Microsoft Excel: Basics

3 sessions of 2.5 hours each

This course is appropriate for PC users.

This three-lesson class will show you how to use key features of Microsoft’s Excel worksheet program, progressing from basics like creating and managing spreadsheets with simple rows and columns to shortcuts that make the program easier to use and features for developing powerful and attractive worksheets that can do more for you.  We’ll emphasize the practical uses of Excel in a household or office setting and provide exercises you can work on in class and at home to build your skill and confidence.  The class is designed for those who are entirely new to spreadsheets, those who have started to use Excel but want to master more of its capabilities, and those who want to migrate from another spreadsheet program. 

Lesson 1 – Getting Started and Navigating

● Purpose of spreadsheets and what they can do for you. ● Launching the program and understanding the menu structure, basic tools and commands.  ● The Excel “neighborhood” – rows, columns, cells, worksheets and workbooks.  ● Entering text, numbers and simple formulas.  ● Saving your work.

Lesson 2 – Moving Ahead

● Inserting, deleting, and resizing rows and columns.  ● More on formulas – relative and absolute cell addresses. ● Freezing panes to work in larger worksheets.  ● Working with ranges of cells. ● Making your worksheet more readable and attractive with type fonts and cell formatting.● Saving time with copying, pasting and formatting tools and features.

Lesson 3 – Using Key Features and Printing

● Using shapes and pictures in your worksheet. ● Working with dates and date arithmetic to keep track of a schedule.● Using conditional formatting to make selected items stand out.  ● Automatic tables and power tools for sorting and selecting data.  ● Locking cells to protect against errors. ● Transposing rows and columns. ● Auto-fill and custom lists. ● Managing and linking multiple worksheets within a workbook. ● Page layout, previewing and printing your worksheets and workbooks.

The SeniorNet Advantage

● Hands-on instruction	● Individual attention	● One student per computer
● Manuals included	● Friendly atmosphere	● Seniors teaching seniors