1st Module
1st Module
AUTOFILL FUNCTION
The AutoFill function allows you to quickly fill a series of cells with a pattern, formula, or
sequence.
Steps to Use AutoFill
1. Enter the Starting Value(s): Type the initial value(s) in a cell or a range (e.g., "1" in
A1, "2" in A2).
2. Select the Starting Cell(s): Highlight the cell or range with the initial value(s).
3. Drag the Fill Handle:
o Hover over the bottom-right corner of the selected cell(s) until the cursor becomes
a plus sign (+).
o Click and drag the fill handle down, up, or across the desired range.
4. Release the Mouse: The cells will be filled automatically based on the pattern or
formula.
Examples of Auto Fill
o Enter "1" and "2" in consecutive cells, then drag the fill handle to continue the series
(e.g., 3, 4, 5...).
o Enter "01/01/2025" in a cell, drag the handle to fill subsequent days.
CELL REFERENCING
Cell referencing in Excel refers to the use of cell addresses in formulas to access the data stored
in specific cells.
Example of Cell of Address is A1, B2, B4 etc.,
Types of Cell Referencing
➢ Relative Reference: Addresses of cell adjusts automatically when a formula is copied
or moved to another cell. Relative cell references change based on their position when
a formula is copied to another cell, making them highly useful for repetitive calculations
across different rows or columns.
➢ Absolute Reference: Here, Cell addresses does not change when a formula is copied
or moved; always refers to the same cell. Absolute references remain constant
regardless of where they are copied, ensuring that a specific cell reference does not
change. To make a cell reference absolute, we can use dollar ($) sign.
FORMATTING CELLS
Formatting a cell in Excel means changing the appearance of the content within a cell to make
it more visually appealing, organized, or easier to interpret, without altering the actual data. It
involves customizing the display of numbers, text, dates, or other data using various styles,
colours, alignments, and formats.
Features of Cell Formatting:
➢ Visual Customization: Adjust the font size, colour, borders, background, and
alignment to improve readability.
➢ Data Representation: Change how numbers, dates, percentages, or text are displayed
(e.g., $1,000, 1/8/2025, or 10%).
➢ Highlighting Data: Use features like conditional formatting to emphasize important
information.
➢ Professional Appearance: Create neat and structured spreadsheets for better
communication of data.
Types of Cell Formatting
Number Formatting: Controls how numbers, dates, and times are displayed. Number
formatting may be -
➢ General: Default format; displays numbers as typed.
➢ Number: Adds decimal places and thousands separators.
➢ Currency: Displays monetary values with symbols (e.g., $10.00).
➢ Accounting: Aligns currency symbols and numbers for consistency.
➢ Date/Time: Formats date/time values in different styles (e.g., 01/08/2025 or January 8,
2025).
➢ Percentage: Converts numbers to percentages (e.g., 0.5 → 50%).
Font Formatting: Changes the style and appearance of text in cells. Font can be formatting
may be -
➢ Font type, size, color.
➢ Bold, italic, underline.
➢ Text color and fill color (background color).
Alignment: Aligns cell content horizontally and vertically. A cell can be aligned in the
following ways -
➢ Horizontal: Left, Center, Right.
➢ Vertical: Top, Middle, Bottom.
➢ Wrap Text: Ensures text fits within the cell by wrapping onto multiple lines.
➢ Merge and Center: Combines multiple cells and centers content.
Borders and Shading
➢ Borders: Add lines around cells for better structure.
➢ Shading: Apply background colours to cells to highlight specific data.
Conditional Formatting: Applies formatting dynamically based on specific conditions or
rules. Examples: Highlight cells with values greater than 100 in green.
How to Format Cells
➢ Right-click on a cell → Select Format Cells.
➢ Use the Home Tab → Font, Alignment, Number groups.
