Excel Basics 1: Introduction to Excel 1: Excel Grid,

Formatting, Formulas, Cell References, Page Setup

1) Selection Cursor
2) Move Cursor

i. Click and drag to move things (like cells) in Excel

3) Fill Handle

4) Cross Hair or “Angry Rabbit” Cursor

i. Allows you to copy numbers, text or formulas.

1. If you have text and numbers, the numbers will increment, like: Quiz 01, Quiz
02…
2. If you have words like Monday or January, it will increment those
3. If you have formulas, it will copy the formulas
4. If you have a number, it will copy it
5. If you want to increment numbers (like 1, 2, 3):
i. Type 1 and 2 in two cells, highlight both cells, then use Angry Rabbit

Page 1 of 6
Page 2 of 6
 5) Default Alignment In Excel:
i. Text aligned Left
ii. Numbers aligned Right
• If you see Numbers aligned to the left: it indicates potential trouble.
6) Entering data into a large range of cells
i. Highlight Cell Range first > then select a cell > type data > then use Enter > At bottom of
column cursor jumps to top of next column
7) Select whole table:
i. Click in one cell in table:
1. Ctrl + * (Number pad)
2. Ctrl + Shift + 8
8) Formulas
i. “Cell” is a single cell in whole of the Sheet like cell B2
ii. When we want a number of cells in a formula, we use a “Range of Cells

iii. Formula Bar looks like this:

A single Cell when selected shows Formula Result and the Formula Bar shows Formula executed to get
the result in that cell.
1. Like this:

Page 3 of 6
iv. Put Formula In Edit Mode > Select cell > F2
If we make a mistake with our formula and we want to revert back to whatever was in the
cell before we put the cell in Edit Mode > Esc Key

v. Relative Cell Reference:

1. Cell references that will move throughout the copy action.
vi. Absolute Cell References
1. Cell references that is always locked throughout the copy action.> F4 key
vii. The Beauty of Excel: When formula inputs are changed, the answer updates accordingly
9) Number Formatting
i. The number that is actually in the cell can be different than what you see in the cell. The
original number is visible in Formula bar like 19.5 showing in cell with one decimal places
will actual number might be 19.49
ii. Format Cells dialog box keyboard = Ctrl + 1
iii. Formulas do not see Number Formatting – they act on the underlying number which is
visible on formula bar (this will be discussed in detail in future slides.)
10) Page Setup
i. Open Page Setup dialog box keyboard = Alt, P, S, P
ii. Page Setup dialog box
1. Page tab
2. Margins tab
3. Header/Footer tab
i. Header
1. Custom Header is best option to edit Header.
ii. Footer 3 sections:
1. Custom Footer is best option to edit Header.
2. Sheet tab
i. Set Print Area
11) Move an Individual Excel Sheet:
i. Right-click on name of Sheet > Move/Copy
ii. Double Right Click on the Sheet name and drag to position where you want to Move the
Sheet.
A Small Black inverted triangle will show > place this Triangle BEFORE the Sheet name
where you want to move the Individual Excel Sheet.
12) Copy Sheet:
i. Right-click on name of Sheet > Move/Copy
1. Ctrl + Double Right Click on the Sheet name and drag to position where you want to

Page 4 of 6
 copy the sheet.
2. A Small Black inverted triangle with a Small plus sign will show > place this
BEFORE the Sheet name where you want to copy the Individual Excel Sheet.

KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS
i. Tab puts data in cell and moves selected cell to right
Enter puts data in cell and moves selected cell down
ii. Select whole table:
1. Click in one cell in table:
• Ctrl + * (Number pad)
• Ctrl + Shift + 8

i. SUM Function = Alt + =

ii. Put Formula In Edit Mode keyboard = F2
iii. If we make a mistake with our formula and we want to revert back to whatever was in
the cell before we put the cell in Edit Mode, we use the Esc Key
iv. Open Page Setup dialog box keyboard =
Alt, P, S, P

Page 5 of 6