Excel - Start using Excel Tutorial

In this video, you will learn how to start using Excel.
The video covers the basics of opening Excel, creating a blank workbook, navigating the worksheet, entering data, formatting cells, adding a header row, converting data to a table, and exploring the ribbon and contextual tabs.
This tutorial will help you get started with Excel and create a simple worksheet to track expenses or other data.

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Available in Microsoft365

Objectifs :

This document aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the fundamental features and functionalities of Microsoft Excel, guiding beginners through the initial steps of creating and formatting a worksheet for tracking expenses.

Chapitres :

Introduction to Excel
The best way to learn about Excel is to start using it. When you open Excel for the first time, you are presented with options to open an existing workbook or start with a template. For beginners, it is advisable to select 'Blank Workbook' to keep things simple.
Understanding the Excel Interface
Upon opening a blank workbook, you will see the worksheet area where you can create your content. The tools you need are located in the 'Ribbon' at the top of the screen. Key components include the Name Box and the Formula Bar, which will be explained further as you progress.
Working with Cells
In Excel, the individual rectangles are called 'cells,' and each cell can hold a piece of information such as text, numbers, or formulas. For example, to create a worksheet for tracking expenses, you can type the first budget item into a cell and press 'Enter.' Each cell is identified by a grid system of rows and columns, such as C6, which refers to column C and row 6.
Entering and Formatting Data
To continue building your worksheet, type in additional budget items. If the text does not fit within the cell, you can adjust the column width by hovering over the column border and dragging it to widen. Next, you can add rough estimates for each work item in the adjacent column. To format these numbers as dollar amounts, select the numbers, right-click to open the mini toolbar, and click the dollar sign.
Adding a Header Row
To enhance the clarity of your worksheet, add a header row at the top. This will help anyone reviewing the worksheet understand the data presented.
Using Quick Analysis Tools
To make data management easier, select the header and data, then use the quick analysis lens that appears when you hover over the selection. Click on 'Tables' and then 'Table' to convert your data into a table format. This allows for easier sorting and filtering of data, as well as additional commands for managing your table.
Exploring the Ribbon and Contextual Tabs
The Ribbon organizes commands and options into tabs. Most commonly used commands are found on the 'Home' tab, while the 'Insert' tab contains options for adding elements like pictures and charts. Contextual tabs, such as the 'Table Tools Design' tab, appear only when you are working with specific elements like tables.
Saving Your Workbook
As you work on your worksheet, it is important to save your workbook regularly. This ensures that your progress is not lost and allows you to continue building your project in Excel.

FAQ :

What is the best way to learn Excel?

The best way to learn Excel is to start using it actively. Experimenting with its features and functions will help you understand how to utilize the program effectively.

What is a workbook in Excel?

A workbook in Excel is a file that can contain multiple worksheets. Each worksheet can hold different sets of data and calculations.

How do I format numbers as currency in Excel?

To format numbers as currency in Excel, select the cells containing the numbers, right-click to open the context menu, and choose the dollar sign icon from the mini toolbar.

What are the advantages of using tables in Excel?

Using tables in Excel allows for easier data management, including sorting and filtering options. Tables also provide structured formatting and can automatically expand as new data is added.

What is the purpose of the Ribbon in Excel?

The Ribbon in Excel organizes commands and tools into tabs, making it easier for users to find and use the features they need for their tasks.

How can I save my workbook in Excel?

To save your workbook in Excel, click on the 'File' tab in the Ribbon, then select 'Save' or 'Save As' to choose a location and file name.

Quelques cas d'usages :

Budget Tracking for Projects

Using Excel to create a budget tracking worksheet for an expansion project allows project managers to input expenses, categorize them, and analyze spending patterns. By formatting the data as a table, they can easily sort and filter expenses to make informed financial decisions.

Data Analysis for Sales Reports

Sales teams can utilize Excel to compile sales data into a worksheet, applying formatting and creating tables to analyze performance metrics. This helps in identifying trends and making strategic decisions based on the data.

Inventory Management

Businesses can use Excel to manage inventory by creating a worksheet that tracks stock levels, prices, and suppliers. By using tables, they can quickly filter items that need reordering and analyze inventory turnover rates.

Event Planning

Event planners can create a detailed worksheet in Excel to track tasks, budgets, and timelines for events. By utilizing the Ribbon's formatting tools, they can present the information clearly and share it with team members.

Personal Finance Management

Individuals can use Excel to manage personal finances by creating a budget worksheet that tracks income and expenses. By formatting the data and using tables, they can visualize their financial health and make adjustments as needed.

Glossaire :

Excel

A spreadsheet program developed by Microsoft that allows users to organize, format, and calculate data with formulas using a spreadsheet system.

Workbook

A file in Excel that contains one or more worksheets. Each workbook can hold various data and calculations.

