An informational guide to using
Excel
Mrs. Keebler – Technology Class
Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Education Center
Created 2011.
EXCEL ‘KEY’ TERMS
Active Cell -- a selected cell in an Excel worksheet.
Calculation Operators -- symbols that indicate what type of calculation to
perform on the cells, ranges, or values.
Cell -- the intersection of a column and a row in a worksheet, datasheet, or
table.
Cell Address -- the location of a cell, expressed by a cell coordinates.
*The cell address of the cell in column A, row1 is A1*
Cell Pointer -- dark rectangle that outlines the active cell.
Cell Styles -- predesigned combinations of formatting attributes that can be
applied to selected cells, to enhance the look of a worksheet.
Chart -- a graphical representation of numerical data from a worksheet that
make it easier to see patterns, trends, and relationships.
*Types of charts include 2-D & 3-D column, bar, pies
area and line charts*
Chart Sheet -- a separate sheet in a workbook that contains only a chart,
which is linked to the workbook data.
Column Heading -- shaded boxes located at the top of each column in a
worksheet that contains letters identifying each column, such as A, B, etc…
Formula Bar -- the area above the worksheet grid where you enter or edit
data in the active cell.
Formulas -- a set of instructions used to perform one or more numeric
calculations, such as adding, multiplying, or averaging, on values or cells.
Function -- a special predefined formula that provides a shortcut for a
commonly used calculation (i.e. SUM for calculating a total) and COUNT (for
counting items in a list).
Gridlines -- evenly spaced, horizontal and/or vertical lines used in a
worksheet or chart to make it easier to read.
Name Box -- leftmost area of the formula bar that shows the cell reference or
name of the active cell.
Number Format -- a format applied to values to express numeric concepts,
such as currency, date, and percentage.
Row Heading -- the gray box containing the row number to the left of the row
in a worksheet.
Sheet Tabs -- identifies sheets in a workbook and lets you switch between
sheets; located below the worksheet grid.
Values -- numbers, formulas, and functions used in calculations.
Workbook -- a collection of related worksheets contained within a single
Excel file.
Worksheet / Spreadsheet -- In spreadsheet software; a page composed of
columns and rows that create cells at their intersection; you type data and
formulas into cells.
X-Axis -- the horizontal axis in a chart.
Y-Axis -- the vertical axis in a chart.
Z-Axis -- the third axis in a true 3-D chart, lets you compare data points
across both categories and values.
Range -- a selection of two or more cells.
Conditional Formatting -- a type of cell formatting that changes based on the
cell’s value or the outcome of a formula.
Label -- entry that contains both text and numerical information that is not
used in calculations.
BASIC EXCEL
KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS
Close Workbook
Ctrl + F4
Create A Table
Ctrl + T
Insert Worksheet
Shift + F11
Open Workbook
Ctrl + O
Print Preview
Ctrl + F2
SUM Function
Alt + =
Total Row
Ctrl + Shift + T
Edit Cells
F2
Select An Entire Column
Ctrl + Spacebar
Select An Entire Row
Shift + Spacebar
Insert Blank Cells
Ctrl + Shift + +
Apply Outline Border to
Selected Cells
Ctrl + Shift + &
Insert Current Date
Ctrl + ;
Insert Current Time
Ctrl + Shift + ;
Create A Chart
F11
HOW TO CHOOSE WHICH TYPE OF GRAPH TO USE?
LINE GRAPH
Line graphs are used to track changes over short and long periods of time. When smaller changes exist, line
graphs are better to use than bar graphs. Line graphs can also be used to compare changes over the same period
of time for more than one group.
PIE CHART
Pie charts are best to use when you are trying to compare parts of a whole. They do NOT show changes over
time.
BAR GRAPH
Bar graphs are used to compare things between different groups or to track changes over time. NOTE:
When trying to measure change over time, bar graphs are best when the changes are larger.
AREA GRAPH
Area graphs are very similar to line graphs. They can be used to track changes over time for one or more
groups. Area graphs are good to use when are tracking the changes in two or more related groups that make up
one whole category (i.e. public and private groups).
X-Y PLOT
X-Y plots are used to determine relationships between the two different things. The x-axis is used to measure
one event (or variable) and the y-axis is used to measure the other. If both variables increase at the same
time, they have a positive relationship. If one variable decreases while the other increases, they have a negative
relationship. Sometimes the variables don’t follow any pattern and have no relationship.
EXCEL SPREADSHEET: BASIC PARTS
BASIC EXCEL - SPREADSHEET FORMULAS
A
B
A
1
2
3
4
497
6
5
2982
A
1
2
3
4
Multiplication
Formula
0
Click & type the formula in B5
because that's where you want the
answer to appear.
17
A
1
2
3
4
B
5748
6
958
1
2
3
4
5
B
783
141
642
1
2
3
4
9
Click & type the formula in
B4 because that's where you
want the answer to appear.
729
Click & type the formula in
B3 because that's where you
want the answer to appear.
B
1
2
3
4
641
897
620
5
719.3
A
Subtraction
Formula
1
2
3
4
5
Exponent
Formula
Click & type the formula in
B5 because that's where you
want the answer to appear.
A
5
A
B
5
Division
Formula
Click & type the formula in B4
because that's where you want the
answer to appear.
0
A
Square Root
Formula
Addition
Formula
5
B
289
5
641
897
620
2158
1
2
3
4
Click & type the formula in B5
because that's where you want the
answer to appear.
B
B
Average
Formula
Click & type the formula in
B5 because that's where you
want the answer to appear.
What is 25% of 500?
500
Percentage
Formula
Click & type the formula in
B5 because that's where you
want the answer to appear.
729