | No |
| Alison: Microsoft Excel 2010 (Revised 2017) | Older Excel version | Course and digital certificate | One of nine Alison courses listed with a free digital certificate | No |
| Coursera: Excel Skills for Business: Essentials (Macquarie University) | 7 modules, 40 assignments; module estimates total about 25 hours; beginner | Enrolling; Coursera says some courses offer a Full Course, No Certificate option | Shareable certificate; included with Coursera Plus | No |
| Microsoft MO-210 study guide | Project-based study guide; beginner course level | Downloadable student guide, projects and Learning Directory | None by itself | Prepares for the proctored exam |
What the Microsoft Office Specialist exam costs
Microsoft's certification page says the price is based on the country or region where the exam is proctored, so the Certiport US store figures apply only to US purchases. Microsoft also says you can retake a failed exam 24 hours after the first attempt, that the wait for later retakes varies, and lists a renewal frequency of 60 months. Register with a personal Microsoft account: Microsoft warns that exam records tied to a work or school account are lost if you leave that organization.
The Excel Expert exam is MO-211. For the broader Microsoft Office Specialist: Expert (Microsoft 365 Apps) certification, Microsoft requires the Associate certification from three exams in different programs plus two Expert exams.
| Certiport US store product | Listed price on October 30, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Microsoft Office Specialist exam voucher | $104 |
| Exam voucher with retake | $120 |
| Exam voucher with retake plus CertPREP practice tests | $156 |
| Learn, Practice, Certify bundle (LearnKey, CertPREP, voucher) | $297 |
Who needs the exam and who can skip it
- Take the exam if a job posting, employer or training program names Microsoft Office Specialist or asks for a proctored Excel credential.
- Take the exam if you claim strong Excel skills on a CV and have no work samples to show; it is an independent, proctored check.
- Skip it if you only need Excel for your own budgeting or coursework; a free course and practice files are enough.
- Skip paying for a course certificate if your goal is a job: a short portfolio file, such as a cleaned dataset with a summary table and chart, shows more than a completion certificate.
- Use a free Alison Learner Record or Coursera's free access first if your employer only needs evidence of training hours; check whether they accept it before buying a certificate.
Worked budget: three ways to show Excel skill (illustrative, list prices)
The Coursera line assumes you finish about 25 hours of study inside one $59 month; at five hours a week, plan on two months, or $118. The exam route assumes you are a US candidate buying from Certiport's store. For someone whose employer cares about a proctored credential, the third route can cost about the same as two months of a subscription while giving a stronger signal.
| Route | Course cost | Credential cost | What you can show |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alison course, free Learner Record | $0 | $0 | Proof of completion, no proctoring |
| Coursera Excel Essentials in one month on Coursera Plus | $59 | Included | Shareable course certificate |
| Free course plus Microsoft's MO-210 study guide, then the MOS exam with retake | $0 | $120 | Proctored Microsoft Office Specialist certification |
Checklist before you pay for any Excel certificate
- Ask who will read the certificate and what they accept.
- Check the Excel version: MO-210 covers Microsoft 365 Apps; MO-200 covers Office 2019.
- Work through Microsoft's MO-210 study guide projects; if you cannot complete them, study before buying a voucher.
- Confirm the exam price for the country where you will test.
- Confirm Coursera's free option and certificate terms on the course page at enrolment.
- Keep one workbook you built yourself to show alongside any certificate.
Questions before you decide
Is there a truly free Excel course with a free certificate?
Alison lists its Microsoft Excel 2010 (Revised 2017) course among nine courses with a free digital certificate, and every Alison course offers a free Learner Record. Certificates for its other Excel courses are optional purchases. The free certificate covers an older Excel version and is not a proctored credential.
What is the official Microsoft Excel certification?
Microsoft Office Specialist: Excel Associate (Microsoft 365 Apps), earned by passing exam MO-210. Microsoft lists a 50-minute proctored exam, recommends about 150 hours of instruction and hands-on experience, and sets the price by country; Certiport's US store lists a voucher at $104.
Can I retake the MOS Excel exam if I fail?
Yes. Microsoft says you can retake 24 hours after the first attempt and that later waiting periods vary. Certiport's US store sells a voucher with retake for $120, compared with $104 for a single voucher.
Sources & verification
Product details and prices can change. Check the linked provider before buying.
- Microsoft Learn: Microsoft Office Specialist: Excel Associate (Microsoft 365 Apps) Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Microsoft Learn: Microsoft Office Specialist: Excel Associate (Office 2019) Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Microsoft Learn: Microsoft Office Specialist: Expert (Microsoft 365 Apps) Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Microsoft Learn: Microsoft 365 Apps certification preparation materials Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Certiport store: Microsoft exam vouchers Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Alison: Microsoft Excel Essentials Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Alison FAQ: how much does an Alison certificate or diploma cost Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Coursera: Excel Skills for Business: Essentials (Macquarie University) Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Coursera Plus pricing Accessed 30 Oct 2026
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