Find Your Way Around Excel
Now that you know how to open Excel and create a new workbook, let's explore some key features of a spreadsheet file.
It might seem complicated to begin with, but don't panic! I’m going to guide you through it so that you know where to find everything.
Columns and Rows
An Excel workbook tab consists of a huge grid that is made up of columns and rows.
Columns are identified using letters: A, B, C, etc.
Rows are identified using numbers: 1, 2, 3, etc.
Worksheets
A window actually contains many more columns and rows than can be seen on your screen.
This huge grid consists of:
16,384 columns, the first of which is identified using the letter A and the last using the letters XFD.
1,048,576 rows.
Cells
At the intersection of each column and row is the basic component of a worksheet: a cell.
A cell is identified by the letter of its column and the number of its row. For example, the selected cell in the screenshot below is A1.
At the intersection of column A and row 1, you’ll find the cell A1.
A1 is therefore the cell address for the selected cell.
Select Cells
Select a Cell
Now that you know your way around a worksheet, you can select another cell.
Your turn! Click on cell C3.
Select Multiple Cells
To select cells C3 to F6, click on cell C3 and, without releasing the left mouse button, drag the cursor to cell F6.
You can also use the following method:
Click on cell C3.
Press and hold the Shift key
on your keyboard.Click on cell F6.
Now select the range B4:C9.
B4 is the first cell in the range.
: translates to “up to” for Excel.
C9 is the final cell in the range.
Select Multiple Unconnected Cells
If you want to select cells C3, C6, F3 and F6:
Click on cell C3.
Press and hold the Ctrl key on your keyboard.
Click on cell C6.
Click on cell F3.
Click on cell F6.
Select One or More Columns
To select column D:
Click on the letter D at the top of the column.
is the column heading.
To select columns D, E and F:
Click on the column heading for column D.
Without releasing the mouse button, drag across to the column heading for column F.
Select One or More Rows
To select row 3:
Click on the number 3 to the left of the row.
is the row heading.
To select rows 3, 4 and 5:
Click on the row heading for row 3.
Without releasing the mouse button, drag down to the row heading for row 5.
Watch the Video Tutorial
Watch a step-by-step recap of everything described in this chapter in the tutorial below:
Let’s Recap!
A cell is the most basic element of Excel.
A cell is always located at the junction of a column and a row.
A cell is identified by its reference (i.e., its column letter and row number).
When a cell is selected, it is active.
You can now find your way around Excel and select cells. See you in the next chapter, where we’ll enter and update some data.
