Updated October 5, 2026.
In short: computer skills on a resume are the software, tools and digital tasks you can use at work — Microsoft Excel, Google Workspace, Salesforce, QuickBooks, Adobe Photoshop, SQL, Python. List the ones the job posting names, grouped by category in your skills section ("Software: Excel (pivot tables, XLOOKUP), Salesforce, Tableau"), and prove the important ones in a bullet. Name the task, not just the program: "Microsoft Excel" says little, "built pivot-table reports in Excel" says what you can do. The University at Buffalo's career design center gives the same advice: for a program with many uses, list the tasks you can do in it rather than the tool name alone (University at Buffalo, checked October 5, 2026).
What are computer skills on a resume?
Computer skills are a kind of hard skill: teachable, checkable abilities with specific software or technology. They range from basic (email, word processing, video calls) to specialist (SQL, CAD, cloud administration). On a resume they belong in the skills section and inside experience bullets, in the job posting's exact wording.
List of computer skills for a resume
Pick from the categories that match your target job. Write the tasks in brackets only if they are true for you.
| Category | Computer skills to list |
|---|---|
| Word processing and documents | Microsoft Word (styles, mail merge, track changes), Google Docs, Adobe Acrobat (PDF editing, forms, e-signatures), document formatting, typing speed (state the tested WPM) |
| Spreadsheets | Microsoft Excel (formulas, pivot tables, XLOOKUP/VLOOKUP, conditional formatting, charts, macros), Google Sheets, data validation, budgeting templates |
| Presentations | Microsoft PowerPoint (templates, slide masters, charts), Google Slides, Canva, Keynote |
| Email and collaboration | Outlook (calendar management, rules), Gmail, Microsoft Teams, Slack, Zoom, SharePoint, OneDrive, Google Drive |
| Project and task management | Jira, Asana, Trello, Monday.com, Microsoft Project, Smartsheet, Notion |
| Data and analytics | SQL, Tableau, Power BI, Looker Studio, Google Analytics, Excel Power Query, data cleaning, dashboards |
| CRM and sales tools | Salesforce, HubSpot, Zoho CRM, pipeline reporting, lead management |
| Customer support software | Zendesk, Freshdesk, Intercom, ticketing systems, live chat, knowledge-base editing |
| Accounting and finance | QuickBooks, Xero, NetSuite, SAP, Sage, accounts payable/receivable software, expense tools such as Expensify |
| HR and payroll | Workday, ADP, BambooHR, applicant tracking systems (Greenhouse, Lever), HRIS data entry |
| Design and media | Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere Pro, Figma, Canva, photo and video editing |
| Marketing and web | WordPress, Shopify, Mailchimp, Google Ads, Meta Ads Manager, SEO tools, social media schedulers, HTML/CSS basics |
| Programming and development | Python, JavaScript, Java, C#, SQL, Git, REST APIs, VS Code, command line |
| IT and systems | Windows and macOS administration, Microsoft 365 admin, Active Directory, networking basics (TCP/IP, DNS), help-desk ticketing, hardware troubleshooting, backup and recovery |
| Industry software | Epic or Cerner (healthcare), AutoCAD or Revit (engineering and architecture), POS systems (retail and hospitality), warehouse management systems (logistics), Westlaw or LexisNexis (legal) |
| AI tools | ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot or Gemini for drafting and research; prompt writing; reviewing and fact-checking AI output |
For role-specific lists, see our hard skills by job family and the skills section of any resume example for your title.
How do you list computer skills on a resume?
1.Start from the posting. Copy the software and tools it names, in its spelling ("Microsoft Excel", "Salesforce Sales Cloud"), and keep only the ones you can use.
2.Group them. Use a labelled line per category instead of one long list:
SKILLS
Software: Microsoft Excel (pivot tables, XLOOKUP), Salesforce, Tableau, Jira
Office: Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Google Workspace
Languages: Spanish (fluent)3.Add the task in brackets for broad programs like Excel, Photoshop or Salesforce.
4.Prove the top two or three in a bullet. "Built a weekly Excel pivot-table report on 4,000 orders that replaced a manual count" is evidence; "Proficient in Excel" is not. The figures in these examples are placeholders; use your own.
5.Put certifications in their own section, with the issuer: for example, Microsoft's Office Specialist: Excel Associate certification.
Should you list your skill level?
Use words, not bars or percentages: "Excel (advanced: macros, Power Query)" or "Python (working knowledge)". Bars and percentages are graphics or numbers without a reference point: they don't tell the reader what "70 %" of Excel means. A simple scale works if you're consistent:
| Level | What it means on a resume |
|---|---|
| Basic | You can do common tasks with occasional help (format a document, enter data, join a video call) |
| Proficient | You use it daily without help (formulas, templates, shared calendars, standard reports) |
| Advanced | You build things others use (macros, dashboards, automations, templates for a team) |
Which computer skills do employers ask for?
The posting tells you. Office jobs mostly ask for Microsoft Office or Google Workspace and a CRM or ticketing tool; analyst jobs for Excel, SQL and a dashboard tool; technical jobs for specific languages and platforms. Temple University's career center suggests listing computer and database skills, Microsoft Office programs, Adobe Creative Cloud and social media platforms you're comfortable with, alongside other measurable skills (Temple University, checked October 5, 2026).
Frequently asked questions
Is Microsoft Office a computer skill for a resume?
Yes, but on its own it says little for most office jobs. Name the programs and tasks: "Excel (pivot tables, XLOOKUP), PowerPoint (executive decks), Outlook (calendar management for three executives)".
Should I list basic computer skills like email and typing?
Only for roles where they are the job — data entry, administrative support, entry-level customer service — or when the posting asks for them. For a typing speed, give the tested words-per-minute figure.
Where do computer skills go on a resume?
In a skills section near the top for technical and entry-level resumes, or below experience for everyone else — and the most important ones inside your experience bullets as well.
Are computer skills hard skills or soft skills?
Hard skills: they are specific and can be tested. See hard skills vs soft skills and soft skills for a resume.
How many computer skills should I list?
As many as the posting asks for that you can actually use, usually 6 to 12 grouped by category. A long list of tools you can't discuss in an interview hurts more than it helps.
If you want the skills section laid out for you, build my resume in the resume builder.