10 Best Microsoft Training Courses in 2026 (Free & Certified)

Choosing the best Microsoft training courses can be difficult because Microsoft offers hundreds of learning paths, certifications, courses, and technical specialties. Whether you’re a beginner learning Excel, an IT professional moving into Azure, or interested in Power BI, Microsoft 365, or cybersecurity, the right training depends on where you want your career to go.

This updated 2026 guide compares 10 of the best Microsoft courses for beginners, business professionals, and IT professionals. I’ve included free Microsoft Learn training, certification-focused paths, business productivity courses, and more advanced technical options, so you can choose training that matches the skills you actually want to build.

Microsoft 365, Azure, Power BI, Power Platform, Teams, Entra,Microsoft’soft’s security tools are widely used across business and enterprise environments. As a result, Microsoft skills remain valuable across IT, cybersecurity, data analytics, finance, healthcare, project management, and administration.

2026 update: Microsoft’s certification catalog continues to change. For example, Microsoft retired the MS-900: Microsoft 365 Fundamentals exam on March 31, 2026. This guide reflects Microsoft’s newer training and credential paths rather than continuing to recommend a certification that no longer exists.

How I Chose These Microsoft Training Courses

These recommendataren’tren’t based solely on course descriptions. Instead, my perspective comes from working with Microsoft technologies in professional IT environments, including Microsoft 365, infrastructure, cloud migrations, identity, security, and end-user support.

For this guide, I prioritized four things:

• Skills that translate into real business or IT environments
• Training that is accessible to beginners when appropriate
• Current Microsoft learning and credential paths
• Courses that can lead naturally into more advanced technical skillsdon’tdon’t need to take all 10. Ultimately, the right Microsoft course depends on what you actually want to do with the skill.

Best Microsoft Training Courses for 2026: Quick Comparison

1. Microsoft 365 Fundamentals — Best for Understanding the Microsoft 365 Ecosystem

Microsoft 365 is a good starting point if you work in an organization that relies on Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive, Exchange Online, Microsoft Entra, and other Microsoft cloud services.

The training can help you understand how those technologies fit together instead of learning each application in isolation. Therefore, it’s particularly useful for people who need a broader understanding of the Microsoft 365 environment.

What You’ll Learn

Depending on the current Microsoft Learn modules you select, topics can include:

• Microsoft 365 cloud services
• Collaboration and productivity
• Identity and access concepts
• Security and compliance
• Microsoft 365 administration
• Licensing and service concepts

Who Should Take It?

For that reason, this is a good starting point for business users, help desk technicians, and IT professionals who are new to Microsoft 365.

Of course, understanding Microsoft 365 as a platform doesn’t eliminate the need to develop greater skills in individual applications. For example, even something as seemingly straightforward as document formatting can become surprisingly complex. My older guide to Microsoft Word outline numbering is a good example of why practical application-specific skills still matter.

Important MS-900 Update for 2026

The old MS-900 Microsoft 365 Fundamentals certification exam was retired on March 31, 2026.

However, that doesn’t make Microsoft 365 fundamentals irrelevant. It means you should learn the technology because the skills are useful, not because you’re expecting to earn the retired MS-900 certification.

Instead, Microsoft’s current credential catalog includes role-based certifications and shorter, scenario-focused Applied Skills credentials. As a result, learners now have several ways to build and demonstrate Microsoft skills without relying on the retired MS-900 exam.

Explore current Microsoft Credential.s

2. Microsoft Excel Training — Best for Business and Career Skills

Excel remains one of the most broadly useful Microsoft skills because it crosses industries and job functions.

For example, finance, healthcare, administration, project management, operations, IT, and countless other fields rely on spreadsheets for reporting, analysis, and decision-making. Therefore, a good Excel course should progress beyond simply entering numbers into cells.