PAGE LAYOUT
Page Layout feature in Microsoft Excel is a powerful tool that controls how your spreadsheet
appears when printed or viewed. It provides settings to adjust margins, orientation, scaling, and
more, ensuring your data looks organized and professional. Whether you're creating reports,
charts, or datasets, the Page Layout tab plays a crucial role in presentation and usability.
Need & Importance Good Page Layout
➢ Professional Presentation: Ensures spreadsheets are well-structured and easy to read.
➢ Print Optimization: Helps avoid common printing issues, such as cut-off columns or
rows.
➢ Consistency: Maintains uniform formatting across multiple sheets in a workbook.
➢ Customizability: Offers flexibility in designing layouts for different purposes like
reports, invoices, or academic work.
➢ Enhanced Readability: Enables the use of gridlines, headings, and titles to make
printed documents easier to interpret.
Components of Excel Page Layout
Themes: Customize the overall look and feel of your workbook.
Page Setup: The Page Setup section controls how your worksheet appears on a printed page:
✓ Margins: Adjust the space around the content.
✓ Orientation: Set the page to Portrait (vertical) or Landscape (horizontal).
✓ Size: Choose a specific paper size (e.g., A4, Letter).
✓ Print Area: Select a range of cells to print.
✓ Background: Add a decorative background (not printable).
Scale to Fit: Adjust the size of your spreadsheet to fit it within a specific number of pages.
Sheet Options: Control the visibility of gridlines and headings for printing and on-screen
display.
Arrange: Tools for managing objects (charts, shapes, or images) on the sheet.
✓ Bring Forward/Send Backward: Adjust the order of overlapping objects.
✓ Align: Align objects precisely.
✓ Group: Combine multiple objects for easier manipulation.
✓ Rotate: Change the orientation of objects.
WORKSHEET
A worksheet is essentially a grid of rows and columns designed to help users manage large sets
of information in an organized and efficient way. It provides a versatile platform for performing
calculations, analyzing trends, and presenting data visually. Each Excel file, known as a
workbook, can contain multiple worksheets, making it an ideal tool for handling both simple
and complex tasks.
In Excel, a worksheet is a single sheet within an Excel workbook where you can organize and
analyze data.
ADDING A WORKSHEET
You can add a new worksheet to your workbook in multiple ways:
Method 1: Using the Sheet Tabs
1. Look at the bottom of your workbook, where the sheet tabs (e.g., "Sheet1", "Sheet2")
are displayed.
2. Click the small "+" (plus) icon located to the right of the existing sheet tabs.
3. A new worksheet (e.g., "Sheet3") will be added.
Method 2: Using the Ribbon
1. Go to the Home tab on the ribbon.
2. In the Cells group, click the Insert drop-down menu.
3. Select Insert Sheet. A new sheet will be added.
Shortcut:
• Use the keyboard shortcut Shift + F11 to quickly insert a new worksheet.
MOVING A WORKSHEET
If you want to change the position of a worksheet within the workbook:
Method 1: Drag and Drop
1. Click and hold the sheet tab of the worksheet you want to move.
2. Drag it to the desired position among the other tabs.
3. Release the mouse button to drop the sheet in the new location.
Method 2: Using the Context Menu
1. Right-click the sheet tab you want to move.
2. Select Move or Copy from the context menu.
3. In the Move or Copy dialog box:
o Under Before sheet, select the location where you want to move the sheet.
o Click OK.
COPYING A WORKSHEET
If you need a duplicate of an existing worksheet within the same workbook or in a different
workbook:
Method 1: Drag and Drop with Ctrl Key
1. Click and hold the sheet tab of the worksheet you want to copy.
2. Press and hold the Ctrl key on your keyboard.
3. Drag the sheet tab to the desired location.
4. Release the mouse button first, and then release the Ctrl key. A copy of the worksheet
will appear with "(2)" appended to its name.
Method 2: Using the Context Menu
1. Right-click the sheet tab you want to copy.
2. Select Move or Copy from the context menu.
3. In the Move or Copy dialog box:
o Check the box labeled Create a copy.
o Under Before sheet, select the location where the copied sheet will appear.
o Click OK.
