MICROSOFT EXCEL TUTORIAL
GET T ING STARTED
Microsoft Excel is one of the most popular spreadsheet applications that helps you
manage data, create visually persuasive charts, and thought‐provoking graphs. Excel
is supported by both Mac and PC platforms. Microsoft Excel can also be used to
balance a checkbook, create an expense report, build formulas, and edit them.
CREAT ING A NEW DOCUMENT
OPENING MICROSOFT EXCEL ON A PC
To begin Microsoft Excel, Go to Start > All Programs > Applications > Microsoft
Office > Microsoft Excel (Figure 1). When opened a new spreadsheet will pop up
on the screen, if this does not happen click on the Office Icon > New. From here
a dialog box with various different templates will appear on the screen that you can
choose from. Once a template is chosen, click Create.
Figure 1. Navigate to Microsoft Excel on a PC.
Figure 2. Opening a new workbook
SAVING YOUR DOCUMENT
Computers crash and documents are lost all the time, so it is best to save often.
SAVING INITIALLY
Before you begin you should save your document. To do this, click on the floppy disk
located at the top of the screen . Then Microsoft Excel will open a dialog box
(Figure 3) where you can specify the new file’s name, location of where you want it
saved, and format of the document. Once you have specified a name, place, and
format for your new file, press the Save button.
Note: Specifying your file format will allow you to open your document on a PC as
well as a MAC. To do this you use the drop down menu next to the Format option.
Also, when you are specifying a file extension (i.e. .doc) make sure you know what
you need to use.
Figure 3. Saving dialog box.
SAVING LATER
After you have initially saved your blank document under a new name, you can
begin your project. However, you will still want to periodically save your work as
insurance against a computer freeze or a power outage. To save, just click on the
floppy disk, or for a shortcut press CTRL + S.
TOOLBARS
In Microsoft Excel 2007 for a PC, the toolbars are automatically placed as tabs at the
top of the screen. Within these tabs you will find all of your options to change text,
data, page layout, and more. To be able access all of the certain toolbars you need to
click on a certain tab that is located towards the top of the screen.
THREE COMMONLY USED TABS
The Home Tab: (Figure 4). This is one of the most common tabs used in Excel. You
are able to format the text in your document, cut, copy, and paste information.
Change the alignment of your data, insert, delete, and format cells. The Home Tab
also allows you to change the number of your data (i.e. currency, time, date).
Figure 4. Home Tab.
The Insert Tab: (Figure 5). This tab is mainly used for inserting visuals and graphics
into your document. There are various different things that can be inserted from
this tab such as pictures, clip art, charts, links, headers and footers, and word art.
Figure 5. Insert Tab.
The Page Layout Tab: (Figure 6). Here you are able to add margins, themes to your
document, change the orientation, page breaks, and titles. The scale fit of your
document is also included as a feature within this tab, if needed.
Figure 6. Page Layout Tab.
FORMAT T ING
WORKING WITH CELLS
Cells are an important part of any project being used in Microsoft Excel. Cells hold
all of the data that is being used to create the spreadsheet or workbook. To enter
data into a cell you simply click once inside of the desired cell, a black border will
appear around the cell (Figure 7). This border indicates that it is a selected cell. You
may then begin typing in the data for that cell.
Figure 7. Entering Data.
CHANGING AN ENTRY WITHIN A CELL
You may change an entry within a cell two different ways:
• Click the cell one time and begin typing. The new information will replace
any information that was previously entered.
• Double click the cell and a cursor will appear inside. This allows you to edit
certain pieces of information within the cells instead of replacing all of the
data.
CUT, COPY, AND PASTE
You can use the Cut, Copy and Paste features of Excel to change the data within
your spreadsheet, to move data from other spreadsheets into new spreadsheets, and
to save yourself the time of re‐entering information in a spreadsheet. Cut will
actually remove the selection from the original location and allow it to be placed
somewhere else. Copy allows you to leave the original selection where it is and
insert a copy elsewhere. Paste is used to insert data that has been cut or copied.
To Cut or Copy:
Highlight the data or text by selecting the cells that they are held within.
Go to the Home Tab > Copy (CTRL + C) or Home Tab > Cut (CTRL + X).
Click the location where the information should be placed.
Go to Home Tab > Paste (CTRL + V) to be able to paste your information.