Skills Worth Learning

Beginner

• Cell formatting
• Tables
• Basic formulas
• Sorting and filtering
• Keyboard shortcuts

Intermediate

• XLOOKUP
• INDEX/MATCH
• Conditional logic
• Data validation
• PivotTables

Advanced

• Power Query
• Data modeling
• Advanced formulas
• Dashboards
• Automation

Who Should Take It?

Because Excel appears across so many industries, almost anyone working with business data can benefit from stronger Excel skills.

For that reason, if someone isn’t pursuing a technical IT career and asks me which Microsoft skill to learn first, Excel would be near the top of my list becausit’sis immediately applicable.

Explore Microsoft’s Excel training and help.

3. Power BI Data Analyst (PL-300) — Best for Data Analytics

If you enjoy turning raw information into useful reports and dashboards, Power BI is one of the strongest Microsoft skills to develop. Additionally, Power BI training develops skills that can translate directly into business reporting and analytics work.

Business intelligence itself isn’t new. Years ago, I looked at Microsoft and several competing platforms in my Business Intelligence Solution Reviews. The technology has evolved considerably since then, but the fundamental business problem remains the same: organizations need ways to turn large amounts of data into information people can actually use to make decisions.

Today, however, Power BI has become an important part of Microsoft’s data analytics ecosystem. Microsoft’s PL-300 material focuses on preparing data, modeling it, visualizing and analyzing information, and managing and securing Power BI. In addition, candidates are expected to understand Power Query and DAX.

What You’ll Learn

• Connecting to data sources
• Cleaning and transforming data
• Power Query
• Data modeling
• DAX
• Data visualization
• Power BI reports and dashboards
• Power BI security and management

Who Should Take It?

PL-300 is particularly relevant for:

• Business analysts
• Data analysts
• Financial professionals
• IT professionals
• Operations teams
• Managers responsible for reporting

Therefore, if your goal is a data-focused career, I would choose Power BI over collecting several unrelated beginner certifications.

Microsoft PL-300 study guide

4. Microsoft Teams Administration — Best for Microsoft 365 Administrators

Using Microsoft Teams is relatively straightforward for most employees. Administering Teams across an organization, however, is a different skill.

In addition, IT professionals need to understand policies, meetings, permissions, collaboration, identity, governance, and how Teams interacts with the broader Microsoft 365 environment.

As a result, Teams administration training can be particularly useful for help desk professionals mtransitioning toMicrosoft 365 administration and for existing administrators who need to manage collaboration at scale.

Skills to Focus On

• Teams configuration
• User and access management
• Meeting policies
• External and guest access
• Application management
• Security
• Governance
• SharePoint and OneDrive integration

General office workers probably don’t need administrator-level Teams training. Microsoft 365 administrators, on the other hand, can benefit considerably more from these skills.

Explore Microsoft Teams training.

5. Microsoft PowerPoint — Best for Presentations and Business Communication

PowerPoint is sometimes dismissed as a basic office application. However, creating a professional presentation requires much more than just adding bullet points to slides.

Advanced PowerPoint training can improve your ability to communicate information visually. Moreover, presentation skills can be useful across management, consulting, sales, education, and project-based roles.

Useful Skills Include

• Slide Master
• Layout and visual hierarchy
• Charts and data visualization
• Embedding Excel content
• Transitions and animations
• Presenter tools
• Templates
• Speaker notes
• Accessibility
• Export and sharing options

For that reason, this training is particularly useful for managers, consultants, project managers, educators, sales professionals, and executives.

Explore Microsoft PowerPoint training and help.

6. Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) — Best Microsoft Course for Cloud Beginners

If you want to move toward IT infrastructure, cloud administration, or cybersecurity, Azure Fundamentals is one of the better Microsoft starting points.

More importantly, AZ-900 introduces cloud concepts without requiring you to be a cloud engineer already. In addition, Microsoft positions Azure Fundamentals as foundational training for people beginning a cloud career or wanting to understand Azure and cloud concepts.

