7 Free Data Entry Courses With Certificates

Updated on 9/17/2025

Data entry professionals verify, input, and update information into computer systems and databases. Data entry professionals work with various software and paperwork systems. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), data entry and information clerks earned a median salary of $43,730 in 2024.

Free data entry courses with certificates offer flexible pathways to becoming a data entry professional. This article highlights various free data entry courses and answers related to costs, certificate options, and other online learning opportunities. Continue reading to discover how you can hone your data entry skills through free courses.

Are There Free Data Entry Courses?

Yes, there are free data entry courses available online. Some are straightforward data entry courses, while others delve into particular skills important to data entry, such as data management, data science, and data analysis.

Data entry courses range from a few hours to six months in length. The timeframe to complete your course depends on the subject matter and how much time you can commit to learning per week. Most free courses are self-paced, which means you can complete lectures and coursework at your own schedule.

Do Free Data Entry Courses Include Certificates?

Generally speaking, free data entry courses include a certificate option, with certain free courses offering proof of completion at no additional cost.

However, most courses offer a certificate for a fee: while the data entry training is free, learners can choose to pay for an official digital certificate. Some courses require learners to opt for a certificate pathway before starting the course; others allow learners to opt for a certificate after course completion.

What Will I Learn in a Free Data Entry Course Online?

A free data entry course equips learners with essential skills and knowledge for data entry jobs, with course content ranging from beginner to advanced levels. Learners develop skills in areas such as:

• database management
• data validation
• data visualization
• automated data entry

More advanced certificate courses focus on in-demand skills in topics like cybersecurity, data analysis, digital marketing, and artificial intelligence (AI).

Free Data Entry Courses With Certificates

The following list features free online data entry courses with certificates available upon completion. Note that while the courses are free, the certificates typically require an additional fee.

1. Excel for Beginners at Coursera

Davidson College offers an Excel for Beginners course through Coursera's online learning platform. The course covers topics such as data entry, data plotting and visualization, and spreadsheet formulas and methodologies. Learners hone skills in Google Sheets, MS Excel, and Excel Macros.

This introductory-level course can be completed in four weeks when learners average four to five hours of coursework per week. You can choose to enroll as an auditor, which means the course is free. Alternatively, you can choose the $249 certificate enrollment option.

• Cost: Free
• Course length: Four weeks

2. Excel for Beginners at Great Learning

Great Learning is an online learning platform with an Excel for Beginners course. This introductory class teaches the fundamentals of data analytics, including data wrangling and data visualization.

Learners in Excel for Beginners develop in-depth knowledge of Microsoft Excel software, honing skills such as cell referencing, sorting and filtering, and functions and formulas. Learners receive a certificate of completion after successfully completing the free course.

• Cost: Free
• Course length: Eight hours

3. Mastering Data Entry Tools and Techniques at Alison

Advance Learning offers a Mastering Data Entry Tools and Techniques course through Alison's online education platform. The intermediate-level course consists of four modules, including foundations of data entry, data entry tools in practice, and best practices and error management.

Learners gain knowledge and skills in areas such as Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, data entry, and data management. After the course is completed, learners may choose to purchase a $25 digital certificate or a $35 printed certificate.

• Cost: Free
• Course length: Three hours

4. Data Analytics Basics for Everyone at edX

The online learning platform edX features Data Analytics Basics for Everyone, taught by IBM industry experts. The introductory course is designed for learners who are interested in becoming data analysts. Enrollees develop skills in big data, data analysis, relational databases, and more.

Learners can take this popular course at their own pace. Those who commit to two to three hours of coursework per week can complete the course in five weeks. You can choose to audit the course for free or pay $99 for the certificate enrollment option.

• Cost: Free
• Course length: Five weeks

5. Introduction to Data Science at edX

IBM offers an Introduction to Data Science through edX. The self-paced course is for beginners interested in learning about the fundamentals of data science and related job functions. Learners hone skills in areas such as big data, forecasting, and tax collections. You can opt to earn a $99 certificate, or you can audit the course for no charge.

• Cost: Free
• Course length: Six weeks

6. Mastering Excel Essentials to Enhance Business Value at Coursera

Illinois Institute of Technology (Illinois Tech) has a beginner-level data entry course through Coursera. Illinois Tech's Mastering Excel Essentials to Enhance Business Value is designed for individuals interested in honing their MS Excel skills in a business environment. The course covers important skills such as data entry, spreadsheet software, data cleansing, and data validation.

You can take the full course for free without a certificate. To earn the $118 certificate of completion, you must choose this option at enrollment.

• Cost: Free
• Course length: Five weeks

7. Data, Data Everywhere at Coursera

Coursera offers an introductory data analytics course taught by Google industry experts. The course explores the fundamentals of data analytics, including data ecosystems, analytical thinking, and query languages. Learners develop skills in platforms and analysis tools such as Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel, Tableau, and Structured Query Language (SQL).

You can take the course for free, but to earn a certificate of completion, you must choose the $59 enrollment option.

• Cost: Free
• Course length: One week

How We Rank Courses

We consider factors such as cost and provider reputation when determining which courses to feature.

• Course cost: Learners can access these courses at no charge.
• Course value: Courses provide valuable skills required for data entry professionals.
• Course provider reputation: Courses are delivered by reputable schools, organizations, and/or industry experts.

How To Learn Data Entry Online for Free

In this section, we offer insights into free strategies for learning data entry skills online.

Free Online Courses and Tutorials

There are many online data entry courses and tutorials offered on platforms like edX, Coursera, and Alison. While many usually charge, you can access them for free by auditing or forgoing certificate fees.

You can also reference training videos on platforms like YouTube. These step-by-step guides offer guidance in areas such as Google Sheets, MS Excel, Power BI, and more.

Free Skill-Building Resources

You can practice your data entry skills with resources such as Google Workspace or Microsoft Learn. Microsoft Learn is a free online platform with an extensive library of self-paced learning modules, hands-on labs, and other skill-building resources. Google Workspace is a suite of online tools (e.g., Gmail, Drive, and Calendar) that includes free learning modules.

What's Not Free

Many professional and skills development courses are not free. Charging learners for certificates helps ensure that the online platforms and their instructors offer quality education via reliable technology. The following certificates and services typically incur a charge:

• Certificates of completion from major platforms
• Official certifications such as Microsoft Office Specialist exams
• Career support services like job placement assistance

FAQs About Free Data Entry Courses With Certificates

We address frequently asked questions about free online data entry courses with certificates, from popular course options to associated costs.

Can You Learn Data Entry for Free?

Yes, you can learn data entry for free by auditing online courses from major platforms or watching tutorial videos on sites like YouTube. Practicing with free platforms like Microsoft Learn and Google Workspace is also effective.

Which Course Is Best for Data Entry?

The best course for data entry depends on your previous educational and professional background and your career goals. For example, if you are interested in an entry-level data entry position and have no prior related education, you should take an introductory data entry course. If you are looking to advance your career in web development, enroll in a class that covers information technology, e-commerce, and programming languages such as Python.

Are Free Online Courses Actually Free?

Generally speaking, free online courses have associated costs. You can avoid these costs using certain strategies, such as auditing a class and choosing not to buy a certificate. Some major platforms, like Coursera, offer financial aid options that can help offset any education costs.

Discover Online Data Entry Programs

No matter your career goals, there are online programs that can help you along the way. Reach out to Learn.org's featured institutions and discover which pathway best supports your education journey.