FORMATTING CELLS
There are various different options that can be changed to format the spreadsheets
cells differently. When changing the format within cells you must select the cells
that you wish to format.
To get to the Format Cells dialog box select the cells you wish to change then go to
Home Tab > Format > Format Cells. A box will appear on the screen with six
different tab options (Figure 8). Explanations of the basic options in the format
dialog box are bulleted below.
Figure 8. Formatting Cells
Number: Allows you to change the measurement in which your data is used. (If
your data is concerned with money the number that you would use is currency)
Alignment: This allows you to change the horizontal and vertical alignment of your
text within each cell. You can also change the orientation of the text within the cells
and the control of the text within the cells as well.
Font: Gives the option to change the size, style, color, and effects.
Border: Gives the option to change the design of the border around or through the
cells.
FORMATTING ROWS AND COLUMNS
When formatting rows and columns you can change the height, choose for your
information to autofit to the cells, hide information within a row or column, un‐hide
the information. To format a row or column go to Home Tab > Row Height (or
Column Height), then choose which height you are going to use (Figure 9). The cell
or cells that are going to be formatted need to be selected before doing this. When
changing the row or column visibility (hidden, un‐hidden) or autofit, you will go to
the Home Tab and click Format. The drop down menu will show these options
Figure 9. Formatting Rows and Columns Height
ADDING ROWS AND COLUMNS
When adding a row or column you are inserting a blank row or column next to your
already entered data. Before you can add a Row you are going to have to select the
row that you wish for your new row to be placed. (Rows are on the left hand side of
the spreadsheet) once the row is selected it is going to highlight the entire row that
you chose. To insert the row you have to go to Home Tab > Insert > Insert Sheet
Rows (Figure 10). The row will automatically be placed on the spreadsheet and any
data that was selected in the original row will be moved down below the new row.
Figure 10. Inserting Rows
Before you can add a Column you are going to have to select a column on the
spreadsheet that is located in the area that you want to enter the new column.
(Columns are on the top part of the spreadsheet.) Once the column is selected it is
going to highlight the entire row that you chose. To insert a column you have to go
to Home Tab > Insert > Insert Sheet Column (Figure 11). The column will
automatically be place on the spreadsheet and any data to the right of the new
column will be moved more to the right.
Figure 11. Inserting Columns
WORKING WITH CHARTS
Charts are an important part to being able to create a visual for spreadsheet data. In
order to create a chart within Excel the data that is going to be used for it needs to
be entered already into the spreadsheet document. Once the data is entered, the
cells that are going to be used for the chart need to be highlighted so that the
software knows what to include. Next, click on the Insert Tab that is located at the
top of the screen. (Figure 12).
Figure 12. Charts Tab
You may choose the chart that is desired by clicking the category of the chart you
will use. Once the category is chosen the charts will appear as small graphics within
a drop down menu. To choose a particular chart just click on its icon and it will be
placed within the spreadsheet you are working on. To move the chart to a page of its
own, select the border of the chart and Right Click. This will bring up a drop down
menu, navigate to the option that says Move Chart. This will bring up a dialog box
that says Chart Location. From here you will need to select the circle next to As A
New Sheet and name the sheet that will hold your chart. The chart will pop up
larger in a separate sheet (Figure 13), but in the same workbook as your entered
data.
Figure 13. Chart in new sheet
CHART DESIGN
There are various different features that you can change to make your chart more
appealing. To be able to make these changes you will need to have the chart selected
or be viewing the chart page that is within your workbook. Once you have done that
the Design Tab will appear highlighted with various different options to format
your graphic (Figure 14).
Figure 14. Design Tab for chart design.
CHART OPTIONS:
Titles: To add titles to a chart of graphic you have to click on the Insert Tab. Once
you have done this, click on the Text Box Icon. This will insert a text box that you can
type the title and place anywhere you wish on the chart.
Change Chart Type: You can change your chart easily by selecting this icon and
navigating to a more desirable chart. This feature is very convenient for someone
who chose the wrong chart and doesn’t wish to reselect all their data and go through
the process a second time.
Format Chart Area: This allows for changes to be made to the chards border, style,
fill, shadows, and more. To get this option you will need to right click on the charts
border and navigate to the Format Chart Area option. Once this is clicked a dialog
box will appear.
CHART STYLE:
Here you are able to change the color of the bars that are within your chart.
