Tool Summary #
Microsoft Excel is spreadsheet software that allows users to input data and create data visualizations. MS Excel is used in almost every workplace around the world, so knowing how to work within the program has many benefits. Excel features include calculation, graphing tools, pivot tables, and so much more.
UMW students, faculty, and staff can access the entire Microsoft 365 Suite, including Excel, for free by logging in with a UMW email address and password at login.microsoftonline.com.
Quick Facts #
- Price: Free for students and educators; paid personal subscription available.
- Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android.
- Recommended For: Beginners and Advanced users – It doesn’t take long to figure out the basic functions of the program and as you gain more skills you’ll be able to do a whole lot more with the program.
- Where to Access: log in with a UMW email address and password at login.microsoftonline.com.
Things to Know #
Many people typically use Excel for organizing information. For example, you could use a spreadsheet to track data and automatically see sums, averages, and totals. You could also take that data set and create a variety of charts so your data is easier to interpret. Or, Excel can be used to simply store and organize data sets.
Getting Started Guide #
Excel Video Training – MS Support video tutorials.
How to Use Excel: A Beginner’s Guide to Getting Started – A basic walkthrough of how to start working in Excel beginning with opening a spreadsheet, entering and working with data, and saving and sharing your Excel files.
Excel Math Basics: A Beginner’s Guide – Basic walkthrough of how to create working formulas in Excel.
How to Make a Chart or Graph in Excel – Basic overview of how to make a chart or graph in Excel.
Additional Resources #
10 Excel Functions Everyone Should Know – These are ten skills that will help increase your productivity in Excel and are incredibly useful for most Excel users to know.
NonprofitReady Courses – Create a free account and access a variety of Microsoft Offices courses including Excel courses for beginners, intermediate, and advanced users.
Want More Help? #
Book an appointment with a consultant at the DKC. We would love to help!
Reviewed by Haley Gosman 10/01/24