The purpose of this document is to review the basic functions of MS Excel. Excel is Microsoft's spreadsheet program.

Create a New Document

To create an Excel document open Excel from the Launcher/Dock or Applications Folder. Mac users will then be presented with the Project Gallery screen. Make sure the “Excel Workbook” option is highlighted and click OK to continue. The Excel Workbook will open right up from the Excel Applications Folder shortcut for the PC user.

Save your document by clicking the “Save” button in the toolbar.

(TIP: To avoid losing any of your content, make sure to click on the “Save” button regularly.)

Overview of Excel

The following screenshots show what a blank Excel spreadsheet looks like. Excel is a powerful tool that allows you to put things in easy to read and edit tables. It also has many advanced features that we won't be covering here. Highlighted below are some of the parts of Excel that you will use regularly in TDA.

Mac:

PC:

Enter Data

To enter data into the spreadsheet, click on the cell where you would like a specific piece of data to be. Type the data you wish to enter. The data will appear in the Entry Bar at the top of the spreadsheet. The data will remain in the Entry Bar until you hit return or until another cell is made active. Data can be entered as numbers or text.

Selecting Cells

To select a single cell, simple click on it. To select a range of cells click on one of the cells, and while holding your mouse button down, drag your mouse until all of the cells you would like to select are highlighted.

Number Format

It is possible to change the format of numbers, dates, and times in your spreadsheet. For example, if your spreadsheet deals with money, you would want numbers in your spreadsheet to be formatted for money.

Creating Graphs or Charts

Once you have entered your data into your spreadsheet you can create a chart. Select the data to be charted (including the row and column headings) by clicking and dragging over the cells to highlight them.

  1. Select the chart icon from the button bar.
  2. Select the type of chart you would like to create from the Chart Options/Chart Wizard menu.

Editing

Click HERE for editing tips and tricks.

Activity

Practice creating a spreadsheet by completing at least one of these activities.

  • Chart your grades
    • In a spreadsheet chart all of your grades for each course you are taking. Then highlight all of your information and create a chart. Save your chart and spreadsheet in Student Storage or Documents.
  • Bowling
    • Are you a bowler? Insert your scores into a spreadsheet and then make a chart. Save in Student Storage or Documents.
  • Spending
    • How much money do you make or get for an allowance each month? Where does all that money go? Enter your income and spending/savings in a spreadsheet and then create a chart. Where did your money go? Save in Student Storage or Documents.