INSERT ING SMART ART GRAPHICS
PICTURES
To insert Pictures:
Go to the Insert Tab> Picture, a dialog box will appear and then you can select the
desired picture from the location that is it stored (Figure 15). The picture will be
inserted directly onto your document, where you can change the size of it as desired.
Figure 15. Inserting a picture
Inserting Clipart:
To insert Clip Art you will need to go to the Insert Tab > Clip Art. A navigation
pane will appear on the left hand side of the screen where you can search for words
that pertain to the picture you are looking for.
Figure 16. Clip Art
CREATING FUNCTIONS
When creating a function in Excel you must first have the data that you wish to
perform the function with selected.
• Select the cell that you wish for the calculation to be entered in (i.e.: if I want
to know the sum of B1:B5 I will highlight cell B6 for my sum to be entered
into) (Figure 17).
Figure 17. Choosing calculation cell
• Once you have done this you will need to select the Formulas Tab located at
the top of the screen.
• A list of Most Recently Used, Financial, Logical, Text, Date and Time,
Math and Trig formulas will appear. To choose one of the formulas click the
icon that holds the formula you are looking for.
• Once you have clicked your formula this will display a dialog box on your
screen. (Figure 18)
Figure 18. First calculation display
In this screen it lists the cells that are being calculated, the values within the cells,
and the end result.
• To accept that calculation you can press OK and the result will show up in the
selected cell.
PRINT ING
It is important to always save your document before you print!
PRINTING
To print your document, go to the Office Icon > Print, select your desired settings,
and then click OK. You can also do this by using the shortcut CTRL + P
To be able to change the orientation of your page for printing you can click on the
Properties button under the option to Print then click the Layout Tab (Figure 19).
Figure 19. Page Setup button and printing
OTHER HELPFUL FUNCT IONS
UNDO AND REDO
In order to undo an action, you can click on the blue arrow icon that is pointing to
the left at the top of the screen. To redo an action, you can click on the blue arrow
icon pointing to the right. It is important to note that not all actions are undoable,
thus it is important to save before you make any major changes in your document so
you can revert back to your saved document.
QUITTING
Before you quit, it's a good idea to save your document one final time. You will need
to choose the Office Icon and choose Exit Excel. This is better than just closing the
window, as it insures your document quits correctly.
GET T ING STARTED
Microsoft Excel is one of the most popular spreadsheet applications that helps you
manage data, create visually persuasive charts, and thought‐provoking graphs. Excel
is supported by both Mac and PC platforms. Microsoft Excel can also be used to
balance a checkbook, create an expense report, build formulas, and edit them.
CREAT ING A NEW DOCUMENT
OPENING MICROSOFT EXCEL ON A PC
To begin Microsoft Excel, Go to Start > All Programs > Applications > Microsoft
Office > Microsoft Excel (Figure 1). When opened a new spreadsheet will pop up
on the screen, if this does not happen click on the Office Icon > New. From here
a dialog box with various different templates will appear on the screen that you can
choose from. Once a template is chosen, click Create.
Figure 1. Navigate to Microsoft Excel on a PC.
Figure 2. Opening a new workbook
SAVING YOUR DOCUMENT
Computers crash and documents are lost all the time, so it is best to save often.
SAVING INITIALLY
Before you begin you should save your document. To do this, click on the floppy disk
located at the top of the screen . Then Microsoft Excel will open a dialog box
(Figure 3) where you can specify the new file’s name, location of where you want it
saved, and format of the document. Once you have specified a name, place, and
format for your new file, press the Save button.
Note: Specifying your file format will allow you to open your document on a PC as
well as a MAC. To do this you use the drop down menu next to the Format option.
Also, when you are specifying a file extension (i.e. .doc) make sure you know what
you need to use.
Figure 3. Saving dialog box.
SAVING LATER
After you have initially saved your blank document under a new name, you can
begin your project. However, you will still want to periodically save your work as
insurance against a computer freeze or a power outage. To save, just click on the
floppy disk, or for a shortcut press CTRL + S.
TOOLBARS
In Microsoft Excel 2007 for a PC, the toolbars are automatically placed as tabs at the
top of the screen. Within these tabs you will find all of your options to change text,
data, page layout, and more. To be able access all of the certain toolbars you need to
click on a certain tab that is located towards the top of the screen.
THREE COMMONLY USED TABS
The Home Tab: (Figure 4). This is one of the most common tabs used in Excel. You
are able to format the text in your document, cut, copy, and paste information.
