Microsoft Excel has long been the standard for spreadsheet software, and for good reason; it’s easy to use, powerful and works on all major operating systems. The ability to use Excel in the workplace can greatly increase your value as an employee. It also makes it easier to get ahead of your peers when it comes to career advancement.
The following is an ultimate guide to using Microsoft Excel, including how to take advantage of its most powerful features, how to utilize its help system, and more. This comprehensive guide should leave you with the knowledge you need to become an expert at using Microsoft Excel in no time!
Getting Started
When you first open up Microsoft Excel, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by all of its features. But if you spend some time working through a few of our tutorials, you’ll begin to understand how powerful it can be and you’ll find yourself using it more and more in your day-to-day work. Whether or not your job relies on Excel, learning to use spreadsheets is an important skill that can help make your life much easier.
Sorting Data
If you have a lot of data that needs to be sorted, consider using conditional formatting to turn your list red if it’s in alphabetical order, and green if it’s not. If you don’t want to be distracted by all that color (or if you just prefer numbers over letters), set up a spreadsheet template where you can enter your data and specify that certain cells are only to be shown or hidden when they contain certain values.
Merging Cells
One of Excel’s most underrated features is merging cells. This feature, when used effectively, can make your life a lot easier. You can merge cells in a variety of ways: by several columns and rows, by column or row color, or by cell patterns.
By merging cells you can align data that would otherwise be scattered throughout your spreadsheet and create a much more visually appealing spreadsheet. If you plan on sharing your work with others, it’s very important to remember to keep things organized so others don’t have trouble understanding your spreadsheet!
Conditional Formatting
The quickest way to make your data stand out is to change its color or appearance. This can be done through conditional formatting in Microsoft Excel. Conditional formatting is a quick and easy method for highlighting important data.
For example, you may want to highlight cells that contain errors or that have specific values. Below, we’ll show you several tips on how to format a cell based on the conditions you set. Then we’ll cover a more advanced way of changing cell formats using custom formats.
Filtering Data
Filtering is one of those features that can save you a ton of time when you’re analyzing data. Once you have a lot of information in your spreadsheet, it’s easier to filter out what you don’t need than it is to go back and sort through everything manually.
In many cases, filtering makes your life much easier and allows you to look at only what matters. If done correctly, using filters on data will save time and help deliver a more accurate analysis.
Pivot Tables
How Do They Work? – A pivot table is a type of spreadsheet that helps you organize and summarize information from a larger group of related data. Instead of having to manually sort through each individual set of data, pivot tables allow you to gather all that information into one place for easier analysis.
By design, it is simple for any business owner or user to master. Let’s take a closer look at what makes them so powerful.
Sharing and Printing Files
With so many spreadsheet programs available, it’s important to know how to transfer data from one place to another. Before sharing your document with a coworker or sending work back to your boss, you should ensure that you’ve protected your spreadsheets from being seen by prying eyes.
One way of doing so is by password-protecting documents in a way that allows for sharing—but only among those who have been permitted by you to view it. This can be done by turning on password protection and providing others with a key when necessary. You can also choose whether or not you want others to be able to print specific worksheets or entire documents.
Conclusion:
Excel is incredibly valuable in any industry. Organizations used them to generate excellent data and improve their weaknesses. Follow the advice given above, and you’ll be on your way to achieving your career goals in no time. If you want to learn more about Excel, you can always learn for free on youtube. There are thousands of Excel tutorials on YouTube. Use Career Ninja‘s LearnTube platform for hand-holding training on YouTube. Learn Tube organizes the results of your YouTube search into a course framework. If you want to learn “Excel tutorials”, search the term on LearnTube and it will show you a bunch of youtube videos like an online course. As a beginner, you’ll click through the videos from the first to the last, as if you were taking an online course tailored specifically for you.