What You’ll Learn

• Cloud computing concepts
• IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS
• Azure architecture
• Azure services
• Compute
• Networking
• Storage
• Security
• Governance
• Cost management

Who Should Take AZ-900?

I particularly like this path for:

• Help desk technicians
• Junior system administrators
• Students
• IT professionals moving toward cloud
• People considering an Azure career

However, AZ-900 won’t make you an Azure administrator bon its own

Instead, think of it as the foundation before deeper Azure training.

Microsoft Azure Fundamentals AZ-900

7. Security, Compliance and Identity Fundamentals (SC-900) — Best for Cybersecurity Beginners

If your interest is cybersecurity, identity, or cloud security, SC-900 is one of the Microsoft fundamentals paths I’d seriously consider in 2026.

The curriculum introduces security, compliance, and identity concepts across Microsoft’s cloud ecosystem, including Microsoft Entra. In addition, Microsoft’s associated learning materials cover areas such as Zero Trust, identity providers, authentication, and access management.

What You’ll Learn

Topics include concepts around:

• Security
• Compliance
• Identity
• Zero Trust
• Microsoft Entra
• Authentication
• Access management
• Microsoft security solutions

Who Should Take SC-900?

It’s a strong option for:

• Aspiring cybersecurity professionals
• Help desk technicians
• Microsoft 365 administrators
• IT students
• Professionals moving toward identity and access management

Therefore, if your long-term goal is cybersecurity, I’d rank SC-900 above collecting unrelated Office certifications.

However, certifications shouldn’t be your only form of cybersecurity training. Pairing Microsoft’s fundamentals with hands-on investigation can help develop analytical skills that certification material alone may not provide.

I’ve been doing exactly that with KC7, including practical threat hunting and KQL exercises. My KC7 Cyber Review: Hands-On Threat Hunting & KQL Training takes a closer look at my hands-on experience and why this type of training can complement traditional certification study.

Furthermore, that KQL experience is especially relevant to someone moving deeper into Microsoft’s security ecosystem, as Kusto Query Language is used extensively for investigating and analyzing security data in Microsoft environments.

Microsoft SC-900 certification information

8. Azure Administrator Training — Best Next Step After Azure Fundamentals

AZ-900 teaches you what Azure is. Administrator-level Azure training, by comparison, is where you start learning howactually to manage cloud environmentss.

In other words, understanding Azure concepts and administering Azure are two different skill levels.

If you’re pursuing cloud administration, infrastructure, or systems engineering, don’t keep collecting fundamentals credentials forever. Instead, move into training that requires you to configure and troubleshoot actual cloud resources.

Skills to Develop

Look for training covering:

• Azure identities
• Virtual networks
• Virtual machines
• Storage
• Resource management
• Monitoring
• Governance
• Backup and recovery
• Security controls

Who Should Take It?

As a result, this path makes more sense for someone who already understands basic networking, operating systems, and cloud concepts.

For a complete beginner, a more sensible progression is:

AZ-900 ? hands-on Azure practice ? Azure Administrator training

Consequently, this progression moves you from understanding cloud concepts toward actually implementing them.

Explore Microsoft Azure Administrator training.

9. Power Platform Fundamentals (PL-900) — Best for Automation and Low-Code Business Solutions

Power Platform has become increasingly relevant as organizations want employees to automate processes and build business solutions without having to develop everything from scratch.

Additionally, Microsoft’s PL-900 training covers technologies including Power Apps, Power Automate, Dataverse, and Copilot Studio. Moreover, the curriculum incorporates AI-powered solutions and agents.

What You’ll Learn

• Power Apps
• Power Automate
• Dataverse
• Connectors
• Business-process automation
• Copilot Studio
• AI-assisted solutions

Who Should Take PL-900?

