Getting Started

Name: Getting Started
Author: Douglas Bush

Basic skills, key features and navigation in Excel 365

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Course: On-Demand

In this lesson I'll show you the Excel user interface. When you open Excel the first thing you see is the backstage view. From here you can create a new blank workbook or use a template. You can also open a recently used file from the list below, or type the name of the file you're looking for in the search field. You can add a frequently used file to the pinned list. Just hover over the file and click the pin icon. It will now appear in the pinned section. To remove a file from the pinned list just click the unpin button. If someone has shared a file with you click the Shared with Me link to access it. Microsoft provides many free templates to choose from. You may find one that suits your needs. If it's close to what you're looking for you can always edit it. At the very least you'll get some good ideas that you can incorporate into your own project. To search for a template click New then type in a keyword and press Enter. If you find a template you like select it then click the Create button to download it to your computer. Now I'll show you the main user interface. The title bar appears at the top of the screen. On the far left you'll see AutoSave. This feature saves your file every few seconds provided it's saved on your OneDrive account. If you prefer to decide when changes are saved you can turn this feature off by clicking it. At the top center is the search field. Here you can search for help, get suggestions, view recently used commands, and more. On the far right you'll see your account name, the My Benefits button, which has a diamond icon, and the Upcoming Feature button, which has a bullhorn icon, along with minimize, maximize, and close. Directly below the title bar you'll see tabs and ribbons. Tabs are the main means of navigation in Excel. When you click a tab it displays the corresponding ribbon. A ribbon is like a horizontal menu containing buttons. The ribbon is organized into groups of related features called command groups. Some command groups have a small arrow in the lower right-hand corner called a dialog launcher button, which will display additional related commands. You can press Control + F1 to hide or display the ribbon. The formula bar is located directly below the ribbon. On the far left you'll see the Name Box, which displays the name of the cell you're in. In our case we're in cell A1. The large blank field, called the Formula Bar, displays the content of the cell. Most of the screen is made up of little boxes called cells. Each column is assigned a letter name and each row is assigned a number, so every cell has a unique address. You'll hear this referred to as a cell reference or a cell address. In the lower-left corner you'll see the sheet tabs. Sheet tabs are like pages in a book. We have several sheets, but we can add additional sheets by clicking the New button. That's the little circle with the plus sign. The horizontal scroll bar appears in the lower-right corner, and the vertical scroll bar appears off to the far right. Zoom controls and view options, such as Normal, Page view, and Page Break view are located in the lower-right corner. Finally, the status bar appears along the bottom edge of our spreadsheet. We can right-click it to add or remove commands. Thanks for watching. Stay tuned for the next lesson where I'll show you how to create your own Quick Access Toolbar.

Beginner Provider : Douglas Bush 5 Lessons · 14m in Arabic, German, English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Chinese

Course Description

Microsoft Excel is a powerful program that can be intimidating for new users, but once you learn the basics, you’ll see how easy it is to create spreadsheets and charts. These lessons will get you started on your journey by covering the all-important fundamentals. Once you master these key concepts, you’ll be ready to start building your own spreadsheets and charts

Get started by learning the different parts of the Excel screen so you’re comfortable getting around in the program and know where to find key features. Customize the quick access toolbar so all your favorite options are just one click away. Understand what each mouse cursor looks like and what it’s used for. Learn the five basic file operations, along with handy keyboard shortcuts for each one.

What You'll Learn

Identify the various parts of the Excel screen and navigate the program comfortably
Customize the Quick Access Toolbar for one-click access to favorite features
Recognize the eight different mouse cursors and what each one is used for
Perform the five basic file operations along with their keyboard shortcuts
Navigate the Excel 365 (2021) user interface to locate key features

Key Takeaways

The course covers the fundamentals of Microsoft Excel for new users, including the parts of the Excel screen and how to find key features.
Customizing the Quick Access Toolbar lets you keep your favorite options just one click away.
Excel uses eight different mouse cursors, each with its own specific use.
There are five basic file operations, each with a handy keyboard shortcut.
Mastering these key concepts prepares you to start building your own spreadsheets and charts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is this course for?

It is designed for new Excel users who may find the program intimidating and want to learn the basics before building their own spreadsheets and charts.

What topics does this course cover?

It covers the fundamentals: an overview of Excel 365 (2021), the user interface, the Quick Access Toolbar, mouse cursors, and basic file operations.

What skills will I gain?

You will build foundational skills in Microsoft Excel, spreadsheets, keyboard shortcuts, and user customization.

Do I need prior Excel experience?

No. The course is aimed at new users and covers the all-important fundamentals to get you started.

What will I be able to do after completing it?

After mastering these key concepts, you will be ready to start building your own spreadsheets and charts.