You are here: Home / Archives for Excel

Computers are Man’s Best Friend

July 13, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Computers are not only man’s best friend; they are your way of keeping in close contact with the world.

And though most of your world right now may just be the online classes you are taking or thinking about taking to increase your skills, knowing the tricks of the trade when it comes to computers will keep you at the top of your class. Not only will you be able to finish your work faster, your work will have that professional edge that all teachers want to see.

What should you know?

  • Keeping in touch with your instructor through email is important, but that doesn’t mean the emails you send should be anything less than professional. Treat your email to your professor as one of your assigned papers. Keep your email short and don’t rant. If you have a concern, like homework that you feel was not handled correctly, think about it for 24 hours before writing the email. The last thing you want is for your professor to feel as if she should be on the defensive.
  • Creating a professional paper is important. If your professor hasn’t outlined how he wants your paper to look, do some research; find out how to lay out your paper.
  • Never be afraid to learn a new technique that will upgrade your writing. Online college help is available, tutoring options are endless, and you should never feel as if you don’t know how to do something. Free math software is offered online as well as inexpensive software that can help you with your next class.

Making your computer your best friend means more than checking your email. It means connecting with others and learning what it takes to make the best grades possible.

Filed Under: Excel, General Tagged With: , ,

Best in Excel for Science Nerds

March 28, 2011 by Leave a Comment

You admit it. You’re not a math nerd; you go more for the scientific look.

Here are some ideas to get you even more excited about the universe using Excel.

  • Study the solar system by creating a spreadsheet that allows for planet name, year length, climate, etc.
  • Make a timeline of astronaut flights to the moon. Take into consideration astronauts from other countries.
  • Keep track of statistics. Try these “Interactive Excel Spreadsheets” that include options in Radioactive decay, Temperature Scales, Blackbody Radiation and the Solar System at:  http://academic.pgcc.edu/~ssinex/excelets/.
  • Graph your scientific data. See one here at: http://lamesq2000000.blogspot.com/2008/08/blog-post.html.
  • Plan out your next science project using a simple spreadsheet. What will need to be done, first, second, third—last? What days will you work on your project? What’s your budget, and how much money was spent? Keep track and include with your science project.
  • Produce a science weather log. Get ideas here: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/excel/results.aspx?qu=logs.
  • Make a science minded word find or crossword puzzle.
  • Design a science game.
  • Get the low-down on Math and Science tables here: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/templates/CT010253077.aspx.
  • Get the Climate Science add-ins from Excel, “Data Mining” and “Compatible Alternative” respectively.
  • Get the best Excel Graph Science Templates for Kids here: http://www.freedownloadscenter.com/terms/excel-graph-science-templates-for-kids/kids.html.
  • Try this great site for geosciences and the use of Excel. Get example activities for beginner and moderate spreadsheet users.  http://serc.carleton.edu/introgeo/mathstatmodels/geo_excel.html.
  • Get terrific ideas on Excel and science from the World Conference on Educational Sciences 2009. The article entitled, “Using the Excel Spreadsheet in Teaching Science Subjects,” can be obtained as a PDF through sciencedirect.com.

And remember to keep on flying. The best ideas in Excel for those interested in Science may yet travel to the end of the universe…

Filed Under: Excel, Spreadsheet Tagged With: , ,

Most Popular Uses of Excel

March 24, 2011 by Leave a Comment
Illustration of subroutine in Microsoft Excel ...

Image via Wikipedia

What can Excel do? How can Excel help me in the home as well as my work life?

You have the questions. Here are a few answers:

  1. Finance Management. Whether you want to get your finances in order at home or within your new or established business, Excel has options for you. From various family budget templates to financial spreadsheets that will organize your business concerns and goals.
  2. Calendar Planning. Instead of buying a monthly calendar, many folks today are vying for the “create it on Excel and print it off method.” Not only do families save money by printing it off themselves, they are able to create the calendar to their specific family’s needs and desires.
  3. Keeping Track of Phone Numbers and Addresses. Probably the most common use, keeping track of numbers and addresses in this way decreases loss (where did I put that piece of paper?) and allows for changes and additions to the worksheet when needed.
  4. Food journals are becoming all the rage. Keep track of everything including calories, grams of fat—carbs using a food journal template. See one created by Knitlanders here: http://knitlanders.files.wordpress.com/2007/07/knitlanders-living-food-template.pdf.
  5. Graphs for work and business. Graphs help folks to “see” what’s really going on, and when, quite frankly, just spouting a bunch of numbers does little to help others see the big picture. Excel has various graphs to choose from, even tutorials to help you out when you get stuck.

