How to Create Spreadsheets Using Excel
Creating spreadsheets with Microsoft Excel allows you to keep track of facts and figures within a spreadsheet. Using the Excel AutoSum feature, the program will automatically calculate any figures that you enter. Learning how to create your own spreadsheets gives you an advantage within your personal record keeping and when applying for jobs that require the use of Microsoft Excel.
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Instructions
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Launch Excel and familiarize yourself with the basic layout of the spreadsheet. Vertical columns are labeled with a letter of the alphabet such as A, B or C while horizontal rows are indicated with numerals. Within each of these columns and rows are "cells." Cells are the individual blocks within the spreadsheet. Each cell is designated by the number of its row and the letter of its column. For instance, a cell contained in column "B" within the row numbered "9" would be referred to as "B9."
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Create your first column by clicking within cell "A1" and entering a number or heading. Typically, it's best to give each of your columns a heading so that you understand what information you are interpreting when you open the spreadsheet later. For instance, if you are creating a spreadsheet to keep track of a household budget, you can label your first column "Food" to catalog your monthly food expenses. Continue to do this for each heading you wish to create along Row 1.
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Enter any information or variables in the rows underneath your headings. For instance, if you want to enter in the amount you have spent on food in the household budget example from step 2, enter the amount, such as "$4.56."
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Enable Excel's AutoSum feature to automatically calculate any figures within your spreadsheet. To enable AutoSum, click the "Home" tab at the top of the Excel screen and click the AutoSum button in the section labeled "Editing."
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Save your spreadsheet once you have input all the information needed within the cells. To save your spreadsheet, click the round "Office" button in the left-hand, top corner of the Excel screen. Choose "Save As" from the pull-down menu that appears. Enter a recognizable name, such as "householdbudget," in the name field and hit "Save." When you're ready to add more information to your spreadsheet, you can simply reopen the spreadsheet by clicking the Office button once again, choose open from the pull-down menu and select your spreadsheet.
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