MS Excel: In offices, schools, colleges, etc., every type of data and information is managed through computers. After all, with the help of which application is this done? If you do not know, then this article is useful for you because here we will tell you what MS Excel is and will also tell you how to make charts in MS Excel.
The full name of MS Excel is Microsoft Excel. This is a kind of program for making Spread Sheet, which provides the facility to manage data in the form of a table and in which we use the facilities of Open, Create, Edit, Formatting, Calculate, Share Print, etc.
You will understand its importance when you start doing any job, and you will know what the benefits of MS Excel are. Here we will know what its features are, and here we are also giving an Excel formula list.
What is MS Excel?
The full name of MS Excel is Microsoft Excel, and it is also mainly known as Excel. It is a spreadsheet program that is one of the most used applications in the Microsoft Office suite.
It is a commercial spreadsheet program created by Microsoft. It is used to perform basic calculations, use graphic tools, pivot tools, pivot tables, and create macros. Like other applications, basic features are available in Excel to create spreadsheets in which collections of cells are arranged in the form of rows and columns and in which data can be organized and manipulated.
Here, the data is also shown in the form of a line graph, chart, and histogram. In Excel, we can experiment with many types of facts from different aspects of data. From the manufacturing industry to small shops to government offices, MS Excel is used everywhere.
Definition Of MS Excel
Microsoft Excel is software created by Microsoft that allows the user to organize, format, and calculate data in a spreadsheet using Excel formulas.
Whenever someone goes to any institute to do a basic computer course, he is advised to learn DCA (Diploma in Computer Application) as the first course. Or the second course, which is called Tally.
In DCA, we get every basic piece of information related to computers. In this, you will also be taught Microsoft Office, in which you will also get to learn MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, and MS Outlook.
MS Excel Interface Layout Option
Here we will learn about its layout and the options in it. To work on this application and run it properly, you need to understand its layout. You should know what the names of the options shown in its interface are and what work we can do with them.
Next, we will learn about the options present in the interface. Here you are being shown the layout of the 2007 version of Microsoft Excel with a screenshot.
Title bar
- In MS Excel, there is a Title Bar at the top, in which the name of the file is visible.
- The name of the new document that can be saved is usually Book 1.
- You can change the name while saving the file.
- There are 3 buttons in the right corner, which have different functions.
- New documents can be created by clicking the first button.
- The existing document can be opened with the second button.
- The third button works to save the file.
- You can change the name after saving, and that name will be visible.
- The title bar contains the name of the file in the current job.
- The name of the new document may change if it is Book 1.
- There is an option to change the name while saving.
- There are 3 buttons in the right corner for different purposes.
- New and old files can be controlled with these buttons.
- Changing the name while saving will display that name.
Minimize –
- When we click on this button, the program that opens appears in the taskbar.
- This makes Excel or other programs instantly available while you work.
- You can reopen the taskbar at any time by clicking on it.
- This makes it convenient to open any other application in between.
Maximize –
- By using the “Maximize” button, we can change the window size of Excel or other software.
- With this button, we can customize the width and length of the window.
- By clicking again, we can bring the application back to full-screen size.
- This makes it easier to work with, and it is possible to adjust the window to your needs.
Close Button
- The color of this button is red.
- Clicking on it closes the application.
Office Button
In Microsoft Excel, the Office button is the main one, located in the left corner. It has options like New, Open, Save, Save as, Print, Prepare, and Send.
Quick Access Toolbar
Quick Access Toolbar, located in the title bar, provides us with the opportunity to quickly access your most useful commands. This is where you can add commands that you use frequently, rather than having to go through menus.
If you need to save time searching for an option, the Quick Access Toolbar can be useful. This makes your work faster because you can directly find those commands in one place. Work can be made even simpler with the Quick Access Toolbar, which frees you from menu navigation.
Bar menu
The menu bar is located below the title bar. In this way, all the options of MS Excel have special functions. Inside each tab is a ribbon containing various tools.
Ribbon
There is a ribbon below the menu bar, with a different ribbon for each tab. Each ribbon has different options, each of which has a different function. The ribbon contains very important tools that are used to perform actions. In this picture, you can see the ribbon area as a red box.
Name Box
Below the ribbon, on the left side, there is a small box called the name box. It contains the name of every cell. When you enter a cell name in the Name box, you can search for it easily.
