Absolute Beginner's Guide to Microsoft Excel 2002

Joe Kraynak has taught hundreds of thousands of novice computer users how to master their computers and their software. His long list of computer books includes The Complete Idiot's Guide to Computer Basics, Using and Upgrading PCs, CliffsNotes Buying Your First PC, More Easy Windows 98, and The Complete Idiot's Guide to Microsoft Office XP.

Joe graduated from Purdue University with a bachelor's degree in creative writing and philosophy and a master's degree in English literature. After college, Joe spent several years as a technical writer and trainer, designing training programs and writing manuals for various manufacturing plants throughout the state of Indiana. Joe's extensive computer and training experiences have helped him develop a knack for making computers, software, and the Internet more easily accessible to beginning users.

I. EXCEL WORKSHEET ORIENTATION DAY.

1. Understanding Excel Worksheets (Spreadsheets).
What Is a Worksheet? What Is a Workbook? Examining Columns, Rows, and Cells. Understanding Cell Addresses. Understanding Formulas and Functions. Making Data Graphical with Charts.

2. Starting and Navigating Excel.
Starting Excel. Touring Excel's Program Window. Touring Excel's Workbook Window. Using the Toolbars. Selecting Commands from Menus. Making Selections in Dialog Boxes. Maneuvering in Excel's Task Panes. Getting Help. Exiting Excel.

3. Working with Workbook Files.
Starting with an Excel Workbook Template. Creating Workbooks from Scratch. Saving and Naming Your Workbook. Saving a Workbook as a Template. Opening a Saved Workbook. Managing Worksheets.

II. CREATING YOUR FIRST WORKSHEET.

4. Entering and Editing Labels and Values.
Understanding Types of Data Entries. Moving from Cell to Cell. Entering Data. Entering Data Quickly with AutoFill. Viewing and Using Smart Tags. Editing Data Entries. Selecting Cells. Copying and Moving Data. Undoing Actions and Commands.

5. Controlling Rows, Columns, and Cells.
Changing Column Widths. Changing Row Heights. Wrapping Text in Cells. Merging Cells. Locking Headings in Place with Freeze Panes. Inserting Rows and Columns. Inserting Cells. Deleting Rows and Columns. Deleting Cells.

6. Automating Calculations with Formulas and Functions.
Learning the Order of Operations. Entering Formulas. Editing Formulas. Copying and Pasting Formulas. Changing the Recalculation Setting. Using the Auto Calculate Feature. Doing Higher Math with Functions. Troubleshooting Errors in Formulas. Playing “What If?” with Scenarios.

III. FORMATTING, CHARTING, AND PRINTING YOUR WORKSHEET.

7. Formatting Your Worksheet.
Letting Excel Design Your Worksheet with AutoFormat. Changing the Appearance of Entries. Adding Cell Borders. Adding Shading to Cells. Using Conditional Formatting to Flag Entries. Copying Formatting with the Format Painter. Formatting with Styles.

8. Charting (Graphing) the Worksheet Data.
Understanding Charting Terminology. Creating a Chart. Formatting Text on a Chart. Formatting the Chart Axes. Enhancing the Chart Frame. Changing the Appearance of 3D Charts.

9. Inserting Clip Art and Other Graphics.
Working with Graphic Objects. Inserting Clip Art and Other Graphics. Resizing and Reshaping Your Pictures. Touching Up Images with the Picture Toolbar. Inserting WordArt Objects. Adding Text Outside a Cell. Drawing Your Own Pictures from Scratch. Working with Layers of Objects. Changing an Object's Appearance. Creating an Organization Chart.

10. Printing and Protecting Your Workbook, Worksheets, and Charts.
Previewing Your Worksheets Before Printing. Changing the Page Setup. Checking and Adjusting Page Breaks. Hiding Columns and Rows. Printing Your Worksheets. Previewing and Printing Charts. Preventing Unauthorized Changes to a Workbook.

IV. GOING BEYOND THE BASICS.

11. Managing a Database with Excel.
What Is a Database? Database Terminology. Creating Your Database. Finding Records in Your Database. Sorting Your Records. Narrowing Your List with AutoFilter. Summarizing and Comparing Data with Pivot Tables.

12. Customizing Excel.
Customizing Excel's Toolbars. Reconfiguring Excel's Menus. Setting Toolbar and Menu Options. Changing Excel's Default Settings. Installing Optional Components.

13. Automating Tasks with Macros.
What Is a Macro? Recording a Macro. Running a Macro. Creating a Toolbar Button for Your Macro. Editing Macros in Visual Basic Editor. Protecting Your System Against Macro Viruses.

14. Using Excel on the Web.
Transforming Worksheets into Web Pages. Inserting Links on Your Worksheets. Publishing Your Worksheets on the Web. Importing Data from the Web into Your Worksheets. Emailing Your Worksheet.

15. Using Excel's Speech and Handwriting Recognition Features.
Making Sure You Have the Essential Equipment. Checking Your Sound System. Installing Speech Recognition. Training Excel to Recognize Your Voice. Dictating Your Entries. Entering Voice Commands. Handwriting Your Entries.

Appendix A. Excel Shortcut Keys.
Appendix B. Glossary.
Index.

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