Note: Your highlighted column letter and row number may be different than figure shown.
Your workbook should already be maximized (or shown at full size) once Excel is started, as shown in Figure 1.2. Your screen may be slightly different based on the version you’re using. Take some time to familiarize yourself with this screen. Figure 1.2 shows a blank workbook after starting Excel. Excel will assign a file name to the workbook, such as Book1, Book2, Book3, and so on, depending on how many new workbooks are opened. A workbook is an Excel file that contains one or more worksheets (sometimes referred to as spreadsheets). Once Excel is started, a blank workbook will open on your screen.
The information produced in Excel can be used to make decisions in both professional and personal contexts. These computations ultimately convert that quantitative data into information. Taking a very simple view, Excel is a tool that allows you to enter quantitative data into an electronic spreadsheet to apply one or many mathematical computations. This chapter provides an overview of the Excel application along with an orientation for accessing the commands and features of an Excel workbook. No matter which career path you choose, you will likely need to use Excel to accomplish your professional objectives, some of which may occur daily. Microsoft Excel is perhaps the most versatile and widely used of all the Office applications. Microsoft® Office contains a variety of tools that help people accomplish many personal and professional objectives. Become familiar with the features in the Excel Help window.Become familiar with the Excel workbook.