Basic Excel Skills for Accountants

On Demand Webinar

Webinar Details $219

  • Webinar Length: 100 Minutes
  • Guest Speaker:   David Ringstrom
  • Topic:   Software, Business Administration, Human Resources, Finance, Taxation and Accounting
  • Credit:   CPE 2.0, ATATX 1.5
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Many accounting professionals are unaware of Excel’s many features and functions they can implement to improve the accuracy and efficiency of their spreadsheets. In this comprehensive webinar, Excel expert David Ringstrom, CPA, shares applicable Excel fundamentals that will enable accounting professionals to achieve those goals. Step-by-step, David demonstrates and explains: 

 

David demonstrates every technique at least twice: first, on a PowerPoint slide with numbered steps, and second, in the subscription-based Microsoft 365 (formerly Office 365) version of Excel. David draws your attention to any differences in the older versions of Excel (2021, 2019, 2016 and earlier) during the presentation as well as in his detailed handouts. David also provides an Excel workbook that includes most of the examples he uses during the webcast.


Topics typically covered:

 

  • Avoiding creating spreadsheets from scratch: use prebuilt templates or create your own. 
  • Avoiding the need to write repetitive formulas using Excel’s Data Table feature. 
  • Comparing the AGGREGATE function in Excel 2010 and later to the SUBTOTAL function available in all versions of Excel. 
  • Eliminating the need to manually resize charts when data is added—automate this with tables instead. 
  • Employing the SUMIF function to sum values related to multiple instances of criteria you specify. 
  • Improving the integrity of pivot tables by utilizing the Table feature in Excel. 
  • Inserting totals into lists with a few mouse clicks by way of Excel’s Subtotal feature.
  • Jump-starting spreadsheet projects using free, prebuilt templates in Excel. 
  • Learning a simple design technique that greatly improves the integrity of Excel’s SUM function. 
  • Learning how the Table feature empowers you to improve the integrity of Excel spreadsheets.
  • Learning what steps to take if you can’t open a damaged workbook.
  • Leveraging Excel’s Quick Access Toolbar to create a shortcut that enables you to filter lists with a keystroke instead of multiple mouse actions.

 

Learning objectives:


• Define the argument within Excel's SUBTOTAL function that sums columns or rows.

• Identify which versions of Excel permit using slicers with both tables and pivot tables.

• Identify the command that you use to active Quick Access Toolbar shortcuts.

  1. Introduction
  2. Please Ask Questions Today 00:02:08
  3. Excel Versions 00:04:17
  4. Smarter SUM Formulas 00:05:21
  5. Drill Through Worksheets 00:12:49
  6. SUBTOTAL Function 00:18:32
  7. Subtotal Feature 00:24:53
  8. Formatting Subtotals 00:30:19
  9. SUMIF Function 00:35:25
  10. SUMIFS Introduction 00:40:41
  11. Group/Ungroup Columns 00:43:50
  12. Creating and Applying Cell Styles 00:49:30
  13. Transferring Cell Styles 00:55:43
  14. Creating Excel Tables 00:57:26
  15. Customizing Table Styles 01:10:21
  16. Table Feature Total Row 01:03:35
  17. Filtering Excel Tables with Slicers 01:07:14
  18. Convert Excel Table to Normal Range 01:12:39
  19. Self-Expanding Charts 01:17:51
  20. Data Table - Two Variables 01:20:57
  21. Worksheet Navigation Shortcuts 01:28:28
  22. Restoring Full-Screen View 01:33:15
  23. Creating a Lock Cell Shortcut 01:37:20
  24. Filter Shortcut Menu 01:39:15
  25. Filtering Keyboard Shortcut 01:39:40
  26. Repairing Damaged Workbooks 01:40:29
  27. Thank you for attending! 01:42:31
  28. Presentation Closing 01:42:40
  • Autofilter 01:39:44
  • Autosum 00:07:03, 00:10:00, 00:38:17
  • AVERAGE 00:06:12
  • Cell 00:06:59, 00:16:56, 00:19:11, 00:34:56, 00:52:20, 01:29:40, 01:37:27
  • Charts 01:18:09
  • Column 00:19:56, 00:20:28, 00:43:03, 00:44:30, 01:22:17
  • Data Table 01:22:03
  • Dialog Box 00:25:26, 00:56:04, 01:23:10, 01:35:20
  • Filter 00:34:46, 00:59:33, 01:05:38, 01:39:21
  • Format 00:30:19, 00:58:01, 01:12:44, 01:38:37
  • Formula 00:06:49, 00:07:16, 00:10:13, 00:13:56, 00:59:35, 01:28:06
  • Formula Bar 01:34:16
  • FORMULATEXT 00:12:11
  • Keyboard Shortcut 01:28:38, 01:35:00
  • Microsoft 365 00:04:11
  • Quick Access Toolbar 01:35:10, 01:38:56
  • Ribbon 01:34:02
  • Row 00:07:06, 00:09:02, 00:10:19, 00:19:47, 00:44:30, 01:01:33, 01:03:53, 01:22:19, 01:27:57
  • ScrollLock Key 01:29:57
  • Slicer 01:07:14, 01:10:32
  • Spreadsheet 00:08:18, 00:35:37, 00:49:49
  • SUBTOTAL 00:17:35, 00:19:21, 00:21:09
  • Subtotal Feature 00:24:58, 00:27:27, 00:44:02
  • SUM 00:05:21, 00:08:30, 00:16:39, 00:27:35, 01:03:59
  • SUMIF 00:35:25
  • SUMIFS 00:40:48, 00:42:20
  • Table 0:58:01, 00:59:54, 01:18:23
  • Table Feature 00:57:28,  01:17:51
  • Total Row 01:01:19, 01:03:35, 01:15:26
  • VLOOKUP 00:06:14
  • What-If Analysis 01:21:12, 01:28:14
  • Workbook 00:55:16, 01:40:43
  • Worksheets 00:06:07, 00:17:48, 00:42:22, 00:50:33, 00:59:52, 01:09:28, 01:29:47, 01:37:48
  • XLOOKUP 00:06:29

AVERAGE : Returns the average (arithmetic mean) of the arguments.

AutoSum: The AutoSum feature appears on both the Home menu and the Formulas menu as a Greek sigma symbol. When you click AutoSum, or press Alt-= Excel adds a sum function to the current cell or cells that you've selected.

Autofilter: The basic Excel filter (also known as the Excel Autofilter) allows you to view specific rows in an Excel spreadsheet while hiding the other rows. When the Excel autofilter is added to the header row of a spreadsheet, a drop-down menu appears in each cell of the header row.

Cell: In spreadsheet applications, a cell is a box in which you can enter a single piece of data. The data is usually text, a numeric value, or a formula. The entire spreadsheet is composed of rows and columns of cells.

Chart: In Microsoft Excel, a chart is often called a graph. It is a visual representation of data from a worksheet that can bring more understanding to the data than just looking at the numbers. A chart is a powerful tool that allows you to visually display data in a variety of different chart formats such as Bar, Column, Pie, Line, Area, Doughnut, Scatter, Surface, or Radar charts.

Column: A column is a vertical series of cells in a chart, table, or spreadsheet in Excel.

Data Table: Data tables are defined as a range of cells that are used for testing and analyzing outcomes on a large scale. It is a way to see how altering the values in a formula affect the results. Data tables can store the results of multiple scenarios in your spreadsheet, and saves you time in calculating multiple formulas.

Dialog Box: A dialog box in Excel is a screen where you input information and make choices about different aspects of the current worksheet or its content, such as data, charts, and graphic images.

FORMULATEXT: The Excel FORMULATEXT function returns a formula as a text string from given reference. You can use FORMULATEXT to extract a formula as text from a cell. If you use FORMULATEXT on a cell that doesn't contain a formula, you'll get an #N/A error.

Filter: The Filter feature in Excel allows you to show or hide rows within a list of data by making selections from drop-down lists. The Filter feature is available on the Data tab of all versions of Excel as well under the Sort & Filter command on the Home menu.

Format: When we format cells in Excel, we change the appearance of a number without changing the number itself. We can apply a number format (0.8, $0.80, 80%, etc) or other formatting (alignment, font, border, etc). By default, Excel uses the General format (no specific number format) for numbers.

Formula: A formula is an expression which calculates the value of a cell.

Formula Bar: A toolbar at the top of the Microsoft Excel spreadsheet window that you can use to enter or copy an existing formula into cells or charts. It is labeled with function symbol (fx). By clicking the Formula Bar, or when you type an equal (=) symbol in a cell, the Formula Bar will activate.

Keyboard Shortcut: A keyboard shortcut is a series of one or several keys that invoke a software program to perform a preprogrammed action. This action may be part of the standard functionality of the operating system or application program, or it may have been written by the user in a scripting language.

Microsoft 365: Microsoft 365, formerly Office 365, is a line of subscription services offered by Microsoft which adds to and includes the Microsoft Office product line.

Quick Access Toolbar: A customizable shortcut toolbar that appears above the ribbon in Office 2007 and later.

Ribbon: The "ribbon" is the strip of buttons and icons located above the work area that was first introduced in Excel 2007. The ribbon replaces the menus and toolbars found in earlier versions of Excel. Above the ribbon are a number of tabs, such as Home, Insert, and Page Layout.

Row: A row is the range of cells that go across (horizontal) the spreadsheet/worksheet. Rows are identified by numbers e.g. row 1, row 5. Examples of use. A row might contain the headings of a table e.g. product ID, product name, price, number sold.

SUBTOTAL: A worksheet function that allows you to sum, average, count, and other otherwise analyze data on just the visible cells within a given range.

SUM: Microsoft Excel defines SUM as a formula that “Adds all the numbers in a range of cells”. This definition clearly points that Sum function has a job to add numbers and the arguments can be supplied using combinations of both numbers and range of cells. =SUM The SUM function is a built-in function in Excel that is categorized as a Math/Trig Function. It can be used as a worksheet function (WS) in Excel. As a worksheet function, the SUM function can be entered as part of a formula in a cell of a worksheet.

SUMIF: A look-up function in Excel that allows you to add up numbers based upon a criterion that you specify. Unlike VLOOKUP, the SUMIF function can add up two or more values and returns zero (instead of #N/A) if no match is found.

SUMIFS: A look-up function in Excel that allows you to add up numbers based upon up to 127 criteria that you specify. Unlike VLOOKUP, the SUMIFS function can add up two or more values and returns zero (instead of #N/A) if no match is found.

ScrollLock Key: The ScrollLock feature in Excel allows you to quickly alter how you can navigate your Excel workbooks

Slicer: You can insert slicers in Excel to quickly and easily filter pivot tables. Slicers were introduced in Excel 2010, and they make it easy to change multiple pivot tables with a single click

Spreadsheet: Microsoft Excel is a spreadsheet developed by Microsoft for Windows, macOS, Android and iOS. It features calculation or computation capabilities, graphing tools, pivot tables, and a macro programming language called Visual Basic for Applications. Excel forms part of the Microsoft Office suite of software.

Subtotal Feature: Available on the Data tab or menu of all versions of Excel, the Subtotal feature can be used to automatically insert totals within a list of data in a Excel spreadsheet.

Table: A table is an arrangement of data in rows and columns, or possibly in a more complex structure. Tables are widely used in communication, research, and data analysis. Tables appear in print media, handwritten notes, computer software, architectural ornamentation, traffic signs, and many other places.

Table Feature : The Table feature in Excel 2007 and later is an improvement on the List feature in Excel 2003 and earlier. The Table feature provides enhancements that make it much easier to analyze lists of data.

Total Row: A Total row appears below the data where each column has access to several automatic formulas. The default selection for the Total Row is none, meaning no function is selected when you first turn on the Total Row on your Table.

VLOOKUP: An Excel worksheet function that allows you to look up data from a list by specifying criteria, cell coordinates for the list, column number from which to return data, and an indication as to whether you want an exact or approximate match.

What-If Analysis: What-If Analysis is the process of changing the values in cells to see how those changes will affect the outcome of formulas on the worksheet. Three kinds of What-If Analysis tools come with Excel: Scenarios, Goal Seek, and Data Tables. Scenarios and Data tables take sets of input values and determine possible results.

Workbook: In Microsoft Excel a workbook is a collection of one or more spreadsheets, also called worksheets, in a single file.

Worksheets: A worksheet is a collection of cells where you keep and manipulate the data. Each Excel workbook can contain multiple worksheets.

XLOOKUP: The XLOOKUP function searches a range or an array, and returns an item corresponding to the first match it finds. If a match doesn't exist, then XLOOKUP can return the closest (approximate) match. Where a valid match is not found, return the [if_not_found] text you supply.


Guest Speaker

  • David H. Ringstrom, CPA

Webinar Survey Overall Rating

This webinar received a total of 10 survey responses. Attendees have given an average rating of 4.7 stars out of a possible 5, reflecting the quality and value of the content presented.

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Our webinars are crafted to deliver exceptional value and insight to business professionals. To ensure we meet and exceed your expectations, we conduct thorough post live webinar surveys. Below, you'll find genuine feedback from attendees, sharing their thoughts on the event and the speaker's performance. These reviews highlight our commitment to continuous improvement and excellence in providing top-tier educational experiences.

Phillip L.
May 21, 2024
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very useful information

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Beatriz Adriana R.
May 20, 2024
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There were many topics for 1 session and it will be even more helpful to give less with more examples than trying to rush with screenshots with no demo at the end. The presenter seems to be a knowledgeable person however times it seems he needs to prepare better his speech as its being contradictory to the guidance if you could hear this session where then he corrected himself while presenting a few times.

Horacio V.
May 20, 2024
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definitely learned a few things

Mary C.
May 20, 2024
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I found this information to be very helpful. The only recommendation I would have would be to re-organize the flow of the step-by-step images so that the numbers flow the same way. Otherwise, a wonderful presentation!

Yesenia L.
May 20, 2024
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Good and useful information.

German F.
May 20, 2024
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Learned new excel functions

Taletha W.
May 20, 2024
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The Excel training from Aurora is very useful for beginning and experienced users. The trainer builds each course brilliantly.

Robin S.
May 20, 2024
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I enjoy webinars with David Ringstrom. I learn something new each time.

Carmen Y.
May 20, 2024
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Excellent Presenter! The numbered steps on his slides are very helpful.

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ATATX Credit

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