Learn Excel Basics

Learn Excel Basics As A Stepping Stone To Intermediate And Advanced Courses

One of the first things that you need to learn in Excel basics is how to use the toolbars. Without these toolbars you will not be able to access the different types of applications and functions that are available in Excel. Excel toolbars differ slightly between the different version of the software program so make sure that you are enrolling on a beginner Excel course that is relevant to the version of Excel that you are using.

When you first start using Excel a default toolbar will be displayed with the most commonly used tools in Excel. However, you can customise this toolbar to meet your specific needs although it is not recommended that you do this until you have become proficient in the use of these common functions in Excel or have learnt Excel basics.

Each tool on the toolbar has a short cut key that can be used to access a function more quickly and conveniently. To get a look at what these short cut keys are press the ‘ALT’ key at the same time as the ‘M’ key on your keyboard. A letter will be displayed next to each of the toolbar functions. Simply press the letter displayed next to the function while that letter is being displayed and Excel will automatically enter the application you have selected.

Alternatively, hold your mouse pointer over the function in the toolbar that you wish to use for a few seconds. A short description of what the function does will appear as well as an instruction on a short cut key that you can use on your keyboard. You will need to memorise these shortcuts when you learn basic Excel so they are actually only compatible for use with tools that you use often when working in spreadsheets.

In any software program that you are using the ability to save your work is one of the most important functions. In Excel you have access to two save options. The first is to simply press the button that looks a bit like an old fashioned floppy disc which will then automatically save your progress. However, you will not be given the option to name the spreadsheet or given a choice as to where the spreadsheet will be saved.

The spreadsheet that you are working on will simply be saved as Book 1, Book 2, Book 3, etc. in your ‘My Documents’ folder which can be found under ‘My Computer’ which can be accessed on your Desktop or using the Start button for Microsoft. It is recommended that you only use this save option once you have used the second save selection for Excel and that is ‘Save As’.

‘Save As’ allows you to choose a name for your document as well as folder where you would like the spreadsheet saved to be accessed in future. You can determine the file location by entering a path name to a specific directory folder or you can select the folder from a list if you already know where the destination folder is located. The automatic save feature will then save all progress to the document name and the destination folder after you have used this option.

There are many more different types of things that are covered when you learn the basics of Excel. Even if you are confident in your skills on other Microsoft products or other accounting software programs it is recommended that you enrol on a beginner or basic Excel course before attempting to learn the intermediate or advanced material that is necessary to use Excel at a higher level of functionality.