Excel Course: From Introduction to Intermediate

Learn Essential Skills to Boost Your Productivity

Course Objectives
By the end of this course, you will be
Navigate and customize Excel.
able to: 01
Perform basic to intermediate
data entry and formatting. 02
Use essential formulas and
03 functions.

Analyze data with charts and

pivot tables. 04
Organize and manage data
05 efficiently.
 Course Agenda

Day 1: Day 2: Day 3:

Introduction Essential Intermediate
to Excel Functions and Skills
Basics Tools (5 hours)
(5 hours) (5 hours)

• Getting started: • Formulas and Functions • Creating and

Interface and Navigation • Sorting, Filtering, and Customizing Charts
• Basic Operations: Data Conditional Formatting • Using Pivot Tables
Entry, Saving, and • Data Validation Workbook
Opening Files • Management and Tips for
• Formatting Cells and Efficiency
Sheets
Section Break
Day 1 - Introduction to Excel Basics
Day 1 - Introduction to Excel Basics

Topics:
• Understanding the Excel Interface
• Customizing the Quick Access Toolbar
• Entering and Editing Data
• Copying, Pasting, and Autofill
• Formatting Cells (Numbers, Dates, Text)

Activity: Create a simple attendance spreadsheet

with formatted headings.
Day 1 - Introduction to Excel Basics
1. Understanding the Excel Interface Interface ElementDescription
Ribbon Tab is a tab that
Ribbon Tabs organizes commands
by topic
Commands underneath
The Ribbon
the Tabs
Grouping of related
Ribbon Groups
commands
Opens a dialog box that
Dialog Box
includes additional
Launcher
commands
View, enter, or edit cell
Formula Bar
contents

Dialog Box Launcher Scroll bar

Day 1 - Introduction to Excel Basics
2. Quick Access Toolbar & Status Bar
Day 1 - Introduction to Excel Basics
3. Entering and Editing (use workbook)
Steps for Data Entry: Editing Data:
• Click on a cell to make it the active cell. • Double-click the cell to make it active and edit.
• Type the data directly into the active cell. • Press Enter to save changes.
• Press Enter or click the mouse outside the cell to confirm entry. • Use Delete to remove data from the cell.
• Use the Arrow Keys to move between cells.

4. Copy, Paste, Autofill (use workbook)

Copying and Pasting:
• Select the cell(s) to copy.
• Press Ctrl + C or right-click and choose Copy.
• Click the target cell where you want to paste the data.
• Press Ctrl + V or right-click and choose Paste.
•Using Autofill:
• Start by entering a pattern (e.g., days of the week:
Monday, Tuesday).
• Select the cells with the pattern.
• Drag the fill handle across the cells you want to fill.
Day 1 - Introduction to Excel Basics
5. Formatting Cells (use workbook)
• Steps to Format Cells:
1. Select the cells you want to format.
2. Use the Home tab to access formatting options.

• Text Formatting;
• Alignment: Use to center, left, or right-align text.
• Number Formatting; Date Formatting;
• Borders and Fill: Use for adding cell borders and Fill Color
to highlight cells.

Text formatting Alignment Number formatting

Boarder & fill

Activity: Simple Spreadsheet (as homework Day1)
Section Break
Day 2 - Essential Functions and Tools
Day 2 - Essential Functions and Tools

Topics:
• Introduction to Formulas
• Understanding Cell References
• Popular Functions
• Conditional Formatting for Insights
• Sorting and Filtering Data
• Data validation

Activity: Homework-Day2
Day 2 - Essential Functions and Tools
1. Introduction to Formulas
• Excel formulas always start with an equal sign =.
• Excel allows you to reference other cells in formulas.
• Example: If A1 contains 10 and A2 contains 20, entering =A1+A2 in A3 will sum
the two values.

2. Understanding Cell References (Relative, Absolute, Mixed) (use workbook)

• Relative Reference: Dragging the formula from E2 down to E3 adjusts the formula
automatically (e.g., =C3*D3).
• Absolute Reference: Use $ to fix a cell reference, like $B$2. This keeps the
reference constant when copying the formula.
• Mixed Reference: Fix only the column or row (e.g., $B2 or B$2)
Day 2 - Essential Functions and Tools
3. Popular Functions: SUM, AVERAGE, COUNT, IF (use workbook)
Function classification
1. Mathematical and Statistical Functions SUM, AVERAGE, COUNT, MIN & MAX
2. Logical Functions IF, AND, OR
3. Text Functions CONCAT, LEFT, RIGHT, TRIM
4. Date and Time Functions NOW, TODAY, DAY, MONTH, YEAR
5. Lookup and Reference Functions -
6. Financial Functions -
7. Data Analysis Functions TRANSPOSE
8. Error Checking Functions IFERROR
9. Engineering Functions -
…etc.

4. Conditional Formatting for Insights (use workbook)

5. Sorting and Filtering Data (use workbook)
Day 2 - Essential Functions and Tools
6. Data Validation (use workbook)
What is Data Validation?
Data Validation is a tool in Excel that allows you to define rules for what type of data can
be entered into a cell. By setting these rules, you can guide users to input correct,
consistent, and meaningful data.

1. Restrict Data to Specific Types

• Whole Numbers: Limit entries to whole numbers within a specific range (e.g., between 1 and 100).
• Decimal Values: Allow only decimal numbers (e.g., between 0.01 and 1.0).
• Dates: Restrict entries to valid dates (e.g., a range of dates for a project timeline).
• Text Length: Limit the number of characters in a text entry (e.g., maximum of 10 characters).

2. Create Dropdown Lists

3. Custom Formulas
4. Input Messages and Error Alerts
Activity: Homework-Day2
Section Break
Day 3 - Intermediate Skills
Day 3 - Intermediate Skills

Topics:

• Designing Effective Charts (Bar, Pie, Line)

• Creating Pivot Tables for Data Analysis
• Workbook Management
• Intro to Macros
Activity: Analyze sales data using a pivot table and
charts.
Day 3 - Essential Functions and Tools
1. Creating Charts and Graphs (use workbook)

Purpose: to visualize data using charts to make their findings more presentable
and easier to interpret.
Types of Charts:
Steps to Create a Chart:
• Select the data range.
• Go to the Insert tab.
• Choose the desired chart type.
• Customize the chart (titles, labels, colors).
Day 3 - Essential Functions and Tools
1. Creating Charts and Graphs (use workbook)
Day 3 - Essential Functions and Tools
2. Creating Pivot Tables for Data Analysis (use workbook)

Step 1:
• Prepare the Data: Arrange your dataset in rows and columns, ensuring there are no merged cells,
blank rows, or columns.
• Select the range of cells containing your data
Step 2:
• Insert a Pivot Table: Go to the Insert tab, in the Tables group, click on Pivot Table.
• A dialog box will appear; make sure the range is correctly identified (e.g., A1:E13) and select
where you want the PivotTable to be placed (new worksheet or existing sheet).
Step 3:
• Build the Pivot Table: Rows Area, Columns Area, Values Area. The PivotTable will automatically
generate and display a summary.
Step 4:
• Customize the Pivot Table: Filter the Data, Sorting and Grouping, Change Summary Calculation
Change Pivot Table Style: Use the PivotTable Tools tab (Design) to choose a new style and adjust
the layout of your PivotTable (e.g., different font, cell color, banded rows).
Day 3 - Essential Functions and Tools
3. Workbook Management (use workbook)
.

Linking Sheets Named Ranges Organizing Sheets Protecting and Securing Workbooks

• Go to the cell where you want • Highlight a range of cells. •Renaming • Review tab and select Protect Sheet.
to display the linked data. • Go to the Formulas tab and Sheets • Set a password (optional) and choose specific actions users
• Type = and navigate to the select Define Name. •Color Coding are allowed to perform (e.g., allow sorting but block editing).
sheet and cell you want to • Assign a descriptive name •Moving Sheets • Locking and Unlocking Cells:
reference (e.g., =Sheet2!B5). (e.g., Revenue or Products). •Grouping and By default, all cells are locked when a sheet is protected.
• Press Enter, and Excel will Ungrouping To unlock:
link the data. Sheets Highlight the range you want editable.
Right-click and choose Format Cells > Protection > Uncheck
Locked.
• Protecting a Workbook:
Use the Protect Workbook option (Review tab) to prevent
structure or
window changes.
• Encrypting a Workbook:
Go to File > Info > Protect Workbook > Encrypt with Password.
Day 3 - Essential Functions and Tools
3. Workbook Management (Linking Sheets)
Day 3 - Essential Functions and Tools
3. Intro to Macros (use workbook)
Before you record a macro
Macros and VBA tools can be found on the Developer tab, which is hidden by default, so the first step is to enable it.
For more information, see how
1. Right-click anywhere on the ribbon and choose Customize the Ribbon in the pop-up menu of options:
Day 3 - Essential Functions and Tools
3. Intro to Macros (use workbook)

A macro is a series of commands and actions that you record and save to automate
repetitive tasks in Excel. When you run the macro, Excel performs these actions
automatically, saving time and effort.
Step1
In the Code group on the Developer tab, click Record Macro.
Optionally, enter a name for the macro in the Macro name
box.
Step 2
Perform the actions we want to automate, such as
entering boilerplate text or filling down a column of
data.
Step 3
After completing On the Developer tab, click Stop
Recording.
Day 3 - Essential Functions and Tools
3. Intro to Macros (use workbook)
Working with recorded macros in Excel
Activity: Homework-Day3.
 Keyboard Shortcuts
• Ctrl + C (Copy),
01
• Ctrl + V (Paste),
• Ctrl + Z (Undo). Using Templates
Efficiency Tips • Ctrl + T (Create Table). 02 • Open Excel templates
Examples for invoices or
calendars.
Freeze Panes for • Modify template content
Easier Navigation 03 to suit personal needs.
Keep headers visible
while scrolling through Paste Special for
04
large datasets. Flexible Copying
.
Use Paste Special to
paste values, formulas,
or formats selectively..
Summary and Q&A

Key Takeaways:
• Excel Basics: Interface, Formatting, and Navigation
• Functions and Tools: Formulas, Data Management
• Intermediate Skills: Charts, Pivot Tables, and Macros

The floor is open for questions and feedback.

Thank You