Lesson 04 - Excel Formula Contd...

<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Excel Cell References</span><br /> <br style="font-size: x-large;" /> <span style="font-size: large;">A tip – I usually tell my students that in every name there is always a hidden meaning, communicating some functions of the bearer. </span><br /> <span style="font-size: large;">Most words used in Excel performs same function as the literal meaning of the word(s), so should you see anything, anything at all on Excel, start relating it to something and you will find it very interesting that you already knows everything about Excel.</span><br /> <br style="font-size: x-large;" /> <br style="font-size: x-large;" /> <span style="font-size: large;">The <span style="color: red;">Cell</span> as used in Biology (from Latin word cella, meaning "small room") is the basic structural, functional, and biological unit of all known living organisms. Also an Excel cell, just as the name implies is the simplest unit of an excel spreadsheet that is used to define and create all activities to be performed in it. </span><br /> <br style="font-size: x-large;" /> <br style="font-size: x-large;" /> <span style="font-size: large;">An example of a single cell would be “A1” </span><br /> <br style="font-size: x-large;" /> <br style="font-size: x-large;" /> <span style="font-size: large;">when we refer to A1, it means content of or in Column A Row 1. </span><br /> <br style="font-size: x-large;" /> <span style="font-size: large;">(A column is the left to right alphabetical order ranging from A through XFD depending on the version of the Excel) </span><br /> <br style="font-size: x-large;" /> <br style="font-size: x-large;" /> <br style="font-size: x-large;" /> <a href="http://www.excelxpo.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsqx6T45Fetox9gD4Ei_RjoJPyvc5bo_KoLsK0yQke50GHkKe77Sljx43GiBNHTqErXFNGpX1R9cI_aDDP4ZS9cp8lG4_CxnKmOX6FVB5kqVQKXxn225r_BxlnD-zIlDNAE3fPIrMbtVaS/s1600/Cell,range.JPG" /></a><br /> <br style="font-size: x-large;" /> <br style="font-size: x-large;" /> <span style="font-size: large;">More than one cell is called <span style="color: red;"><b>Range</b></span>. An example of a range of cells reference would be <span style="color: red;">D3:I3</span>. When we use the reference <span style="color: red;">D3:I3</span> we are telling Excel to refer to the contents of cells <span style="color: red;">D3</span>, <span style="color: red;">E3</span>, <span style="color: red;">F3</span>, <span style="color: red;">G3</span>, <span style="color: red;">H3</span>, <span style="color: red;">I3</span></span><br /> <br style="font-size: x-large;" /> <span style="color: red;"><br style="font-size: x-large;" /><span style="font-size: large;">Relative and Absolute Cell References</span></span><br /> <br style="font-size: x-large;" /> <span style="font-size: large;">There are two types of cell references in Excel, these are <span style="color: red;">Relative</span> and <span style="color: red;">Absolute Cell References</span>. </span><br /> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">Relative cell references. </span></span><br /> <br style="font-size: x-large;" /> <span style="font-size: large;">One of the important function of Excel is its automatic features – ability to apply same idea you have put together in making a particular formula or function to make more of it without you having to start afresh. It follows the same pattern and applies some basic rules or automatic completion of same pattern as you have initially used. for example to type number <span style="color: red;">1 to 40</span> in cell <span style="color: red;">A1</span> to <span style="color: red;">A40</span>, you can just type number <span style="color: red;">1</span> in the first cell and number <span style="color: red;">2</span> in the next cell, then select the two cells at the same time and <span style="color: red;">drag down all across or use the fill handle</span>, the rest of the letters would be automatically appended to subsequent cells, using same standard you have built such as a single step interval. This can also be done for a multiple case for example to make a multiplication of <span style="color: red;">2</span> in Cell <span style="color: red;">A1</span> to <span style="color: red;">A10,</span> on cell <span style="color: red;">A1</span> input <span style="color: red;">2</span> and in cell <span style="color: red;">A2 </span>insert <span style="color: red;">4</span>, perform same action as described above to drag down or use the fill handle. Excel will automatically make the next cell <span style="color: red;">6</span>, <span style="color: red;">8</span>, <span style="color: red;">10</span>, <span style="color: red;">12</span> up till the last cell. So as much as possible you can avoid manual inputs and save your energy and time by using this special features Excel offers. </span><br /> <br style="font-size: x-large;" /> <br style="font-size: x-large;" /> <span style="font-size: large;">During the period of dragging across other cells, Excel also imitate the references of the applied formula, at times it would be required of you that you want the dragging down to change across