Basic Excel Instructions
[This is not meant to be anything more than an introduction to the most very basic aspects of using Excel for the purpose of entering data that will eventually be copied/pasted onto webpages.]


Introduction
A spreadsheet consists of a grid made from columns and rows.
Spreadsheets are made up of columns and rows and their intersections are called "cells"
The combination of a column coordinate and a row coordinate make up a "cell address". For example, the cell located in the upper-left corner of the worksheet is cell A1, meaning column A, row 1. Cell E10 is located under column E on row 10.

You will enter your data into the cells on the worksheet.
(Your version of Excel may look different. This is Excel 2007)


Microsoft Excel consists of worksheets. Each worksheet contains columns and rows. The columns are lettered A to Z and then continuing with AA, AB, AC and so on; the rows are numbered 1 to 1,048,576. The number of columns and rows you can have in a worksheet is limited by your computer memory and your system resources.


Some Important Functions to Know
You can use SAVE to save your file
UNDO (or hit CTRL and Z) to roll back an action you have taken
REDO (or hit CTRL and Y) to reapply an action you have rolled back


Getting Started

1. Open Excel --- it should open up with a blank worksheet

2. In Column A Cell 1 type in your heading (example: Name)

Note: If the column is not big enough to contain your heading and/or data, you can increase the size of the cell by dragging the column lines. Place the mouse pointer on the line between the column headings. The mouse pointer should look like a little cross with two arrows. Move your mouse to the right while holding down the left mouse button until the width of the column is sufficient.

3. In Column B Cell 1 type in your next heading (example: Birth Date)
If you're going to be typing in dates in a column then go up to column B and left click your mouse - this should highlight the entire column. Then with it highlighted, right click your mouse and select "format cells"
A pop up box will come up and under the "Number" tab go down and select "text" (this way any data you type in that column will be entered exactly as you entered it.

4. In Column C, Cell 1, type in another heading (example: Death Date)
(repeat the above steps for formatting the column)

After you have all your headings set up for each column, then you can start typing your data.
Move the cursor to the first cell in the first column (A1) and type in the appropriate data. Hitting TAB will enter the data and move you to the next cell in the next column (B1) where you can add the next data.

Moving Around a Worksheet

By using the arrow keys, you can move around your worksheet. You can use the down arrow key to move downward one cell at a time. You can use the up arrow key to move upward one cell at a time. You can use the Tab key to move across the page to the right, one cell at a time. You can hold down the Shift key and then press the Tab key to move to the left, one cell at a time. You can use the right and left arrow keys to move right or left one cell at a time.
The "Page Up" and "Page Down" keys move up and down one page at a time. If you hold down the "Ctrl" key and then press the "Home" key, you move to the beginning cell of the worksheet.

To select a cell or an area of cells: You can select an area by holding down the left mouse button and dragging the mouse over the area. You can also drag the selected area of cells to another place.
Press Esc and click anywhere on the worksheet to clear the highlighting
Another way to move data is highlight the data, hit CTRL X (the area will get a moving line around it). Move your cursor to where you want to move the data, and hit CTRL V to paste it. The data will disappear from its original place and move to the new place.

Editing Data You've Typed

Typing in a cell replaces the old cell entry with the new information you type, Click on the cell and type, then when you hit ENTER, the old data will be replaced with the new.

After you enter data into a cell, you can edit the data by pressing F2 while you are in the cell you wish to edit.
Pressing the backspace key will delete data.

You can also double-click a cell to edit it.

Delete a Cell Entry

To delete an entry in a cell or a group of cells, place the cursor in the cell or select the group of cells and press Delete.

Adding a Column or Row after you've done the initial set up.

If you have a spreadsheet designed and you forgot to include some important information, you can insert a column into an existing spreadsheet. Click on the column label (letter) and choose "Columns" from the Insert menu. This will insert a column immediately left of the selected column.

You can also insert rows. With the row label (number) selected, choose "Row" from the Insert menu.
This will insert a row before the row you have selected.

Sort the Data
(Advanced Step)

Sometimes you'll want to sort the data by something other than alpha order or date order. First, SAVE YOUR FILE. Then highlight the data you want to be sorted. Put your cursor in the first cell you want to be sorted. Hold down the SHIFT key and move the arrow key to the right until the whole area is highlighted. Then without picking up the SHIFT key, hit the down area until the whole area is highlighted. Then hit DATA, then SORT on the tool bar across the top. Pick a column that you want to be the data to be sorted by. Hit OK and all the data will sort. To restore the original order, "UNDO" the sort by hitting CTRL Z.

To Save the FILE

Go up to the excel symbol in the upper left hand column - The Save As dialog box appears.
Go to the directory in which you want to save your file.
Type the name of the file in the File Name field.
Click Save. Excel saves your file.

To Close Excel

Click the Office button. A menu appears.
Click Close. Excel closes.