Microsoft Excel is a member of the spreadsheet family of software. Spreadsheets allow you
to keep track of data, create charts based from data, and perform complex calculations. Just
like a book ledger, spreadsheets store information in columns and rows. You can have up to
256 columns and 65,536 rows per worksheet.
Some basic concepts and terminology
A Cell is an individual data box which will have a corresponding Column and Row heading. This gives
the cell a name, referred to as the Cell Reference. When referencing a cell, the column heading
comes before the row heading. For instance, the first cell is A1 (Column A, Row 1).
Excel refers to each file as a Workbook. There can be multiple pages in each workbook. Each page,
or sheet, is called a Worksheet. When you open a new Excel file, it automatically starts you with three
worksheets, but you can add more.
Formula
Formula & Function Management
Formulas enable you to enter calculations in a worksheet. Using Excel for calculations gives you the
ability to change the data (or values) of the cells, and have the program automatically update the
recalculate the value of the output based on the new numbers.
To enter a formula, type the formula directly in the cell starting with a = (an equal sign tells Excel that
you are not entering data). For instance, to add the value in cell A1 with the value in B1, you could
click in cell C1 (where you want your calculated result to appear) and type =A1+B1. Press the Enter
key to see the result.
Functions are predefined formulas that perform a specific operation, such as determining loan
payments or calculating investment returns. Functions accept information, called arguments, and
return a result. In most cases, the result is a calculation, but functions also return results that are text,
references, logical values, arrays, or information about the worksheet.
Creating a Text String
At times, you may need to create a formula that joins the contents of two cells. Excel refers to this
action as concatenation
Creating a Text String
At times, you may need to create a formula that joins the contents of two cells. Excel refers to this
action as concatenation
Entering Functions
You can enter functions manually if you know the function name and what data to supply for the
arguments in a function. In most cases, you will probably type only simple functions that require one
argument, such as a range of data. For more complex functions that require multiple arguments, you
can use the Paste Function.
Inserting with the Paste Function
The Paste Function displays a list of functions from which you can choose the function you want,
based on a description that appears when you select a function. The Paste Function also assists you
in building the function and explains the purpose of each argument. Use the Paste Function if you
want to enter a complex function that requires multiple arguments or if you are unsure of the syntax
required for a specific function.
example
1. Select the cell where you want to
enter the function; then click the fx
button on the Formula Bar.
2. Select the type of function you want
from the Category list. If you are unsure
of the category, select Most Recently
Used or All.
3. Select the specific function that you
want from the function name list box.
Read the description in the lower part of
the dialog box to verify that this is the
function you want; then click OK.
4. A pop-up window, called Function
Arguments appears under the
formula bar. Enter the arguments
in each argument text box. You
can type the cell references or
numbers, click directly on the cell
you wish to reference, or highlight
multiple cells to reference a
group.
5. Click OK to complete the function
and insert it in the cell.
AutoSum
The SUM function totals the numeric value of all cells in the range(s) it references. The AutoSum
button appears on the Standard toolbar. You can use it to sum adjacent columns or rows
automatically. In addition to entering the SUM function automatically, the AutoSum button selects the
cells in the column above or in the row to the left of the current cell.
