What is Excel?

If you use numbers or manage information, you need to know how to use Excel. Excel is a software tool for managing workbooks or worksheets (aka spreadsheets). To learn that, before any training is undertaken, you need to know some basics. Let’s start from the ground up.

A grid with a purpose

A spreadsheet is a grid with an almost unlimited number of squares in it. Each square is referred to as a Cell. These cells are organised in Columns and Rows. Each column is assigned a letter and each row a number. As a result, each cell has a unique reference name based on which column and row it sits in. For example, cell D4 is in the fourth column across (column D) and the fourth row down (column 4).

At its most basic, a spreadsheet can be used to cross-reference information. Usually, this is done by using each row to record an instance of something, and each column to hold different information about those things. For example, a school might use a spreadsheet to list out its pupils. Each row will be used for a pupil, and each column will house a different piece of information such as name, age, and which class they are in.

Working with workbooks

Excel files are what are called Workbooks. A workbook is simply a collection of spreadsheets (Excel calls these Worksheets) held alongside one another. These are sometimes referred to as Tabs because they are displayed along the bottom of the screen and look much like tabs in a web browser.

By storing data this way, Excel can compare information both within a worksheet and across multiple worksheets, enabling statistics and reports to be generated without needing to manual count or sum up numbers. In the example above, it might list both staff and pupils on different sheets. With that information, it could tell you how many pupils there are per teacher in the school, which teacher’s pupils score the highest, or how many school dinners are required on a given day.

The potential uses for Excel are almost unlimited. The vast amount of information and data it can process makes information management far easier than in the past. Because of this, it is used in all areas of business, all over the world. Needless to say, no matter what kind of job you might be doing, knowledge of Excel is a virtual must-have.

How do I access Excel training?

There are many resources to help you excel at Excel! There are hundreds of text books written on Excel and many websites on the Internet. Come, let's get familiar with some info related to online training for Excel.

Some example lessons to start you off:

My First Invoice

Practice: Basic Functions-II

Formatting Cells

Practice: Pivot Tables-III

Social Media Statistics

Introducing Sheetzoom.com.

Produced by Advancity, an Istanbul-based multinational company, Sheetzoom.com has revolutionized web-based learning with a modern, forward-looking approach. There are no fees or charges – everything is completely free.. You don't even have to bear the pain of filling in yet another online membership form. All you need to do is log in to Sheetzoom.com and start learning right away.

Sheetzoom.com uses actual Excel software so users can learn all the features not by watching but by doing. That’s right - real time learning!

Learners are taught through step by step guides and provided instant feedback on the very same spreadsheet every time they perform a task. Such unique features put sheetzoom.com at the head of the pack and make learning Excel fun and interest. Whatever you want to achieve with Excel, you can learn how to do it for free with sheetzoom.com.

Come visit today!