It depends on the project that I am working on. The majority of projects that I have worked on did not require that I used them. I am not sure why this questions was asked considering that Excel was not specifically mentioned in the job description. Most companies utilize Microsoft Access for more in depth database maintenance and creation, or they have their own proprietary software for database usage. I asked about InComm's systems, but was never given a straightforward answer. Grant it every company is different, but because I have worked for some of the most well known and successful financial companies (fortune 500 companies) and the U.S. Government, I have found that most HR departments that I have worked with, or are extremely familiar with, are not Excel heavy as they tend to be more Peoplesoft, Access, Word and Outlook heavy. Also, most HR departments have an overall Assistant for the department and the most senior person has their own assistant. Because of the severe confidentiality that must be adhered to in HR, tasks such as seating arrangements, travel vouchers and security badges were handled by the admin asst's of the various departments in which they worked.