Your Starting Point for Learning Excel Basic Skills
Welcome to your essential guide to basic Excel skills. Whether you're brand new to spreadsheets or looking to solidify your foundational knowledge, you've come to the right place. In this guide, we'll walk you through the core functionalities that will transform you from a novice to a confident user. From managing data to customizing your workspace, these tutorials are designed to be clear, concise, and easy to follow.
Basic Excel Skills For Beginners
Data Entry & Formatting
Go to the Next Line in a Cell
Learn four easy methods to start a new line within the same Excel cell, making your text more organized and readable.
Wrap Text in a Cell
Keep your spreadsheet tidy by automatically wrapping long text to fit within a cell's width. This guide shows you how.
Rename a Column
Follow our step-by-step guide to easily rename column headers, ensuring your data is clearly labeled and easy to understand.
Number Columns Automatically
Save time by learning how to automatically number columns in Excel, perfect for creating structured tables and lists.
Combine Two Columns in One Click
Discover five different ways to combine data from two columns into one, a fundamental skill for data consolidation.
Separate Names in a Column
Learn how to split a column containing full names into separate columns for first and last names with ease.
Use the Fill Down Feature
Speed up data entry by using the Fill Down command to quickly copy content and formulas to multiple cells below.
Page & View Management
Use Page Layout View
See exactly how your spreadsheet will look when printed by using the Page Layout view. This guide shows you how to add headers, footers, and adjust margins.
Return to Normal View
Easily switch back to the standard grid view from Page Layout or Page Break Preview with these simple steps.
Add a Header and Footer
Add professional touches to your printed reports by learning how to insert headers and footers with page numbers, dates, or custom text.
Remove a Header and Footer
Clean up your spreadsheet's layout by quickly removing existing headers and footers for a minimalist view.
Enable Dark Mode in Excel Spreadsheet
Reduce eye strain during late-night work sessions by enabling Excel's dark mode. This tutorial guides you through the simple setup steps.
Open Spreadsheets in Separate Windows
Improve your multitasking by learning how to open multiple Excel files in separate windows, making it easy to compare data side-by-side.
Turn Off Scroll Lock
If your arrow keys are moving the entire sheet instead of the active cell, you might have Scroll Lock on. Learn how to quickly turn it off.
Data Organization & Manipulation
Swap Rows in Excel
Easily reorganize your data by following our step-by-step guide on how to swap rows in Excel without tedious cutting and pasting.
Move Columns in Excel
Learn four simple and effective methods to move columns around in your spreadsheet to get the perfect layout for your data.
Create Collapsible Rows
Organize and summarize large datasets by creating collapsible rows (grouping), allowing you to hide and show details as needed.
Shift Cells Left
Master the technique of shifting cells to the left after deleting data, ensuring your spreadsheet remains compact and well-organized.
Shift Cells Down
Learn how to properly shift cells down when inserting or deleting data to maintain the integrity of your table structure.
Merge Two Excel Files
Combine data from two separate Excel files into a single master sheet with our easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions.
Visibility & Navigation
Freeze Rows
Keep your header row visible as you scroll through large datasets by learning how to freeze the top row in Excel.
Freeze Panes
Go beyond freezing just the top row. Learn to freeze both specific rows and columns to keep headers and key data in view.
Lock a Row
Protect important data from accidental edits by learning how to lock specific rows in your spreadsheet.
Unhide Rows
Rediscover hidden data by following these simple methods to unhide one or more rows in your Excel sheet.
Hide Columns
Temporarily remove columns from view without deleting the data. This guide shows you how to hide columns to simplify your workspace.
Hide Cells
Explore four easy ways to hide the content of specific cells, useful for protecting sensitive information or cleaning up your display.
Inserting Objects & Elements
Insert a Picture Into a Cell
Make your spreadsheets more visual by learning the step-by-step process of inserting a picture that fits perfectly inside a cell.
Insert a Check Mark
Explore six useful ways to insert check marks into your Excel cells, perfect for creating to-do lists and interactive reports.
Insert a Signature
Learn easy ways to add a digital or scanned signature to your Excel documents, giving them a professional and official touch.
Insert Hyperlinks
Connect your spreadsheet to web pages, other documents, or different locations within the same file by inserting hyperlinks.
Draw Lines in a Sheet
Add visual structure to your reports by learning how to draw straight lines, arrows, and other shapes directly on your worksheet.
Add a Button
Make your spreadsheets interactive by adding clickable buttons. This guide shows you how to insert a button and assign a macro to it.
File & Sheet Management
Unprotect an Excel Sheet
Regain access to your locked spreadsheets by learning how to remove protection from an Excel sheet, allowing you to edit data freely.
Compress Excel Files
Discover five effective methods to reduce the file size of your Excel workbooks, making them easier to share and store.
Delete Multiple Sheets
Clean up your workbook quickly by learning how to select and delete multiple worksheets at the same time.
Search for Data
Quickly find specific information, such as a name or number, within your spreadsheet using three simple and effective search methods.
Create an Invoice
Follow this step-by-step guide to create a professional invoice from scratch in Excel, complete with formulas for automatic calculations.
Why Learning Basic Microsoft Excel Skills is Essential
Investing time in learning Excel skills provides a massive return in productivity and career opportunities. Here’s why it’s one of the most valuable skills you can acquire.
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Boosts Employability: From finance to marketing, countless employers list Excel proficiency as a mandatory or highly desired skill, opening up more career opportunities.
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Improves Productivity: Automate repetitive calculations, manage large datasets efficiently, and use templates to save significant time on daily tasks.
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Enables Better Decision-Making: Use data to create clear reports, summaries, and visualizations that support informed, data-driven choices for personal and professional projects.
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Provides a Foundation for Advanced Skills: Mastering the basics is the essential first step toward learning advanced data analysis, including pivot tables, VLOOKUP, and macros.
Frequently Asked Questions About Basic Excel Skills
How long does it take to learn basic Microsoft Excel skills?
Most beginners can grasp the fundamental concepts of Excel within a few hours of focused learning and practice. Consistent use over a few weeks will help solidify these skills.
Is learning Excel still valuable today?
Absolutely. Despite new tools, Excel and other spreadsheet programs like WPS Spreadsheet remain the industry standard for data entry, analysis, and reporting in countless fields.
What is the best way to practice Excel basic skills?
The best way to practice is by working on real-world projects. Try creating a personal budget, tracking a hobby, or organizing a contact list. Using free tools like WPS Office provides a perfect platform to apply what you've learned.
Start Your Excel Journey Today
Ready to build your skills and boost your productivity? Download WPS Office, a powerful and free alternative, to start practicing your basic Excel skills right now. It's fully compatible and offers all the tools you need to succeed.
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Excel Formulas
Learn how to use essential Excel formulas, such as Excel SUM formula, percentage formula, with clear examples and practical tips. Follow our step-by-step guide to improve your spreadsheet skills and work more efficiently.
Learn More →Excel Functions
Explore basic and advanced Excel functions with clear explanations and real-world examples. Learn how to use functions in Excel effectively to organize data, perform calculations, and streamline your workflow.
Excel Shortcut Keys
Discover essential Excel shortcut keys to speed up data entry, navigation, and formatting. Learn practical keyboard combinations that save time and boost efficiency in your spreadsheets.