If you want to add four rows, highlight four rows on the spreadsheet, right-click, and then select insert. To add multiple rows or columns in a spreadsheet, highlight the number of preexisting rows or columns that you want to add. While you could do this one by one, this is a perfect example of how understanding Excel and its shortcuts can save you significant time and frustration. Inserting rows/columnsĪs you input data, you’ll probably need to add more rows and columns. When you get started with a new spreadsheet, you’ll probably need to make some tweaks and adjustments to the standard layout of a new Excel sheet.
In return, you’ll be better prepared for any Excel project that’s thrown your way. The key, however, is knowing how to use the program to its fullest potential.īefore dedicating hours of tireless work maneuvering complicated spreadsheets and manually copying and pasting data, it’s important to master the basics.
The options are endless, as Excel can tackle an exhaustive list of tasks. When you open a spreadsheet, the empty rows and columns stare back at you, waiting to be put to use. If you’re looking to tackle this sometimes intimidating program, the rest of this Microsoft Excel tutorial will provide you with key tips and tricks that will help you conquer the software.
Solid knowledge of this software means you’ll be well aware of all the formulas and shortcuts that can save you from long, tedious hours of data entry and manual mathematics. Create budgets for small projects and track how closely you stick to those budgets. Track customer information to inform your promotional calls or emails. Solve thorny math problems with Excel’s various formulas. The spreadsheet framework makes managing dates and topics easy. Create an editorial calendar for a website. Track guest lists, costs, and RSVPs as well as organize vendors. While there are obvious uses for Excel in particular industries, as mentioned above, this software provides limitless tools for a wide variety of businesses: HR professionals can use Excel to see where costs are going and to plan for - and control - future expenses. Human resourcesĮxcel can help you manage payroll and employee information, giving you the ability to visualize trends, track expenses, and see an organized collection of all employees and their compensation levels. You can also use Excel to organize social media posts or store data for mailing lists and other market research. With more advanced tools, such as pivot tables - which we’ll explain in depth later - you can easily summarize customer and sales data by category. Carefully organizing your data with Excel can help you plan future marketing strategies and allow you to reflect on your past successes and on areas that need improvement. Spreadsheets are a powerful tool when it comes to tracking sales targets and analytics. Today, these analysts can do the same work in minutes - thanks to Excel. Financeįinancial analysts used to spend weeks solving complicated formulas, either by hand or with slow computer programs. Excel: An indispensable toolĪ strong knowledge of Excel can give you an advantage in any industry, as it’s a powerful tool for a wide scope of both simple and complex tasks - analyzing stocks, budgeting, managing projects, and organizing client information. Most businesses use Excel for a range of projects, and most require a knowledge level that exceeds the basics.
And while many feel confident in their ability to navigate Excel, there’s a lot beyond the rows, columns, and simple mathematics that beginners are accustomed to using. “Proficient in Excel” is a common skill reported on resumes.