the Row and remain Stagnant on one cell or pick a Row and Columns at an independent timing for example we already discussed that cell A1 means referencing to content in the first cell of the worksheet of an excel (<span style="color: red;">Column A, Row 1</span>), <span style="color: red;">Cell XFD1048576</span> is the last cell on version 2013 of Excel Worksheets meaning Column <span style="color: red;">XFD</span>, Row <span style="color: red;">1048576</span> this are also referred to as <span style="color: red;">cell Identity</span>. </span><br /> <br style="font-size: x-large;" /> <span style="font-size: large;">Relative Cell referencing <i>just as the word being relative to the other</i> it means to make a particular cell change in relative to the other column or row of the referenced cell(s). This is usually done by appending a dollar sign “<span style="color: red;">$</span>” either at the front of the Cell identity’s alphabet ( <span style="color: red;">$A1</span>) or at the end of the cell identity alphabet (<span style="color: red;">A$1</span>) each positioning is having a different function.</span><br /> <br style="font-size: x-large;" /> <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">$A1</span> mean to make the reference stagnant across the row and <span style="color: red;">A$</span>1 means to make it stagnant across the column. </span><br /> <br style="font-size: x-large;" /> <span style="font-size: large;">Applying this dollar sign in the direction means locking both directions i.e <span style="color: red;">$A$1</span> this is referred to as <span style="color: red;">Absolute cell referencing</span> (Just the referred cell or ranges alone)</span><br /> <br style="font-size: x-large;" /> <br style="font-size: x-large;" /> <a href="http://www.excelxpo.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRgCcJigQh-UE4BeqaS3cxSNu0oN-VwpyGe2xhnTrGz2mzz_8UrxlKg5tOI1jRbO2AVXR2c0Xgd1Bo8w4RBzPyJHhwXr1GxPQ7SB9WmMOFEjk0MfAXd2mXBWDd8t5XWfcxRjyUeJk4BCJZ/s1600/A1+to+A10.JPG" /></a><br /> <br style="font-size: x-large;" /> <span style="font-size: large;">Try this: In cell <span style="color: red;">A1</span> to <span style="color: red;">A10</span> type number <span style="color: red;">1</span> to <span style="color: red;">10</span>, In Cell <span style="color: red;">B1</span> Type The Relative Row Absolute Column Reference: <span style="color: red;">=$A1</span> And Press Enter. Copy And Then Select <span style="color: red;">B2:B10</span> and Paste or drag down across through <span style="color: red;">B10</span></span><br /> <br style="font-size: x-large;" /> <span style="font-size: large;">You will have the numbers <span style="color: red;">1</span> to <span style="color: red;">10 </span>in cells <span style="color: red;">B1:B10</span>. This is because the row portion of the reference (<span style="color: red;">1</span>) is relative. Now copy cell <span style="color: red;">B10</span> to cell <span style="color: red;">E1</span> and you should get the result <span style="color: red;">1</span>. This is because the column portion of the reference (<span style="color: red;">$A</span>) is absolute. If you click in any cell in the range <span style="color: red;">B1:B10</span> or <span style="color: red;">E1</span> and look in the Formula bar you will see that the row portion is always relative to the row the reference resides in, while the column reference is always absolute.</span><br /> <br style="font-size: x-large;" /> <span style="font-size: large;">The same principle also applies to any reference that has an absolute row relative column reference. </span><br /> <br style="font-size: x-large;" /> <span style="font-size: large;">You will have the number <span style="color: red;">1</span> in cells <span style="color: red;">B1:B10</span>. This is because the row portion of the reference (<span style="color: red;">$1</span>) is absolute. Now copy cell <span style="color: red;">B10</span> to cell <span style="color: red;">D1</span> and you should get the result <span style="color: red;">0</span>, this is because the column portion of the reference (<span style="color: red;">A</span>) is always relative to the column the reference resides in. If you click in any cell in the range <span style="color: red;">B1:B10</span> and look in the Formula bar you will see that the row portion is always absolute. If you click in cell <span style="color: red;">D1</span> and look in the Formula bar you should see =<span style="color: red;">C$1</span></span><br /> <br style="font-size: x-large;" /> <br style="font-size: x-large;" /> <span style="font-size: large;">Hint:</span><br /> <span style="font-size: large;">Pressing of <span style="color: red;">F4</span> after highlighting the cell identity is an easy way of appending the dollar sign, a single press append at the front, the next press append at the back while the third press append on both sides.</span><br /> <br style="font-size: x-large;" /> <br style="font-size: x-large;" /> <br /> <a href="http://excelxpo.blogspot.com.ng/2017/02/lesson-05-excel-formula-contd.html" style="font-size: x-large;">Click here to go to the lesson continuation....</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />

Lesson 04 - Excel Formula Contd...

Excel Cell References A tip – I usually tell my students that in every name there is always a hidden meaning, communicating some functio...

Read more »

Lesson 05 - Excel Formula Contd...

<br style="font-size: x-large;" /> <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;"><b>Excel arguments and Syntax in formulas</b></span></span><br /> <br style="font-size: x-large;" /> <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">Arguments </span>may be described as a series of calculation or reasoning that must be put together in the course of creating a formula. These arguments must be valid before a valid formula could be created.</span><br /> <br /> <br style="font-size: x-large;" /> <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">Syntax </span>refers to the order in which arguments must be arranged in an Excel functions. For example, if we have a function that identifies two arguments and the first argument must be a number, while the second must be a text it would be wrong to put the text value as the first argument and the number as the second. If we did we would have a wrong syntax or a wrong result</span><br /> <br style="font-size: x-large;" /> <br style="font-size: x-large;" /> <br style="font-size: x-large;" /> <br style="font-size: x-large;" /> <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">Excel Calculations</span></span><br /> <br style="font-size: x-large;" /> <span style="font-size: large;">There is a pattern by which Excel performs each calculations and process each arguments supplied. In this lesson, we shall be discussing basic and some relevant information’s you need to know as an Excel user.</span><br /> <br style="font-size: x-large;" /> <span style="font-size: large;">Excel performs its calculations in the following order: Exponentiation - Multiplication and Division - Subtraction and Addition.</span><br /> <br style="font-size: x-large;" /> <span style="font-size: large;">From our earlier discussions, we said use of brackets and BODMAS is important while creating our formulas. Excel always calculate from left to right and as such the use of brackets is very important.</span><br /> <br style="font-size: x-large;" /> <span style="font-size: large;">For example type <span style="color: red;">=10-10*10 </span>into an empty cell, the result is going to be <span style="color: red;">-90</span> </span><br /> <br style="font-size: x-large;" /> <span style="font-size: large;">Also type <span style="color: red;">=(10-10)*10</span> into another empty cell the result is going to be <span style="color: red;">0</span> </span><br /> <br style="font-size: x-large;" /> <span style="font-size: large;">It is therefore very important that we keep this in mind while performing each calculations with an Excel function</span><br /> <br style="font-size: x-large;" /> <br style="font-size: x-large;" /> <br style="font-size: x-large;" /> <br style="font-size: x-large;" /> <span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: red;">Excel Cell Comments</span></b></span><br /> <br style="font-size: x-large;" /> <span style="font-size: large;">Cell Comments allows Excel users to attach a comment to a cell in an Excel workbook in order to remind, inform or explain the content of the cell. To insert a cell Comment, </span><br /> <br style="font-size: x-large;" /> <img src="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5435095954945946544" style="font-size: x-large;" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ylid9SnnxBbWy4ZPKL6uQrHEhKWBoldeMYXrgIliC24rslDCiX7enZX495zBCnMmPid-jsuPjUEx1MD-_q-sSFfsyeOiAZ4hQnrE16Q3OxTYAeETM_N2hqCwlZTxb3AKvFwbfyq74xEr/s1600/Comment.png" style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ylid9SnnxBbWy4ZPKL6uQrHEhKWBoldeMYXrgIliC24rslDCiX7enZX495zBCnMmPid-jsuPjUEx1MD-_q-sSFfsyeOiAZ4hQnrE16Q3OxTYAeETM_N2hqCwlZTxb3AKvFwbfyq74xEr/s1600/Comment.png" /></a><br /> <br style="font-size: x-large;" /> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;">1. Right click On the cell you want to add the comment to</span><br /> <br style="font-size: x-large;" /> <span style="font-size: large;">2. Click on Insert comment a yellow painted box will appear</span><br /> <br style="font-size: x-large;" /> <span style="font-size: large;">3. Type in your comment inside the box then select a new cell.</span><br /> <br style="font-size: x-large;" /> <span style="font-size: large;">4. The comment box could either be hidden or shown. To either hide/show, right click on the cell containing the comment and select Show/Hide Comments as required.</span><br /> <br style="font-size: x-large;" /> <br style="font-size: x-large;" /> <br style="font-size: x-large;" /> <span style="font-size: large;">Note: </span><br /> <span style="font-size: large;">- The comment will be inserted into the active cell (selected cell) at the time:</span><br /> <br style="font-size: x-large;" /> <span style="font-size: large;">- The user name for the PC being used at the time of comment creation will be placed on the comment, this can be deleted if not needed. This can be changed by going to Tools - Options and selecting the General page tab where we can now customize whatever we like in the User name box at the bottom.</span><br /> <br style="font-size: x-large;" /> <span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: red;">To change the Shape and or the format of the cell comment box </span></b></span><br /> <br style="font-size: x-large;" /> <span style="font-size: large;">Select the Cell with the Cell Comment, </span><br /> <span style="font-size: large;">Right click and select edit comment then select the outer edge of the box </span><br /> <span style="font-size: large;">On The Drawing Toolbar Go To Draw - Change AutoShape. </span><br /> <span style="font-size: large;">Select any shape you want from the sub </span><br /> <br style="font-size: x-large;" /> <span style="font-size: large;">Other formatting such as bold lettering, coloring, shadow effects etc. can also be done by right clicking and selecting format cells then apply the format you want.</span><br /> <br style="font-size: x-large;" /> <br style="font-size: x-large;" /> <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>Congratulations! you have now successfully completed this lesson</b></span></span><br /> <br style="font-size: x-large;" /> <br style="font-size: x-large;" /> <b><span style="font-size: large;"><br style="font-size: x-large;" /></span></b> <a href="http://lesson%2006%20-%20excel%20formulas%20contd./"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Click here to Start Next Lesson</span></b></a><br /> <br style="font-size: x-large;" /> <br style="font-size: x-large;" /> <span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: large;">In Lesson 04 Excel Formulas, we shall discuss; </span><br style="font-size: x-large;" /><span style="font-size: large;">How to create and read formulas </span><br style="font-size: x-large;" /><span style="font-size: large;">How to use the Sum function </span><br style="font-size: x-large;" /><span style="font-size: large;">Getting Familiar with Cell references and the various types of cell referencing </span><br style="font-size: x-large;" /><span style="font-size: large;">Understanding excel arguments and syntax in formulas </span><br style="font-size: x-large;" /><span style="font-size: large;">How to use Excel Auto functions </span><br style="font-size: x-large;" /><span style="font-size: large;">How to do Excel Auto calculate </span><br style="font-size: x-large;" /><span style="font-size: large;">How to give name to a cell or Ranges as an alternative to Cell References </span><br style="font-size: x-large;" /><span style="font-size: large;">Understanding how excel performs its calculations </span></span>

