On Demand Webinar

Excel 101: Spreadsheet Basics

Webinar Details $219

  • Rated:
  • Webinar Length: 100 Minutes
  • Guest Speaker:   David Ringstrom
  • Topic:   Business Administration, Business Skills, Software, Taxation and Accounting
  • Credit:   CPE 2.0, ATATX 1.5, ATAAA 1.5, ATAOP 1.5
All Access Membership
If Excel spreadsheets are new to you, or if you haven’t used a spreadsheet in years, this webcast is just what you need. Excel expert David Ringstrom begins with the basics and takes you through the process of building functional spreadsheets and then working with them efficiently and effectively.

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 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.

Microsoft 365 is a subscription-based product that provides new feature updates as often as monthly. Conversely, the perpetual licensed versions of Excel have feature sets that don't change. Perpetual licensed versions have year numbers, such as Excel 2021, Excel 2019, and so on.

Topics covered:
  • Bringing Excel’s green error-checking prompts under control by managing the underlying rules.
  • Copying formulas efficiently down one or more columns at the same time.
  • Discerning the nuance of entering text into worksheet cells.
  • Getting oriented with Excel’s grid of rows and columns.
  • Handling situations where numbers are presented as # signs on-screen and in Print Preview.
  • Jump-starting spreadsheet projects using free, prebuilt templates in Excel.
  • Learning about the different types of files you can create in Excel.
  • Learning the nuances of copying formulas within Excel spreadsheets.
  • Managing column widths within your spreadsheets.
  • Mastering Excel’s order of operations for mathematical formulas.
  • Navigating large workbooks with ease by way of a hidden menu as well as keyboard shortcuts.
  • Preventing errors from the start by choosing from thousands of free Excel spreadsheet templates.
Learning objectives:
• Recall how to skip confusing menus by way of time-saving mouse tricks and keyboard shortcuts.
• Apply the structural basics of Excel worksheets and workbooks.
• List basic data-analysis techniques.

Level: Beginner

Format: Live webcast

Instructional Method: Group: Internet-based

NASBA Field of Study: Computer Software & Applications

Program Prerequisites: None

Advance Preparation: None

  1. Introduction
  2. Please Ask Questions Today 00:02:05
  3. Excel Versions 00:03:26
  4. Getting Oriented in Excel 00:04:20
  5. Saving Excel Files 00:09:46
  6. Working Within a Cell 00:14:22
  7. Entering Text Into Worksheet Cells 00:18:37
  8. Managing Column Widths 00:25:08
  9. Formatting Percentages 00:31:10
  10. Formatting Numbers 00:34:35
  11. Formatting Worksheet Cells 00:38:31
  12. Copying Formulas 00:45:44
  13. Entering Dates 00:50:14
  14. Calculating Our Loan Payment 01:00:21
  15. Excel’s Order of Operations 01:06:02
  16. Use F4 to Toggle Absolute References 01:13:52
  17. Copying Formulas 01:17:19
  18. Verifying Our Work 01:21:16
  19. AutoSum Feature 01:22:01
  20. Freeze Panes Feature 01:26:40
  21. Print Headers/Footers 01:28:43
  22. Monitoring Print Scale 01:31:36
  23. Applying Borders and Color 01:34:19
  24. Instant Amortization Schedule 01:36:19
  25. Using Excel Templates 01:37:22
  26. Worksheet Tab Navigation Tricks 01:39:26
  27. Manage Error Checking Prompts 01:40:45
  28. Search (Tell Me) Feature (Excel 2016+) 01:44:19
  29. Attendee Questions 01:47:57
  30. Thanks For Attending! 01:
  31. Presentation Closing 02:01:23
  • .XLSB 00:12:
  • .XLSM 00:12:15
  • .XLSX 00:12:02
  • Absolute References 01:14:28, 01:17:27
  • Accounting Format 00:35:32
  • AutoSum 01:22:59
  • Cell 00:04:49, 00:05:21, 00:15:36, 00:19:37, 00:30:21, 00:31:22, 00:46:18, 00:59:05, 01:20:08, 01:34:27
  • Column 00:05:33, 00:09:32, 00:22:47, 00:25:36, 00:38:06, 01:13:17, 01:19:53, 01:24:41
  • Column Headings 00:38:32
  • Currency Format 00:35:51
  • Dialog Box 00:12:57, 01:39:44
  • Fill Handle 00:46:39, 00:52:46, 00:59:43, 01:21:09
  • Format 00:25:50, 00:31:36, 00:38:43, 00:59:33, 01:08:34
  • Formula  00:45:51, 01:02:14, 01:24:33, 02:01:06
  • Formula Bar 00:04:47, 00:07:15, 00:15:54, 00:46:29, 01:14:21
  • Freeze Panes 01:26:58
  • Keyboard Shortcut 00:39:02
  • Macro 00:12:10
  • Microsoft 365 00:04:00
  • Name Box 00:05:01, 00:07:25
  • Number Formatting 00:34:35
  • Order of Operations 01:06:03
  • Page Layout Menu 01:28:57, 01:31:42
  • PDF 00:12:31
  • PMT Function 01:00:23
  • Print Scale 01:31:47
  • Redo Command 00:45:18
  • Ribbon 00:04:41, 00:07:07, 00:15:00
  • Row 00:05:33, , 01:13:17,  01:19:57, 01:21:29
  • Undo Command 00:45:00
  • Workbook 00:11:09, 00:13:28, 01:37:30
  • Worksheet 00:04:33, 00:06:41, 00:14:32, 00:18:44, 01:05:49, 01:27:04, 01:36:32

