Includes Spelling and Track Changes features. Also contains sorting commands and access to scenario tools. Used when working with external data sources such as Microsoft® Access®, text files, or the Internet. Also contains tools for auditing mathematical formulas. Includes commands for adding mathematical functions to a worksheet. Also includes commands used to show and print the gridlines on a worksheet. Used to insert objects such as charts, pictures, shapes, PivotTables, Internet links, symbols, or text boxes.Ĭontains commands used to prepare a worksheet for printing. Formatting commands are found in this tab along with commands for cutting, copying, pasting, and for inserting and deleting rows and columns. The default settings and options are also found in this tab.Ĭontains the most frequently used Excel commands. Includes print commands, document properties, e-mailing options, and help features. Contains all commands for opening, closing, saving, and creating new Excel workbooks. Command Overview for Each Tab of the RibbonĪlso known as the Backstage view of the Excel workbook. Notice that the embedded chart makes it very easy to see which months have the highest unit sales.įigure 7. The worksheet data can help this retailer determine the number of salespeople needed for each month, how much inventory is needed to satisfy sales, and what types of products should be purchased. The information shown in this worksheet is top-line sales data for a hypothetical merchandise retail company. We will demonstrate how you can use Excel to make these decisions and many more throughout this text.įigure 1 shows a completed Excel worksheet that will be constructed in this chapter. With respect to personal decisions, you can use Excel to determine how much money you can spend on a house, how much you can spend on car lease payments, or how much you need to save to reach your retirement goals. For example, employees can use Excel to determine how much inventory to buy for a clothing retailer, how much medication to administer to a patient, or how much money to spend to stay within a budget.
The information produced in Excel can be used to make decisions in both professional and personal contexts. These computations ultimately convert that quantitative data into information. Taking a very simple view, Excel is a tool that allows you to enter quantitative data into an electronic spreadsheet to apply one or many mathematical computations.
Making Decisions with Excelįollow-along file: Not needed for this skill This chapter provides an overview of the Excel application along with an orientation for accessing the commands and features of an Excel workbook. No matter which career path you choose, you will likely need to use Excel to accomplish your professional objectives, some of which may occur daily. Microsoft Excel is perhaps the most versatile and widely used of all the Office applications.
Microsoft® Office contains a variety of tools that help people accomplish many personal and professional objectives.
Save workbooks in the Excel 97-2003 file type.Become familiar with the commands in the File tab.Become familiar with the Quick Access Toolbar.Become familiar with the Excel workbook.Examine the value of using Excel to make decisions.