Whether you have financial management woes or a not so common food allergy, Excel has a spreadsheet to assist you. Get in the black or keep track of your loved ones using one of the above ideas.

Filed Under: Excel, Spreadsheet Tagged With: , ,

Get a Hold of your Household Budget with These 7 Tips

March 20, 2011 by Leave a Comment

What can Excel do to help you with organizing and keeping track of your family finances? And for free no less?

Check out these ideas:

  1. Try the “Personal Budget Spreadsheet for Excel.” Plan for the future; keep track of expenses, budget the entire year out, plan for emergencies. This easy to use template will assist you in keeping thing orderly and easily accessible.
  2. Or budget monthly using the “Personal Monthly Budget.” Get the long and short of monthly in and out-go. The budget spreadsheet will print off on an individual page for easy use.
  3. The “Household Budget Worksheet” assists you with the details. Because there are more budget categories, the user is able to add additional expenditures to the list such as “children,” and “vacation.”
  4. The “Money Manager Template” keeps folks on their toes when it comes to creating a yearly budget, recording transactions for multiple accounts, balancing their checkbook, keeping track of monthly spending, and a new Year-to-Date option.
  5. Try the “Yearly Budget Calculator”, a combination of the “Family Budget Planner” and the “Monthly Budget Spreadsheets.” Get all you need on one worksheet!
  6. Use the “Home Budget Worksheet” to create a personal or family budget for the year. This worksheet is especially good for folks planning on making a huge change within the year, whether it is purchasing a home or changing jobs.
  7. Learn “How to Make a Budget” or “How to Budget” here: http://www.vertex42.com/ExcelArticles/how-to-make-a-budget.html and here: http://www.vertex42.com/ExcelArticles/how-to-budget.html.

Creating a budget not only helps with maintaining your expenditures, it assists you in planning for the immediate and long-term future. Make it a point today to try one or more of these options.

Filed Under: Excel, Microsoft Tagged With: , ,

Choosing the Best Excel Chart for your Next Project

March 16, 2011 by Leave a Comment
Area Chart

Image via Wikipedia

With multiple Excel chart choices currently being offered by Microsoft, you may think the choosing of the best chart for you next project, well, next to impossible.

It’s not.

Here are some hints to keep you from standing still:

  • Learn the tips & tricks. Find out how to make a chart from the free tutorial before you start.
  • Still nervous? Keep it simple. Bar charts are used frequently because they are easy to read as well as understand.
  • Consider the strengths and weaknesses of each graph choice. What will work best with the information you have? While bubble charts tend to be more visual and wisely explore the relationships between data, an area chart has many weaknesses you may not want to tackle: such as the difficulty in seeing the individual data point values.
  • Get some advice from the Excel Chart Advisor—a free plug-in for Windows 2007. Get the suggestions you need on layout based on the data you enter.
  • Make more than one chart using the data. See what chart shows off the information clearer and with more interest.
  • When your chart is finished, get some honest feedback from a co-worker or other friend. Just make sure you choose someone who can give it.

Like anything else, learning what chart goes with what data is often surrounded by a little trial and error. You may find that a particular chart doesn’t look as well on paper with the data you entered than you first figured. Don’t be afraid to work on multiple graph ideas to discover the best solution for your project.

