---

What you need for this tutorial:

This set of lessons will teach you to use the most commonly used features in spreadsheet software. The directions are based on Microsoft Excel 2007 and 2010. What you learn will help you with other spreadsheet programs, too.

1. Basic Windows skills: The skills covered in the Working with Windows lessons- using a mouse to click, double-click, drag, & right click; parts of a window; moving, resizing, maximizing, & minimizing a window; scrolling; using the folder tree; creating and managing folders; naming files; opening a program; opening and saving files; using dialog boxes; using Help; printing.
2. Typing skills: You need to be familiar with the computer keyboard and have some skill in typing to do these exercises in a reasonable amount of time.
3. Word processing experience: The directions assume that you have at least some experience with creating documents with a word processor. You will need the basic skills: entering, deleting, and moving text; choosing a font, font size, font color; headers & footers, etc. Word processing is covered in Working with Words.
4. Resource files: Files that you need to create the documents in the projects are provided for download in a  zip file or in a self-extracting exe file. Your instructor may have put these files on your computer already.

   To get these resource files, click on one of the following links to download either a zipped set of files or a self-extracting file which will extract the compressed files for you. (Some folks are intimidated by the exe extension... and for good reason!)

   resources-numbers.zip OR  resources-numbers.exe.

   A download dialog will appear. Choose "Save this program to a disk". Choose a folder on your hard drive for the file to be downloaded into.

   After the file is downloaded, extract the compressed files. If you downloaded the zip version, use your WinZip or similar program to do this. Recent versions of Windows will show the contents of a zipped folder as a normal folder. If you downloaded the exe version, find the file in an Explorer or My Computer window and then double-click on resources-numbers.exe.

   By default, the files will be put in c:\My Documents\complit101\numbers\. Of course you can choose a different location if you wish. Just be sure to remember where you put the files.

   Some of the resource files that are Excel documents are in older file formats so that many versions of Excel can use the same files. You can save the documents that you create in whichever file format suits your software.
   

5. Removable File Storage: USB drive

   You need removable storage for a working copy and a backup copy of your documents.

   If you have a computer of your own, keep an up-to-date copy of your work on your home computer, too. Start good backup habits early and you won't kick yourself later when your files are lost or corrupted.

   USB drive: Recommended
   Called by many different names: flash drive, flash pen,  thumb drive,  key drive, jump drive, and mini-USB drive. A USB drive is an excellent choice for storing your class work. Your data is much safer on a USB drive than on a floppy disk.

   Before you buy:
   Check the following for both the classroom computer AND your home computer-
   

   • Computer does have USB ports.
   • You are allowed to use one of the USB ports.
   • You can physically get to the USB port.
     Some are on the the back of the computer case.
   • Operating system will recognize a USB drive.
     All recent versions of Windows can recognize USB drives and install software to operate them.
   • Physical arrangement of USB ports - Are they side by side? one above the other?
     Some USB drives are wider or thicker than others and may not fit all port arrangements, especially if a neighboring USB port has something plugged into it. Some drives come with a short extension cable.

   If you do not have a computer at home, consider buying 2 USB drives so that you can use one to keep a backup copy of your work. Don't lose them both at the same time!

   How to handle a full disk

   The exercises often build on documents you have already created. Do not delete your exercises until you have finished all the projects.
   

6. Spreadsheet Software: To create spreadsheets you use a spreadsheet program, like MS Excel, Corel Quattro Pro, Lotus 123, or Google Spreadsheet. All spreadsheet programs have some basic similarities. They vary considerably in what special features they include, just as word processors do. If you are not using Excel 2007 or 2010, some of the directions for the projects and exercises will not work for you. In that case, use your software's Help files to find out if there is an equivalent method or tool.

Icons

    Hands-on topic, (in menu) where you will have Step-by-Step directions.

marks a tip - something you might find useful to know.

marks a warning about possible problems.

  marks something specific to Excel 2007

  marks something specific to Excel 2010 

---

---