Description

Have you ever wanted to improve your estimating templates in Microsoft Excel? Would you like to be able to quickly create and view a simple Gannt schedule? Using Excel, you can do that and much more. Learning specific Excel formulas that assist the Estimating team can result in more accurate bids, less human error, and provide automation – all of which save time and money. Project Managers and Superintendents can create a schedule in just a few minutes and calculate working loads/durations in seconds.

ZenTek Consultants will show you the most effective means of using the software you already own, so you can get the ROI you were hoping for. Unless noted, the courses listed are eight (8) hour courses delivered in four (4), two-hour long sessions that students can attend online, right from their own desk. A live instructor will explain the detailed functions, and address questions as the class progresses.

NOTE: Courses are taught using the latest Microsoft software.

The recording will be available to participants for a limited time following each session, and a certificate of completion will be issued upon successful completion of the training.   

Multi-day:  September 16, 23, 30 & October 7^, 2025 | 1:00 – 3:00PM ET | 7:00 – 9:00AM HST

This is an intermediate level course.

Course Curriculum

Session 1: Excel Overview and Basics

• Review the functions & interface within Excel
• Loading templates from Microsoft
• Navigating Excel
• Formulas, Number Types
• Adding Notes & Comments to Cells
• Freezing Cells, Printing, and Headers

Session 2: Fun with Functions and Formulas

• Using scheduling specific formulas
• Conditional Formatting related to dates & scheduling
• Using Data Validation within a schedule
• Developing a Gantt Chart within Excel

Session 3: Delving into Data

• Creating & Using Tables
• Using estimating specific formulas
• Conditional Formatting related to estimating
• Using Data Validation within an estimate
• Protecting your workbook

Session 4: Summarizing Simplified

• Advanced formulas
• Workflow Improvement & Efficiency
• Best Practices for Presenting Data (Estimate, Schedule, Financial, etc.)

Meet the Instructor:

David Mills has been working within the construction industry for nearly a decade. He has developed commercial and healthcare projects ranging from $100,000 to $100,000,000+, while working in various positions, including Estimator, Project Engineer, Field Engineer, and Assistant Project Manager. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he was an Owner’s Representative on a large healthcare campus in Michigan. This project had several Construction Managers on it using different software products, which Mr. Mills successfully taught team members to use efficiently.

Mr. Mills joined ZenTek Consultants as a Technology Specialist in early 2023. During his time at ZenTek, he has developed custom solutions and training for clients, as well as written numerous articles and blogs on using Bluebeam and Procore efficiently. His knowledge of software does not end at Bluebeam and Procore, as he is proficient in Microsoft Office, Revit, PlanSwift, PlanGrid, Smartsheet, Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator.