Think And Do

People try learning Excel only after someone shows them how useful it is. It is so handy for so many things that I suggest that you start using it ASAP.

The Basics
We can certainly acknowledge that Excel is different. You use your mouse and keyboard differently. It takes some practice and getting used to, but it is well worth it.
Once you do get used to it, you'll get faster and things will run smoothly. Be patient. Think. Do.

Remember is how important Saving is. Keep on clicking that Save button, and if you make a disastrous mistake, you can always Close the file, and the Open the saved version.

The Workbook
Start with an empty workbook. No data. Just the grid. Here's what you probably see:

Title Bar - along the top - its says "Microsoft Excel - Book1"
Menu Bar - just beneath - it has words on it
Tool Bar - beneath that - it has pictures on it

How To Use Your Mouse
Notice is the way the cursor changes when you use Excel. Although this happens with all Windows software, it is even more pronounced in Excel.
So we'll look at all of Excel's cursors, get comfortable with them, and then keep going.

Fat White Plus Sign	This is Excel's normal selecting cursor. When you hold down the left mouse button when the cursor is the Fat White Plus Sign, you are selecting cells.
Thin Black Plus Sign	This appears when you position your mouse in the lower right-hand corner of the selected cell. The plus sign is bold and rather small. This is the AutoFill cursor and it's pretty powerful. Holding down the Left mouse button: If a range of cells is selected, continues the range sequence. If a single is selected, copies the contents of the selected cell to the new cell(s). If a date is selected, continues the date sequence. If a day of the week or if a month is selected, continues the range. Try it - it is enormously useful! Holding down the Right mouse button: Displays a drop-down menu when you release the button. From this menu, you can choose what you want to do from a list of options.
Northwest Arrowhead	This cursor appears when you are pointing anywhere around the edge of the cell or the range of cells. This allows you to drag the contents of the selected cell(s) to a new location.

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