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Free Online Programming Courses

The Home and Learn site is a great resource for those that are interested in learning programming languages. The site is designed with beginners in mind and the courses are free. If you are taking college classes, you can use this as a free resource.

The free courses offered at www.homeandlearn.co.uk are as follows:

Visual Basic .NET Programming for Beginners – The course assumes a person does not have any programming experience. You do not have to buy any books or software and the site provides the link for Visual Basic Express Edition, which is also free. There are 14 sections to this course and it is a comprehensive course.

Visual C# .NET Programming – You do not need to purchase anything for this course. You just need to download the free Visual C# Express Edition from Microsoft. A link is provided in the course section. The course is divided in 17 sections. This course covers everything from the basics to loops and graphics.

Java For Complete Beginners – Everything you need to get started is provided in the “Getting Started” section of the course. This includes the Java Software Development kit. The course is divided in to 13 sections.

Beginners PHP – The course uses software called “EasyPHP”. The software allows you to test scripts on your computer. The site provides the links to download the free software and gives detailed instructions how to set it up. The course contains 13 sections and has three walkthrough sections.

Web Design – This is a fantastic course for beginners or those who want to learn HTML. Every thing you need is in the “Getting Started” section of the course. The course contains seven sections.

All of these courses are designed for those that have little or no programming experience. Best of all, the courses are free.

Save Money and Use Free Excel Tutorials

Money is tight and you can save money by using free online tutorials for Excel. There are numerous software program tutorials that you can by in addition to hundreds of books. You do not have to spend any money to learn Excel. There is enough free information online to get you started in Excel. Many of the tutorials cover basic Excel to advanced Excel. You do not have to register or provide any personal information at most of these sites.

Many people do not realize that Microsoft has numerous free tutorials for most of their products. This is a fantastic free resource. To use the free tutorials that Microsoft offers just visit office.microsoft.com. Put your mouse cursor over the support tab and a drop down menu will appear. Excel is at the top of the list. You will find beginning Excel courses such as creating a chart to more advanced skill level courses.

Another great free resource is free-training-tutorial.com. The site does not require registration and the courses are free. The courses are divided into three categories:

Excel Basics
Calculations
Special Features

Once you choose a category, you will see a list of video tutorials for that category. The tutorials are short and to the point. Most are under five minutes in length. Of course, some of the other more advanced videos may be a bit longer. The information presented in the videos cover everything you will need to master Excel.

Learning Excel will be easy if you use these free online resources. The video format provides an excellent way to learn. Learning Excel requires practice and these tutorials will provide the opportunity. You do not have to invest in books or tutorial software programs. Save your money and take advantage of the numerous free online tutorials to become proficient in Excel.

Filed Under: Microsoft Tagged With: Microsoft

Three Methods to Learn Microsoft Excel

Excel is one of Microsoft’s top software products. A few years ago, spreadsheets were only used in certain areas of business. As Excel became popular and Microsoft developed the software with more functionality, it seems everyone uses Excel. Many businesses use Excel to create company documents and forms. It seems everyone likes to see information displayed on a spreadsheet. For those that are just beginning to learn Excel, the learning process is quite challenging.

You first have to decide how much of Excel you want to learn. You can choose to learn simple Excel basics such as creating a spreadsheet and calculations. Once you determine how far into Excel you want to go, you can choose one of three methods to learn Excel.

If you want to learn Excel on your own, you will find hundreds of books on the subject. Excel is a software program that requires a great deal of practice to become proficient. You will want to choose a book that includes numerous practice exercises. You also want to choose a book that has a quick-guide reference section. These sections are nice to have in case you forget how to use a particular function.

Another more popular method for self-learning is Excel software tutorials. This is a great way to learn Excel on your own. Again, you want to make sure the tutorial offers plenty of practice exercises. You also want to make sure the program contains beginner, intermediate and expert levels.

The best method to learn Excel is to take continuing education classes at your local college. The classes are affordable and you have the benefit of having an instructor. If you have questions, you are able to get immediate answers from the instructor. You are given plenty of practice assignments to become proficient with Excel. You can start with the beginner’s course and work your way up.

With the right learning tools and practice, you will become proficient.

Filed Under: Excel, Microsoft Tagged With: Business, Computer program, Learning, Microsoft, Microsoft Office, Spreadsheet

The Ease of Assistance

The world is defined to technology: each day offers a new discovery of machines and software, the virtual ease. Progress is a common thing, proven with every instant. And it bounds in to every home, found in computers and their programming. It’s familiar. It’s accepted. It’s… utterly baffling to you.

You’ve never understood the subtleties of screens, the keyboard commands. All attempts to master systems have instead been met with failure. Windows confuses. Macintosh disappoints. And Linux is a notion you can’t even consider (with far too many calls for codes and source manipulation). You simply can’t comprehend the necessary programs — even Excel.

It’s become a necessity for your career, the use of calculations and clever cells. But you fumble with data; and you hesitate with sparklines. There’s no recognition of the patterns or trends. Instead you merely glare at a monitor, wondering when paper and ink became so obsolete (and if you could bring them back to the public consciousness).

Such actions aren’t required, however. You merely instead must seek help.

Excel is among the most widely used programs in the world. Its ability to connect users of any systems brands it ideal for transferring information and enabling quick edits. All individuals can take advantage of it. And those same individuals can also provide you with assistance.

There are endless tutorials, forums and FAQ pages available for Excel. The infinite possibilities it offers has caused a sudden demand for support — with Microsoft, Macintosh and casual users all providing relevant content. The Internet is flooded to questions and answers, explanations and walk-throughs. And these will allow you to discover all of the information you need to master the program. Comprehensive guides are available, detailing each step and enabling you to learn at your own pace. You merely need to search for them.

