Excel Basics

Categories

Workbook

A workbook in Excel is the file that you create to store and work with your data. It is the container for all of your data, calculations, and analyses. Each workbook can contain multiple worksheets, making it possible to organize different sets of data within a single file. The workbook extension is .xlsx for Excel 2007 and later versions, and .xls for earlier versions.

  • Creating a New Workbook: When you open Excel, it usually starts with a blank workbook. You can also create a new workbook by clicking on "File" > "New" > "Blank Workbook."

  • Saving a Workbook: To save a workbook, click "File" > "Save As," choose a location, enter a file name, and select the file format.

  • Opening an Existing Workbook: Click "File" > "Open" and browse to the location of the workbook you want to open.

Worksheet

A worksheet is a single page within a workbook, where you can enter and manipulate data. Each workbook contains at least one worksheet by default, but you can add more as needed.

  • Navigating Between Worksheets: Tabs at the bottom of the Excel window represent each worksheet. Click on a tab to navigate to that worksheet.

  • Renaming Worksheets: Double-click the worksheet tab and type a new name.

  • Adding/Deleting Worksheets: Right-click a worksheet tab and select "Insert" to add a new worksheet or "Delete" to remove an existing one.

  • Reordering Worksheets: Click and drag a worksheet tab to move it to a different position within the workbook.

Cells, Rows, Columns, and Cell Ranges

Cells, rows, columns, and cell ranges are the fundamental building blocks of an Excel worksheet.

- Cells -

The individual boxes that make up the grid of a worksheet. Each cell can hold data, including text, numbers, and formulas. Cells are identified by their cell reference, which is a combination of the column letter and row number (e.g., A1, B2).

  • Selecting a Cell: Click on the cell you want to select.

  • Entering Data: Click on a cell and start typing to enter data. Press "Enter" to move to the cell below or "Tab" to move to the next cell to the right.

  • Editing Data: Double-click a cell to edit its contents or select the cell and make changes in the formula bar.

- Rows -

Horizontal lines of cells identified by numbers along the left side of the worksheet. Rows run numerically from top to bottom (e.g., 1, 2, 3).

  • Selecting a Row: Click on the row number to select the entire row.

  • Inserting/Deleting Rows: Right-click the row number and choose "Insert" to add a new row above or "Delete" to remove the selected row.

- Columns -

Vertical lines of cells identified by letters along the top of the worksheet. Columns run alphabetically from left to right (e.g., A, B, C).

  • Selecting a Column: Click on the column letter to select the entire column.

  • Inserting/Deleting Columns: Right-click the column letter and choose "Insert" to add a new column to the left or "Delete" to remove the selected column.

- Cell Ranges -

A group of adjacent cells that you can select and manipulate as a unit. Ranges are identified by the references of the top-left and bottom-right cells in the group, separated by a colon (e.g., A1).

  • Selecting a Range: Click and drag across the cells you want to include in the range or hold down "Shift" and use the arrow keys.

  • Manipulating a Range: Once a range is selected, you can format the cells, enter formulas, or perform other operations on all the cells in the range simultaneously.

Understanding these basics of workbooks, worksheets, and the structure of cells, rows, and columns is crucial for effectively using Excel to organize, analyze, and visualize data.