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Microsoft Excel Training
by Anthony Smith
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Overview
Microsoft Excel is by far the world's most popular spreadsheet software. In fact, it has become so much a part of the daily work of many businesses, that computer users that are unfamiliar with how to use Excel may feel they are at a disadvantage. Many job openings require some proficiency in Excel, prompting those without it to seek some basic training in using the program.
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Excel Workspace
After opening Excel, you will be taken to the main window. This window has an arrangement that will be familiar to users of other Microsoft products. There is a horizontal row of commands at the top of the window and a toolbar with icons just beneath it. The worksheet that is currently open occupies the middle of the window, and scroll bars for navigating around it are located to the right and on the bottom. Excel also provides tabs that are associated with other worksheets at the bottom of the window so that the user can quickly navigate to them.
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Excel Files
Excel calls its files workbooks, and the spreadsheets that are within them worksheets. Open new or existing files by clicking on the "File" command at the top, and selecting the appropriate option form the drop down menu. After opening an existing file, the worksheet that was last in use will be open in the main window.
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Cells
Excel worksheets are made up of a grid of individual cells. The rows of this grid are numbered, and the columns are given an alphabetical label so that cells can be identified. The starting point for this system is in the upper left corner. For example, the first cell is identified as "A1." A cell located two rows over and 4 rows down from "A1" is "C4." Users enter data into the cells in any of a wide range of formats that Excel supports. Numeric, alphabetic, time or date and currency are just a few examples of these formats.
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Using Commands and Functions
Excel utilizes an easy point and click interface, and most all of the tasks you will use are accomplished by clicking on either the commands or the icons on the toolbar. Once again, users of other Microsoft products will recognize the "File," "Edit" and "View" commands, but Excel also adds their own: "Insert," "Format," "Tools" and "Data." Drop down menus appear when you click on any of these commands to further specify the command. The commands are arranged logically, so to insert a row, you would click on "Insert," and then select "Rows." Cell formatting can quickly be done by clicking on the icons for font changes, data alignment within the cells and color.
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Make It Visual
To create a graphic representation of the data and data manipulations you have done, select the cells that will supply the data for the chart or graph. Click on "Insert" and then select "Charts." Excel then provides you with a wide variety of eye catching charts and graphs from which to choose. Select one or more, and print them to make finished, professional presentations.
