Foundations of Practical Analytic Skills: An Examination of Undergraduate Business Students’ Self-Efficacy Using Excel

Microsoft Excel remains the primary spreadsheet software for numerical processing, computation, data analytics, and reporting in business schools across the United States.Given that Excel proficiency is a critical competency for business graduates, it also remains imperative that Excel skills are addressed as an essential component of the undergraduate business curriculum.Furthermore, Excel skills are also a critical issue in Information Systems education due to Excel's widespread use in end-user computing for business analytics and reporting.This study applies Bandura's self-efficacy theory to investigate how students' selfassessment of their Excel skills influences their confidence in solving business problems with Excel.A total of 113 undergraduate business students completed surveys which measured perceived Excel skills and self-efficacy.The study employed both qualitative and quantitative methods to analyze the findings.T-tests results revealed significant gender differences in Excel usage.Furthermore, differences in Excel proficiency were found among students in face-to-face and online courses.Multiple regression analysis showed a positive correlation between higher self-rated Excel skills, job-related Excel performance, and overall selfefficacy in using Excel.The findings offer implications for educators to further understand and enhance students' Excel selfefficacy within the business curriculum as a principal tool for quantitative and analytical reasoning.