Filed Under: Excel, Microsoft Tagged With: , ,

Reasons Why People Like Earning Online Degrees

March 14, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Getting a degree online is gaining in popularity.  There are many reasons for this increase.  Here are some of the most common reasons for seeking an online degree:

  • Many like the freedom to pace themselves through their coursework. With online programs, students can also pace themselves to complete their whole degree as quickly or as leisurely as they desire.
  • Some online degrees are less expensive than regular universities. Find out more by going to earnmydegree.com, where you can get information on online degrees available by school, degree, or career.
  • Participation in online courses provides exposure to people from around the nation and even the world. You expand the connections in your network, which is valuable if you are looking for a job.
  • If you currently have a job, you can keep working while you are earning your degree. You have flexibility to do your coursework any time you want whether it is 2 in the afternoon or 3 o’clock in the morning.
  • Another reason is many of the students love using technology. They feel very comfortable using technologies such as wikis, blogs, content management systems, and PowerPoint.
  • Many people like the fact that they can take time to carefully think and craft responses to online discussions. This is less stressful than answering questions in a face-to-face class.
  • Instead of being a nameless person in a huge class, you have personal interaction with faculty. Faculty answer questions and comments in the course discussion board, correspond through email, and even hold Skype conversations with students.

With a college degree, you will be qualified for better paying jobs giving you the opportunity to advance in your career.

Filed Under: Excel Tagged With:

How to Find the Best Free Templates for Excel

March 13, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Templates of all shapes and sizes are out there for everything you can possible want or need, but how do you find what will work best for you?

These ideas should help:

  • Be specific in your Internet search. Do you need a template to better handle your money, do you need to make a chart (and what kind?) are you interested in getting the best home mortgage calendar or timesheet, or do you need a template or two to help you with your school class?
  • Make a list of five of the best templates you found, and start with the one that intrigues you the most.
  • Try it. See what it does for you. Use it before trying another on your list. Give the try at least two weeks before you dive into favorite #2.
  • Make sure the template is easy to use and gives you the help and direction you need. There’s nothing worse than feeling overwhelmed when just beginning to use a template; at the same time, realize you might need some tutorial help to assist you.
  • Go beyond the ordinary. Find a template that not only does what you need it to do, but has a bit of frosting on the side. Creative templates can be used to juice up your business or resume. You can even create personalized invitations. Try the ones at Codswallop.
  • Talk to your friends and neighbors about what they use. If you see a resume you like, ask if they used a template to produce it. Asking questions merely widens your options and given you more opportunities to choose from.

Whatever template you ultimately choose, make sure you’re open to answering questions about it. “Pay it forward” by spreading the news.

Filed Under: Excel, Microsoft Tagged With: , ,

Best Excel Forums

March 7, 2011 by Leave a Comment

You’d like to get more involved in the Excel community; find out what the talk is about, orient yourself to the new ad-ins and downloads in Excel. Where do you go?

Forums are a great help and lots of fun, especially when you consider how easily they manifest themselves in your in-box and how connected you can feel with others with more knowledge and expertise than you have.

Here’s a great list of the best excel forums you might want to consider when jumping into an Excel community.

  • Joseph Rubin has a great list of Excel related forums here: http://www.excelforum.com/.  Be a part of general Excel interests or narrow your interest to Excel programming, tips and tutorials or Excel 2008 help, plus many more—15 Excel groups to choose from. You can even go “Off Topic” by joining “The Water Cooler.”
  • “The Code Cage” offers free Microsoft Office help for every application. Learn about the forum before joining by perusing the Forum Help Videos, guidelines and rules. The Code Cage will assist you with worksheets, charting, programming and more. http://www.thecodecage.com/forumz/excel-forum/
  • “Excel Forum” gives you tips, training, and a community that enjoys Excel and knows more than a little something about it. Ask a question; get an answer quickly from an expert by narrowing your question and explaining what you have already attempted. http://www.excelforum.com/excel-worksheet-functions/
  • Have a business? Want to stay connected? Try” Excel Help Forums for Business.” A great list of 20 forums is offered here http://www.business-spreadsheets.com/forum.asp.

Choosing the best Excel forum for your tastes is important. Find one that caters to your needs as well as your level of understanding.  Joining an Excel forum is somewhat like joining a group workshop. Don’t be afraid to try another if your first choice doesn’t work out.

