Microsoft Excel 2007
FAQ

Microsoft Excel has been the top software for spreadsheets since they began.  Most of the competitors no longer exist.  To help you understand how to use the 2007 version, we have provided you with questions and answers below.

I have entered a value in the spreadsheet, but it is not formatted correctly.

Formatting your cells is quite simple; unfortunately you may need to do this often.  In Excel it has a default way to enter values.  For example you may enter -1.00, but what you get is -1.  By right clicking on the cell in the spreadsheet you will get a menu.  In this menu is format cell.  In this area you can choose number, alignment, font, border, fill, and protection.  Under the number you have several choices.  If you want the number to have decimal places simply click on the ‘Number,’ the default is usually ‘General.’  You can then state how many decimal places you would like to see.  You can also have the negative number appear in red.

How do I protect my workbook?

There are many times you might need to protect your spreadsheet or workbook as it is called by Excel.  You will need to select the worksheet you wish to protect.  Then under the home section you have a tab called cells.  In this tab is something called format.  Click on format and have the drop down menu appear.  In this section you will see protect sheet and lock cell.  If you just want to protect a cell you can do that.  Otherwise the protect sheet will allow you to create a password.  The password should be 14 to 18 characters long with a number in it.  The password should also be something that is unique, but not something a person can figure out from knowing you.

How do I add rows or columns in a worksheet?

In MS Excel you have 255 columns and 65,526 rows.  You can’t add to this amount.  You can however insert a row or cell if you need to move things around.  For example, you have typed in a series of numbers in several columns; however you skipped over one row that needed to be entered.  It must be in the exact spot that you skipped.  By clicking on the row number below where the insert needs to happen you will highlight the entire row for every column.  Then you right click and select insert.  It will then insert a blank row for your data entry.  You can also select a specific cell and insert.  It will ask if you want to shift the cell up, down, right or left.  This only changes that one column in case you forgot a number or name that needs to be in that spot.

How do I make text in a cell display in multiple lines?

Enter text in that cell, then press Alt-enter.  This will insert a line break in the cell.  You can also right click on the cell, format cells, alignment, and then wrap text.