Formula Bar
To the right of the name box, there is a box called the formula bar. In this, we can do our work by writing formulas. The cell in which we work is shown in the formula bar. This box allows us to edit the formula and the text. While working, the formula written on the seal is also visible to us in the bar.
Text Area or Main Working Area
Here are the cells, which are in rows and columns. All work is done on it, like creating tables, entering data, and doing calculations. It is also called a sheet.
Status Bar
There are sheet tabs, page layout selector, and options to set the zoom level. Below the text area are sheet tabs, a page layout selector, and a chance to set the zoom. Just below this text area are options for setting the sheet tab, page layout selector, and zoom level.
Sheet tab
The status bar is located completely on the left side. Can easily add different sheets to a single file. Create or copy new sheet tabs to add a new sheet. It is very easy to create multiple sheets in a single file.
Page Layout Selector
To the right of the Sheet tab is the Page Layout selector. With this, you can view sheets in different layouts. Normal, Page Layout, and Page Break Preview options are available. View the page and make settings with these.
Zoom Level
There is a zoom level option on the page layout selector on the right side. With this, the sheet can be viewed in smaller sizes. This option is useful when the sheet is large.
Features Of MS Excel
The most important feature of this application is that it provides helpful features to its users. It includes many advancements and security features that make users feel safe and better. Its major user experience direct advantage is that it helps in organized work across various departments.
1. Pivot Tables
- PivotTables summarize data in Excel from a formatted database.
- In this, the first row contains headings, and the second row contains categories or values.
- There is flexibility in summarizing the data, but it will generally include values from all categories.
- Excel 2013 can help and recommend creating new Pivot Tables.
- If you are comfortable with Pivot Tables, you can create your own.
- To create a pivot table, make sure that the data does not contain headings or blank rows.
- In the Recommended Pivot Tables dialogue box, you select and then click ok.
- Excel then places the pivot table on the new worksheet and shows the field list.
- This allows you to rearrange the data as per your needs.
- Again, make sure your data has column headings or table headers.
- Excel will provide a selection of recommended pivot tables for your data.
- Click on any pivot table layout to get a preview of the Excel table.
- Then choose the one that works best for you, and then click OK.
- Excel will show you possible pivot tables to rearrange your data.
INSERT > Tables > Recommended Pivot Tables
2. Conditional Formatting
- Conditional formatting can change the cell format depending on the contents of the cell.
- This helps in identifying important patterns in the data.
- Font and cell corrections can be made in the formatting.
- Icon sets, color scales, and data bars can be used in graphical formats.
- The conditional format can be applied to more than one salary in the salary list.
- The format can be applied to highlight employees based on date or name.
- Graphical formats can be applied to salary columns.
- Formatting may be based on a comparison of high and low values.
- Ranging from simple to complex, can be used to highlight only certain cells.
- This allows for faster focus on important aspects.
- Helps highlight errors.
- Useful for automating formatting.
- Comparing cells based on condition and range changes the format.
- Optionally, graphical formats can be overridden.
- Helps simplify and extensively automate spreadsheet formatting.
3. Sorting and Filtering
- Sorting and filtering data from Excel allows information to be organized.
- You can sort and filter the data by date, age, name, and city.
- Sort and filter features save time and make spreadsheets more efficient.
- You can sort a worksheet, range, or data table by one or more columns.
- Sort options are available to promote and reduce data, providing an organized approach.
- Excel’s sorting allows for faster retrieval of values.
- Use sorts and filters to summarize information based on different criteria.
- Excel can quickly organize data and access specific information.
- Sorting and filtering allow data to be filtered as per requirements.
- Using sorts and filters in Excel makes it simple to manage data systematically.
4. Basic Math
- To combine mathematical numbers in Excel, create a formula in a cell with the = sign.
- Use the + operator to add and the – operator to subtract.
- Use * to multiply and/or to divide.
- Excel understands and can perform basic mathematical operations easily.
- Type the formula directly in the formula bar and press Enter so that the answer is shown in the cell.
- You can also use the SUM function in Excel to eliminate numbers.
- Calculations are easy to do with Excel, and it allows storing even large data sets.
- + (plus sign),
- – for subtraction (minus sign)
- * (asterisk) for multiplication
- / (forward slash) for division
Excel interprets the = (equal) sign as a calculation to be performed, and the calculation is to be performed according to the operators indicated from left to right.
