Microsoft Excel is a fundamental business tool. Many use Excel to manage, report on, and illustrate data tables. Some, however, are not able to discern the full capabilities of using Excel. Whether a beginner or advanced user, Microsoft Excel is an excellent tool to incorporate into your business. That said, we created a refresher guide for quickly accessing functions in Microsoft Excel.
Here are 5 tips and tricks for beginners using Microsoft Excel:
1. Utilize Templates
Microsoft Excel offers several different templates to select from to help you brainstorm. For example, there are templates for planners and trackers, lists, budgets, charts, calendars, etc. The templates are a great tool to save time.
2. Exploring Tutorials
Are you having trouble using Excel? Don't worry; Microsoft Excel offers tutorials on using basic and advanced applications. Tutorials are found on the Home Page under the New section.
3. Select all cells in a spreadsheet
Do you need to make a change to your whole data set? To highlight all data, click the square in the upper left-hand corner of the workbook. You'll find it where the top rows and columns merge. (Also, Ctrl + A can be used to accomplish the same task).
4. Add Multiple Rows or Columns
Need to add multiple rows or columns to your data set? Select the rows where the data is necessary—Right-click on the mouse and select Insert from the dropdown menu. Then the new rows will appear. The same steps can be done for adding columns.
5. How to Sort Data
Need to organize your data set? Select the column or row desired and then click the sort & filter function located at the top right of the ribbon. Data can be sorted from small to largest and largest to smallest.
No matter your comfort level with using Microsoft Excel, we can always use a refresher on being more efficient. Would you like to learn more about Microsoft Excel and how to be more productive? The Next Step, Inc. offers a 2-week course called The Microsoft Office Basics that can help you learn Word and Excel while strengthening your emotional intelligence.
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