Frequently Asked
Questions
Excel 2000
Send your questions to excelfaq@mdc.edu
|
Frequently Asked
Questions |
|
Send your questions to excelfaq@mdc.edu |
How do I format the font in a spreadsheet?
How do I construct a formula in a spreadsheet?
How do I move and copy information?
How do I get the gridlines to print?
How do I print my spreadsheet?
How do I enter text and numbers?
1. Select the cell that is to contain the information by clicking on it so
that it has a bold, black frame around its border.
2. Begin typing the information that should be in the cell.
3. When all the information has been typed and is visible in the cell
press the enter key to keep the information.
*NOTE: Upon pressing the enter key, depending on the layout of your
spreadsheet, the entire piece of information typed into the cell may not be
fully visible.
How do I format the font in a spreadsheet?
1. Select the cell that is to be formatted by
clicking on it so that it has a bold, black frame around its border. This
can also be done by clicking and dragging to select a group (or range) of cells
that will all be formatted the same way at the same time.
2. Click the format menu then select cells. Click the font tab then
select the font, font style, size, underline and color for the text.
Notice there is a preview box in the bottom right corner of that dialog box so
the selections made are visible before they are confirmed.
How do I construct a formula in a
spreadsheet?
There are 5 basic things that need to be
considered when creating a formula OF ANY KIND.
1. Always make sure you are in the cell that is to contain the answer
before you begin. Excel will place information in whatever cell you
request. It does not give an error message if you put something in the
wrong place.
2. Formulas ALWAYS begin with an equal sign or a mathematical operator.
There are many different operations that Excel can perform. When you start
a cell by typing an equal sign that tells Excel to prepare to calculate and that
the cell contains a value not text. You will also notice that values are
automatically right justified in the cell. CAUTION: The equal sign
must be at the very beginning of the cell. If a space is accidentally
inserted here it may not be visible and it would hinder Excel’s calculating
capabilities.
3. Be very careful not to insert any spaces or extra characters in a
formula, once again, these would hinder Excel’s calculating capabilities.
4. Excel will recognize values or cell references in a formula. When
using a value in a formula Excel does not recognize that value as being anywhere
in the spreadsheet. It just sees it as a number just like a calculator sees
a number. When using a cell reference Excel calculates whatever is in that
cell at any given time. As a result, this is a wonderful timesaver as we
make changes to our spreadsheet. As you change values in your spreadsheet
the calculations will automatically update with the correct value from the
referenced cell.
5. The last thing that you need to know in
order to create any calculation is the order of operations. How will Excel
read a very complicated formula? Excel will ALWAYS start with anything in
parenthesis (), then move on to exponents ^, from there Excel will do
multiplication*, division /, addition+ and subtraction-. If we had a
simple equation such as “=15+7*2” the answer could be different depending on
how you calculate it. The answer to that equation could be 29. It
could be 44. It could even be 37 if rearranged. You must tell Excel
how you want the system to read the equation. You want the sum of 15 and 7
to be multiplied by 2. You would type “=(15+7)*2” and get an answer of
44.
How do I move and copy information?
1. Select the cell that is to contain the information by
clicking on it so that it has a bold, black frame around its border.
2. Click the scissors on the toolbar to cut (move the information to a new
location) or click the button that looks like two pieces of paper (one button to
the right of the scissors) to copy (repeat the same information in another cell)
the information.
3. Select the cell that is now to contain the information ( if you are
moving a group (range) of cells, only the cell where the information will begin
needs to be selected).
4. Click the clipboard button to paste the information in its new
location.
How do I create a chart?
1. Select the cell or range of cells that are to be
reflected in the chart by clicking on it so that it has a bold, black frame
around its border.
2. Click insert then chart to begin the Chart Wizard.
3. First, select the type of chart then click next.
4. Then verify the data range (cells to be reflected in the chart) and
decide if they should be visible in columns or rows. You may click the
radio button (the circle in front of each option) to see the difference between
the look of the chart in column format and row format. Upon selecting your
preferences, click next.
5. If necessary, give the chart and its axis titles then click next.
6. Finally, determine where the chart should be located. If it is to
be in an existing sheet in the workbook, select the sheet name from the drop
down list. If it is to be on a new sheet by itself select "as a new
sheet" then type what you want the sheet to be called in the dialog box
area.
7. Click "finish" to complete the chart.
How do I set margins?
1. Click file then page setup.
2. Select the margins tab.
3. Using the up and down pointing arrows in the appropriate area (top,
bottom, left, right) select the distance in inches that the spreadsheet should
begin from the edge of the piece of paper.
4. Upon completion of your selections, click OK to confirm the new
margins.
How do I get the gridlines to print?
1. Click file then page setup.
2. Select the sheet tab.
3. Under the middle block in the area called print click the check box
next to gridlines.
4. Click OK to confirm your selection to print the gridlines on the
spreadsheet.
How do I print my spreadsheet?
1. Click file then click print.
2. From the bottom half of the page select the print range (all or only
pages from-to), how many copies you want, if you want the collated and what
(selection, entire workbook or active sheet) specifically you want printed.
3. When all your selections are made click OK to print.