Excel Tutorial

Excel Introduction
What is Excel?
Excel is pronounced "Eks - sel"
It is a spreadsheet program developed by Microsoft. Excel organizes data
in columns and rows and allows you to do mathematical functions. It runs
on Windows, macOS, Android and iOS.
The first version was released in 1985 and has gone through several
changes over the years. However, the main functionality mostly remains
the same.
Excel is typically used for:
 Analysis
 Data entry
 Data management
 Accounting
 Budgeting
 Data analysis
 Visuals and graphs
 Programming
 Financial modelling
 And much, much more!

Why Use Excel?

 It is the most popular spreadsheet program in the world.
 It is easy to learn and to get started.
 The skill ceiling is high, which means that you can do more
advanced things
as you become better.
 It can be used with both work and in everyday life, such as to create
a family budget.
  It has a huge community support.
 It is continuously supported by Microsoft.
 Templates and frameworks can be reused by yourself and others,
lowering creation costs.

Excel Get Started

Office 365
The easiest way to get started with Excel, is to use Office 365.
Office 365 does not require downloading and installation of the program.
It simply runs in your browser.
In our tutorial we will use Office 365, which can be accessed
from www.office.com.

Install
Once you have successfully logged into Office through www.office.com,
click on the Excel icon on the left side to enter the application:

After entering the Excel application, click on the New blank workbook
button to get started with a new workbook.
Enter a name for your workbook, and hit the enter button:

The Excel view has columns and rows, similar to a squared math exercise
book.
Do not worry if the functionality looks overwhelming at first. You will get
comfortable as you learn more in the chapters to come.
For now, focus on the rows, columns, and the cells.
Ok. Let's make a function!
 First, double click the cell A1, the one that is marked with the green
rectangle in the picture.
 Second, type =1+1
 Third, hit the enter button:
Congratulations! You have typed your first function, 1+1=2.

Excel Overview
Overview
This chapter is about giving you an overview of Excel. Excel's structure is
made of two pieces, the Ribbon and the Sheet.
Have a look at the picture below. The Ribbon is marked with a red
rectangle and the Sheet is marked with a yellow rectangle:

First, let's start with explaining the Ribbon.

The Ribbon explained

The Ribbon provides shortcuts to Excel commands. A command is an
action that allows you to make something happen. This can for example
be to: insert a table, change the font size, or to change the colour of a
cell.
The Ribbon may look crowded and hard to understand at first. Don't be
scared, it will become easier to navigate and use as you learn more. Most
of the time we tend to use the same functionalities over again.
The Ribbon is made up by the App
launcher, Tabs, Groups and Commands. In this section we will explain
the different parts of the Ribbon.

App launcher
The App launcher icon has nine dots and is called the Office 365
navigation bar. It allows you to access the different parts of the Office 365
suite, such as Word, PowerPoint and Outlook. App launcher can be used to
switch seamlessly between the Office 365 applications.

Tabs
The tab is a menu with sub divisions sorted into groups. The tabs allow
users to quickly navigate between options of menus which display
different groups of functionalities.

Groups
The groups are sets of related commands. The groups are separated by
the thin vertical line break.

Commands
The commands are the buttons that you use to do actions.
Now, let's have a look at the Sheet. Soon you will be able to understand
the relationship between the Ribbon and the Sheet, and you can make
things happen.

The Sheet explained

The Sheet is a set of rows and columns. It forms the same pattern as we
have in math exercise books, the rectangle boxes formed by the pattern
are called cells.
Values can be typed to cells.
Values can be both numbers and letters:

Each cell has its unique reference, which is its coordinates, this is where
the columns and rows intersect.

Let's break this up and explain by an example

Have a look at the picture below. Hello world was typed in cell C4. The
reference can be found by clicking on the relevant cell and seeing the
reference in the Name Box to the left, which tells you that the cell's
reference is C4.

Another way to find the reference is to first find the column, in this
case C, then map that towards the row, in this case 4, which gives us the
reference of C4.

Note: The reference of the cell is its coordinates. For example, C4 has the
coordinates of column C and row 4. You find the cell in the intersection of
the two. The letter is always the column and the number is always the
row.

Multiple Sheets
You start with one Sheet by default when you create a new workbook.
You can have many sheets in a workbook. New sheets can be added and
removed. Sheets can be named to making it easier to work with data
sets.
Are you up for the challenge? Let's create two new sheets and give
them useful names.
First, click the plus icon, shown in the picture below, create two new
sheets:
Tip: You can use the hotkey Shift + F11 to create new sheets. Try it!

Second, right click with your mouse on the relevant sheet and click
rename:
Third, enter useful names for the three sheets:

In this example we used the names Data Visualization, Data

Structure and Raw Data. This is a typical structure when you are
working with data.
Good job! You have now created your first workbook with three named
sheets!

Chapter Summary
The workbook has two main components: the Ribbon and the Sheet.
The Ribbon is used to navigate and access commands.
The Sheet is made up of columns and rows, which make cells.
Each cell has its unique reference. You can add new sheets to your
workbook and name them.
In the next chapters you will learn more about the sheet, formulas, ranges
and functions.
Excel Syntax
Syntax
A formula in Excel is used to do mathematical calculations. Formulas
always start with the equal sign = typed in the cell, followed by your
calculation.

Note: You claim the cell by selecting it and typing the equal sign (=)

Creating formulas, step by step

 Select a cell
 Type the equal sign (=)
 Select a cell or type value
 Enter an arithmetic operator
 Select another cell or type value
 Press enter

For example, =1+1 is the formula to calculate 1+1=2

Note: The value of a cell is communicated by reference(value) for
example A1(2)

Using Formulas with Cells

You can type values to cells and use them in your formulas.
Let’s type some dummy values to get started. Double click the cells to
type values into them. Go ahead and type:
 A1(309)
 A2(320)
 B1(39)
 B2(35)

Compare with the picture shown below:

The result after hitting the enter button is C1(274) Did you make it?
Another Example
Let's try one more example, this time let's make the formula =A2-B1.

Here is how to do it, step by step.

1. Select the cell C2
2. Type the equal sign (=)
3. Left click A2, the cell that has the (320) value
4. Type the minus sign (-)
5. Left click B1, the cell that has the (39) value
6. Hit the enter button

You got the result C2(281), right? Way to go!

Note: You can make formulas with all four arithmetic operations, such as
addition (+), subtraction (-), multiplication (*) and division (/).

Here are some examples:

 =2+4 give you 6
 =4-2 gives you 2
 =2*4 gives you 8
 =2/4 gives you 0.5
Excel Ranges
Range is an important part of Excel because it allows you to work with
selections of cells.
There are four different operations for selection;
 Selecting a cell
 Selecting multiple cells
 Selecting a column
 Selecting a row
Before having a look at the different operations for selection, we will
introduce the Name Box.

The Name Box

The Name Box shows you the reference of which cell or range you have
selected. It can also be used to select cells or ranges by typing their
values.
You will learn more about the Name Box later in this chapter.

Selecting a Cell
Cells are selected by clicking them with the left mouse button or by
navigating to them with the keyboard arrows.
It is easiest to use the mouse to select cells.
To select cell A1, click on it:

Selecting Multiple Cells

More than one cell can be selected by pressing and holding
down CTRL or Command and left clicking the cells. Once finished with
selecting, you can let go of CTRL or Command.
Let’s try an example: Select the cells A1, A7, C1, C7 and B4.
Did it look like the picture below?
Selecting a Column
Columns are selected by left clicking it. This will select all cells in the
sheet related to the column.
To select column A, click on the letter A in the column bar:

Selecting a Row
Rows are selected by left clicking it. This will select all the cells in the
sheet related to that row.
To select row 1, click on its number in the row bar:

Selecting the Entire Sheet

The entire spreadsheet can be selected by clicking the triangle in the top-
left corner of the spreadsheet:

Now, the whole spreadsheet is selected:

Note: You can also select the entire spreadsheet by pressing Ctrl+A for
Windows, or Cmd+A for MacOS.

Selection of Ranges
Selection of cell ranges has many use areas and it is one of the most
important concepts of Excel. Do not think too much about how it is used
with values. You will learn about this in a later chapter. For now, let's focus
on how to select ranges.
There are two ways to select a range of cells
1. Name Box
2. Drag to mark a range.
The easiest way is drag and mark. Let's keep it simple and start there.

How to drag and mark a range, step-by-step:

1. Select a cell
2. Left click it and hold the mouse button down
3. Move your mouse pointer over the range that you want selected.
The range that is marked will turn grey.
 4. Let go of the mouse button when you have marked the range
Let's have a look at an example for how to mark the range A1:E10.

Note: You will learn about why the range is called A1:E10 after this
example.

Select cell A1:

Press and hold A1 with the left mouse button. Move to the mouse pointer
to mark the selection range. The grey area helps us to see the covered
range.

Let go of the left mouse button when you have marked the range A1:E10:
You have successfully selected the range A1:E10. Well done!

The second way to select a range is to enter the range values in the
Name Box. The range is set by first entering the cell reference for the top
left corner, then the bottom right corner. The range is made using those
two as coordinates. That is why the cell range has the reference of two
cells and the: in between.

Top left corner reference: Right bottom corner reference

The range shown in the picture has the value of A1:E10:

The best way for now is to use the drag and mark method as it is easier
and more visual.
In the next chapter you will learn about filling and how this applies to the
ranges that we have just learned.

Excel Fill
Filling
Filling makes your life easier and is used to fill ranges with values, so that
you do not have to type manual entries.
Filling can be used for:
 Copying
 Sequences
 Dates
 Functions (*)
For now, do not think of functions. We will cover that in a later chapter.
How To Fill
Filling is done by selecting a cell, clicking the fill icon and selecting the
range using drag and mark while holding the left mouse button down.
The fill icon is found in the bottom right corner of the cell and has the icon
of a small square. Once you hover over it your mouse pointer will change
its icon to a thin cross.

Click the fill icon and hold down the left mouse button, drag and mark the
range that you want to cover.
In this example, cell A1 was selected and the range A1:A10 was marked.
Now that we have learned how to fill. Let's look into how to copy with the
fill function.

Fill Copies
Filling can be used for copying. It can be used for both numbers and
words.
Let's have a look at numbers first.
In this example we have typed the value A1(1):

Filling the range A1:A10 creates ten copies of 1:

The same principle goes for text.
In this example we have typed A1(Hello World).
Filling the range A1:A10 creates ten copies of "Hello World":

Now you have learned how to fill and to use it for copying both numbers
and words. Let's have a look at sequences.
Fill Sequences
Filling can be used to create sequences. A sequence is an order or a
pattern. We can use the filling function to continue the order that has
been set.
Sequences can for example be used on numbers and dates.
Let's start with learning how to count from 1 to 10.
This is different from the last example because this time we do not want
to copy, but to count from 1 to 10.

Start with typing A1(1):

First, we will show an example which does not work, then we will do a
working one. Ready?

Let’s type the value (1) into the cell A2, which is what we have in A1. Now
we have the same values in both A1 and A2.
Let's use the fill function from A1:A10 to see what happens. Remember
to mark both values before you fill the range.

What happened is that we got the same values as we did with copying.
This is because the fill function assumes that we want to create copies as
we had two of the same values in both the cells A1(1) and A2(1).
Change the value of A2(1) to A2(2). We now have two different values in
the cells A1(1) and A2(2). Now, fill A1:A10 again. Remember to mark both
the values (holding down shift) before you fill the range:
Congratulations! You have now counted from 1 to 10.
The fill function understands the pattern typed in the cells and continues
it for us.
That is why it created copies when we had entered the value (1) in both
cells, as it saw no pattern. When we entered (1) and (2) in the cells it was
able to understand the pattern and that the next cell A3 should be (3).

Let's create another sequence. Type A1(2) and A2(4):

Now, fill A1:A10:
It counts from 2 to 20 in the range A1:A10.
This is because we created an order with A1(2) and A2(4).
Then it fills the next cells, A3(6), A4(8), A5(10) and so on. The fill function
understands the pattern and helps us continue it.

Sequence of Dates
The fill function can also be used to fill dates.

Note: The date format depends on your regional language settings.

For example, 14.03.2023 vs. 3/14/2023

Test it by typing A1(29.07.2021):

And fill the range A1:A10:

The fill function has filled 10 days
from A1(29.07.2021) to A10(07.08.2021).
Note that it switched from July to August in cell A4. It knows the calendar
and will count real dates.

Combining Words and Letters

Words and letters can also be combined.
Type A1(Hello 1) and A2(Hello 2):
Next, fill A1:A10 to see what happens:

The result is that it counts from A1(Hello 1) to A10(Hello 10) Only the
numbers have changed.
It recognised the pattern of the numbers and continued it for us. Words
and numbers can be combined, as long as you use a recognizable pattern
for the numbers.

Excel Double Click to Fill

Double Click to Fill
The fill function can be double clicked to complete formulas in a
range:

Note: For the double click to work it has to see a recognizable pattern.
For example: by using headers, or with the formulas in the columns or
rows next to the data.

Double Click to Fill Example

Let's use the Double click fill function to calculate the Attack
B2:B20 + Defence C2:C20 for the Pokémon’s in the
range D2:D20.
1. Select D2
2. Type =
3. Select B2
4. Type +
5. Select C2
6. Hit enter

7. Double click the fill function

Way to go! The function understands the pattern and completes the
calculation for D2:D20. Note that it stops when there is no more data to
calculate, at row 20.

A Non-Working Example
Delete values in the range D1:D20
Enter the formula "=B2+C2" in E2

Note: There is no header for Columns D and E. There are blank cells in
between.

Double click the fill function.

Waiting...
The fill function is just loading without filling the rows. It is not
understanding the pattern.
Give it more clues.
Add a header to see what happens. Enter "Atk+def" in E1
Double click the fill function.

Loading... Still nothing...

One more header. Enter "Random" in D1
Double click the fill function.
Is the gap closed

There we go! The function recognised the pattern and filled in the
formulas for each row.

Adding headers helped the function to understand the relationship

between the data.

Excel Move Cells

Moving Cells
There are two ways to move cells: Drag and drop or by copy and
paste.
Drag and Drop
Let's start by typing or copying some values that we can work with:

Drag and Drop

Let's start by typing or copying some values that we can work with:

Next, start by marking the area A1:B4:

You can drag and drop the range by pressing and holding the left mouse
button on the border. The mouse cursor will change to the move symbol
when you hover over the border.
Drag and drop it when you see the symbol.
Move the range to B2:C5 as shown in the picture
Great! Now you have created more space, so that we have room for
more data.

Note: It is important to give context to the data, making the spreadsheet

easy to understand. This can be done by adding text which explains the
data.

Let's go ahead and give the data more context. Type or copy the following
values:
Yes, that is right, we are looking at Pokémon’s! Giving context to the data
is always helpful.
Next, let’s see how we can move data by using cut and paste.

Cut and Paste

Ranges can be moved by cutting and pasting values from one place to
another.

Tip: You can cut using the hotkey CTRL+X and paste by CTRL+V. This
saves you time.

Mark the range A1:C5

Right click the marked area, and click on the "Cut" command, which has
scissors as its icon:
Cutting makes the range white-grey with dotted borders. This indicates
that the range is cut and ready for pasting.
Right click the paste destination B6 and left click the paste icon.
You have successfully cut and pasted the range from A1:C5 to B6:D10.

Copy and paste

Copy and paste works in the same way as cut and paste. The difference is
that it does not remove the original cells.
Let's copy the cells back from B6:D10 to A1:C5.
Tip: You can copy using the hotkey CTRL+C and paste by CTRL+V. This
saves you time. Try it!

Mark the range B6:D10

Right click the marked area, and click on the "Copy" command which has
two papers as its icon.
Copying gives the range a dotted green border. This indicates that the
range is copied and ready for pasting.

Right click the paste destination A1 and left click the paste icon:
The difference between cutting and copying, is that cutting removes the
originals, while copying leaves the originals.

Next, let's delete the original data and keep the data in the A1:C5 range.

Delete Data
Select the original cells and remove them by pressing the "Delete" button
on the keyboard:

Excel Add Cells

Adding New Columns

Right click on the column and select "Insert Columns":

And a new column is created:
Next, we need to get some Pokémon trainers in there. Type or copy the
following data in the new column B:

Adding New Rows

Rows can also be added and deleted. You access the menu by right
clicking the row number. New rows are added to the same place you
clicked.
Let's try to create a new row 4.
We forgot to add Iva's Pokémon, Marowak. Let’s add his data to the new
row 4, by typing or copying the following values:

Excel Delete Cells

Delete Cells
Cells can be deleted by selecting them, and pressing the delete button.

Note: The delete function will not delete the formatting of the cell, just
the value inside of it.

Example 1
Pressing the delete button:

Example 2

Pressing the delete button:

Example 3
With formatting:

Pressing the delete button:

Note: You will learn more about formatting, and how to style cells in a
later chapter.

Excel Undo and Redo

Undo
The Undo function lets you reverse an action.
Undo is helpful if you regret an action and want to go back to how it was
before.
Examples of use
 Undo deleting a formula
 Undo adding a column
 Undo removing a row

Note: You cannot Undo things that you do in the File Menu, such as
deleting a sheet, saving a spreadsheet or changing the options. The
thumb rule is that you can Undo things you do in your sheet.

There are two ways to access the Undo command.

1) Pressing the Undo button in the Ribbon:

2) Using the keyboard shortcut CTRL + Z / Command + Z

Let's have a look at an example:
Note: It is recommended to practice using the keyboard shortcut. It saves
you time!

Redo
The Redo function has the opposite effect as Undo; it reverses the Undo
action.
Redo is helpful if you regret using Undo.

Note: The Redo command is only available if you have used Undo.

There are two ways to access the Redo command.

1) Pressing the Redo button in the Ribbon:
2) Using the keyboard shortcut CTRL + Y / Command + Y
Tip: Practice for yourself to get familiar with Undo and Redo.

Excel Formulas
Formulas
A formula in Excel is used to do mathematical calculations. Formulas
always start with the equal sign (=) typed in the cell, followed by your
calculation.
Formulas can be used for calculations such as:
 =1+1
 =2*2
 =4/2=2
It can also be used to calculate values using cells as input.
Let's have a look at an example.
Type or copy the following values:
Now we want to do a calculation with those values.

Step by step:
1. Select C1 and type (=)
2. Left click A1
3. Type (+)
4. Left click A2
5. Press enter
 3
You got it! You have successfully calculated A1(2) + A2(4) = C1(6).
Note: Using cells to make calculations is an important part of Excel and
you will use this a lot as you learn.

Let’s change from addition to multiplication, by replacing the (+) with a

(*). It should now be =A1*A2, press enter to see what happens.

You got C1(8), right? Well done!

Excel is great in this way. It allows you to add values to cells and make
you do calculations on them.
Now, try to change the multiplication (*) to subtraction (-) and dividing (/).
Delete all values in the sheet after you have tried the different
combinations.
Let's add new data for the next example, where we will help the Pokémon
trainers to count their Poke balls.
Type or copy the following values:

The data explained:

 Column A: Pokémon Trainers
 Row 1: Types of Poke balls
 Range B2:D4: Amount of Poke balls, Great balls and Ultra balls


Note: It is important to practice reading data to understand its context. In

this example you should focus on the trainers and their Poke balls, which
have three different types: Poke ball, Great ball and Ultra ball.

Let's help Iva to count her Poke balls. You find Iva in A2(Iva). The values
in row 2 B2(2), C2(3), D2(1) belong to her.

Count the Poke balls, step by step:

1. Select cell E2 and type (=)
 2. Left click B2
3. Type (+)
4. Left click C2
5. Type (+)
6. Left click D2
7. Hit enter

Did you get the value E2(6)? Good job! You have helped Iva to count her
Poke balls.
Now, let's help Liam and Adora with counting theirs.
Do you remember the fill function that we learned about earlier? It can
be used to continue calculations sidewards, downwards and upwards.
Let's try it!
Let’s use the fill function to continue the formula, step by step:
 1. Select E2
2. Fill E2:E4

That is cool, right? The fill function continued the calculation that you
used for Iva and was able to understand that you wanted to count the
cells in the next rows as well.
Now we have counted the Poke balls for all three; Iva (6), Liam (12) and
Adora (15).
Let's see how many Poke balls Iva, Liam and Adora have in total.
The total is called SUM in Excel.
There are two ways to calculate the SUM.
 Adding cells
 SUM function
Excel has many pre-made functions available for you to use.
The SUM function is one of the most used ones. You will learn more about
functions in a later chapter.
Let's try both approaches.

