The Open University Offers Free Excel Data-Visualisation Training with a Statement of Participation
The Open University’s OpenLearn platform offers “Data analysis: visualisations in Excel”, a free introductory course with an estimated six hours of study. Learners who enrol and complete the course can receive a free Statement of Participation.
What you will study
The course introduces organising and exploring data, frequency tables, histograms, contingency tables and scatter diagrams. It covers both one-variable and two-variable data, helping learners choose ways to summarise information and investigate relationships.
In the spreadsheet introduction, learners work through features used to organise and analyse data. Later sections distinguish how different forms of data can be presented, including two-way tables and scatter diagrams.
Who can access it?
The course is listed at introductory level. You can read the content without signing up; a free account enables progress tracking, all activities and the completion statement. You need Microsoft Excel or a similar spreadsheet program. Course access does not mean every learner receives a free Microsoft software licence.
How to enrol
Open the official course page, create or sign into an OpenLearn account if you want the completion record, and enter the course. Use the downloadable resources provided for its exercises. No fixed closing date is advertised; access was checked on 14 October 2026.
What the completion record means
The advertised award is a Statement of Participation. It should be described accurately rather than presented as a degree or a Microsoft professional certification. The course page identifies the material as an adapted extract from an Open University business-data course.
A useful study approach
Keep a working copy of the practice files so that you can repeat an exercise without losing the original data. After producing a chart, write one sentence explaining what it shows and one limitation of the conclusion. This helps connect spreadsheet mechanics with clear communication.
Before using a new technique at work, practise with non-sensitive data and check your results. A visually attractive chart is only useful when the source data and calculation are sound. Start the free OpenLearn course here.
