Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Prepare Spreadsheets

You can create your own spreadsheets with a few keystrokes.


Spreadsheet programs such as Microsoft Excel are very valuable, and the skills needed to create and maintain those spreadsheets are very much in demand. Learning prepare common spreadsheets, such as company budgets and inventory lists, can boost your career prospects or help you be more effective in the job you currently hold.


Instructions








1. Decide what type of spreadsheet you need to create. If you are just learning use a spreadsheet program, creating a document you can actually use can be a big help.


2. Download a template for the type of spreadsheet you wish to create. You can find spreadsheet templates designed for inventory lists, family budgets, invoices and other common types of documents. If you use Microsoft Excel, you can download those templates directly from the Microsoft Office website.


3. Open your spreadsheet program and navigate to the spreadsheet template you just downloaded. Notice how the total columns have already been created, and that they update each time a new value is entered in the relevant cells.


4. Enter the information you wish to change from the standard template. For instance, a budget template might include categories you do not need, while omitting categories you do need. Replace the contents of those cells with your own information.


Locate the totals on the spreadsheet, and be careful not to replace the contents of those cells. The total cells contain formulas, and if you enter new data in them the spreadsheet will not work properly. Instead, change the contents of the cells above the totals, and watch how the total updates each time a new value is entered.








5. Save the finished spreadsheet to your hard drive or network share. Make any necessary changes to the spreadsheet as new data is received.

Tags: categories need, contents those, contents those cells, each time, each time value, inventory lists, Microsoft Excel