Getting Started

This lesson will help you become familiar with the Excel layout and give you great tips on using shortcut keys and customizing your toolbar.

To locate the customization options go to the View menu. Select Toolbars, then Customize and then Options.

Working with Workbooks

In this lesson you will learn how to open and work with a new workbook. You will also learn how to save your workbook as a different file type is as easy as going to File | Save As | Save as Type. Then choose the type of file you want the workbook converted to.

Working with Worksheets

In this lesson we will show you how to perform the following:

• Manage Worksheet Tabs
  
• Rename Worksheets
  
• Hide Worksheets by Selecting: Format | Sheet | Hide

Templates and Closing Excel

In this lesson you will discover how using templates will save you time and work. Go to: File | New. In the task pane, you can choose 'On My Computer' or choose a selection of free templates online.

Entering Data and Worksheet Navigation

In this lesson you will learn what to do if text is not displaying completely, or if your numbers are displayed as Hash Marks (#######). You will also learn some helpful navigation tips.

Insert Different Data Types

In this lesson we will cover default date formats and how to add a comment to your worksheet by right-clicking and selecting Insert Comment.

Selecting Ranges

In this lesson we will show that you can select several cells at once (or ranges of cells) by using the Shift key or Ctrl key when selecting multiple cells.

Insert Data Into Multiple Cells Quickly (Part 1)

In this lesson you will discover the powerful Clipboard tool. To open this feature go to Insert | Office Clipboard.

Insert Data Into Multiple Cells Quickly (Part 2)

In this lesson you will learn about using the Auto-Fill Handle to quickly enter data. Float your mouse at the corner of a cell and look for the thin black plus to appear. Drag it across or down. Also, if a Smart Tag pops up, click it to see how Excel can assist you further.

AutoComplete

In this lesson you will learn how AutoComplete can save you keystrokes. You can turn this feature on/off by going to Tools | Options | Edit.

Using the Font Grouping and Dialog Box

This lesson will cover how to use the Format Toolbar to adjust font format, size, color, and style. Or you can go to Format | Font for more features such as double-underline, strikethrough, and subscript.

Using the Alignment Grouping and Dialog Box

This lesson will cover how to use the Format toolbar to align cells. You can also use the dialog box by going to: Format | Cells | Alignment tab. From this area you can change the orientation of your data, shrink to fit, and use text wrapping. By default, texts are aligned to the left and numbers are aligned to the right.

To merge cells use the Merge and Center button on your Format toolbar.

Using the Number Grouping and Dialog Box

This lesson will show you how to quickly change the style of your data from the Format toolbar. You can quickly add decimals, change data to a percentage or dollar amount.

For more options, go to the following menu: Format | Cells | Number tab.

Row Height, Column Width and Hide/Unhide

In this lesson you will learn how to adjust the column widths and row heights, or just hide them by highlighting them, then going to the Format menu.  You can quickly adjust the column widths and row heights by floating your mouse between the two rows or columns, then double clicking the double-headed arrow that is displayed.

Conditional Formatting and Using Cell Values

In this lesson you will discover how conditional formatting will save you time from manually searching for data results.  Conditional Formatting can change the format of the data you are looking for.  For example: If Cell Value is greater than $500 display as BOLD

To configure Conditional Formatting, go to Format | Conditional Formatting.

Conditional Formatting and Using Formulas

This lesson will cover conditional formatting in relation to formulas. Using the Conditional Formatting dialog box, you can change the format of the data in cells as a result of a formula. (For example: If Formula is an error, display as blank or with white font to appear as blank).

Conditional Formatting: Applying Multiple Conditions

In this lesson we will cover the following regarding Conditional Formatting:

• Adding additional conditional formatting
  
• Deleting conditional formatting
  
• Adding up to 3 conditional formatting rules

Excel Formulas

This lesson will show you how to create simple formulas.

When writing formulas, remember this tip regarding the order: Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally.

1. Parenthesis 
   
2. Exponents 
   
3. Multiplication 
   
4. Division 
   
5. Addition 
   
6. Subtraction

Enter and Edit Formulas

In this lesson you will learn about basic formula construction.  Entering the “=” is needed to start the formula. (Example: =E5/E10)

From the menus choose Edit | Go To | Special in order to find all cells with formulas. To edit, click on the cell with the formula and adjust the formula in the Formula Bar.

Absolute References

This lesson will cover more use of the Auto-Fill Handle when it comes to formulas.  This feature will copy a formula down through several rows. F4 will change a cell in a formula into an Absolute Reference.

Using Named Ranges

This lesson will show you how using the Name Box to create Named Ranges will help make writing formulas easier.  To edit or delete Name Ranges try the following: Insert | Name | Define.

Excel Functions

In this lesson, you will discover the AutoSum button to help enter some standard functions.  This button can be found in your Standard Toolbar (?).

More About Functions

In this lesson you will learn how the AutoSum button does more than just add.  It can also give Average, Count, Maximum, or Minimum formulas automatically.  If the cells this button highlight are not the ones you want, use your mouse to selected the correct ones and update the range.

