How to Use Excel and Other Spreadsheet Programs
By Ted French, About.com Guide to Spreadsheets
Those who are new to spreadsheets will find all the basics needed on how to use Excel and other programs such as Calc and Microsoft Works to create effective and professional looking spreadsheets. A beginner's guide covers essential information and a labeled diagram of the Excel screen, helps you learn what some of this spreadsheet terminology means. Free step by step tutorials and tips help make that first adventure in creating spreadsheets go smoothly.
How to Use Excel
The articles and step by step tutorials in this section are intended to show beginners and near beginners how to use Excel to produce a complete spreadsheet.
- Beginners Guide to Excel 2007
- Basic Excel 2007 Spreadsheet Tutorial
- Parts of the Excel 2007 Screen
- Excel 2007 Formulas Step by Step Tutorial
- Entering Data in Excel
- Beginners Guide to Excel 2003
- Basic Excel 2003 Spreadsheet Tutorial
- Parts of the Excel 2003 Screen
- Excel 2003 Formulas Step by Step Tutorial
- Basic Formatting in Excel 2003
Excel Math
These tutorials cover basic Excel math operations. If you want to know how to add, subtract, multiply, or divide numbers in Excel, these tutorials will show you how.
Excel Charting Tutorials
These tutorials will show you how to create and format commonly used charts and graphs, such as column charts the pie, line, and bar graphs.
- Excel 2007 Pie Chart Tutorial
- Excel 2007 Column Chart Tutorial
- Excel 2007 Line Graph Tutorial
- Create a Pictograph in Excel 2007
- Step by Step Excel 2003 Chart Tutorial
- Data for Step by Step Chart Wizard Example
- Step by Step Excel 2003 Bar Graph Tutorial
- Formatting a Bar Graph in Excel 2003
- Create a Pictograph in Excel 2003
Spreadsheet Lesson Plans
Spreadsheet Lesson Plans contain step by step examples that can be used as lessons for a wide range of age groups. Topics covered include creating and using spreadsheets, functions, graphing, formatting and creating formulas.
- Basic Excel 2007 Spreadsheet Tutorial
- Basic Excel 2003 Spreadsheet Tutorial
- Excel Dice Roller Tutorial
- Create a Pictograph in Excel 2007
- Create a Pictograph in Excel 2003
- Create a Timeline in Excel
- Create a Flowchart in Excel
- Choosing the Right Graph - Excel Graphs and their Uses
- Excel 2007 Pie Chart Tutorial
- Excel 2007 Column Chart Tutorial
- Excel 2007 Line Graph Tutorial
- Step by Step Excel 2003 Chart Tutorial
- Data for Step by Step Chart Wizard Example
- Step by Step Excel 2003 Bar Graph Tutorial
- Formatting a Bar Graph in Excel 2003
- Create Fibonacci Numbers in Excel
Microsoft Works
Microsoft Works has features most commonly used in other spreadsheets. This list of articles gives you straightforward instructions on how to carry out a variety of tasks in Microsoft Works.
- Microsoft Works Spreadsheet Screen
- Microsoft Works Task Launcher
- Basic Microsoft Works Spreadsheets Tutorial
- MS Works Spreadsheets Formulas
Open Office Calc
Calc is a full featured spreadsheet program similar to commercial programs like Excel. Unlike commercial software, however, Calc is offered free of charge by openoffice.org. Calc's features include formulas and functions for calculations and a variety of formatting options to help you create eye catching spreadsheets that will make your data easier to read and understand.
Online Spreadsheets
Google Spreadsheets and Edit Grid offer most of the common features available in their competitors' spreadsheet programs. What makes these spreadsheets different is that they also offer online benefits such as sharing spreadsheets, online storage, and real time editing over the Internet. Collaborating with colleagues was never easier.
Excel Videos
Watch these training videos on various aspects of Microsoft Excel. Through live screencasts, experts will show you how you can use a variety of features in Excel. A full transcript is provided so you can follow the training videos on your own.