This is an interesting option for:

• Business analysts
• Microsoft 365 professionals
• IT professionals
• Operations teams
• App makers
• People responsible for repetitive workflows

For example, if you’ve ever thought, “There has to be a better way to automate this process,” Power Platform is worth exploring.

Free Microsoft PL-900 learning path

10. Microsoft Applied Skills — Best for Practical, Scenario-Based Learning

At the same time, Microsoft Applied Skills is one of the Microsoft training options I think more people should pay attention to.

Traditional certifications generally validate broader knowledge associated with a job role. Microsoft Applied Skills, by contrast, are narrower and more task-oriented.

Microsoft describes Applied Skills as scenario-based credentials that validate specific skills. Therefore, they’re designed ato demonstratepractical capabilities rather than simply aaccumulatebroad certifications.

For example, Applied Skills can provide a way to demonstrate knowledge of a particular Microsoft technology or business scenario without immediately committing to a broader certification path.

Why I Like This Approach

For IT professionals, I generally prefer:

Learn ? practice ? demonstrate

over:

Memorize ? pass exam ? forget

Of course, certifications still have value. However, focused credentials and hands-on training can complement them with more practical experience.

Browse Microsoft Applied Skills

Which Microsoft Training Course Should You Take First?

Don’t choose a Microsoft course simply because somebody told you it’s the “best certification.” Instead, choose based on where you’re trying to go.

The best Microsoft training course for you isn’t necessarily the most advanced certification. For example, a beginner interested in cloud computing may get more value from AZ-900, while someone working with business data may benefit much more from Excel or Power BI.

If You’re Completely New to Microsoft Technology

For example, start with Microsoft 365 fundamentals or AZ-900, depending on whether you’re more interested in business productivity or IT/cloud technology.

If You Want Better General Business Skills

Start with Excel because it’s one of the easiest skills on this list to apply at work immediately. Furthermore, those skills can later provide a foundation for more advanced data work in Power BI.

If You Want to Become a Data Analyst

A logical progression is:

Excel ? Power BI ? PL-300

Consequently, that progression moves you from manipulating data toward creating more sophisticated analytical models and visualizations.

If You Want a Cloud or Infrastructure Career

Consider:

AZ-900 ? hands-on Azure practice ? Azure Administrator training

Most importantly, don’t stop at the fundamentals level. Instead, start applying what you learn in an Azure environment.

If You Want to Work in Cybersecurity

I’d consider:

AZ-900 + SC-900 ? hands-on security labs ? advanced security and identity training

First, the fundamentals provide context. Then, hands-on experience starts to develop your analytical and technical abilities.

For practical defensive security training, my hands-on KC7 cybersecurity review covers my experience using KQL to investigate realistic security scenarios.

If You Want Automation and Low-Code Skills

Start with PL-900 and Power Automate. From there, you can progress into more practical Power Platform projects.

If You Already Work in IT

Look closely at Microsoft Applied Skills.

In particular, a focused credential in something you can actually implement may provide more practical value than another introductory certification.

Free vs. Paid Microsoft Training: Which Is Better?

You do not need to spend thousands of dollars to start learning Microsoft technologies. In fact, some of the best Microsoft training courses and learning paths are available directly from Microsoft at no cost.

Microsoft Learn: Best Free Starting Point

Microsoft Learn provides Microsoft’s official self-paced training.

For certification-oriented subjects such as Azure, Power BI, security, and Power Platform, I would generally start there before buying another course. This way, you can determine whether you actually like the technology before spending money.

Paid Training Platforms

However, paid platforms can still make sense when you want:

• Instructor-led explanations
• Structured video courses
• Practice exercises
• Downloadable projects
• Additional exam preparation
• A different teaching style

For example, platforms such as Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, and Udemy can supplement official documentation and Microsoft Learn.

Still, paying for training does not automatically make it better. Instead, start with the learning outcome you need and then choose the provider.

Microsoft Certification vs. Microsoft Training: Know the Difference

Microsoft training and Microsoft certification are related, but they’re not the same thing.

