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Exam Information
Official specifications published by Microsoft
Exam Format
50 min
700
Expert
Registration
$100 USD
Certiport, Pearson VUE, or online proctoring
English, Spanish, French, German +4 more
Validity
Lifetime (does not expire)
MO-201 Exam Topics and Domains
MO-201 is organized into 4 weighted domains. Expect to work with Excel formulas, Insert tab - Charts, Review tab, Visual Basic Editor, and more.
1
Manage workbook options and settings
17.5%
Manage workbooks
Copy macros between workbooksReference data in other workbooksEnable macros in a workbookManage workbook versions
- Demonstrate ability to work with macros across multiple workbooks
- Create and manage external workbook references
- Configure macro security appropriately
- Recover and manage workbook versions
Prepare workbooks for collaboration
Restrict editingProtect worksheets and cell rangesProtect workbook structureConfigure formula calculation optionsManage comments
- Configure appropriate protection levels for collaborative scenarios
- Implement worksheet and workbook protection effectively
- Optimize calculation settings for performance
- Manage collaborative feedback through comments
Use and configure language options
Configure editing and display languagesUse language-specific features
- Configure Excel for multi-language environments
- Apply language-specific formatting and features
2
Manage and format data
22.5%
Fill cells based on existing data
Fill cells by using Flash FillFill cells by using advanced Fill Series options
- Apply Flash Fill to automate data entry patterns
- Create custom series using advanced fill options
Format and validate data
Create custom number formatsConfigure data validationGroup and ungroup dataCalculate data by inserting subtotals and totalsRemove duplicate records
- Create and apply custom number formats
- Implement data validation to ensure data integrity
- Organize data using grouping and subtotals
- Clean data by removing duplicates
Apply advanced conditional formatting and filtering
Create custom conditional formatting rulesCreate conditional formatting rules that use formulasManage conditional formatting rules
- Design and implement advanced conditional formatting
- Create formula-based formatting rules
- Manage and maintain conditional formatting rules effectively
3
Create advanced formulas and macros
32.5%
Perform logical operations in formulas
Nested logical functionsConditional aggregation functionsBoolean logic functions
- Construct complex logical formulas using nested functions
- Apply conditional aggregation functions with multiple criteria
- Implement Boolean logic in calculations
Look up data by using functions
VLOOKUP and HLOOKUPINDEX and MATCH
- Perform vertical and horizontal lookups with VLOOKUP and HLOOKUP
- Create flexible lookup formulas using INDEX and MATCH
Use advanced date and time functions
Current date and time functionsDate calculation functions
- Calculate current dates and times dynamically
- Perform business day calculations using date functions
Perform data analysis
Consolidate data from multiple rangesWhat-if analysisForecasting functionsFinancial calculations
- Consolidate data from multiple sources
- Perform what-if analysis using Goal Seek and Scenario Manager
- Create financial forecasts and loan calculations
Troubleshoot formulas
Formula auditingWatch WindowError checkingFormula evaluation
- Audit formulas using precedent and dependent tracing
- Monitor cells using Watch Window
- Validate and troubleshoot formulas using error checking
- Evaluate complex formulas step-by-step
Create and modify simple macros
Record simple macrosName simple macrosEdit simple macros
- Record macros to automate repetitive tasks
- Apply appropriate naming conventions to macros
- Perform basic editing of macro code
4
Manage advanced charts and tables
27.5%
Create and modify advanced charts
Create and modify dual axis chartsCreate specialized chart types
- Create dual axis charts to compare different data scales
- Design and implement specialized chart types for specific data scenarios
Create and modify PivotTables
Create PivotTablesModify field selections and optionsCreate slicersGroup PivotTable dataAdd calculated fieldsFormat PivotTable data
- Create PivotTables from various data sources
- Configure and modify PivotTable field options
- Enhance PivotTables with slicers for interactive filtering
- Group and organize PivotTable data effectively
- Create calculated fields for custom analysis
- Apply formatting to improve PivotTable presentation
Create and modify PivotCharts
Create PivotChartsManipulate options in existing PivotChartsApply styles to PivotChartsDrill down into PivotChart details
- Create PivotCharts for visual data analysis
- Configure PivotChart options and filters
- Apply professional formatting to PivotCharts
- Use drill-down features to explore data details
How do I earn this certification?
Passing MO-201 earns the Microsoft Office Specialist: Excel Expert (Office 2019) certification. It sits in the Microsoft Office Specialist track.
Current Level Exams
MO-101 - Microsoft Word Expert (Office 2019) Required together with MO-201 for MOS Expert certification
Next Level Options
- Combined MOS Expert - MOS Expert (Office 2019)
- Combined MOS Master - MOS Master (Office 2019)
Alternative Paths
- MO-211 - Microsoft Excel Expert (Microsoft 365 Apps) Newer version focusing on Microsoft 365 Apps instead of Office 2019
- PL-300 - Microsoft Power BI Data AnalystAdvanced data analysis and visualization career path
- DA-100 - Analyzing Data with Microsoft Power BIBusiness intelligence and data visualization progression (retired, replaced by PL-300)
Practice with Precision
The PlanetCert Simulator mirrors the real exam environment with authentic questions and timed pressure.
How to study for this exam?
Use the official PlanetCert Practice Test alongside the study plan below to prepare efficiently for MO-201.
What's changed on this exam?
Current Status
- ACTIVE
- Last content update: 2025-02-18
Updates
- Excel 2019 16.0 Exam covers Office 2019 features, not Microsoft 365 exclusive features • Release date: 2018-09-24
- Excel for Microsoft 365 MO-211 covers Microsoft 365 features like dynamic arrays, XLOOKUP
Who should take this exam?
This exam is typically taken by Business users requiring advanced Excel skills and Data analysts working with complex spreadsheets.
- Approximately 150 hours of instruction and hands-on experience with Excel 2019
- Proven competency at an industry expert-level
- Completion of MOS Excel Associate (MO-200) or equivalent experience