Lesson 05 - Excel Formula Contd...

Excel arguments and Syntax in formulas Arguments may be described as a series of calculation or reasoning that must be put together in th...

Read more »

Lesson 09 - Excel Automatic Calculations

<span style="font-size: large;"><br />Another handy feature of Excel is the <span style="color: red;"><b>AutoCalculate</b></span>,</span><br /> <div> <div> <span style="font-size: large;">this enable us to at a glance get a calculations without having to input or construct formula in the Excel sheets. <br /><br />There might be times when you wish to find out the sum, average, count, Minimum of a <b>range</b> of numbers quickly without having to add a formula to the Worksheet. For these instances, we can quickly make use of this feature of Excel.</span><br /> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><a href="http://www.excelxpo.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-SnopDOWS7AOy4TtX_4DSO77GBHQM4xjHcIFpVsbcblGF3-hjMNj6K3c2n-P8l0ivG17QULDC_OVtJD7dbpl4bvP6t0cFBVvnkSQsXDJjT_nKK4DvHeCaj1iYYWLtB0xZ8Qdj9jcrH31w/s1600/v.JPG.png" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br /><br />To do this, just select the range of cells containing the data's you want to calculate, then look right at the Status bar and if it is not showing the sum of the selected cells or the required calculations, right click on the status bar and select the preferred auto calculation you want to enable on that screen, select again to disable any one you don't want, also no harm in activating everything down as you may require. </span></div> <div> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div> <span style="font-size: large;">Tip: you can select multiple cells that do not fall under same column or rows by hold down the Ctrl key while selecting the cells or ranges.</span></div> </div>

Lesson 09 - Excel Automatic Calculations

Another handy feature of Excel is the  AutoCalculate , this enable us to at a glance get a calculations without having to input or constr...

Read more »

Lesson 08 - Excel Auto Function

<span style="font-size: large;"><br />In this lesson, we shall be learning how to make use of Excel inbuilt <b>AutoSum</b> tool to perform or write up a formula</span><span style="font-size: large;">.</span><br /> <div> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />Microsoft Excel is no doubt built to make your life easy, as virtually everything you required to do that could have taken hours to deliver would be done in less than a minute on Excel. </span></div> <div> <br /></div> <div> <span style="font-size: large;">The Excel Auto function is the ability to apply the excel functions without having to type the formula/function startup keywords. </span></div> <div> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div> <span style="font-size: large;">This is done automatically by selecting the tool and woops! your formula is constructed. </span><span style="font-size: large;">The summation button has been customized with this functionality and this simply makes it easy to the </span><b style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: red;">SUM function and the other function</span></b><span style="font-size: large;">. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Just click on the button and excel makes up the formula for you.</span></div> <div> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://www.excelxpo.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD_TT7Lb9iDbpf-k0J1XQrM1wiC_yYnnlEenG9dyYaAL3BsMOfqs_cwQ9oNWij1hvSl8xLZsDW5jmPknuW8G2le59VWmH3y6Ue-15ZJpFrlGbMAcN46et33xUwxxrmaiHsVHAQfqF418EZ/s1600/v.JPG.png" /></a></div> <div> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div> <span style="font-size: large;">If we should select the <b>AutoSum</b> function for an instance and pick Sum,  what excel will do is sum up a range that is visible directly above or to the left of the cell that was </span><b style="font-size: x-large;">active</b><span style="font-size: large;">. It will include all of the visible range until the first blank cell or the first cell containing text. </span></div> <div> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://www.excelxpo.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd66OsR5s1fQaLofctwLvjiki_0tpeRuoXxqHfuLQun4HFB_vYqobKxVrMOydKlCGqmyzmstqtZfgOcc3ypTGE9h0zu7JqS96SEGAbMeP4593PX6E6livVBQUSwj7b7xqnjCy1wq4keXmp/s1600/v.JPG.png" /></a></div> <div> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div> <span style="font-size: large;">From the above image, I selected Cell F9 being the place I want to place a <span style="color: red;"><b>SUM formula</b></span> which should sum up the range F2:F8 (F2 to F8), then I clicked on the AutoSum tool under the Formulas bar then selected Sum. This automatically placed the formula <span style="color: red;"><b>=SUM(F2:F8)</b></span> in the active (selected) cell. </span></div> <div> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div> <span style="font-size: large;">Note; You can use same process to activate other functions too such as get the Average, Count, Maximum, Minimum or more as we required.</span></div> <div> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div> <br /></div>

Lesson 08 - Excel Auto Function

In this lesson, we shall be learning how to make use of Excel inbuilt AutoSum tool to perform or write up a formula . Microsoft Excel is ...