For example, completing a Microsoft Learn module does not necessarily mean you’ve earned a Microsoft Certification.

Microsoft currently offers several forms of credentials, including broader Microsoft Certifications and more focused Microsoft Applied Skills credentials.

Therefore, before starting a course, ask yourself:

Am I trying to learn a skill, prepare for a certification exam, or earn a credential?

Those are related goals. However, they aren’t identical.

How to Put Microsoft Skills on Your Resume

Completing training is only part of the process. More importantly, you need to communicate what you can actually do with those skills.

Don’t simply write:

Microsoft Office — Proficient

Unfortunately, that tells an employer very little about what you can actually do.

Instead of:

Microsoft Excel

consider:

Advanced Microsoft Excel: XLOOKUP, PivotTables, Power Query and dashboard reporting

Similarly, instead of:

Microsoft Azure

consider:

Microsoft Azure: identity, virtual machines, storage, networking and cloud administration fundamentals

More importantly, whenever possible, describe how you used the skill.

For example:

Automated weekly reporting using Excel Power Query, reducing manual preparation time by approximately four hours per week.

As a result, your Microsoft skills become more credible because they’re connected to measurable outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions About Microsoft Training Courses

What Is the Best Microsoft Course for Beginners?

For general business users, Microsoft Excel is one of the most immediately useful choices. However, for someone beginning an IT or cloud career, the AZ-900 Azure Fundamentals certification provides a stronger technical foundation.

What Is the Best Free Microsoft Training?

Microsoft Learn should usually be your first stop. It provides free official learning paths covering Azure, Power Platform, security, Microsoft 365, Power BI, and other Microsoft technologies.

Therefore, I’d explore Microsoft’s free options before paying for an introductory course covering the same material.

Which Microsoft Certification Is Best for Cybersecurity Beginners?

SC-900: Security, Compliance and Identity Fundamentals is a logical starting point for beginners interested in Microsoft’s security and identity ecosystem.

However, it should eventually be paired with hands-on security practice rather than treated as sufficient training on its own.

Is MS-900 Still Available in 2026?

No. Microsoft retired the MS-900 Microsoft 365 Fundamentals exam on March 31, 2026.

Nevertheless, Microsoft 365 fundamentals remain useful to learn. However, new learners shouldn’t plan their certification strategy around earning the retired MS-900 credential.

Is Microsoft Training Worth It for an IT Career?

Yes, it can be—particularly when the training aligns with technologies you intend to work with.

However, the strongest approach combines structured training with hands-on practice and demonstrable skills rather than accumulating certifications without practical experience.

Should I Choose Azure or Microsoft 365 Training?

Choose Azure if you’re primarily interested in cloud infrastructure, systems administration, or cloud security.

On the other hand, choose Microsoft 365 if you’re more interested in productivity services, collaboration, identity, email, and Microsoft 365 administration.

The Bottom Line

There isn’t one Microsoft course that’s best for everyone. Instead, the best Microsoft training courses depend on the skills you want to develop and where you want your career to go.

For example,inr general workplace skills, Excel remains an excellent investment because itis applicables across industries and job roles.

Meanwhile, those beginning an IT or cloud career should consider AZ-900, which provides a foundation for more advanced Azure training and hands-on cloud experience.

On the security side, SC-900 introduces Microsoft’s security, compliance, and identity ecosystem.

For data analytics, Power BI and PL-300 provide a more specialized career path. Similarly, professionals interested in automation should consider PL-900 and Power Platform, especially as Microsoft continues adding AI and agent capabilities to its business tools.

Ultimately, the best Microsoft training courses aren’t necessarily the ones with the most impressive certification names. Instead, the right choice is the training that moves you toward the work you actually want to perform.

Choose a direction, learn the fundamentals, practice the technology, and then build evidence that you can actually use it.

That’s what turns Microsoft training into a career skill.