Excel Day 1: Basic Navigation

Objectives

  • Students will learn basic terms associated with the program and create new workbooks
  • Students will be comfortable entering data and navigating within Excel
  • Students will be able to use basic formulas and use absolute cell references

Outline

Hook: Ask students what motivated them to take the class. Show them some formulas or a spreadsheet you have made to catch their interest in learning Excel.

Introduction

  • Names, positions, goals for class, etc.

Setting up a Workbook

  • Create a new Workbook
    • Create and rename sheets
    • Reordering worksheets
    • Adding color to worksheet tabs

Basic Vocabulary

  • Rows
  • Columns
  • Cells
  • Formula bar
  • Ribbon

Import Data

  • .xslx file extension
  • Learn how to rename sheet
  • Color sheet

Enter Data

  • Font, Alignment
  • Shortcuts:
    • Enter, Tab, CMD + Arrow Keys

Formulas and Functions

Use the calculator activity sheet to have students practice inserting basic formulas. Once the formulas are inserted into the correct cells, students will be able to change the numbers of the inputs and see how their worksheet is dynamic.

  • MIN()
  • MAX()
  • SUM()

Copying Functions/Formulas & Absolute References

  • Copying functions/formulas
    • Dragging the fill handle
    • Double Clicking the fill handle
    • CTRL+C/X/V
  • Absolute References
    • What they are and how they work
    • PC Shortcuts
      • Fn+F4 to make absolute references, press multiple times to toggle options
    • Mac Shortcuts
      • CMD + T

Number Formatting

  • Phone Number
  • $$
    • Increase / Decrease Decimal

Data Cleaning

  • Remove Duplicates
  • Format Painter

Conclusion

  • Recap
  • Next time:
    • Tables
  • Help desk/Instagram/Upcoming classes