5. Mixed Type Charts
- A mixed-type chart combines Excel’s column chart and line chart. It can be a combination of the two formats.
- With this, various information can be displayed at the same time.
- For example, the number of vehicles sold and monthly average sales from June to December may be identified.
- For this, highlight all the data and select the Insert Combo Chart option in the Chart group.
How Many Seats Are There In MS Excel?
- There are a total of 102456 rows in MS Excel.
- There are 1640 columns per row.
- The time limit on one sheet is 102456 seconds.
- You can create more than one sheet, and you can choose how many sheets you want per sheet.
- By default in MS Excel, a new workbook in almost all its versions contains three sheets.
- However, users can increase it as per their wish. By default, the worksheets in it are named Sheet1, Sheet2, and Sheet3.
What Is Range In MS Excel?
- When cells are grouped, we call them ‘ranges’.
- If your sheet has 25 cells, the operation can be applied to all cells in the range.
- With this, there is no need to give an individual name to a cell.
- Using ranges, common operations can be easily performed across all cells.
- Ranges make it easier to perform common operations on data at one time.
Commands Of MS Excel
Friends, although there are many commands in Microsoft Excel, here we will tell you about some important commands. These are used the most. That’s why we thought of sharing these commands with you.
1. Vlookup()
- This command is used to search for values in the table.
- Data is searched with common data in A and B sheets.
- Data can be imported from one sheet to another with the Vlookup() command.
- The look_up value is the value for which data is searched.
- In the table array, the sheet from which data is required is selected, along with which both columns can also be selected.
- Col_index_num tells which column is required.
- That column with reference data has to be selected.
- The number of that column is indicated here.
- Data is imported from the first sheet to the second sheet.
- All steps are followed correctly every time.
- All material is explained concisely.
- This command feature helps in adding data to different sheets.
- How to get data from Vlookup is explained simply.
- With this, related information can be searched from one place to another.
Syntax: =VLOOKUP(lookup_value, table_array, col_index_num, [range_lookup])
2. Pie Chart
- Pie Charts are especially important in Excel. It helps analyze data.
- With this, complex data can be easily analyzed by converting it into a Pie Chart.
- In cricket, when a batsman scores a century, his batting performance for the entire year can be understood from the Pie Chart.
- This easily displays how many centuries were scored in the year and in which month.
- Data from Pie Chart can be easily understood and it especially helps in analyzing the performance of cricket players.
3. Mixed Combination Charts
The best feature for combining Mixed or Combination Charts into one. With this, we can see 2 or more charts in a single chart.
4. Data Validation
Data validation is one of the very important features of Excel. With the help of this, we can enter only the data in the datasheet which we want to enter and which we do not want. When that data is entered, then we will see an error.
5. IFERROR Function
- If you do data analysis work then IFERROR command is very beneficial for you.
- This is also a main formula of Excel’s commands and formulas.
- When we use a formula and data is not available in any cell, then we see (#N/A) there.
- Now if it appears in many cells, then we can remove it from all the cells at once by using this formula i.e. IFERROR.
Syntax: =IFERROR (value, value_if_error)
6. Remove Duplicates
- Removing Duplicates is a very important command for those who work as data analysts and play with data daily.
- When you work in spreadsheets, it often happens that duplicate content and data are created, for this this command is very useful.
7. Conditional Formatting
- Conditional formatting allows the user to change the format of a cell in any spreadsheet.
- Which depends on what is the content inside the cell, what is the range of the cells?
- Through this, it highlights and finds errors in any important data.
- When used, you can change the color, number format, cell border, cell color, and other font properties of the basic font of any cell.
- In this way, we come to know what the error is in the data of which shell.
- Apart from this, it also has other features that can help visualize the data better.
- There are icon sets, color scales, and data bars for this.
8. Paste Special
- This is also a very important command used in Microsoft Excel.
- With its help, when we copy and paste any content, it gives us the option in which form we want to paste it.
9. Format Painter
- This is a very useful command, with the help of which we can apply all the rules and formulas applied in one cell to more than one cell.
- For this, first of all, click on the cell whose rules you want to copy.
- After that, click on the Format Painter option.
- Now select all the cells in which you want to paste the formulas by clicking on them with the mouse.
- Those rules will appear in all the cells selected by you.
Excel Formula List – MS Excel Formula List
There are many formulas in Excel through which you work on your sheets. It may not be possible to work on an Excel sheet without formulas.
