How to Make a Form in Excel

Excel is a software program used for creating spreadsheets. These spreadsheets can be used to organize data and perform calculations. In organizations that require data entry into a specific format, it can be useful to create a form in Excel that can be used by all employees to standardize the process. Creating a form will not only ensure every user is doing things the same way, it will make the data entry process easier and result in fewer mistakes.

Things You'll Need

• Computer
• Microsoft Excel software

Instructions

1. Turn on your computer and open the Excel program. A blank workbook will automatically open at start-up.

2. Create your form the way you'd like it to appear, including entering formulas.

3. Format the form using borders, shading, color and text formatting until you are satisfied with the appearance.

4. Unlock the cells where you'd like users to be able to enter data. To do so, select these cells, then click "Format/Cells/Protection" and make sure the "Locked" feature is not checked.

5. Select your print area. To make the process even simpler for users, select the area of the spreadsheet that should be included when printing, then click "File/Select print area".

6. Protect your form from changes. The final step to creating a form in Excel is to protect the form by clicking "Tools/Protect/Protect Sheet". After you do this, users will only be able to change the cells you selected, making all of your labels, formulas and other fields safe from changes.

Tips & Warnings

• Teach users to use the "Tab" key to shift between fields for ease of use.