Change the alignment of your data, insert, delete, and format cells. The Home Tab
also allows you to change the number of your data (i.e. currency, time, date).
Figure 4. Home Tab.
The Insert Tab: (Figure 5). This tab is mainly used for inserting visuals and graphics
into your document. There are various different things that can be inserted from
this tab such as pictures, clip art, charts, links, headers and footers, and word art.
Figure 5. Insert Tab.
The Page Layout Tab: (Figure 6). Here you are able to add margins, themes to your
document, change the orientation, page breaks, and titles. The scale fit of your
document is also included as a feature within this tab, if needed.
Figure 6. Page Layout Tab.
FORMAT T ING
WORKING WITH CELLS
Cells are an important part of any project being used in Microsoft Excel. Cells hold
all of the data that is being used to create the spreadsheet or workbook. To enter
data into a cell you simply click once inside of the desired cell, a black border will
appear around the cell (Figure 7). This border indicates that it is a selected cell. You
may then begin typing in the data for that cell.
Figure 7. Entering Data.
CHANGING AN ENTRY WITHIN A CELL
You may change an entry within a cell two different ways:
• Click the cell one time and begin typing. The new information will replace
any information that was previously entered.
• Double click the cell and a cursor will appear inside. This allows you to edit
certain pieces of information within the cells instead of replacing all of the
data.
CUT, COPY, AND PASTE
You can use the Cut, Copy and Paste features of Excel to change the data within
your spreadsheet, to move data from other spreadsheets into new spreadsheets, and
to save yourself the time of re‐entering information in a spreadsheet. Cut will
actually remove the selection from the original location and allow it to be placed
somewhere else. Copy allows you to leave the original selection where it is and
insert a copy elsewhere. Paste is used to insert data that has been cut or copied.
To Cut or Copy:
Highlight the data or text by selecting the cells that they are held within.
Go to the Home Tab > Copy (CTRL + C) or Home Tab > Cut (CTRL + X).
Click the location where the information should be placed.
Go to Home Tab > Paste (CTRL + V) to be able to paste your information.
FORMATTING CELLS
There are various different options that can be changed to format the spreadsheets
cells differently. When changing the format within cells you must select the cells
that you wish to format.
To get to the Format Cells dialog box select the cells you wish to change then go to
Home Tab > Format > Format Cells. A box will appear on the screen with six
different tab options (Figure 8). Explanations of the basic options in the format
dialog box are bulleted below.
Figure 8. Formatting Cells
Number: Allows you to change the measurement in which your data is used. (If
your data is concerned with money the number that you would use is currency)
Alignment: This allows you to change the horizontal and vertical alignment of your
text within each cell. You can also change the orientation of the text within the cells
and the control of the text within the cells as well.
Font: Gives the option to change the size, style, color, and effects.
Border: Gives the option to change the design of the border around or through the
cells.
FORMATTING ROWS AND COLUMNS
When formatting rows and columns you can change the height, choose for your
information to autofit to the cells, hide information within a row or column, un‐hide
the information. To format a row or column go to Home Tab > Row Height (or
Column Height), then choose which height you are going to use (Figure 9). The cell
or cells that are going to be formatted need to be selected before doing this. When
changing the row or column visibility (hidden, un‐hidden) or autofit, you will go to
the Home Tab and click Format. The drop down menu will show these options
Figure 9. Formatting Rows and Columns Height
ADDING ROWS AND COLUMNS
When adding a row or column you are inserting a blank row or column next to your
already entered data. Before you can add a Row you are going to have to select the
row that you wish for your new row to be placed. (Rows are on the left hand side of
the spreadsheet) once the row is selected it is going to highlight the entire row that
you chose. To insert the row you have to go to Home Tab > Insert > Insert Sheet
Rows (Figure 10). The row will automatically be placed on the spreadsheet and any
data that was selected in the original row will be moved down below the new row.
Figure 10. Inserting Rows
Before you can add a Column you are going to have to select a column on the
spreadsheet that is located in the area that you want to enter the new column.
(Columns are on the top part of the spreadsheet.) Once the column is selected it is
going to highlight the entire row that you chose. To insert a column you have to go
to Home Tab > Insert > Insert Sheet Column (Figure 11). The column will
automatically be place on the spreadsheet and any data to the right of the new
column will be moved more to the right.
