This video tutorial is all about Microsoft Excel, showing you how to navigate the basics of this classic yet versatile app. I often encounter folk who know nothing or very little about what it can do, so this is a great place to start for anyone wanting to familiarise themselves on how to use Excel.
In the video below, I share the fundamentals of what is Microsoft Excel, why use Excel, and point to the features you’ll most frequently use. Or in other words, shorten the learning curve for those new to MS Excel. In essence, you can use Excel for a range of projects and reporting needs, which I’ll cover in other articles; for example, see this post on managing your personal finances. I give this a difficulty rating of ‘very easy’; this is targeted at the uninitiated and Excel beginners, therefore I hope you find it easy to follow. In it, I try and reduce the learning curve by providing a summary of all the main views, content, and top features to help you cut through the noise of options.
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
Lao Tzu
Video and Template for Excel Basics
Key points covered in this 13 minute video are as follows:
- Basics of how to use Excel and overview of the display
- What are cells, rows, columns, and sheets
- The 10 top features to familiarise yourself with
- How to change views, including zoom, screen breaks, and freeze panes
- What is the ‘ribbon’ toolbar
- Key formatting features you’ll use for cells
- How to open a new blank workbook
- Examples of what Excel can be used for
- Basic tasks to try for yourself
Difficulty Rating:
Additionally, here’s the file I use in the video I quickly pulled together if you would like to download and play about with it. For instance, see how I made the infographics and shapes / textboxes:
I hope you find the video useful. If you like what I do, please like, subscribe, and share with others. If so inclined, you can also leave me a tip to help keep the free support flowing. See my recommended reading page for more in-depth support tailored for your level. If you preferred I sort your spreadsheets/documents out for you to save time, get in touch to arrange a quote. Finally, feel free to leave your feedback below and/or comment about things you’d like me to cover in future.
Kind Regards, Adrian
