Home  Courses Register Contact Us

COURSE DETAILS

return to courselist

Spreadsheets -

Microsoft Excel:
 Introduction
 Intermediate
 Advanced

 

 

·  MS Excel Introduction
Introduces the experienced Windows user to the basics of Microsoft Excel.

Topics include:

  • creating, editing, saving, and printing spreadsheets
  • adjusting column widths and moving cells
  • formatting numbers, text, and cells
  • automatically filling a series of numbers
  • understanding formulas and functions
  • formula construction including relative and absolute cell references
  • using AutoSum and AutoCalculate
  • modifying the appearance of worksheets with color, borders, and shading
  • previewing and printing worksheets
  • adjusting page setup options.

Register


Top

 

·  MS Excel Intermediate
Introduces the experienced Excel user to the more powerful aspects of Excel.

Topics include:

  • working with multiple worksheets
  • build,sort, and filter lists of information
  • freezing frames for increased readability of large worksheets
  • using 3D cell references for formulas which access multiple worksheets
  • creating Macros
  • using Named Ranges as time savers
  • creating Pivot Tables
  • manipulating worksheet data by compiling subtotals
  • using Function Wizard for easy creation of difficult formulas.

Register


Top

 

 

·  MS Excel Advanced
Introduces the accomplished Excel user to the most powerful aspects of Excel.

Topics include:

  • adjusting default settings
  • creating views and custom toolbars
  • applying passwords
  • understanding Add-ins and Microsoft Query
  • using the Solver and the Scenario Manager
  • creating Data Maps
  • interpreting Pivot Tables and establishing Custom Groups
  • hiding Pivot Table details and changing Layouts
  • understanding Text Strings
  • using the Text and Case functions
  • looking up variables
  • auditing worksheets
  • troubleshooting worksheets and tracking cell references
  • tracing errors and removing trace arrows.


Register


Top

 

 

return to courselist

 


<< Email This Page >>

Guest Article:

Excel Tutorial – The Secret to Excel
By Richard Kraneis

Yes, there is a "Secret" to using Excel.

But what does that mean? Is this a gimmick? No, it’s honest to goodness advice from a computer training consultant. Be patient, read this page, and you will be a much stronger Excel user in the next 3 minutes. If I have only 5 minutes to give anyone an Excel tutorial, I would teach them the "Secret".

I was amazed when I learned what I call the "Secret" to Excel. I was amazed that Microsoft hadn't placed the feature as an icon on one of their toolbars. I was amazed that all of the "real" books I owned regarding Excel failed to mention the "Secret". Finally, in an Excel reference book, I found the "Secret" to Excel somewhere on page 350. The "Secret" had been buried so deeply in the book no one would ever read, see, or use the "Secret".

A Brief History Lesson.

When you inherit someone's "old" spreadsheet you need to analyze the formulas of the spreadsheet to see what they are doing. Even if the spreadsheet is one you created, you may have created the spreadsheet so long ago that you have forgotten what formulas you used.

Over the years Excel has improved its quality control features for analyzing formulas. But even today, 95% or more of all users research their spreadsheet formulas the old fashioned way. They click on a cell to see if it's a formula. Then they study the formula. Then they might click on another cell to see if it's a formula. And do the same thing over and over again.

Checking formulas with the mouse-click method is slow, tedious, and not thorough. It's a bad process. But that's the way over 95% of all Excel users research their spreadsheets. But there's a much better way. It is the "Secret" to using Excel.

Life with Excel spreadsheets when using the “Secret”

After using the "Secret" the spreadsheet makes sense again. I can remember all of my formulas. Since I can’t use pictures in this article, read this next passage carefully:

Learning the "Secret" to Excel helps you display all your formulas not as numbers but as logical text. You can see the logic of every single formula on your spreadsheet.

The "Secret"

The "Secret" to using Excel is a keystroke command named CTRL gravé. This is pronounced "control gra-vay". (Gra rhymes with the word pa, and vay rhymes with the word bay).

Because I can't use pictures in this article, I need to write some steps for you. Don't skim over these steps, do them. You'll be glad you did. (It's really quite simple, it's a CTRL gravé.)

First, open up an Excel spreadsheet file that has formulas in it.

Second, using your Windows (non-Apple) keyboard, look to the lower left hand corner of the keyboard.

Third, hold down the CTRL key with any finger.

Fourth, locate the number 1 key towards the upper left hand corner of the keyboard.

Fifth, find the key one key left of the number 1. It has the symbols ` and ~. The first symbol, the ` is called a gravé.

Sixth, still holding down the CTRL key, tap the gravé key.

Seventh, see that all your formulas now have logical text. So instead of saying 150, a cell might display =a1+a2

CTRL gravé is a toggle. Do it once to see your formulas in the spreadsheet. Do it again to display the numbers again.

Do you remember how when you were little you learned how to read at age 4, 5, or 6? Wasn’t it fun beginning to understand what all those neat symbols meant on the white paper? It was like discovering some secret code the grownups used.

That’s what the “Secret” to Excel is like. Every time someone gives you a spreadsheet, just use the “Secret” on the spreadsheet to understand its logic. You’ll enjoy this technique so much you’ll start showing it to your friends.

Best wishes from Chicago, IL USA.

About the Author:
To see the "Secret" to Excel training video, go to http://TheWorldsShortestExcelBook.com Read the first page to find the 5 minute training video on the "Secret". You can also sign up for Richard's free Excel courses delivered to you once a week.

Richard Kraneis is an author of Excel e-books and training videos. If you need on-site advanced Excel training for your company, please visit http://www.techspectrum.com/AET.html for further information. Thank you.


 


<< Email This Page >>

DesksideAssistance™. Expert Computer Training for Busy Professionals.

MOUS Expert Level Certified
Home  Courses Register Contact Us

©1998-2005 SkyVault Group, LLC

DesksideAssistance.com is a member of the
LetsDoDeals Network