Read more »

Starting up Microsoft Excel

<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <br /> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Welcome to my blog and in the next few days we shall be discussing about Microsoft excel and I will be taking you through simple steps on becoming an advance excel user. Trust me it is much more easier than you thought.</span></span></div> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <br /><br /> Our Goal in this lesson is to show you simple step to start up Microsoft Excel Application.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Lesson's Objectives.</b></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">At the end of this tutorial, the learner should be able to;</span><br /> <br />Identify Ms. Excel Icon <br />Start - up Ms. Excel workbook <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;"> How to identify Ms.Excel Icon on your desktop</span></b><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3GdNOv-UBJkrlPKbBEXMrcGlQd_jn3teMUpECJUmwNKq2B6GzjHn3i4aGMhGj8agmMrgKj76NejTNHlOhFyvEQkkcTtpccr2acBS_sxuKLMIazUKxjQOCqRlVavQ8B4DkzISAZmI19ceG/s1600/Icon6.png"><br /></a></span><br /> <div> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3GdNOv-UBJkrlPKbBEXMrcGlQd_jn3teMUpECJUmwNKq2B6GzjHn3i4aGMhGj8agmMrgKj76NejTNHlOhFyvEQkkcTtpccr2acBS_sxuKLMIazUKxjQOCqRlVavQ8B4DkzISAZmI19ceG/s1600/Icon6.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3GdNOv-UBJkrlPKbBEXMrcGlQd_jn3teMUpECJUmwNKq2B6GzjHn3i4aGMhGj8agmMrgKj76NejTNHlOhFyvEQkkcTtpccr2acBS_sxuKLMIazUKxjQOCqRlVavQ8B4DkzISAZmI19ceG/s320/Icon6.png" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">From 1985 till date, different versions of excel have been released and this has brought about the different designs of microsoft Excel from time to time, but not to worry, the Application design till date is denoted by an "X" icon usually sitting on top of a spreadsheet. <br /><br />This icon may vary in look and design but there is always an X sign and a Sheet. See samples above.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /> </span></span><br /> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">How to Start up Ms. Excel Workbook</span><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCJK54cF157-HPv9znV05zqptKqrumQA6FgFoGQ3C_ZNkACGGFZJky6YCN0Ol-_taeaA5chnj7pV39lqkERbFP_ApALVnxd2MAn_BkWveQ6iE1K5VMPDG2APrx6DsZn7otOP06Ywg1TFbZ/s1600/Justbrokemyheart.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCJK54cF157-HPv9znV05zqptKqrumQA6FgFoGQ3C_ZNkACGGFZJky6YCN0Ol-_taeaA5chnj7pV39lqkERbFP_ApALVnxd2MAn_BkWveQ6iE1K5VMPDG2APrx6DsZn7otOP06Ywg1TFbZ/s1600/Justbrokemyheart.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br />Now that you are already familiar with the various looks of microsoft Excel Icon as earlier discussed, <br /><br />We would need to locate the application on our computer to start working on it. <br />In other words, to start working on microsoft Excel application, <br />we need to first open the Ms.Excel application from the computer; simply by locating the excel icon and clicking on it. <br /><br />There are many ways of opening a new Excel workbook. these include;<br />- From The Microsoft Office Toolbar<br />- From A Shortcut Icon On Your Desktop<br />- From The Start Button Located At The Left Hand Side Of Your Screen<br /><br />The first two process may not be relevant to you if your computer is on a network, <br /><br />so if you don’t have these options available to you, use the third option. <br /><br />Using the third option; locate the start button from the left hand-side of your screen and click on it. Click on Microsoft Office folder among the list of your already loaded applications in programs then select the Ms. Excel Icon as shown in the image. <br /><br /><br />Once you Start Excel you are by default having a New Blank Workbook. with a default name of Book1. <br /><br /><br /> See sample below<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0FyTBiJZlROUOhk7Jxdal1KFlD7L7hId3NuxWvRdZW1n8YrHi2S4ZvuLklvnNM2KXC-8aoyionE78diuaySJeY9Gasgjp4QnBmYi5k665rRQkq7Y5C7mi-azDIiyexu0YLsgcq2TKNqRe/s1600/Justbrokemyheart.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0FyTBiJZlROUOhk7Jxdal1KFlD7L7hId3NuxWvRdZW1n8YrHi2S4ZvuLklvnNM2KXC-8aoyionE78diuaySJeY9Gasgjp4QnBmYi5k665rRQkq7Y5C7mi-azDIiyexu0YLsgcq2TKNqRe/s1600/Justbrokemyheart.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: #660000;">Congratulations!</span>, you have now successfully completed this lesson<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.excelxpo.blogspot.com/">Click here to Start Next Lesson</a><br /><br /><br />In Lesson 01 Getting Started with Excel, we shall discuss; <br />Understanding Excel basic terminologies and their functions <br />How to open a new Excel Workbook <br />How to Save an already opened workbook</span><br /> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> <ul style="color: black; font-weight: normal;"> </ul> </div> </div>

Starting up Microsoft Excel

Welcome to my blog and in the next few days we shall be discussing about Microsoft excel and I will be taking you through simple steps on...