Note: You can navigate to the cells with your keyboard arrows instead of
left clicking them. Try it!

Sum by adding cells, step by step:

1. Select cell E5, and type =
 2. Left click E2
3. Type (+)
4. Left click E3
5. Type (+)
6. Left click E4
7. Hit enter

The result is E5(33).

Let's try the SUM function.
Remember to delete the values that you currently have in E5.
SUM function, step by step:
1. Type E5(=)
2. Write SUM
3. Double click SUM in the menu
4. Mark the range E2:E4
5. Hit enter
Great job! You have successfully calculated the SUM using
the SUM function.
Iva, Liam and Adora have 33 Poke balls in total.
Let's change a value to see what happens. Type B2(7):

The value in cell B2 was changed from 2 to 7. Notice that the formulas are
doing calculations when we change the value in the cells, and the SUM is
updated from 33 to 38. It allows us to change values that are used by the
formulas, and the calculations remain.

Chapter Summary
Values used in formulas can be typed directly and by using cells. The
formula updates the result if you change the value of cells, which is used
in the formula. The fill function can be used to continue your formulas
upwards, downwards and sidewards. Excel has pre-built functions, such
as SUM.
In the next chapter you will learn about relative and absolute references.

Excel Relative References

Relative and Absolute References
Cells in Excel have unique references, which is its location.
References are used in formulas to do calculations, and the fill function
can be used to continue formulas sidewards, downwards and upwards.

Excel has two types of references:

1. Relative references
2. Absolute references
3.
Absolute reference is a choice we make. It is a command which tells Excel
to lock a reference.

The dollar sign ($) is used to make references absolute.

Example of relative reference: A1
Example of absolute reference: $A$1

Relative reference
References are relative by default, and are without dollar sign ($).
The relative reference makes the cells reference free. It gives the fill
function freedom to continue the order without restrictions.
Let's have a look at a relative reference example, helping the Pokémon
trainers to count their Poke balls (B2:B7) and Great balls (C2:C7).
The result is: D2(5):

Next, fill the range D2:D7:

The references being relative allows the fill function to continue the
formula for rows downwards.
Have a look at the formulas in D2:D7. Notice that it calculates the next
row as you fill.

A Non-Working Example
Let's try an example that will not work.
Fill D2:G2, filling to the right instead of downwards. Resulting in strange
numbers:
Have a look at the formulas.

It assumes that we are calculating sidewards and not downwards.

The numbers that we want to calculate need to be in the same direction
as we fill.

Excel Absolute References

Absolute References
Absolute reference is when a reference has the dollar sign ($).

It locks a reference in the formula.

Add $ to the formula to use absolute references.

The dollar sign has three different states:

 Absolute for column and row. The reference is absolutely locked.
Example =$A$1
 Absolute for the column. The reference is locked to that column. The
row remains relative.
Example =$A1
 Absolute for the row. The reference is locked to that row. The column
remains relative.
Example =A$1
Let's have a look at an example helping the Pokémon trainers to calculate
prices for Poke balls
Type or copy the following data:

Data explained
 There are 6 trainers: Iva, Liam, Adora, Jenny, Iben and Kasper.
 They have different amount of Poke balls each in their shop cart
 The price per Poke ball is 2 coins

Help them to calculate the prices for the Poke balls.

The price's reference is B11, we do not want the fill function to change
this, so we lock it.
The reference is absolutely locked by using the formula $B$11.
How to do it, step by step:
1. Type C2(=)
2. Select B11
3. Type ($) before the B and 11 ($B$11)
4. Type (*)
5. Select B2
6. Hit enter
7. Auto fill C2:C7
Congratulations! You successfully calculated the prices for the Poke
balls using an absolute reference.

Excel Addition Operator

Addition Operator
Addition uses the + symbol in Excel, and is also known as plus.
There are two ways to do addition in Excel. Either by using the + symbol
in a formula or by using the SUM function.

How to add cells:

 1. Select a cell and type (=)
2. Select a cell
3. Type (+)
4. Select another cell
5. Hit enter
You can add more cells to the formula by typing (+) between the cells.
Let's have a look at some examples.

Adding Two Manual Entries

 Type A1(=)
 Type 5+5
 Hit enter

Congratulations! You have successfully added 5+5=10.

Adding Two Cells
First let's add some numbers to work with. Type the following values:

How to do it, step by step:

1. Type B1(=)
2. Select A1
3. Type (+)
4. Select A2
5. Hit enter
Great! 30 is the result by adding A1 and A2.

Adding Several Cells

First let's add some numbers to work with. Type the following values:

Step by step to add several cells:

 Type B1(=)
 Select A1
  Type (+)
 Select A2
 Type (+)
 Select A3
 Type (+)
 Select A4
 Type (+)
 Select A5
 Hit enter

Good job! You have successfully added five cells!

Adding with SUM

Let's keep the numbers from the last exercise. If you did last exercise,
remove the value in B1.
Step by step to add with SUM:
1. Type B1(=SUM)
2. Double click the SUM command
3. Mark the range A1:A5
4. Hit enter
Note: SUM saves you time! Keep practicing this function.
Adding Using Absolute Reference
You can also lock a cell and add it to other cells.

How to do it, step by step:

1. Select a cell and type (=)
2. Select the cell you want to lock, add two-dollar signs ($) before the
column and row
3. Type (+)
4. Fill a range

Let's have a look at an example where we add B(5) to the

range A1:A10 using absolute reference and the fill function.
Type the values:

Step by step:
1. Type C1(=)
2. Select B1
3. Type dollar sign before column and row $B$1
4. Type (+)
5. Select A1
6. Hit enter
7. Fill the range C1:C10
Great! You have successfully used absolute reference to add B1(5) with
the range A1:A10.

Excel Subtraction Operator

Subtraction Operator
Subtraction uses the - symbol, and is also known as minus.
How to subtract cells:
1. Select a cell and type (=)
2. Select the minuend
3. Type (-)
4. Select the subtrahend
5. Hit enter
Note: The minuend is the number to which the subtrahend subtracts
from.

You can add more cells to the formula by typing (-) between the cells.
Let's have a look at some examples.

Subtracting Two Manual Entries

Let's start with adding in a formula. Start with a clean sheet
Step by step:
1. Type A1(=)
2. Type 100-50
3. Hit enter
Tip: You can add more values into the formula by typing (-) between the
cells.

Subtracting Using Two Cells

Let's add some numbers to work with. Type the following values:

Subtracting using two cells, step by step:

1. Type A3(=)
2. Select A1
3. Type (-)
4. Select A2
5. Hit enter
Subtracting Using Many Cells
Let's subtract using many cells. First, type the following values:

Step by step:
1. Type B1(=)
2. Select A1
3. Type (-)
4. Select A2
5. Type (-)
6. Select A3
7. Type (-)
8. Select A4
9. Type (-)
 10. Select A5
11. Hit enter

Subtracting Using Absolute Reference

You can lock a cell and subtract it from other cells.
How to do it, step by step:
1. Select a cell and type (=)
2. Select the minuend
3. Type (-)
4. Select the subtrahend and add two-dollar signs ($) before the
column and row
5. Hit enter
6. Fill the range
Note: The minuend is the number to which the subtrahend subtracts
from.

Let's have a look at an example where we subtract B(5) from the

range A1:A10 using absolute reference and fill function.

Type the values:

Step by step:

1. Type C1(=)

2. Select A1

3. Type (-)

4. Select B1 and type dollar sign before column and row $B$1

5. Hit enter

6. Fill C1:C10
You got it! You have successfully used absolute reference to
subtract B1(5) from the minuend range A1:A10.
Excel Multiplication Operator
Multiplication Operator
Multiplication uses the * symbol in Excel.
How to multiply cells:
1. Select a cell and type (=)
2. Select a cell
3. Type (*)
4. Select another cell
5. Hit enter
You can add more cells to formula by typing (*) between the cells.
Let's have a look at some examples.

Multiplying Manual Entries

Let's start with adding in a formula. Start with a clean sheet.
Step by step:
1. Type A1(=)
2. Type 2*2
3. Hit enter
Multiplying Two Cells
Let's add some numbers to work with. Type the following values:

Step by step:
1. Type A3(=)
2. Select A1
3. Type (*)
4. Select A2
5. Hit enter
Multiplying Using Absolute Reference
You can lock a cell and multiply it with other cells.