.XLSM : The .XLSM file extension signifies a Macro-Enabled Excel Workbook. Such workbooks may contain programming code that can automate repetitive tasks in Excel. If prompted, do not enable macros in .XLSM workbooks of unknown provenance because viruses and malware are sometimes transmitted by tricking users into opening such workbooks.

.XLSX: A file with the. xlsx file extension is a Microsoft Excel Open XML Spreadsheet (XLSX) file created by Microsoft Excel. You can also open this format in other spreadsheet apps, such as Apple Numbers, Google Docs, and OpenOffice.

Absolute Reference : Absolute references in Excel are a direct link to a specific cell or range of cells that remain fixed if you copy or drag the formula. Absolute references are represented by $ symbols. A $ before a column letter freezes the column, while a $ before the row number freezes the row number. You can freeze the column letter and/or row number when needed.

Accounting Format: Like the Currency format, the Accounting format provides options for decimal places and a currency symbol, and it automatically uses a comma to separate thousands. Unlike Currency, there are no options for negative numbers. The Accounting format places parentheses around all negative numbers by default.

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.

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.

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

Column Headings : The column heading or column header is the gray-colored row containing the letters (A, B, C, etc.) used to identify each column in the worksheet. The column header is located above row 1 in the worksheet.

Currency Format: The Currency format places the dollar sign right next to the number.

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.

Fill Handle: The little notch in the bottom right-hand corner of the selected cell or block of cells. You can drag the fill handle to copy the contents to other cells, double-click to copy contents down a column, or right-drag to reveal a hidden context 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.

Freeze Panes: This command on the View tab of Excel’s ribbon interface, or the Window menu in Excel 2003 and earlier, allows you to ensure that one or more rows and/or columns always remain on-screen as you scroll down through a worksheet.

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.

Macro: One or more lines of programming code that automate tasks. The Macro Recorder allows users to automate tasks without seeing the underlying programming code.

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.

Name Box: The Name Box is the box to the left of the formula bar that displays the cell that is currently selected in the spreadsheet. If a name is defined for a cell that is selected, the Name Box displays the name of the cell. You can use the Name Box to define a name for a selected cell as well.

Number Formatting: Number formats are used to control the display of cell values that contain numeric data. This numeric data can include things like dates, times, costs, percentages, and anything else expressed as a number. To apply a number format, just select one or more cells and choose a format.

Order of Operations : The sequence with which Excel carries out arithmetic operations. Unless superseded by enclosing portions of a calculation in parentheses, Excel first divides, then multiplies, then adds, and finally subtracts.

PDF: Portable Document Format, a universal document format created by Adobe that allows cross-platform compatibility of documents.

PMT Function: The PMT function enables you to calculate a loan payment based on providing an interest rate, period of the loan, and amount to be borrowed or lent. The interest rate must be on the same footing as the term of the loan, so if the loan period is expressed in months, be sure to divide the interest rate by 12.

Print Scale : A measure in Excel that shows how much a printed page has been reduced in size. The Scale command appears on the Page Layout tab in Excel 2007 and later. The average person will find documents printed in a scale of 63% or less to be frustrating to read.

Redo Command: Like the undo action, redo can be performed multiple times by using the same keyboard shortcut over and over. The Excel Ribbon also has a redo button right next to the undo button; it is represented by an icon with an arrow pointing to the right. After using the Undo button on the Quick Access toolbar, Excel 2010 activates the Redo button to its immediate right. If you delete an entry from a cell and then click the Undo button or press Ctrl+Z, the ScreenTip that appears when you position the mouse pointer over the Redo button appears as Redo Clear (Ctrl+Y).

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.

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.


Guest Speaker

  • David H. Ringstrom, CPA

CPE Credit

Continuing Professional Education

Aurora Training Advantage is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.nasbaregistry.org.

For more information regarding administrative policies such as complaint and refund, and cancellation please contact our offices at 407-542-4317 or training@auroratrainingadvantage.com.

You must answer all questions during the webinar, view the recording completely and pass the test at the end with 70% correct answers to receive CPE credit.

ATATX Credit

Aurora Training Advantage is offering continuing education points designed to recognize dedication to training and excellence in accounting.

ATAAA Credit

Aurora Training Advantage is offering continuing education points designed to recognize dedication to training and excellence in administrative.

ATAOP Credit

Aurora Training Advantage is offering continuing education points designed to recognize dedication to training and excellence in operations.