Tips on Using Excel

• When performing a calculation (entering a formula) within a cell, you must always begin with the = sign.  [E.g.: "=C11-B11"].  When finished, make sure you hit the Enter key.
   

• To copy a command/formula from one cell throughout a row or column (i.e., "Drop and Drag"), click on the cell you wish to copy.  You will notice a + sign appears in the lower right corner of the highlighted cell.  Put your cursor on that + sign at the bottom right corner of the cell, and double-click on the left mouse button.  Alternatively, you may press and hold the left mouse button, and drag the cursor over or down through all the cells you want to copy into; then, release the mouse button.
  
  

• Be sure to highlight the entire data set (table) so that all the columns of data are sorted together.  After highlighting all the data, click on "Data, " select the "Sort" option, and indicate both the column you would like sorted, as well as the order in which you want to sort (i.e., ascending or descending). If you highlight only the column you wish to sort, your data will become mixed up since only that column will be sorted, while the others will remain the same. 
  
  

• To highlight a column without "over-scrolling":
      1. Click on the cell at the top of the column
      2. Hold down Ctrl+Shift and press the down arrow.  This will highlight down to the last row
          that  contains the information you want to highlight.
  
  

• To highlight a row without "over-scrolling":
      1. Click on the cell all the way to the left of the row you wish to highlight.
      2. Hold down Ctrl+Shift and press the arrow button that points to the right.  This will highlight to the end of the row.
  
  

• To highlight an entire data set without "over-scrolling":
      1. Click on the cell at the upper left hand corner of the data set you wish to highlight.
      2. While holding down Ctrl+Shift, press the down arrow AND the arrow button that points to
          the right.  This will highlight the entire data set.
  
  

• To highlight two or more NON-ADJACENT columns, hold down the control key and highlight the columns you want to use.  As long as you do not let up on the control key, Excel will not highlight the columns in between the ones you want to highlight.
  
  

• To calculate the sum of a column, highlight the column and click on the Sigma (S) button in the Toolbar.  The sum will appear in the cell below the bottom cell you highlighted in the column.  Here is an alternative approach (a shortcut): highlight the first blank cell under the column you wish to sum, click on the Sigma button, and then press the "Enter" key on your keyboard.
  
  

• To calculate the sum of a row, highlight the row and click on the Sigma (S) button in the Toolbar.  The sum will appear in the cell to the right of the last cell you highlighted in the row. Here is an alternative approach (a shortcut): highlight the first blank cell to the right of the row you wish to sum, click on the Sigma button, and then press the "Enter" key on your keyboard.
  
  

• To convert values to percentages, highlight the relevant cells and click on the % button in the Toolbar. 
  
  

• To convert values to dollar values, highlight the cells and click on the $ button in the Toolbar.

• If you have a number that appears in scientific notation, to apply common number styles, click comma style, on the top Toolbar.