MS Excel Fundamentals / Basics: A Beginner's Guide (from scratch) to Spreadsheets

Microsoft Excel is a widely used spreadsheet software developed by Microsoft, It allows users to organize, analyze, and visualize data using cells arranged in rows and columns.

Excel's powerful features include formulas, pivot tables, and data visualization tools like charts and graphs, making it essential for budgeting, financial analysis, and project management.

Excel has evolved from a simple spreadsheet tool into a comprehensive data management platform, widely adopted across various industries for its versatility and user-friendly interface.

🎯Fundamental Concepts:

1. What is Excel?

   Excel is a spreadsheet software that helps users to store, organize, and analyze data. Each Excel file is called a workbook, and it contains multiple sheets.

2. Understanding the Excel Interface:

   • Ribbon: The toolbar at the top where you find different commands and functions.

   • Worksheet: A single page in a workbook, consisting of columns (labeled A, B, C, etc.) and rows (labeled 1, 2, 3, etc.).

   • Cell: The intersection of a column and row (e.g., A1, B2). Each cell holds data like numbers, text, or formulas.

     

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     There is a lot of inside the Excel interface for better understanding. I have attached the YouTube video embedded links below.

3. Fundamental Navigation:

   • You can click on a cell to select it.

   • You can use arrow keys to move between cells.

   • You can double-click a cell to edit its content.

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     Note: There are various fundamental navigations you can learn with time, just give yourself time and do a lot of practice.

4. Entering Data:

   • Click on a cell and type to enter text or numbers.

   • Press Enter to move to the next row or Tab to move to the next column.

   • Etc.

5. Basic Formatting:

   • Change font, font size, and alignment using the toolbar.

   • Use the bold, italic, or underline options to emphasize data.

   • Apply cell borders and fill colors for visual clarity.

   • Etc.

6. Saving and Opening Workbooks:

   • To save your work, click File > Save or Ctrl + S.

   • To open a workbook, click File > Open and browse for the file.

   • Etc.

     

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     There are a lot of various shortcut keys to boost productivity.

🎯 Why Learn Excel?

• It’s essential for managing data efficiently.

• It can perform complex calculations automatically.

• It’s used in almost every industry for financial modeling, reporting, and data analysis.

🚀From Author: I have written this blog which you have read, after a long while as I did not have the time slots assigned to provide you with interesting blogs.
But no worries now, all is sorted. I will now be releasing 2 to 3 blogs every week and adding two article categories under the name of chat GPT & prompt engineering and MS Excel.

✔ I will update each article for further updates.

✈Let me know your feedback regarding the blog. Peace out!

☝ Note: I have included the assets from other curators, I appreciated the work.