Introduction to Excel
A spreadsheet program that allows you to organize data, complete calculations. make decisions, graph data, and develop professional-looking reports.
The three major parts of Excel are
Worksheets - allow you to enter, calculate, analyze and manipulate data (such as numbers and text).
Charts - allows you to pictorially represent data.
Databases - allows you to manage data. (i.e. sort and search)
The Workbook - like a notebook, contains all of the Worksheets for a project.
Up to 255 Worksheets are allowed in a Workbook.
Move between Worksheets using the tabs at the bottom of the Window.
The Worksheet - a rectangular grid of columns (vertical) and rows (horizontal).
Rows are identified by numbers
Columns are identified by letters
Cell - the intersection of a row and a column. A cell is referred to by it's unique address, or cell reference. e.g. A5, AX122, etc.
Active Cell - the cell into which data will be entered. It is identified by;
a heavy border
the active cell reference box (immediately above column A)
the column heading and row heading are emphasized.
Grid Lines - the horizontal and vertical lines on the worksheet
Menu Bar
Standard Toolbar
Formatting Toolbar
Name Box
Formula Bar
Status Bar
Keyboard Indicator
AutoCalculate Area
Toolbar Shortcut Menu - Right-click over any toolbar
Sheet and Scroll Tabs
Selecting a Cell
Point and click
Arrow keys
Using the name box
Entering Text
Entering the Worksheet Title
Correcting mistakes
AutoCorrect
Corrects two initial capital letters
Capitalizes the first letter of names of days
Replaces commonly misspelled words Tools>AutoCorrect
Enter Column Titles
Enter Row Titles
By default, text is left justified
Entering Numbers
numbers can include the digits zero through nine and any one of the following special characters:
+ - ( ) , / . $ % E e
if an entry contains any other keyboard character, Excel interprets the entry as text.
By default, numbers are right justified
Calculating a Sum
Sum a column of numbers - use AutoSum
A group of cells in called a range - a group of two or more adjacent cells in a column or row, or a rectangular group of cells.
Using fill handles to copy a cell to adjacent cells
Formatting a Worksheet
Font, font size and font style
Cell Justification
Using AutoFormat to format the body of a worksheet
Adding a Chart
Chart Wizard
Saving a Workbook
Printing a Worksheet