Worksheet

A single spreadsheet within a workbook where data is entered and manipulated. It consists of cells organized in rows and columns.

Ribbon

The area at the top of the Excel window that contains tabs and commands for various functions and tools.

Cells

The individual boxes in a worksheet where data is entered. Each cell can contain text, numbers, or formulas.

Name Box

A field in Excel that displays the name of the currently selected cell or range of cells.

Formula Bar

An area in Excel where users can enter or edit data or formulas in the selected cell.

Grid System

The organizational structure of rows and columns in a worksheet that helps identify the location of each cell.

Formatting

The process of changing the appearance of data in cells, such as changing font size, color, or number format.

Table

A structured range of data in Excel that allows for easier data management, including sorting and filtering.

Contextual Tab

A tab in the Ribbon that appears only when a specific object, like a table or chart, is selected, providing relevant commands.

00:00:06

This is what you see when you start Excel for the first time.

00:00:09

You can open an existing workbook over here or start with a template.

00:00:14

Since this is our first time, let's keep it simple and

00:00:17

select Blank workbook.

00:00:20

The area down here is where you create your worksheet,

00:00:24

and you'll find all the tools you need to work on it up

00:00:26

here in this area called the ribbon.

00:00:29

In this area you'll find the name box and formula bar.

00:00:32

You'll see what those do as we go along.

00:00:35

Now click somewhere in the work area.

00:00:38

These little rectangles, called cells, each hold one piece of information:

00:00:42

some text, a number or a formula.

00:00:45

Let's say we want to create a worksheet to track expenses on an expansion project:

00:00:49

type the first budget item and press Enter.

00:00:53

There are literally millions of cells in a worksheet,

00:00:55

but each one can be identified using this grid system of rows and columns.

00:01:00

For example the address of this cell is C6: column C, row 6.

00:01:06

The name box shows which cell is selected.

00:01:09

You'll see why addresses are important later.

00:01:13

Next, type the other budget items.

00:01:15

This is a breakdown of the work required for the expansion project.

00:01:20

If the text doesn't fit in the cells,

00:01:22

come up here and hold the mouse over the column border until you see a double headed arrow,

00:01:27

then, click and drag the border to widen the column.

00:01:32

Now, to make your worksheet more interesting, let's add

00:01:34

rough estimates for each work item in the next column.

00:01:39

To make the numbers look like dollar amounts, we'll add some formatting.

00:01:43

First select the numbers by clicking the first number

00:01:46

and dragging the mouse down the list;

00:01:49

the gray highlighting and green border mean the cells are selected;

00:01:53

right click the selection, and the right click menu opens,

00:01:57

along with this box up here, called the mini toolbar.

00:02:01

The mini toolbar changes depending on what you select.

00:02:04

In this case it contains commands for formatting the cells.

00:02:08

Click the dollar sign to format the numbers as dollar amounts.

00:02:13

Now it's beginning to look more like a worksheet.

00:02:15

To make it official, let's add a header row up here,

00:02:19

so that anyone who looks to the worksheet will know what

00:02:21

the data means in each column.

00:02:25

Next, let's do something to the data to make it easier to work with.

00:02:29

Select the header and data;

00:02:31

click the top left corner; and drag the mouse to the bottom right.

00:02:36

This time, instead of right clicking, just hold the mouse

00:02:39

over the selection, and a button appears.

00:02:41

Click it, and the quick analysis lens opens.

00:02:45

This contains a set of tools for helping you analyze your data.

00:02:48

Click Tables, and then click Table.

00:02:53

And the data is converted to a table.

00:02:56

You don't have to do this, but working with data as a table has certain advantages.

00:03:00

For example you can click these arrows

00:03:03

to quickly sort or filter the data.

00:03:07

You also have a lot of commands and options to choose from up here on the ribbon.

00:03:11

For example, we can add a Total row to the table,

00:03:15

or remove the banded rows.

00:03:20

While we're up here, let's take a closer look at the ribbon.

00:03:23

The commands and options you can work with are organized into these tabs.

00:03:27

Most of the commands you'll need are on the Home tab.

00:03:30

For example, you can come here to format text and numbers,

00:03:35

or change a cell style.

00:03:39

The Insert tab has commands for inserting things, like pictures and charts.

00:03:44

We'll look at some of the other tabs later in this course.

00:03:50

The Table Tools Design tab is called a contextual tab

00:03:53

because it appears only when you're working on the table;

00:03:57

when you select a cell outside the table, the tab goes away.

00:04:02

You'll also see contextual tabs when you're working with

00:04:04

other insertable objects, like sparklines and pivot charts.

00:04:11

Our work sheet is pretty small now, but there's plenty of

00:04:13

room to grow in Excel as your project expands.

00:04:16

However before we do any more work, let's save the workbook.

Mandarine AI: WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

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