Excel for Accounting Professionals Session 2: Data Validation and Conditional Formatting

Excel techniques that incorporate data validation, improved formatting, and alternatives for standard functions, tailored for accounting experts.

2/4/2026 10:00am - 12:00pm  |  Online  |  AICPA

Members: $125.00, Non-members: $149.00

CPE Categories: Specialized Knowledge & Applications (2 CPE)

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Description

Which Excel function is your go-to?

This session invites you to actively engage and practice with the instructor, exploring exercises demonstrated. In doing so, you’ll gain a firmer grasp of common Excel functionalities, including:

- Data validation

- Conditional formatting

- Enhanced summing options

- Skinny rows

Achieving proficiency in Excel features

Gaining proficiency in Excel means learning to design workbooks that are both functional and streamlined. The facilitator will lead you through an array of formatting skills, formula functions, and beyond as we expand upon foundational Excel knowledge with topics such as:

- Managing data input for individual cells

- Using conditional formatting to prevent errors

- Enhancing productivity via the Subtotal feature

- Ensuring total formulas refresh automatically

*Session 2 is one of eight sessions that is available as an individual session. Each session builds on the prior sessions, so you'll want to consider watching [Session 3: Workbook Design Principles and Organization] (https://www.aicpa-cima.com/cpe-learning/webcast/excel-for-accounting-professionals-session-3--workbook-design-principles-and-organization) to further prepare to tackle real-world issues and build powerful workbooks.*

Target Audience

Accounting and finance professionals who'd like to improve their mastery of Microsoft Excel

Course Objectives

- Use data validation techniques that provide controls related to what can be typed into a cell.

- Apply conditional formatting techniques that prevent errors and increase efficiency.

- Use the subtotal function in place of the sum function to increase efficiency.

- Use skinny rows to automatically update total formulas when data is entered at the end of the range.

Subjects

- Data validation

- Conditional formatting

- Subtotal function

- Reduce formula errors

- Skinny row

Prerequisites

Working knowledge of Excel