Command | Details |
Count (COUNTIF, FIND, LEFT, RIGHT) | Count between dates by age range |
Sum | SUM, PRODUCT, SUMIF, INDIRECT |
Average | AVERAGEIF, AGGREGATE, AVERAGE, IFERROR, FILTER |
Dynamic array | INDEX, SEQUENCE, ROWS, COLUMNS, LET, UNIQUE, COUNTA |
Min and Max | MIN, MAX, MEDIAN, IF |
Lookup | INDEX, MATCH, IF, VLOOKUP, EXACT, INDEX, MATCH, XLOOKUP |
Grouping | INDEX, MATCH, ISNUMBER, SEARCH, XLOOKUP |
Conditional formatting | SMALL, AND, OR, AND, NOT |
Data validation | ISNUMBER, SEARCH, SUMPRODUCT |
Rank | RANK, LARGE, INDEX, MATCH, TEXT, IF |
Round | TRUNK, TRUNK, INT |
Date and Time | WORKDAY, NETWORKDAYS |
Date series | WORKDAY.INTL |
Text | TEXT, JOIN, MID, ROW, CODE, LEN, INDIRECT |
Financial | FV, RATE |
Geometry | PI, SQRT |
Workbook | INDIRECT |
Internet | LEFT, LOWER |
Names | LEFT, FIND |
Percentage | ABS |
random | RANDBETWEEN, WORKDAY |
Range | ADDRESSROW, COLUMN, ROWS, COLUMNS |
Tables | COUNTIFS, INDEX MATCH, INDIRECT |
Errors | IFERRORIS, ERROR, ERROR.TYPE |
Miscellaneous | SUMPRODUC, TSORT |
Best Books To Learn MS Excel
If you want to learn MS Excel, then here we are suggesting some best books for this, which you can order online and get delivered to your home.
Book Name | Check Price |
Excel 101: A Beginner’s & Intermediate’s Guide | Buy on Amazon |
Expert on Excel 2023 With an All-in-One Approach | Buy on Amazon |
Benefits Of MS Excel
- Calculations become easy with MS Excel.
- It is suggested to keep the data safe.
- Store small to big data.
- Create accessible charts and graphs.
- Make automatic calculations with formulas.
- Customize the spreadsheet.
- Filter and sort the data.
- Use macros to improve performance.
- Reduce data entry.
- Support multiple file formats.
What Is The Use Of MS Excel?
Let us now know what its uses are.
- Organizing and resurfacing data
- in data filtering
- Goal-seeking analysis
- dashboard creation
- Interactive Charts and Graphs
- mathematical formula
- Automation through Excel
- Data Analysis and Interpretation
- Lots of formulas to do data-related work easily
- Flexible and user-friendly
- Online access
What Is the Use of Excel In Office?
Excel is mainly used to prepare data sheets. Apart from this, it has the following uses:
- For data entry and storage
- In preparing accounts and budgets
- In collection and verification of business data
- in scandalizing
- To create great charts
- to identify trends
- In administrative and managerial work
- collect data
- in cost estimation
- Online data access
How Do I Create an Excel Chart/Sheet?
Let us know how to create a sheet in Microsoft Excel.
- Create a Workbook
- Plan Your Needed Data
- Create Headings
- Label the Rows
- Add Boundaries
- Create a Results Table
- Format and write formulas as per requirements.
- Create conditional formatting (Script Conditional Formatting)
- Enter Data and Watch the Calculations
- Create a Pie Chart
Related Questions And Answers (FAQ)
Can we do calculations in MS Excel?
Yes, we can easily calculate in Microsoft Office. There are many types of commands for this, and for this, we are given a formula bar in which we can calculate any number using the formula.
What is the column in MS Excel?
In this application, the vertical series of cells in a chart, table, or spreadsheet in the work area is called a column.
What is the extension name of the MS Excel file?
MS Excel file .xlsx ( Excel workbook), xlsm (Excel macro-enabled workbook), .xlsb ( Excel binary workbook), .xltx (Excel template)
In Short
Through this post, you must have come to know what kind of application Microsoft Excel is and how useful it is for us. I hope you have understood what is MS Excel. Here you also learned how to make charts in MS Excel. Friends, do tell us how you liked this post by commenting because your comment boosts our morale a lot and gives us the strength to do better work in the future. You must share this post with your friends and also tell them about this blog.
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