If you run a small or medium-sized business in London, you already know how often Microsoft Excel sits at the centre of daily work. Finance reports, HR trackers, marketing dashboards, logistics forecasts are often all run in spreadsheets which means the question isn’t whether your staff need Excel training. The question is what type of Excel course will deliver the best results for your team and your budget.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the three main options 1)in-person, 2) video-on-demand, and 3) hybrid training, and the pros and cons of each. I’ll also show you what to look for in a provider, profile six leading organisations that offer Excel training in London, and finish with practical recommendations for different types of businesses.
The 3 Modes of Training
In-Person Training
In-person means a trainer is right there in the room with your staff, either at your office or in a London classroom. This is the most traditional model for a London Excel course.
- Pros: Hands-on support, real-time feedback, team cohesion, and higher accountability.
- Cons: Higher cost, less flexible scheduling, and travel time if it’s not run on-site.
For teams needing to upskill rapidly classroom Excel training delivers fast results. There are lots of providers London-based Excel classes.
Video on-Demand (VOD) Training
VOD is self-paced e-learning. Learners log in, pick modules, and progress through the materials at their own pace. It can be a great way to access an Excel training course.
- Pros: Scalable, low cost per user, fits around work schedules, and allows for review and refresher training in future.
- Cons: No live support, depends heavily on self-discipline, and is not tailored to learner requirements.
For businesses with distributed teams and / or limited budget, VOD can quickly build baseline spreadsheet skills across large groups.
Hybrid Training
Hybrid Excel training blends the two different modes and uses self-paced VOD modules followed by live instructor-led sessions (either in-person or virtual).
- Pros: Flexibility, structured progression, and the chance for learners to clarify questions in live sessions.
- Cons: Needss more co-ordination than standard VOD and the results are dependent on designing the correct blend of in-person and asynchronous training.
For many companies seeking corporate Excel training in London, hybrid is the sweet spot. It’s scalable on a budget but avoids the frustration of learners getting stuck by including smaller amounts of expensive, interactive learning.
Hybrid training requires a little more planning than either of the other modes. All of the companies below are great but if you’re not sure where to start I would recommend Acuity Training as my top choice as they have experience of customising their content and delivery schedule to company requirements.
Key Factors to Compare Providers
When you’re looking at Excel training providers in London, focus on the variables that matter most for your business outcomes:
- Trainer Credentials & Quality: Experienced trainers make or break any Excel course.
- Flexibility: Can they deliver on-site in London, virtual instructor-led, or VOD?
- Customisation: Can they tailor the exercises to your team’s Excel needs?
- Value & Scalability: Of course pricing. Do they offer corporate discounts? Do they require subscription models for their Excel courses?
Comparison Table of Excel Training Providers in London
| Provider | Training Modes Offered | Best For | Pros (Summary) | Cons (Summary) |
| Acuity Training | In-person (London classrooms & on-site), Virtual, Hybrid | SMEs and corporate teams needing tailored, practical Excel sessions | Small class sizes, CPD certification, post-course support | Higher per person cost, UK-only footprint for international teams |
| City Lit | In-person (London classrooms), Online live | Individuals and small businesses on a budget for Excel training | Affordable, evening/weekend options, CPD-style | Less corporate customisation, limited advanced Excel |
| Learning Tree | In-person, Virtual instructor-led, Hybrid | Large corporates needing structured Excel pathways | Certification-aligned, advanced Excel → analytics | Higher price point, less flexible scheduling |
| LinkedIn Learning | Video-on-demand (VOD) | Large-scale rollouts, self-motivated learners | Scalable, low-cost, wide Excel course catalogue | No live support, variable depth |
| Pitman Training | In-person (London centres), Online, Blended | Individuals/career changers needing structured progression in Excel skills | Job-focused, modular learning, multiple London centres | Limited customisation, less advanced analytics |
| QA | In-person, Virtual instructor-led, Hybrid | Enterprises needing consistency across teams for Excel | Large catalogue, scalable delivery, strong London presence | Premium pricing, less personalised |
Provider Profiles
Acuity Training
Acuity is a leading Excel training provider with strong presence in London. They focus on small class sizes, practical business examples, and personalised support. Courses cover beginner through to advanced Excel and introduce Power BI.
