Excel is not going anywhere.
Even with tools like Power BI and Python dominating analytics conversations, Excel remains one of the most tested skills in interviews.
If you’re applying for data analyst, finance, operations, or business intelligence roles, recruiters expect you to move beyond SUM and AVERAGE.
Here are 8 advanced Excel formulas recruiters expect you to know and how to use them confidently.
1. XLOOKUP
If you’re still relying only on VLOOKUP, you’re behind.
Why it matters:
XLOOKUP replaces VLOOKUP and HLOOKUP with a more flexible solution.
Example:
=XLOOKUP(A2, A:A, B:B)
Why recruiters like it:
It shows you understand modern Excel and dynamic referencing.
2. INDEX + MATCH
This combination is powerful and interview-friendly.
Why it matters:
It’s more flexible and efficient than VLOOKUP for large datasets.
Example:
=INDEX(B:B, MATCH(A2, A:A, 0))
What it shows:
You understand lookup logic and structured referencing.
3. IF + Logical Conditions
Recruiters often test your ability to categorize data.
Example:
=IF(B2>100000,"High","Standard")
You can also combine conditions:
=IF(AND(B2>50000, C2="Yes"),"Bonus Eligible","No Bonus")
What it demonstrates:
Business logic thinking.
4. SUMIFS
You will rarely sum without conditions in real-world data analysis.
Example:
=SUMIFS(B:B, A:A, "East", C:C, "Completed")
Why it matters:
It shows you can filter and aggregate data without creating pivot tables.
5. COUNTIFS
Recruiters love testing conditional counting.
Example:
=COUNTIFS(A:A,"East", B:B,">1000")
This is especially useful in sales and performance analysis roles.
6. TEXT Functions (LEFT, RIGHT, MID, TEXT)
Data is rarely clean.
You must know how to manipulate text fields.
Examples:
=LEFT(A2,4)
=MID(A2,2,3)
=TEXT(B2,"mmmm")
These are essential for cleaning datasets before building dashboards in tools like Microsoft Excel.
7. IFERROR
No recruiter wants to see #N/A everywhere.
Example:
=IFERROR(A2/B2,0)
Why it matters:
It shows you understand user-friendly reporting and clean outputs.
8. Pivot Table Calculated Fields
While technically not a single formula, calculated fields are often tested in Excel interviews.
They allow you to create new metrics inside Pivot Tables without modifying raw data.
Why recruiters expect this:
It shows practical reporting capability and not just formula knowledge.
Why These Excel Formulas Matter in 2026
If you’re building codewithfimi.com into a strong data education platform, Excel content remains highly searchable and beginner-friendly.
Many entry-level roles still require Excel tests.
Knowing these advanced Excel formulas signals:
- Analytical thinking
- Business logic understanding
- Data cleaning ability
- Reporting readiness
That combination makes you employable.
How to Practice These Formulas
Instead of memorizing syntax:
- Download public datasets
- Create business scenarios
- Combine formulas
- Practice explaining your logic
Recruiters care about your reasoning, not just whether the formula works.
You don’t need to master 200 Excel functions.
You need to master the right ones.
These 8 advanced Excel formulas recruiters expect you to know will cover:
- Lookups
- Conditional logic
- Aggregation
- Data cleaning
- Error handling
That is more than enough to pass most Excel interview tests.
FAQs
Is Excel still important for data analysts?
Yes. Many companies still rely heavily on Excel for reporting and analysis.
Should I learn XLOOKUP or VLOOKUP?
Learn XLOOKUP first, but understand VLOOKUP for legacy systems.
Are Pivot Tables considered advanced?
Basic Pivot Tables are expected. Calculated fields and dynamic models are more advanced.
Do recruiters test Excel live?
Yes. Many companies give practical Excel tasks during interviews.
Is Excel enough to get a data job?
Excel alone is rarely enough, but it is often required alongside SQL and BI tools.