This is a very broad question which I don't think has a right answer.

Excel offers so many attributes...

To name a few...

• Functions
• Pivot tables
• VBA
• Charting
• Subtotals
• Conditional formatting
• Data validation
• What-if-analysis

Here's one example with functions...

In cell A1 Jeffrey Brown

If you wanted to return the first name, we could use... =LEFT(A1,7)

But the 7 is hard coded. To make it dynamic based on the length of the name, you could use...=LEFT(A1,FIND(" ",A1))

But that returns 8 for Jeffrey and it should be 7. So now an option is...=TRIM(LEFT(A1,FIND(" ",A1)))

So you can see, we have used three fuctions to build a robust formula, but there are other ways to accomplish this.

An easier method could be...Text to Columns

Advance is a very subjective term. Advanced compared to what or whom? I can tell you about some forum members who are masters at using formulas, some who are VBA masters, and some who can do both with ease. To me, they are all advanced, so I don't know if there is a order in which to learn Excel. I have learned enough stuff I am pretty comfortable performing my job at work and every once in awhile I am advanced enough to answer a query on one of the many forum's I visit. Often times the query is way above my current abilities.

Here is a good link to get you started in your quest...


https://www.mrexcel.com/forum/genera...ml#post3604871

Maybe you weren't looking for this much information, but hopefully it helps in some way...