Pros:
- Small groups mean they can customise their training according to your requirements.
- CPD certification and 6 months of free follow-up support.
- On-site London delivery for teams.
Cons:
- Higher price point than VOD.
- No footprint outside the UK.
- Small groups mean limited dates for popular Excel levels.
City Lit
City Lit is a trusted adult education provider in London with classroom and online Excel courses. They’re a good fit for individuals and small businesses who need affordable options with flexible timings.
Pros:
- Central London location with evening and weekend classes.
- Affordable pricing for individuals.
- Recognised for CPD-style training.
Cons:
- Limited customisation.
- Advanced analytics modules may be less comprehensive.
- Courses often spread over multiple weeks.
Learning Tree
Learning Tree specialises in instructor-led technical and business skills. Their Excel training sits alongside data analysis and business intelligence programmes given an ongoing learning pathway.
Pros:
- Certification-aligned courses.
- Pathway from Excel basics to advanced data analysis.
- Suitable for multi-team rollouts.
Cons:
- Premium pricing.
- Less emphasis on short, budget-friendly sessions.
- Schedules can be rigid.
LinkedIn Learning
LinkedIn Learning is a VOD giant. Its Excel library covers everything from beginner topics to niche use cases. It is perfect for broad roll-out across a distributed organisation.
Pros:
- Huge library and low per-user cost.
- Flexible and self-paced.
- Easy integration with corporate systems.
Cons:
- No live support built in.
- Depth varies by course.
- Requires internal monitoring to maintain engagement.
Pitman Training
Pitman Training offers structured Microsoft Office courses, including Excel. With training centres across London, they provide modular learning and job-focused outcomes.
Pros:
- Structured progression from basics to advanced.
- Multiple London locations.
- Focus on job readiness and productivity.
Cons:
- Less bespoke corporate training.
- Limited Power Query/VBA content.
- Quality can vary by centre.
QA
QA is one of the UK’s largest training providers, offering in-person, virtual, and hybrid Excel programmes. They’re especially strong for very large businesses looking for consistent delivery across multiple teams.
Pros:
- Wide course catalogue and scalable delivery.
- Strong presence in London and nationwide.
- Options for bespoke corporate packages.
Cons:
- Less personalised experience than smaller providers.
- Can feel more transactional for small teams.
- Premium pricing.
Why Excel Skills Matter (Especially in London)
Excel is the default data analysis tool in almost all London business. It continues to be the backbone of business analysis even as the adoption of Power BI and the need for training to use that grows. Excel it converts raw data into information and ultimately decisions. Staff who are trained in Excel training courses are a competitive advantage as they can quickly build dashboards, clean data, automate reports, and reduce errors.
ROI of Learning Microsoft Excel Properly
Excel training pays back quickly. For example:
- A finance analyst who saves 0.5 hours a day which can be conservative depending on the roll would save almost £10,000 of time per year once their fully loaded employment cost is allowed for.
- An operations manager automating reports would allow for more frequent and detailed report and so reduce errors.
Recommendations by Business Profile
Corporate Teams: Choose hybrid Excel training—combine VOD modules with live workshops. Providers like QA or Learning Tree are ideal for a major corporate Excel training London rollout.
SMEs with urgent needs: Book an in-person on-site workshop with Acuity for fast, tailored results. They focus on practical Excel skills.
Career Changers or Analysts: Mix LinkedIn Learning with intensive short Excel courses at Acuity or City Lit.
Budget-Conscious Businesses: Use LinkedIn Learning or City Lit to build core Excel skills, then upgrade a few staff with advanced in-person training in London.
Final Thoughts
If you’re a London business, you’ve got lots of great options for Excel training courses. In-person training delivers intensity, VOD scales cheaply, and hybrid blends the best of both. The key is lining up the delivery mode with your business goals, budget, and staff profile. Get that right, and your Excel training in London stops being a cost—it becomes a huge investment that drives productivity, promotions, and a competitive edge.
