Learn to Use Microsoft Excel 2016 eBook

Chapter 1 – Opening Excel

Welcome to the new and improved Microsoft Excel 2016. This chapter will teach you how to open Microsoft Excel files and create new ones. First, we will learn how to open Microsoft Excel. You will learn how to open files from the Recent list or other files. Then you will learn how to create a blank workbook or a workbook from a template.

Opening Excel

To open Excel use the following procedure.

Step 1: From the Start page, select the Excel 2016 icon.

You can get to this screen by pressing the Windows key.

Using the Recent List

To open a workbook from the Recent list, use the following procedure.

Step 1: Select the workbook that you want to open from the Recent list.

To pin an item on the Recent list, use the following procedure.

Step 1: Click the pin on the right side of the Recent list item. The item moves to the top section of the Recent list.

To unpin an item, click the pin on the right side of the Recent list again. The item returns to the previous location in the Recent list.

Opening Files

To open a workbook, use the following procedure.

Step 1: Select File and then Open from the Backstage View.

Step 2: Select one of the Places you would like to look for the workbook. The default options are Recent Workbooks, Shared with Me, Microsoft OneDrive location, This PC, Add a Place, and Browse.

To open a document from the OneDrive or your computer, select Browse.

In the Open dialog box, navigate to the location of the file you want to open. Select it and click Open.

Creating a Blank Workbook

To create a blank workbook, use the following procedure.

Step 1: If the Backstage view is not showing, select the File tab from the Ribbon. Select New.

Step 2: From the New tab, or if you have just opened Excel 2016, select Blank Workbook.

Creating a Workbook from a Template

To create a blank workbook from a template, use the following procedure.

Step 1: If the Backstage view is not showing, select the File tab from the Ribbon. Select New.

Step 2: From the New tab, or if you have just opened Excel 2016, select the template you want to use.

Step 3: Select Create.

You can use the left and right arrows to review the other templates in the current search.

To search for a template and filter the results, use the following procedure.

Step 1: Select one of the Suggested Search terms or enter a term in the Search box and press Enter.

Step 2: To apply a filter, select the Filter term from the list on the right side of the screen.

Step 3: To return to the list of templates, select Home.

Chapter 2 – Working with the Interface

In this chapter, we will introduce you to the Excel 2016 interface, which uses the Ribbon from the previous two versions of Excel. You will get a closer look at the Ribbon and the Status bar. You will also learn how to manage your Microsoft account right from a new item above the Ribbon. This chapter introduces you to the Backstage view, where all the functions related to your files live. You will learn how to save files. Finally, we will look at closing files and closing the application.

Understanding the Interface

Explore the Excel interface, including the Ribbon, the formula bar, the worksheet area, the Quick Access toolbar, and the Status bar.

Each Tab in the Ribbon contains many tools for working with your workbook. To display a different set of commands, click the Tab name. Buttons are organized into groups according to their function.

The Quick Access toolbar appears at the top of the Excel window. It provides you with one-click shortcuts to commonly used functions, like save, undo, and redo.

We will discuss the Formula bar more in a later chapter.

The Status bar shows if any macros are currently running. It also allows you to quickly change your view or zoom of the workbook.

To zoom in or out, use the following procedure.

Step 1: Click the minus sign in the Status bar to zoom out. Click the plus sign in the Status bar to zoom in. You can also drag the slider to adjust the zoom.

You can also click on the number percentage to open the Zoom dialog box.

About Your Account and Feedback

Explore the account options, use the following procedure.

Step 1: Click the File ribbon.

Step 2: Click the Feedback option on the menu.

Step 3: Select the feedback option and provide the feedback.

Step 4: Enter the information requested in the Microsoft Office Feedback dialog. Select Submit.

Using Backstage View

Explore the Backstage View, use the following procedure.

Step 1: Select the File tab on the Ribbon.

Excel displays the Backstage View, open to the Info tab by default. A sample is illustrated below.

Understanding Worksheets

To move the active cell, point out the highlighted row and column for the active cell, as well as the name of that cell in the Name box.

To insert a new worksheet, use the following procedure.

Step 1: Click the New Sheet plus sign.

Excel opens the new worksheet to the first cell, so that you can begin entering data right away. You can rename the worksheet if needed.

To rename a worksheet, use the following procedure.

Step 1: Right click on the sheet tab and select Rename from the context menu.

Step 2: Enter the new name over the highlighted text.

To switch to a different worksheet, use the following procedure.

Step 1: Click on the worksheet tab that you want to view.

To move a worksheet, use the following procedure.

Step 1: Click on the worksheet tab that you want to move and drag it to the new location in the workbook.

Saving Files

To save a workbook that has not been previously saved, use the following procedure.

Step 1: Select the File tab on the Ribbon.

Step 2: Select the Save command in the Backstage View.

Step 3: Select the Place where you want to save the workbook.

Step 4: If you choose your OneDrive, you can select the Documents folder. If you choose your This PC, select your Current Folder or one of your Recent Folders. Or in either place, you can choose Browse to select a new location.

Step 5: The Save As dialog opens. Enter a File Name, and if desired, navigate to a new location to store the file. Select Save.

Closing Files vs. Closing Excel

To close a file, use the following procedure.

Step 1: Select the File tab from the Ribbon.

Step 2: Select Close from The Backstage View.

If you have not saved your file, you will see the following message.

To close the application (if only one workbook is open), use the following procedure.

Step 1: Click the X at the top right corner of the window.

Chapter 3 – Your First Worksheet

In this chapter, you will start entering data into a worksheet, including using flash fill and auto fill to quickly populate the information you need to store in your worksheet. You will also learn about editing data, including checking your spelling. Since you probably do not want to move all those rows or columns when you realize that you forgot one, you will also learn how to add rows and columns.

Entering Data

Review how a long label will overlap to the next column. In the following example, Car Payment is too long for the column width.

To widen a column, use the following procedure.

Step 1: Click on the column you want to widen. Notice the cursor changes to a cross with double arrows. The screen tips indicate how wide in pixels the column currently is.

Step 2: Drag the border to the new width

Using Auto Fill

To create a list using AutoFill, use the following procedure. This example creates new columns in the Budget worksheet to cover the second six months.

Step 1: Create a new column heading with the text July in cell J4.

Step 2: Select that cell to make it active. Excel displays a handle around the cell.

Step 3: Drag the handle across the columns. Excel displays a screen tip showing what AutoFill will place in those cells.

Step 4: Release the mouse button at the end of the range.

Editing Data

Explore the relationship between the active cell and the Formula Bar.

Checking Your Spelling

Explore the Spell Checker, use the following procedure.

Step 1: Select the Spelling tool on the Review tab of the Ribbon.

Excel opens the Spelling dialog box and begins indicating any spelling errors.

Step 2: Highlight the