End User Computing Unit 4

Using Microsoft Excel

• Excel is a spreadsheet program that allows users to store, organize, and analyze information.
• It is a powerful tool that can be used by anyone, not just limited to those who process complicated data.
• Excel can be used for various tasks such as keeping a budget, organizing a training log, or creating an invoice.

The Excel Interface

• The Excel Start Screen appears when you open Excel 2016 for the first time.
• From the Start Screen, you can create a new workbook, choose a template, or access recently edited workbooks.
• The Excel interface can be accessed by selecting the Blank workbook option from the Start Screen.

The Ribbon and Quick Access Toolbar

• The Ribbon and Quick Access Toolbar are located at the top of the Excel interface.
• They contain commands to perform common tasks in Excel.
• The Ribbon uses a tabbed system, replacing traditional menus.

Working with the Ribbon

• The Ribbon contains multiple tabs, each with several groups of commands.
• Each tab has one or more groups, and some groups have an arrow to access more options.
• The Ribbon is designed to respond to the user's current task, but it can be minimized to free up screen space.
• The Ribbon Display Options can be adjusted to change how the Ribbon is displayed.

Ribbon Display Options

• There are three modes in the Ribbon Display Options:
  • Auto-hide Ribbon: hides the Ribbon and displays the workbook in full-screen mode.
  • Show Tabs: hides command groups when not in use, but tabs remain visible.
  • Show Tabs and Commands: maximizes the Ribbon, displaying all tabs and commands.

Introduction to Excel

• Excel is a spreadsheet program that stores, organizes, and analyzes information.
• It is not limited to specific users, but can be used by anyone to take advantage of its powerful features.

The Excel Interface

• The Excel Start Screen appears when you open Excel 2016 for the first time.
• From the Start Screen, you can create a new workbook, choose a template, and access your recently edited workbooks.
• The Ribbon and Quick Access Toolbar are where you find commands to perform common tasks in Excel.

Working with the Excel Environment

• The Ribbon is a tabbed system that contains multiple tabs, each with several groups of commands.
• Each tab has one or more groups, some of which have an arrow to click for more options.
• You can adjust how the Ribbon is displayed using the Ribbon Display Options.
• There are three modes in the Ribbon Display Options menu: Auto-hide Ribbon, Show Tabs, and Show Tabs and Commands.

Cells

• Cells are the basic building blocks of a worksheet.
• A cell is the intersection of a row and a column.
• Each cell has its own name, or cell address, based on its column and row.
• Cell addresses can be used to identify specific cells or a range of cells.
• A group of cells is known as a cell range.

Working with Cells

• To select a cell, click on it.
• To select a cell range, click and drag the mouse until all the adjoining cells are highlighted.
• You can also use the mouse to select a range of cells by clicking on the first cell and then dragging the mouse to the last cell.

Managing Worksheets

• To insert a new worksheet, locate and select the New sheet button near the bottom-right corner of the Excel window.
• To copy a worksheet, right-click the worksheet you want to copy, then select Move or Copy from the worksheet menu.
• To rename a worksheet, right-click the worksheet you want to rename, then select Rename from the worksheet menu.
• To move a worksheet, click and drag the worksheet until a small black arrow appears above the desired location.
• To delete a worksheet, right-click the worksheet you want to delete, then select Delete from the worksheet menu.

Formulae and Functions

• A formula is an expression that calculates the value of a cell.
• Functions are predefined formulas and are already available in Excel.
• To enter a formula, select a cell, type an equal sign (=), and then type the formula.
• To edit a formula, click in the formula bar and change the formula.
• Excel uses a default order in which calculations occur, known as operator precedence.

Inserting Functions

• To insert a function, select a cell, click the Insert Function button, and search for a function or select a function from a category.
• The Insert Function feature helps you insert functions and arguments.

Practical Applications and Examples

• You can use Excel to create a simple spreadsheet and calculate student averages and exam averages.
• You can prevent someone from copying cells from your worksheet by using appropriate formulas and formatting.