Read more »

Lesson 01. Getting Started with Excel Part 1

<span style="font-size: large;"><br />Lesson's Objectives.<br /><br />At the end of this tutorial, the learner should be able to; <br /> <br />Understand Excel basic terminologies and their functions <br />Open a new Excel Workbook <br />Save an already opened workbook <br /><br />From our last lesson, you have learned various ways you could locate and open the Excel application, it is now time to start working on the Excel application and we shall begin by getting familiar with the basic structures of the application, terminologies and their functions.<br /><br /><br />Once you Start Excel you are by default having a New Blank Workbook. with a default name of Book1, This can be changed or customized to a more preferred one. You would have to save the workbook by pointing on the Office button, select Save As, then select the type of Excel Workbook to retain all customization you have done on the default Book1<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikxKi3zfhcWM-pVpCedscjofKvVKRVg_Oi3zw3Wi-19QnmWZbnaFksUNKeyvrmzDwcRUB6BV4dgQO6eHi8tcO9lUIP_2aAi05fuZ03abnh1xzWR1guIYDFkRF3wP9XY9Q__TIqoWsYNybE/s1600/Justbrokemyheart.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikxKi3zfhcWM-pVpCedscjofKvVKRVg_Oi3zw3Wi-19QnmWZbnaFksUNKeyvrmzDwcRUB6BV4dgQO6eHi8tcO9lUIP_2aAi05fuZ03abnh1xzWR1guIYDFkRF3wP9XY9Q__TIqoWsYNybE/s1600/Justbrokemyheart.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /> (note: this look is different in other versions of excel) <br /><br /><br />When you Start Excel you should first see a blue bar at the very top of your screen. This is called the Title Bar. The title bar is where you will see the name of your Workbook once you have saved it. (Note that if you have not saved a Workbook, the default name would be Book*). As you are familiar with Windows, you will notice to the right of the Title Bar the Minimize (hyphen), Restore (two squares) and Close (X) buttons.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgekbYW9_npzy5cHmPpFRefgt73DeGzwscp23x1_Tm0Y5UkujqhHBUfyoROj_472l5YMvx6K0DvTh7JspbyNTo8WWdQO7S6VWi90VMVBoy18sc1S4hi-PFJm5Hu21q_35bqAwQApPvJ5Bao/s1600/lsn3.png"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgekbYW9_npzy5cHmPpFRefgt73DeGzwscp23x1_Tm0Y5UkujqhHBUfyoROj_472l5YMvx6K0DvTh7JspbyNTo8WWdQO7S6VWi90VMVBoy18sc1S4hi-PFJm5Hu21q_35bqAwQApPvJ5Bao/s1600/lsn3.png" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /> How to Save A workbook<br /> <br /><br /><br />Later in the course of this lesson, we would talk more on Excel workbook(s).<br /><br />Excel workbook, just like every other workbook you have come across is a single file that could contain more worksheets that we would be using to carry out all activities on Excel.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBvboNq73xbnoaQKjG26-FhyKqimrXXoBNp0Rb6AGU5bgWNTLulqJGtMTRJZUgXQvMtBLkYN9mec5e5r4zQhRZ7XNkpMyQMjuycxidA7nP8rrAu7qfV3FRDFbL5tfOBFAKOR5blb7lPgsO/s1600/Justbrokemyheart.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBvboNq73xbnoaQKjG26-FhyKqimrXXoBNp0Rb6AGU5bgWNTLulqJGtMTRJZUgXQvMtBLkYN9mec5e5r4zQhRZ7XNkpMyQMjuycxidA7nP8rrAu7qfV3FRDFbL5tfOBFAKOR5blb7lPgsO/s400/Justbrokemyheart.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Imagine in a bookstore, you have a shelf that can house a number of books, Each book has a number of pages that constituent the book itself. Now apply the same idea with Excel workbook. it is needed to separate files from each-other and for easy locating, readability, analysis, pls name more based on your idea of the bookstore and the shelve.<br /><br /><br /> <br /><br /><br />There are many ways and formats that we can save our data in Excel as, but by far the most common is the default *. xls. (The asterisk represents your chosen file name). Some of the other popular formats are the *. xlt(Template) *. txt (Tab delimited), *. xml (Extensible Markup Language - available in newer versions only) and *. web page (obviously a web page).