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Excel Lesson One

INTRODUCTION TO MICROSOFT EXCEL

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 :

  1. Recognise Cell Addresses
  2. Enter Data
  3. Perform Simple calculations
  4. Rename a worksheet
  5. Save a workbook

1.0 Start Microsoft Excel

  1. Click On the [START] button
  2. Point to Programs
  3. Point to Microsoft Excel and Click Once using the left mouse button

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 a number of cells which are arranged into rows and columns:

  1. Columns - These run from top to bottom
  2. Rows - These run from left to right
  3. Cells - These are the intersections of rows and columns

Each cell has a unique cell address. The address of the very first cell (first row ) is cell A1. Next to it on the same first row is cell B1 and so on.

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


  1. PRESS the End key once
  2. PRESS the down arrow key once.

Take a note of the number of rows available. My system has 655,636 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 :

  1. PRESS and hold down the Ctrl Key
  2. Tap the Home key once
  3. Release both keys

About Excel Cells

Each cell in a worksheet can contain one of three types of data :

  1. Label
  2. Value
  3. Formaula

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:

  1. Enter 500 in cell C2
  2. Enter 640 in cell C3
  3. 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 :

  1. Enter 505 in cell D2
  2. Enter 643 in cell D3
  3. 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.

6.0 Naming the Sheet

  1. Double Click on the word Sheet1 at the bottom of you window
  2. Type the word LIST when Sheet1 is highlighted

7.0 Saving the Workbook

  1. Select File, Save AS from the Menu
  2. Select the Folder into which the file should be saved
  3. Enter the name Attend in the file name box
  4. CLICK ON the save button

...........

End of Lesson One - Getting Started With Excel

Registered Students may email The Tutor at tutordam@yahoo.com with your questions and or comments.

Lecturer:

The Tutor
Do you have a question or a comment ?
tutordam@yahoo.com

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