Introduction To Microsoft Excel
Excel Lesson One
Lesson One - Getting Started With Excel
DESCRIPTION:
This lesson introduces students to the essential features in Microsoft Excel. Students will be able to perform simple calculations using Excel.
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES:
At the end of the lesson students should be able to :
- Recognize Cell Addresses
- Enter Data
- Perform Simple calculations
- Rename a worksheet
- Save a workbook
1.0 Start Microsoft Excel
- Click On the [START] button
- Point to All Programs
- Point to Microsoft Office
- Click on Excel icon
It is possible that the computer you are using may have the Microsoft Excel program located somewhere else. If you are having difficulty locating MS Excel then search through the other menu options. Some users may choose to place it under the heading Microsoft Programs or Finances.
What A Spreadsheet is Made Of
A spreadsheet is made up of :
- Columns
- Rows
- Cells
Creating a New Worksheet
When Excel starts a new workbook is immediately available. A workbook is simply a number of worksheets together saved under one filename. You can If you choose now skip instruction number 2.1
2.1 Select : File, New
You should now have a workbook open with a number of blank sheets. The first will be named sheet1 the second sheet2 etc.
All data must be entered into cells. A cell is an intersection of a row and a column. Each intersection has a unique cell address. This worksheet is very long. Depending on the version of EXCEL you are working with, you will get a different number of rows. Let us see how many rows make up your worksheet.
1.0 Checking the number of Rows
- PRESS the End key once
- PRESS the down arrow key once.
Take a note of the number of rows available. My system has 1,048,576 rows. That is a lot of rows. I do not think I will ever have to use all of them.
2.0 Finding Home - Cell A1
To get back to the first cell :
- PRESS and hold down the Ctrl Key
- Tap the Home key once
- Release both keys
3.0 Checking the number of Columns
- PRESS the End key once
- PRESS the RIGHT arrow key once.
Take a note of the number of columns available on your computer. The last cell is in column XFD on my PC. What is yours?
About Excel Cells
Each cell in a worksheet can contain one of three types of data :
- Label
- Value
- Formula
Label - A label is a text entry. We use labels to identify what we are talking about. A label cann ot be used in a calculation.
Value - A value is a piece of data that can be used in a calculation.
Formula - An instruction to perform an operation on values. A formula is like a mathematical equation. All formulae in Excel must begin with the equal sign = .
School Attendance Worksheet
Exercise 1.1
Enter the following labels and values as seen below in your EXCEL worksheet.
After you enter the data we will enter a formula in cell B5 , Press the Enter Key and watch excel perform its magic.
| A | B | C | |
| 1 | ATTENDANCE | Monday | Tuesday |
| 2 | Boys | 532 | |
| 3 | Girls | 642 | |
| 4 | Teachers | 32 | |
| 5 | Total | =B2 +B3 +B4 |
After you press the Enter Key the Value 1206 will be displayed in cell B5
If you do not get the same answer as I then check your values and formula again.
Your Turn
Enter the following values in column C under the Tuesday label:
- Enter 500 in cell C2
- Enter 640 in cell C3
- Enter 32 in cell C4
What formula do you think should go in cell C5 ?
If your answer is =C2 + C3 + C4 you are correct
Go to the spread sheet and change any value and observe the changes. Your Worksheet is automatically updated.
Exercise 1.2
In column D it is your task to enter the following values and the appropriate formula in cell D5 :
- Enter 505 in cell D2
- Enter 643 in cell D3
- Enter 31 in cell D4
If you use the correct formula and you are accurate in entering the given values then the value 1179 will be displayed in cell D5 after you press the enter key.
4.0 Editing Data
To edit data is to change the contents of a cell.
- Click on the cell to select it
- Use the backspace key to delete the data
- Enter your changes
5.0 Formatting Data
When we format a cell we change the appearance of the data in a cell. We may change font type and size, colour. Make text bold, underline or italic.
- Click on the cell or highlight the cells with the data you want to format
- Choose a formatting tool from the HOME menu
6.0 Naming the Sheet
- Double Click on the word Sheet1 at the bottom of you window
- Type the word LIST when Sheet1 is highlighted
7.0 Saving the Workbook
- Select File, Save AS from the Menu
- Select the Folder into which the file should be saved
- Enter the name Attend in the file name
- CLICK ON the save button
Office Supplies Order
Exercise 1.3
Enter the following labels and values as seen below on a new worksheet
After you enter the data we will enter a formula in cell D4 then copy the formula down using the autofill handle.
| A | B | C | D | |
| 1 | OFFICE SUPPLIES ORDER | |||
| 2 | ||||
| 3 | Items | Price | Quantity | TOTAL |
| 4 | Copy Paper | 2.49 | 20 | |
| 5 | Post-it Notes | 5.99 | 10 | |
| 6 | Stapler | 7.99 | 5 | |
| 7 | Paper punch | 11.90 | 15 | |
| 8 | Highlighter pen | 1.99 | 5 |
Your Turn
- Change the data in cell C8 from 5 to 50 then press ENTER
- Enter the formula =B4 * C4 in cell D4 then press ENTER
- Copy the formula down to cell D8
- Watch this clip at step 4 then format the worksheet exactly as is done in the video
- Click HERE >>> Copying and Formatting Data 13 mins.
- Print a copy of this worksheet and place in your portfolio
- Save the file with the name : Office Supplies
Excel Lesson Two - Using the SUM function
End of Lesson One - Getting Started With Excel
Registered Students may email The Tutor at tutordam@yahoo.com with your questions and or comments.
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The Tutor |
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