Filed Under: Excel, Microsoft Tagged With: , ,

Best Excel Blogs of 2011

February 23, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Keeping a blog current is especially important when it comes to Excel information. What’s new in the world of Excel? What help is out there? What should I try next?

If these questions are on your list, you’ve come to the right place. Check out these blogs!

  • Automate Excel, covers topics in automation software, Microsoft Excel training and even tackles Excel classes. Discover the best books, games, news, shortcuts and more when it comes to Excel. http://www.automateexcel.com/index.php
  • Code of Excel and Outlook Blog: Get the latest information on Excel and Outlook almost daily including ad-in changes. Stay updated on blogs by subscribing via RSS feed or Email.  http://www.codeforexcelandoutlook.com/blog/
  • Klippert.com: Hundreds of entries with topics from calendars to worksheets. Get the grit here from Doug Klippert.  http://www.klippert.com/
  • The Ken Pul’s Blog greets readers on many subjects, including Excel. Learn about charts, Macros, PowerPivot and more. Excel information posted a few times monthly. http://www.excelguru.ca/blog/category/excel/
  • Get converted to Codswallop. Christ Garrett and Yoav Ezer make up the team at Codswallop. Learn about Excel and other treats; discover some great Excel templates and tips that will assist you in creating personalized invitations.  http://www.cogniview.com/convert-pdf-to-excel/
  • Daily Dose of Excel. Get all you ever wanted to know about Excel including the code! http://www.dicks-blog.com/
  • Excel Geek will take you to a football game—more or less. Get the stats here, and learn how to work through your own figures whether the stats involve football scores or pie charts. http://blog.excelgeek.com/
  • Get the latest Excel spreadsheet news at, you guessed it, Excel News. Follow links to add-ins, formulas, templates, tutorials and other Excel information. http://excel-news.blogspot.com/
  • Methods in Excel, helps you with code, DNA and other functions. http://www.blog.methodsinexcel.co.uk/

Though blogs are written by experts as well as people merely interested in Excel, something happens when you learn something new and apply it. All at once you have something new to share with someone else.

Filed Under: Excel, Microsoft Tagged With: , ,

Best free Excel Downloads & Ad-ins

February 10, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Do you want to add some fun to your spreadsheet, get the latest add-ins, the most helpful downloads available? If so, what is out there and where can you get it for free?

  • Arixcel Ltd. A personal accounting ad-in, Arixcel offers users personal finance capabilities. Import bank statements, allocate expenses, forecast budgets.
  • Cells Assistant. Get help in editing cells, from formulas to values with this great add-in.
  • Duplicate Remover. Find duplicate spreadsheets easily in Excel worksheet—up to 1 million rows.
  • EasyEx. Manage vacation time for your employees; know at a glance how many days they have in absent-time.
  • Excel 1.4. Get a spreadsheet that can help you get a handle on shift schedules of up to 25 people. Vacation planner and a scheduling bar graph are included.
  • Get an Excel Makeover in less than 5 minutes by using various and distinctive templates. Check microsoft.com for details.
  • Excel Utilities. Get frequently used features in one terrific ad-on. One click will access you to frequently used features such as Paste Special, Conditional Formatting, and others.
  • Merge Table Wizard. Merge tables and find matching data among other pursuits. Keep only the spreadsheets you really need.
  • PhraseExpress. Corrects your typos as you type and organizes questions for easy retrieval that are frequently used within a document; I.e., famous quotes, common phrases, salutations and abbreviations.
  • Both PowerPivet for Excel and Windows Azure Marketplace DataMarket are great ad-ins for business professionals.
  • Timesheet 1.2.  For professionals interested in spending less time on administration and getting a handle on product accuracy and budget control. No data entry needed. Reports are exported to Excel.

Fortunately, free downloads and ad-ins are as prolific on the Internet as your next lunch. For the most part, all it takes is a moment of searching online to get the freebies you need and want, whether your interest is for business, for home, or  a combination of both options. Where will you begin?

Filed Under: Excel, Internet Tagged With: , , , , ,
«Older Posts