How to do it, step by step:

1. Select a cell and type (=)
2. Select the cell you want to lock and add two-dollar signs ($) before
the column and row
3. Type (*)
4. Select another cell
5. Hit enter
6. Fill the range
Let's have a look at an example where we multiply B(5) with the
range A1:A10 using absolute reference and the fill function.
Type the values:

Step by step:

1. Type C1(=)

2. Select B1 type dollar sign before column and row $B$1

3. Type (*)

4. Select A1

5. Hit enter

6. Fill C1:C10
You got it! You have successfully used absolute reference to
multiply B1(5) with the range A1:A10.

Excel Division Operator

Division Operator
Division uses the / symbol in Excel.
How to do division cells:
1. Select a cell and type (=)
2. Select a cell
3. Type (/)
 4. Select another cell
5. Hit enter
You can add more cells to the formula by typing (/) between the cells.
Let's have a look at some examples.

Dividing Manual Entries

Let's start with adding in a formula. Start with a clean sheet.
Step by step:
1. Type A1(=)
2. Type 4/2
3. Hit enter

Dividing Two Cells

Let's add some numbers to work with. Type the following values:

Step by step:
1. Type A3(=)
2. Select A1
3. Type (/)
4. Select A2
5. Hit enter
Dividing Using Absolute Reference
You can lock a cell and divide it with other cells.

How to do it, step by step:

1. Select a cell and type (=)

2. Select the dividend

3. Type (/)

4. Select the divisor lock and add two-dollar signs ($) before the
column and row

5. Hit enter

6. Fill the range

Note: Dividend is the number being divided by the divisor.

Let's have a look at an example where we divide B(5) with the

range A1:A10 using absolute reference and fill function.

Type the values:

Step by step:

1. Type C1(=)

2. Select A1

3. Type (/)

4. Select B1 type dollar sign before column and row $B$1

5. Hit enter

6. Fill C1:C10
Good job! You have successfully used absolute reference to
divide B1(5) with the range A1:A10.

Excel Parentheses
Parentheses
Parentheses () is used to change the order of an operation.
Using parentheses makes Excel do the calculation for the numbers inside
the parentheses first, before calculating the rest of the formula.
Parentheses are added by typing () on both sides of numbers, like (1+2).

Examples
No parentheses
=10+5*2

The result is 20 because it calculates (10+10)

With parentheses
=(10+5)*2

The result is 30 because it calculates (15)*2

Formulas can have groups of parentheses.

=(10+5)+(2*4)+(4/2)

Note: Cells can be used as values in the formulas inside parentheses,

like =(A1+A2) *B5. We have used manual entries in our examples to keep
things simple.

Let's have a look at some real examples in Excel.

Without Parentheses
The result is 17, the calculation is 2+15. It uses 15 because 3*5=15.
With One Parentheses

The result is 25, the calculation is 5*5. It uses 5 because it has calculated
numbers inside the parentheses (2+3)=5 first.

With Many Parentheses

The result is 17, the calculation is 5+8+4. The numbers inside the
parentheses are calculated first.

Nesting Parentheses
When using more advanced formulas you may need to nest parentheses.

You can look at this like an onion, which has many layers. Excel will

calculate the numbers inside the parentheses first, layer by layer, starting

with the inner layer.

Example no nesting
=2*2+3*4+5*5*2

It calculates the values flat as you would do with a calculator.

Example nesting
=((2*2)+(3*4)+(5*5))*2

Let's break it down and explain.

Nesting creates layers like an onion. You can have many layers. This
example uses two, the inner and outer layers.
It starts with calculating the numbers in the inner layer:
1. =((2*2)+(3*4)+(5*5))*2
2. =((4)+(12)+25))*2 Calculates the inner layer
3. =(41)*2 Calculates the outer layer
4. 82

Chapter Summary
Parentheses can be used to change the order of an operation. The
numbers inside the parentheses gets calculated first. A formula can have
sets of parentheses. More advanced formulas can use nesting to create
layers of operations, like an onion. It calculates the inner layer first, then
the next, and so on.

Excel Functions
Functions
Excel has many premade formulas, called functions.
Functions are typed by = and the functions name.
For example =SUM
Once you have typed the function name you need to apply it to a range.
For example =SUM(A1:A5)
The range is always inside of parentheses.