MIS executive interviews test how fast and accurately you can build reports in Excel. Below are 25 questions that come up again and again, each with a short answer you can say out loud in an interview.
Formula questions
1. What is the difference between VLOOKUP and XLOOKUP?
XLOOKUP can look left or right, matches exactly by default and needs no column number. VLOOKUP only looks right and breaks if columns are inserted.
2. What is INDEX MATCH and why use it?
It is a lookup pair that works in any direction and does not break when columns change. MATCH finds the position, INDEX returns the value at that position.
3. What is the difference between SUMIF and SUMIFS?
SUMIF uses one condition. SUMIFS uses many, and the sum range comes first in its syntax.
4. How are COUNT, COUNTA and COUNTBLANK different?
COUNT counts numbers, COUNTA counts every non-empty cell and COUNTBLANK counts empty cells.
5. How do you handle formula errors?
Wrap the formula in IFERROR, or IFNA when you only want to hide #N/A. Fix the cause where possible instead of hiding it.
6. What is a nested IF and what can replace it?
A nested IF puts one IF inside another to test several outcomes. IFS is cleaner because it avoids a pile of closing brackets.
7. How do you join text from two cells?
Use the & operator, CONCAT or TEXTJOIN. TEXTJOIN is best when some cells may be empty.
8. How do you find the number of days between two dates?
Subtract the dates, or use DATEDIF for years and months. Use NETWORKDAYS to count only working days.
9. What is the difference between absolute and relative references?
A relative reference like A1 changes when copied. An absolute reference like $A$1 stays fixed. Press F4 to switch between them.
10. What does the TRIM function do?
It removes extra spaces from text, leaving single spaces between words. It is the first step in most data cleaning tasks.
Data and reporting questions
11. What is a PivotTable?
A tool that summarises large data by dragging fields into rows, columns and values, without writing formulas.
12. How do you remove duplicates?
Use Data, then Remove Duplicates, or the UNIQUE function if you want to keep the original data.
13. How do you split a full name into two columns?
Use Text to Columns with a space as the delimiter, or the TEXTSPLIT function in newer Excel.
14. What is data validation?
Rules that limit what can be typed in a cell, such as a drop-down list or a number range.
15. What is conditional formatting?
Formatting that changes automatically based on the cell value, such as highlighting overdue dates in red.
16. How do you protect formulas from being changed?
Unlock the input cells, then use Review, Protect Sheet. Locked cells cannot be edited once the sheet is protected.
17. What is a macro?
A recorded or written set of steps that repeats a task automatically, saved in the workbook.
18. What is the difference between a table and a normal range?
An Excel Table (Ctrl + T) expands automatically, keeps headers when you scroll and makes formulas easier to read.
19. How do you freeze the top row?
Go to View, Freeze Panes, Freeze Top Row. The header stays visible while you scroll.
20. How do you create a drop-down list?
Use Data Validation, choose List and type the items or select a range as the source.
Practical and scenario questions
21. How would you build a daily MIS report?
Keep raw data on one sheet, use formulas or a PivotTable on a summary sheet, refresh it daily and check totals against the raw data before sending.
22. How do you check that your report is accurate?
Reconcile totals with the source, look for blanks and duplicates, and spot-check a few rows by hand.
23. How do you find the top 3 items in a list?
Use LARGE for the values and INDEX MATCH for the names, or SORT with TAKE in newer Excel.
24. How do you deal with a very large file that runs slowly?
Remove unused formatting, replace heavy volatile formulas, convert finished formulas to values and use a PivotTable instead of many SUMIFS.
25. How do you automate a repeated report?
Use tables and formulas that update by themselves, a macro for repeat steps, or Power Query to refresh imports with one click.
Practical test tips
- Clean the data first: trim spaces, fix dates, remove blanks.
- Never overwrite the raw data. Work on a copy.
- Check your totals against the source before you submit.
- Learn the keyboard shortcuts. Speed matters in timed tests.