Computer E-Learning

Welcome to the Microsoft Excel 2013 Advanced workshop. Excel is the world’s premier spreadsheet software. You can use Excel to analyze numbers, keep track of data, and graphically represent your information. Excel also makes your job easier by providing an easy to use interface, and an array of powerful tools to help you turn your data into useable information – and better information leads to better decision making!

SmartArt, pictures, text boxes, and shapes are different ways to enhance your spreadsheet, especially when sharing the information with others. In this module, we’ll look at how to add these objects to your spreadsheets. We’ll also look at how to edit a SmartArt diagram. Finally, you’ll learn about the contextual Tools tabs that appear in Excel 2013 when you are working with different types of objects.

This module introduces concepts that will help you troubleshoot formulas as we progress through the course. Precedent cells are cells whose contents are used in the active cell. Dependent cells are used in other cells contents or formulas. This module explains how to show these relationships. It also explains how to display the formulas, instead of the results, in a worksheet. You’ll also learn how to work with comments in this module.

Charts provide a visual way of relating information. We’ll start with a new feature in 2013: Recommended Charts. Excel provides a customized set of charts based on data you select. This module will also explain how to insert a chart of your choosing. You’ll learn about the chart tools tab and gain an overview of the parts of a chart. Finally, you’ll learn how to resize and move a chart.

Now that you’ve decided what type of chart to use, it’s time to make your data shine. Those little icons to the right of your chart are new to Excel 2013 and will help you add chart elements, change the style and color scheme, and use data filters. You’ll also learn about adding and working with data labels.

PivotTables allow you to analyze numeric data in depth. You can use this tool to answer unanticipated questions about data. PivotTables are interactive, cross-tabulated Excel reports that summarize and analyze data. In this module, you’ll learn how to insert a Pivot Table using Excel Recommendations. You’ll also learn how to choose fields and group data to create different types of Pivot Tables. You’ll gain an understanding of the PivotTable Tools tab. You’ll also learn how to change the data displayed and refresh the table. You’ll also learn how to create a PivotChart, both from an existing PivotTable and straight from data. Finally, we’ll look at some real-life examples of using PivotTables and PivotCharts.

A macro is a set of recorded computer instructions. These instructions are associated with a shortcut key or macro name that makes it easy to tell your computer to run that set of instructions. This module will explain how to save time with macros. You’ll learn how to display the Developer tab, which contains the tools you’ll need to record macros. You’ll learn how to record and run macros. This module also explains macro security levels to avoid allowing malicious content to damage your computer with macros. Finally, you’ll learn how to customize and change the Quick Access Toolbar so that you have instant access to your favorite macros.

Formula errors can be very frustrating. This module will teach you how to prevent formula errors by using named ranges. You’ll gain an understanding of formula errors and learn how to use error checking. You’ll also learn how to use the Trace Errors commands. Finally, we’ll look at how to evaluate formulas.

“What-if” analysis allows you to have Excel change the values in cells so that you can see how those changes affect the formulas outcomes. There are three kinds of what if analysis: goal seek, scenarios, and data tables. Goal seek allows you to find the necessary value for an unknown in a formula to obtain desired results. Scenarios allow you to view multiple different possible results for up to 32 variables. Data tables allow you to quickly calculate multiple results for one or two variables in one operation. You can view and compare the results of all the different variations together on your worksheet. This module introduces these tools.

In this module, you’ll learn how to transpose data from rows to columns. You’ll also learn about the Text to Columns feature. This module explains how to check for duplicates and create data validation rules. You’ll also learn how to consolidate data.

Excel has some powerful tools to help you quickly group and outline your data. In this module, you’ll learn how to group your data. You’ll also learn about adding subtotals to a list of data. This module explains outlining data. It also explains how to view grouped and outlined data.

Although this workshop is coming to a close, we hope that your journey to improve your Excel skills is just beginning. Please take a moment to review and update your action plan. This will be a key tool to guide your progress in the days, weeks, months, and years to come. We wish you the best of luck on the rest of your travels!