The Function Library and Financial Functions

This lesson will show you how to find the syntax from the Function Library.  Try Insert | Function.  There is also a shortcut in your Formula Bar.

Logical Functions

In this lesson we will consider how to write a function with an “IF” statement.

• Start by entering “=IF”
  
• Excel will help you with pop-up menus 
  
•  If you need further help, type Ctrl+A for the Function Arguments dialog box.

Text and Date Functions

This lesson will teach you how to quickly format text without having to retype it. For example, change “vicky hammond” to “Vicky Hammond” with Insert | Function | Text category. Also, Insert | Function | Date & Time category gives you are variety of functions to choose from.

Sorting Data

In this lesson we will show you how to have a multi-level sort.  Try going to Data | Sort. The Sort dialog box will let you choose the levels for this sort.

Subtotals

In this lesson you will learn how to insert subtotals quickly.  The dialog box in Data | Subtotals will figure out averages, sums, and other choices for your subtotals.

Filter Data

In this lesson we will cover how the Data | Filter | AutoFilter will filter data for your review.  This tool will automatically enter dropdown boxes on your heading for quick filtering.

Understanding Pivot Tables

In this clip, we will show you the power of Pivot Tables.  This type of table is great with showing you large amounts of data in a short summary.  The dropdown boxes allow you to choose the data you which to view.

Create a Simple Pivot Table

In this lesson you will discover how easy it is to create a Pivot Table. Just go to: Data | Pivot Table Wizard. And “follow the wizard!” Remember this tip: Before hitting the FINISH button in the wizard, click on LAYOUT to organize your data first.

Update a Pivot Table

To adjust the layout of your Pivot Table try this:

• Click inside Pivot Table to bring up the Pivot Table Toolbar.
  
• Click on Show/Hide Pivot Table Field List button in the toolbar.
  
• Drag fields to the Pivot Table from the field list.
  
• To remove a field from the table, drag and drop it off of the Pivot Table. You will see an X to show you it will be deleted.

Protect Data

Want to protect your workbook with a password?  Try File | Save As | Tools | General Options.

Workbook Protection Settings

This lesson will show you how to lock your worksheet.  This will prevent anyone from being able to type into any of the cells.  Go to Tools | Protection | Protect Sheet.

Protect Specific Aspects of Workbooks

In this lesson we will show you how to protect only specific cells.  Go to Format | Cells | Locked.

Worksheet Views and Zoom

In this lesson you will learn how to preview your page before printing. Go to View | Page Break Preview. From there you can adjust your print layout. Also, on your Standard Toolbar learn about the zoom feature.

Window Options

Learn how to hide columns or entire rows in your workbook. Click Format | Row | Hide.

Also, Locking your column headers will allow you to scroll down and still know what the column represents. Go to Window | Freeze Panes.

Using Illustrations

This lesson will show you how to insert free pictures from Microsoft, pictures from files, and shapes into your worksheet.

Formatting Pictures, Clip Art and Shapes

Learn the picture editing features of Excel. You can move, rotate, and re-size it. You can also adjust the color, contrast, brightness, even crop and more!

Shape Formatting Options

Shapes can add pizazz to your files. This lesson will teach you how to deal with shapes by adjusting the fill, line color, line weight and style and shadow.

Excel Chart Building

Charts help you display your data graphically. If you click on Insert | Chart, you will see that there are many different chart options in Excel. In this clip you will also learn chart terminology.

Charts: Create a Simple Chart

If you need a step-by-step run through of how to create a chart in a hurry with the Chart Wizard, this clip is for you!

Charts: Changing Labels

Get down to the nitty-gritty of customizing your charts to do practically anything you want. Right-click on any area of your chart to get to the customization menu.

Charts: Formatting Charts

You can change the colors of everything in your charts by right-clicking on them: lines, words, fills, backgrounds. Take some time and watch this clip to see how in a few clicks, you can tailor your chart to your needs.

Make a Combination Chart

If you need a chart in a hurry, select the data and press F11. If you want to combine two different types of charts, no problem! Learn how here.

Print Preview

Go GREEN with Print Preview. Use this option to save paper. Sometimes a column floats to a new page. Preview your work, adjust your margins and make sure your document looks the way you want it to by clicking File | Print Preview.

Adjusting Page Setup Options (Part 1)

An amazing tool is “Fit one page wide by one page tall.” It shrinks the page just enough so that everything fits on one page. You can also center your document on the page through File | Page Setup.

Adjusting Page Setup Options (Part 2)

You can put the same information on every page with Headers and Footers. In this clip, you’ll also learn how to repeat certain cells on each page. This is helpful if your document is more than one page long.

Printing Worksheets

There are a couple of things in the Print dialog box that you may appreciate knowing. Have you ever tried printing from a selection? Or printing your whole worksheet? Learn how in this clip.

Proofing Tools

Spell Check and Thesaurus are nice to use, even though in Excel you may typically use numbers. You never want your documents to have spelling errors. If you’re a numbers person, you may be at a loss for words. Use the Thesaurus to find just the right word.