Copying to a Different Workbook:
1. Open both the source and destination workbooks.
2. Use the Move or Copy dialog box and select the destination workbook from the drop-
down menu.
3. Check the Create a copy box, then click OK.
Editing Cells
Cells in Excel can contain text, numbers, or formulas. Here's how to edit their content:
Method 1: Direct Editing
1. Select the Cell: Click on the cell you want to edit.
2. Enter Edit Mode:
o Double-click the cell, or
o Press F2 on your keyboard.
3. Modify the Content: Use the cursor to make changes to the text, number, or formula.
4. Save Changes: Press Enter to confirm, or press Esc to cancel changes.
Method 2: Using the Formula Bar
1. Select the cell you want to edit.
2. Click in the Formula Bar (above the worksheet grid).
3. Edit the content directly in the Formula Bar.
4. Press Enter to apply the changes.
Copying Cells
Copying cells duplicates their content (including formatting or formulas). You can copy single
cells, ranges, or entire columns/rows.
Method 1: Using the Ribbon
1. Select the cell(s) you want to copy.
2. Go to the Home tab on the Ribbon.
3. Click the Copy button (or press Ctrl + C).
4. Select the destination cell or range where you want to paste the content.
5. Click the Paste button (or press Ctrl + V).
Method 2: Using Right-Click Menu
1. Right-click the selected cell(s).
2. Choose Copy from the context menu.
3. Right-click the destination cell(s) and select Paste.
Moving Cells
Moving cells transfers their content and formatting to a new location.
Using Cut and Paste
1. Select the cell(s) you want to move.
2. Press Ctrl + X (or right-click and select Cut).
3. Click on the destination cell or range.
4. Press Ctrl + V (or right-click and select Paste).
Ribbon
The Ribbon is a panel located at the top of the Excel window that organizes tools and
commands into logical groups under different tabs. It is designed to help users quickly find and
use Excel’s features.
Structure of the Ribbon
1. Tabs:
o The Ribbon is divided into tabs, each representing a category of commands.
o Common tabs include:
▪ Home: Basic commands for formatting, editing, and clipboard actions.
▪ Insert: Tools for adding charts, tables, images, and other objects.
▪ Page Layout: Commands for setting up page size, orientation, and print
settings.
▪ Formulas: Functions and formula-related tools.
▪ Data: Commands for importing, sorting, and analyzing data.
▪ Review: Tools for spelling, comments, and protecting worksheets.
▪ View: Options to control how the worksheet is displayed.
2. Groups:
o Each tab contains groups of related commands.
o For example, the Home tab includes groups like Clipboard, Font, Alignment,
and Number.
3. Commands:
o Each group contains specific commands (e.g., Bold, Italic, Sort, Filter).
o Commands may include buttons, drop-down menus, or dialog box launchers
(small arrows that open advanced options).
Customizing the Ribbon
• You can add, remove, or rearrange tabs and commands:
1. Right-click anywhere on the Ribbon.
2. Select Customize the Ribbon.
3. Use the options to personalize the Ribbon based on your workflow.
TOOLBAR
The toolbar in Microsoft Excel refers to a collection of tools and commands that provide quick
access to commonly used features. It helps users efficiently navigate, customize, and perform
tasks in Excel. Excel primarily features two main toolbars: the Quick Access Toolbar and the
Ribbon Toolbar.
1. Quick Access Toolbar: Usually found at the top-left corner of the Excel window, above or
below the Ribbon. It allows users to add frequently used commands for quick access, such as
Save, Undo, Redo, or Print.
2. Ribbon Toolbar: Found below the title bar, it spans across the top of the Excel window. The
Ribbon is organized into tabs, groups, and commands.
Examples include Home, Insert, Page Layout, Formulas, Data, Review, View, and more.
Each tab contains groups of related commands. For instance, the Home tab includes Clipboard,
Font, Alignment, Number, etc.