Step 1: The Program Window Controls 

The Excel program window opens along with a blank workbook window. Usually, both windows are maximized: The program window fills the entire screen, and the workbook window fills the program window. (When both are maximized, two Restore buttons-one for each window-are displayed in the set of buttons in the top right corner of the window's screen.) If your program window isn't maximized, click its Maximize button. To minimize the program window to a button on the Windows taskbar, click the Minimize button. 

 

 

Step 2: View the Title Bar 

Excel's title bar tells you what is in the window. When the workbook window is maximized, it has to share the title bar with the program window, so the title bar contains the names of both the program (Microsoft Excel) and the file. ("Book1" is a temporary name for your file. When you save it for the first time, you can assign a better name. 

 

 

Step 3: Select from the Menu Bar 

The Excel menu bar contains menus, which in turn contain all the available Excel commands. All the tasks you need to perform are available through menu commands. To use the menu commands, click the menu name to display the menu and then click the command you want. 

 

 

 

Step 4: Use the Worksheet Grid

Each cell is identified by its address on the worksheet, also called a cell reference. A cell address consists of the column label and the row number, such as A1. The Name box, located at the far left end of the Formula bar identifies the active cell, as sort of a "you-are-here" marker. 

 

 

 

 

Step 5: A Look at the Toolbars 

The Standard and Formatting toolbars may share a row onscreen (Standard on the left, Formatting on the right). Both toolbars contain shortcuts for frequently used commands. To activate a toolbar button, click it. To see a button name, hover the mouse pointer over the button for a moment. A ScreenTip appears with the button name. 

 

 

 

Step 6: View the Formula Bar 

Below the toolbars you'll find the Formula bar where you can build formulas to calculate your worksheet data. 

 

 

 

Step 7: Use the Scrollbars 

The vertical and horizontal scrollbars allow you to view different portions of your worksheet. Use the arrows on the scrollbars to scroll in the appropriate direction. Drag the scroll box to move your view of the worksheet in larger portions. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 8: View Worksheets 

A tab at the bottom of the workbook window represents each worksheet in a workbook. By default, Excel starts you out with three worksheets in each workbook, but you can add and subtract worksheets as needed. To display a sheet, click its tab.