Excel interview questions

10 questions with answers, grouped by topic.

Formulas & functions

References, logic, and the functions you use every day.

2

Explain absolute, relative and mixed references.beginner What is the difference between IFERROR and IFNA?beginner

Lookup & reference

From VLOOKUP to XLOOKUP, and dynamic arrays.

2

What is the difference between VLOOKUP, INDEX/MATCH and XLOOKUP?intermediate What are dynamic arrays and why do they matter?intermediate

Data analysis

Pivot tables, tables, and summarising large sheets.

1

What does Show Values As do in a pivot table?beginner

Power Query & Power Pivot

The modern data stack inside Excel.

3

How would you handle a monthly report you currently rebuild by hand?intermediate When would you use the Data Model instead of formulas?advanced How would you clean a messy dataset in Excel?intermediate

Automation & quality

VBA basics, validation, and workbooks that do not break.

2

How do you make a workbook that other people will not break?intermediate When should you use VBA, and when should you not?advanced