<br /><br /><br /><br />To see what I mean go to File - Save As. . . and Excel will display the Save As dialog box. This is where you initially give your Workbook a name (File name:), nominate a file type (Save as type:) and a location (Save in:). <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />If you select the drop arrow to the right of the Save as type: box you will see a list of all different types of formats an Excel Workbook can be saved as. You may notice that there are different choices of the .xls types. These different types are for backward compatibility with other versions of Ms. Excel. You can also save the Workbook as multiple versions although, it is strongly recommend doing this only if you need to, as it will increase the file size by 10-50% and render some of Excel’s newer features unusable. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />When you are saving a Workbook for the first time Excel will display the Save As dialog box no matter which method you use to save it. There are a number of ways to save a workbook, the most common ways that can be used are:<br /><br /><br />- by locating File very close to the title bar, and selecting Save<br /><br />- by locating the Save tool on the toolbar<br /><br />- by using the command (Ctrl + S)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />If we close a Workbook that we have made changes to, Excel will ask us (via a message box) if we wish to save the changes we have made ( note If we close a Workbook without making any changes, no message will appear and Excel will close without saving). <br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /> How to create more new workbooks<br /> <br /><br /><br /><br />Just as you can have more books in the shelf, we can also create more Workbooks in Excel which would be used for different kind of activities, in fact the only limit to the amount of Workbooks we can have or open is restricted by the available memory of the PC. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />There are also a number of methods that can be used to create more Workbooks.<br /><br />- by locating the File tab very close to the title bar, then selecting New<br /><br />- by using the command (Ctrl + N )<br /><br /><br />Whichever method we use Excel will create a new Workbook and the name (by default) will be Book2 or the next number in the sequence. As soon as we have created our new Workbook it will automatically become what is known as the Active Workbook. This means the workbook in which you are currently clicked, the one that is currently activated among the thousands you could have open down on your computer. <br /><br />The other Workbooks will still be open, but NOT Active! This is because there can only ever be one Active Workbook at any one time.<br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /><br /><br />To switch between open Workbooks;<br /><br /><br />- go to Window on the worksheet menu bar and you will see the names of all open Workbooks. <br /><br /><br />- you can also use the command (Alt + Tab key)<br /><br /><br /><br />To activate one of the other open Workbooks, simply select it and puff! it will become the active one. Close Book2 now so that we only have one Workbook open. As mentioned above you will not be asked if you wish to save, unless changes have been made.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Congratulations, you have now successfully completed this lesson<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.excelxpo.blogspot.com/">Click here to Start Next Lesson</a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />In Lesson 2 Getting Started with Excel, we shall discuss; <br /><br />Various uses of Ms. Excel <br />Identify the various parts of the Excel window <br />Scroll through a worksheet, navigate and perform actions between worksheets <br />Create and save a workbook file <br />Enter text, numbers, and dates into a worksheet</span><h2 style="clear: both;"> <div style="font-weight: normal;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18pt; text-align: justify;"> <div> <ul style="font-size: medium; font-weight: normal;"> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </h2>