Figure 11. Inserting Columns
WORKING WITH CHARTS
Charts are an important part to being able to create a visual for spreadsheet data. In
order to create a chart within Excel the data that is going to be used for it needs to
be entered already into the spreadsheet document. Once the data is entered, the
cells that are going to be used for the chart need to be highlighted so that the
software knows what to include. Next, click on the Insert Tab that is located at the
top of the screen. (Figure 12).
Figure 12. Charts Tab
You may choose the chart that is desired by clicking the category of the chart you
will use. Once the category is chosen the charts will appear as small graphics within
a drop down menu. To choose a particular chart just click on its icon and it will be
placed within the spreadsheet you are working on. To move the chart to a page of its
own, select the border of the chart and Right Click. This will bring up a drop down
menu, navigate to the option that says Move Chart. This will bring up a dialog box
that says Chart Location. From here you will need to select the circle next to As A
New Sheet and name the sheet that will hold your chart. The chart will pop up
larger in a separate sheet (Figure 13), but in the same workbook as your entered
data.
Figure 13. Chart in new sheet
CHART DESIGN
There are various different features that you can change to make your chart more
appealing. To be able to make these changes you will need to have the chart selected
or be viewing the chart page that is within your workbook. Once you have done that
the Design Tab will appear highlighted with various different options to format
your graphic (Figure 14).
Figure 14. Design Tab for chart design.
CHART OPTIONS:
Titles: To add titles to a chart of graphic you have to click on the Insert Tab. Once
you have done this, click on the Text Box Icon. This will insert a text box that you can
type the title and place anywhere you wish on the chart.
Change Chart Type: You can change your chart easily by selecting this icon and
navigating to a more desirable chart. This feature is very convenient for someone
who chose the wrong chart and doesn’t wish to reselect all their data and go through
the process a second time.
Format Chart Area: This allows for changes to be made to the chards border, style,
fill, shadows, and more. To get this option you will need to right click on the charts
border and navigate to the Format Chart Area option. Once this is clicked a dialog
box will appear.
CHART STYLE:
Here you are able to change the color of the bars that are within your chart.
INSERT ING SMART ART GRAPHICS
PICTURES
To insert Pictures:
Go to the Insert Tab> Picture, a dialog box will appear and then you can select the
desired picture from the location that is it stored (Figure 15). The picture will be
inserted directly onto your document, where you can change the size of it as desired.
Figure 15. Inserting a picture
Inserting Clipart:
To insert Clip Art you will need to go to the Insert Tab > Clip Art. A navigation
pane will appear on the left hand side of the screen where you can search for words
that pertain to the picture you are looking for.
Figure 16. Clip Art
CREATING FUNCTIONS
When creating a function in Excel you must first have the data that you wish to
perform the function with selected.
• Select the cell that you wish for the calculation to be entered in (i.e.: if I want
to know the sum of B1:B5 I will highlight cell B6 for my sum to be entered
into) (Figure 17).
Figure 17. Choosing calculation cell
• Once you have done this you will need to select the Formulas Tab located at
the top of the screen.
• A list of Most Recently Used, Financial, Logical, Text, Date and Time,
Math and Trig formulas will appear. To choose one of the formulas click the
icon that holds the formula you are looking for.
• Once you have clicked your formula this will display a dialog box on your
screen. (Figure 18)
Figure 18. First calculation display
In this screen it lists the cells that are being calculated, the values within the cells,
and the end result.
• To accept that calculation you can press OK and the result will show up in the
selected cell.
PRINT ING
It is important to always save your document before you print!
PRINTING
To print your document, go to the Office Icon > Print, select your desired settings,
and then click OK. You can also do this by using the shortcut CTRL + P
To be able to change the orientation of your page for printing you can click on the
Properties button under the option to Print then click the Layout Tab (Figure 19).
Figure 19. Page Setup button and printing
OTHER HELPFUL FUNCT IONS
UNDO AND REDO
In order to undo an action, you can click on the blue arrow icon that is pointing to
the left at the top of the screen. To redo an action, you can click on the blue arrow
icon pointing to the right. It is important to note that not all actions are undoable,
thus it is important to save before you make any major changes in your document so
you can revert back to your saved document.
QUITTING
Before you quit, it's a good idea to save your document one final time. You will need
to choose the Office Icon and choose Exit Excel. This is better than just closing the
window, as it insures your document quits correctly.
