Introduction to Excel

Introduction to Excel

Jess Ahmet

Curriculum Manager, DataCamp

What is Excel?

  • Popular spreadsheet software developed by Microsoft
  • Insert, read, and manipulate data
  • Relied on by businesses of all sizes
  • Also useful for personal tasks

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  • Free version:
    • Cloud-based, limited features
    • Basic tasks

Excel logo

  • Paid version
    • Local, used in this course
    • Advanced capabilities
Introduction to Excel

Why Excel?

Excel can be used to store, process, analyze, and visualize data

  • Designed for technical and non-technical users
  • User-friendly interface
  • Supports collaboration via shared workbooks, co-authoring, and commenting
  • Templates to get you started with common tasks
Introduction to Excel

Limitations

Feature Max Limit
Opening workbooks Limited by available memory and system resources
Total number of rows and columns on a worksheet 1,048,576 rows by 16,384 columns
Introduction to Excel

Excel interface

Screenshot of Excel interface

Introduction to Excel

Key definitions

  • Workbook: An Excel file containing one or more worksheets to help you organize all your data

Screenshot of an Excel file

Introduction to Excel

Key definitions

  • Worksheet: primary area that you'll work in often referred to as a sheet or spreadsheet. Consists of cells organized into columns and rows. Also known as a sheet

Excel file highlighting the worksheet area

Introduction to Excel

Key definitions

  • Cell: box at the intersection of the grid where a row or column meet where information is contained

Excel file highlighting a cell

Introduction to Excel

Key definitions

  • Cell reference: combination of a column letter and row number that identifies a cell in the worksheet

Excel file highlighting the cell reference

Introduction to Excel

Key definitions

  • Cell reference: combination of a column letter and row number that identifies a cell in the worksheet

Cell Reference C4.png

Introduction to Excel

Key definitions

  • Active cell: refers to the cell that is being worked with, this is identified by a rectangular green box

Excel file highlighting the active cell

Introduction to Excel

Key definitions

  • Range: refers to two or more cells in a worksheet, these do not necessarily have to be adjacent

Excel file highlighting a range selection

Introduction to Excel

Key definitions

  • Formula: mathematical equations, cell references, or functions placed within a cell. All formulas must started with an equal = sign

Excel file highlighting a formula

Introduction to Excel

Key definitions

  • Formula bar: bar located on top of the worksheet next to the $f_x$ label. It's used to enter or edit values/formulas

Excel file highlighting the formula bar

Introduction to Excel

Let's practice!

Introduction to Excel

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