Lesson 01. Getting Started with Excel Part 1

Lesson's Objectives. At the end of this tutorial, the learner should be able to; Understand Excel basic terminologies and their functio...

Read more »

Lesson 02 - Getting Started with Excel

<br /><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Lesson Objectives</b></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">At the end of this tutorial, the learner should be able to;</span><br /> <br /><span style="font-size: large;">Understand the use of Ms. Excel </span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Identify the various parts of the Excel window </span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Scroll through a worksheet, navigate and perform actions between worksheets </span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Create and save a workbook file </span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Enter text, numbers, and dates into a worksheet </span><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>What is Excel?</b></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Just as you are already aware that microsoft Excel is one of the most commonly used application in every organization in the past few century till now. People prefers ms. Excel to other available spreadsheet application due to its simplicity and easy to use, do not worry in the next few days you would equally testify to this.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Now what does Microsoft Excel really do? </b></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">It is a type of spreadsheet program used to Analyse, organize, Store and manipulate data. Due to its flexibility and diverse nature it is regarded as the most used tool in our recent world. It may be used to perform series of task such as; Statistical Analysis, Analytic Arguments, Budgeting, Forecasting, Time sheets, Calculator, Graphs and Charts and much more!</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Excel Workbook and Structure</b></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNkx4NgNBn2WmIzLdiEQhZ7xNCPQ1m7suUzmqSpT4RqonVTzLT42nS5_ni5dnJgM5tkmq0LVmpAMizhB-aYrluu2bCyING866XccgHLKFhc0TP3y0UPi4EdAf6qBKgL1LsRv9KSeWo14KU/s1600/xcel.jpg" style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNkx4NgNBn2WmIzLdiEQhZ7xNCPQ1m7suUzmqSpT4RqonVTzLT42nS5_ni5dnJgM5tkmq0LVmpAMizhB-aYrluu2bCyING866XccgHLKFhc0TP3y0UPi4EdAf6qBKgL1LsRv9KSeWo14KU/s640/xcel.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><i><span style="color: red;">Note: This looks different on other versions of excel, but the idea is the same</span></i><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: red;">In a very brief term, let's see what the above labelled part of an excel windows do.</span> </b></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">Office Button</span> - This is a button that may be used to access all the built in Excel options</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">Quick Access Toolbar</span> - A set of buttons that provide easy access to perform commands</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">Name box</span> - A potion in excel that displays the cell address of a selected cell</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">Title bar</span> - This shows the name of active workbook</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">Ribbon </span>- This is the bar that house the various sets of commands in the Toolbar</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">Formula bar</span> - This is the part of an excel that displays the content of a cell</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">Active cell </span>- This is the particular selected cell at an instance</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">Headings - Column & Rows</span> : This is the alphabetical & numerical numbering of the cell</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">Sheet tab </span>- This is the part that shows the name of the sheets</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">Scroll bar</span> - This is used to scroll through the window</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">Status bar</span> - This is a watch window that displays the internal action of the excel program</span><div> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />To navigate on Ms. Excel find below list of commands and keys to perform series of navigation actions.</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgebG9lHXDaoFCgkH6Z6mfXReM-ULJ5xAhLy48eFa2vT8u0Fx3vnAhOEO5bWctooWvqbhGeq8tV7zdw9YMgOnAxihEpQrCSSfO3jACpz-SbxIz-YszqihLq8UrmLuDAq5UzWuvr4fbPVw8C/s1600/xcel.jpg" style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgebG9lHXDaoFCgkH6Z6mfXReM-ULJ5xAhLy48eFa2vT8u0Fx3vnAhOEO5bWctooWvqbhGeq8tV7zdw9YMgOnAxihEpQrCSSfO3jACpz-SbxIz-YszqihLq8UrmLuDAq5UzWuvr4fbPVw8C/s640/xcel.jpg" /></a></div> <div> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div> <span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Create and Save a Workbook file</b></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">To perform the above action in excel press key F12 or click on the office button and select save-as option. this will bring a pop - up giving you access to be able to assign a name to the file you have either created or about to create.</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha8vF4NFrRtd1UxeOdAzRSIwjl7fw9L8xDy1lwaTAQlSWTe5uWFS6rIxvTgua8Y4cqEqRMCILn3tVwHFeKkuHZJbgtUd6ojQpT1EcRkFbgcGPhVJX7VuTLxjLsn0N9-Tvg6SQBdB0wCwSI/s1600/1.PNG" style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha8vF4NFrRtd1UxeOdAzRSIwjl7fw9L8xDy1lwaTAQlSWTe5uWFS6rIxvTgua8Y4cqEqRMCILn3tVwHFeKkuHZJbgtUd6ojQpT1EcRkFbgcGPhVJX7VuTLxjLsn0N9-Tvg6SQBdB0wCwSI/s320/1.PNG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Enter text, numbers, and dates into a worksheet</b></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha8vF4NFrRtd1UxeOdAzRSIwjl7fw9L8xDy1lwaTAQlSWTe5uWFS6rIxvTgua8Y4cqEqRMCILn3tVwHFeKkuHZJbgtUd6ojQpT1EcRkFbgcGPhVJX7VuTLxjLsn0N9-Tvg6SQBdB0wCwSI/s1600/1.PNG" style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></a><br /><span style="font-size: large;">A worksheet as the name implies is a sheet in the excel workbook used to express all the activity to be performed in an Excel workbook. To enter text, dates etc - first select the cell you are interested in and type using the keyboard. </span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">in order to show specific formats i.e dates, time etc. </span><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj93sxGTLgwSeWyH89rUmgO1CAdULLOuhpQevIPpnT4brUk6b17ChvmT0kFmLlkUFCvgSn3nwse1Q7FmvtR3wC5rCiBCQQTMg92JdZU1KaSYkF5VPOThgM6e-yAeRi-NWsjqQid4qoKpoy/s1600/1.png" style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj93sxGTLgwSeWyH89rUmgO1CAdULLOuhpQevIPpnT4brUk6b17ChvmT0kFmLlkUFCvgSn3nwse1Q7FmvtR3wC5rCiBCQQTMg92JdZU1KaSYkF5VPOThgM6e-yAeRi-NWsjqQid4qoKpoy/s1600/1.png" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Locate the general format tab on the Home bar,</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Select and apply the appropriate format you want to show.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b>Congratulations! you have now successfully completed this lesson</b></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.excelxpo.blogspot.com/" style="font-size: x-large;">Click here to Start Next Lesson</a><br /><br /><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: large;">In Lesson 03 Excel Formulas, we shall discuss; </span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Getting familiar with the term Excel Formulas </span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">How to perform simple formulas </span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Understanding the meaning of cell Identity </span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Getting familiar with Cell references and the various types of cell referencing </span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Excel arguments and syntax in formulas </span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Using Excel Auto functions </span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"> Excel Auto calculations </span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Understanding how excel performs its calculations </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #666666;">Using cell commen</span><span style="color: #999999;">ts</span></span><div> <div> <div> <ul><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></ul> </div> </div> </div> </div>

Lesson 02 - Getting Started with Excel

Lesson Objectives At the end of this tutorial, the learner should be able to; Understand the use of Ms. Excel Identify the various parts of...

Read more »