Excel

Excellence
25 Must-Know Interview Questions

Bonus Data-Specific Questions

 To excel as a Data Analyst or Scientist, mastering
specific Excel functions and features is crucial. So,
here's an outline of the most asked Excel interview
questions that you should be familiar with.

Stay till the end, to get bonus questions

specific to your target Data Role!

2
Q1. What are the primary features of Microsoft Excel?

Ans. Excel is known for its versatile functions, including

spreadsheet management, data visualization,

formula calculations, PivotTables, and macro

programming through VBA.

Q2. How do you create a PivotTable?

Ans. Answer: Select your data range, go to the ‘Insert’ tab,

and click on ‘PivotTable’. Then, choose the fields for

rows, columns, values, and filters.

3
Q3. Explain VLOOKUP and its limitations.

Ans. VLOOKUP searches for a value in the first column of

a range and returns a value in the same row from a

specified column. Its limitations include inability to

look to the left and requirement for the source data

to be sorted.

4
Q4. What is the difference between functions and

formulas in Excel?

Ans. A formula is an expression written by the user to

calculate values, while a function is a predefined

calculation in Excel.

Q5. Can you explain the IF function in Excel?

Ans. The IF function performs a logical test and returns

one value if the test is true, and another if false.

Syntax: `IF(logical_test, value_if_true, value_if_false)`

Q6. How do you apply conditional formatting in Excel?

Ans. Select the cells, go to the ‘Home’ tab, click on

‘Conditional Formatting’, and set your desired rules.

5
Q7. Describe a few ways to optimize large Excel files.

Ans. Use PivotTables, avoid volatile functions like

INDIRECT, minimize the use of entire row/column

references, and use data validation.

Q8. What are Excel macros and how are they useful?

Ans. Macros are sequences of instructions that automate

repetitive tasks. They’re written in VBA and can

significantly reduce manual effort.

6
Q9. What is a slicer in Excel?

Ans. Slicers are visual filters used for PivotTables and

PivotCharts, allowing for easy filtering of data in an

interactive way.

Q10. Explain the difference between relative, absolute,

and mixed cell references.

Ans. Relative references change when a formula is copied,

absolute references ($A$1) stay constant, and mixed

references (A$1 or $A1) partially change.

7
Q11. How do you lock cells in Excel to protect them from

editing?

Ans. Select the cells, right-click, choose ‘Format Cells’, go

to the ‘Protection’ tab, check ‘Locked’, and then

protect the sheet under the ‘Review’ tab.

8
Q12. What are Array Formulas and how do you use

them?

Ans. Array formulas perform multiple calculations on one

or more items in an array and can return either a

single result or multiple results.

Q13. How do you use the SUMIF function?

Ans. SUMIF adds up numbers in a range that meet

specified criteria. 

Syntax: `SUMIF(range, criteria, [sum_range])`

Q14. Describe how you can connect Excel with other

data sources.

Ans. Excel can connect to external data sources like SQL

databases, web pages, or other spreadsheets

through the ‘Data’ tab.

9
Q15. Explain the use of the CONCATENATE function.

Ans. CONCATENATE is used to combine two or more text

strings into one string.

10
Bonus Questions
Basic Data Analysis in Excel:

Q1. How do you import and clean data in Excel?

Exp. Understanding of data import options, use of
functions like TRIM, CLEAN, and removing
duplicates.

Q2. Can you describe a scenario where you used Excel’s

VLOOKUP/HLOOKUP functions?
Exp. Practical understanding of lookup functions for data
retrieval.

Intermediate Data Analysis Techniques:

Q3. How do you handle large datasets in Excel? Are

there any limitations?
Exp. Knowledge about Excel’s row/column limits and
strategies like data segmentation, use of external
data sources.

11
Q4. Describe a complex formula you have used in Excel

for data analysis.

Exp. Proficiency in combining multiple functions and

creating nested formulas.

Advanced Data Science Features in Excel:

Q5. How would you use Excel for statistical analysis?

Give examples of functions you have used.

Exp. Familiarity with statistical functions like AVERAGE,

MEDIAN, STDEV, CORREL, and data analysis toolpak.

Q6. Can Excel be used for predictive analysis? If so, how?

Exp. Knowledge about regression tools, forecast

functions, and trend analysis in Excel.

Q7. Discuss how you can integrate Excel with other tools

for advanced data science tasks.

Exp. Understanding of Excel’s integration capabilities with

programming languages like Python, or platforms

like Power BI.

12
Data Visualization in Excel:
Why

Q8. Explain how you would use Excel’s Power Query and
Power Pivot for data analysis.
Exp. ProficiencyBosscoder?
in using Power Query for data
transformation and Power Pivot for data modeling.
1000+ Alumni placed at Top
Product-based
Scenario-Based Questions: companies.

Q9. Given More than 136% hike for every 


a dataset of sales over the past year, how
would2you
out of 3 sales
forecast working
for theprofessional.

next quarter using

Excel?
Average
Exp. Approach package
to use historical ofto24LPA.
data predict future
trends, possibly using Excel’s forecasting tools.

Q10. Describe a time when you identified a significant

insight from data analysis in Excel.
Exp. Practical example of data analysis leading to
actionable insights. .

Explore More
13