Excel is not the horror you have imagined. It merely requires support — and this is all too easy to find.

Filed Under: Excel, Microsoft, Software, Tips Tagged With: Excel, Microsoft, Microsoft Excel, Spreadsheet

Conversion, Convenience: Excel

A document is complete. It was a tedious process, demanding hours and patience, the summons of energy you didn’t know you had. But you finally have succeeded, can offer numbers to your employer with certainty — he will be pleased and you will be rewarded. All of your financial wizardry will impress, you believe. And there is nothing else to do now but to send it through the wireless connections, let it seek out his home computer (he left the office long ago, offered you only an order to stay). You then close all files, gather your things and shuffle toward the door. Tomorrow will be perfect, you’re sure.

It isn’t.

Because the document was never opened. Your employer’s computer couldn’t convert the text, turned numbers into an unknown language. And the revisions he had wanted to add were forced instead to be delayed. He is now furious and you are now shamed.

This could have been avoided if you’d only used Excel.

Transferring files is rarely easy. There are too many complications, too many differences between computers. Systems are not compatible and reject all words they cannot read. With Excel, however, this is no longer a worry. Compressing documents into an email will not shift them into terrors. They can instead be utilized easily.

Macintosh and Microsoft — the most prevalent platforms throughout the world — can both access Excel. This allows all data to be exchanged between entirely different networks without concern. The documents will remain in tact and can be opened and revised as necessary. Any form of this program (even those suffering from a lack of modern updates) still provide the ability to connect computers. Information can be accepted.

And this becomes invaluable to those who must rely on spreadsheets. They will no longer be forced to send copies again and again, trying to find the right extensions. Excel allows them to simply offer the numbers and ignore the worries of conversion.

Filed Under: Excel, Microsoft, Software Tagged With: Excel, Microsoft, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office, Spreadsheet, Visual Basic for Applications

Sizing Capabilities: Excel

It was once a limitation of data, a force of minuscule facts: spreadsheets could be crafted virtually, typed into a computer; but they couldn’t offer the necessary space. All columns were to be shallow. All rows were to be small. Cells couldn’t be overwhelmed with information. They were instead to be protected from it, offered only the essential details. New files were constantly needed, just to keep the programs from failing.

Excel has changed all of that.

With the introduction of their 2010 program, Microsoft has discovered a way to enjoy the comforts of a computer while still creating the necessary documents. Size is no longer a concern. It can be instead be countered:

One: Speed. Excel — despite its many innovations — was once burdened by slow speeds, the loading lulls. Large files were difficult to transfer, forcing users to wait for tedious minutes. That worry has been erased, however. The experience is a now quick one, even with hefty documents. The program won’t falter.

Two: Consistency. A download creeps across the screen, its progress weak, its rewards fading. This is the third attempt to achieve completion and you think there will be a fourth to follow. A file is simply too massive to attach, and the process is wavering. With Excel this is no longer a problem. It’s capable instead of efficient — and consistent — attachments.

Three: Copying. The movement of data, the copy and paste of words, often leaves you wary. Too often do files simply… disappear, unable to withstand the sudden rush of characters and columns. With Excel, however, you can place information into new documents with ease. Shifting from clipboards to blank pages will not be a burden.

Documents were once confined to simple lines, meager rows. Spreadsheets were meant to be tiny. Excel has reinvented the computer concept, however, and allows users to now form the files they need — without a care for space, length or size.

Filed Under: Excel, Microsoft, Software, Spreadsheet Tagged With: Cut copy and paste, Excel, Microsoft, Microsoft Excel, Spreadsheet, Visual Basic for Applications

Walking Through, Gaining Confidence: Excel

: Image via Wikipedia

Software is a confusion: this is an unfortunate truth, and one you must admit daily. Technology baffles, forcing you to stumble through keyboard commands, to wince with every failed attempt of mastery. A computer is necessary, you know, but that doesn’t make it understood. And, when you’re told that you must begin using Microsoft’s Excel program for your career, your first reaction is to… panic.

Spreadsheets seem complicated. Graphs seem unlikely. And the notion of sparklines is met with utter bewilderment. You don’t recognize the terms and phrases; you don’t know the steps and tools. And you worry that your employer will think you unworthy of his trust (as well as that promotion you’ve been trying to earn).

There is way to counter the software deficiencies, however — use a walk-through.

Defined simply: a walk-through is a comprehensive guide to any unknown process. Each action is carefully charted, allowing the individual to move through them all slowly. Every detail is discussed. Every contingency is offered. It enables for an easy understanding of technology, without demanding worry in return.

And for those who fret over Excel it can be invaluable.

Allow users who have already explored the facets of a program to chart them out for you. Learn everything from collecting numbers to binding data fields to customizing files. All functions can be offered to you, with the tools and endless buttons all explained. A walk-through will even provide security suggestions, helpful hints and the potential applications (ones that you may not have considered for Excel before).

Don’t assume that this program can’t be conquered. It can — and it has been. You can take advantage of the efforts of others, allowing them to offer the advice you need. Learn what you wish and gain the confidence to succeed.

Excel isn’t impossible to understand. You simply need assistance to do this. Walk-throughs are available throughout the online world and will prove to be essential. Use them.

Filed Under: Excel, Microsoft, Software, Spreadsheet Tagged With: Excel, Function (mathematics), Microsoft, Microsoft Excel, Spreadsheet, Statistics

10 Excel Keyboard Shortcuts that Every User Should Know

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Microsoft Excel can be difficult for new users to get around in. They may find themselves clicking the wrong areas, or have trouble locating commands within the tool bars. There are several keyboard shortcuts that are beneficial to anyone who uses this program. These are especially useful if you have problems with your mouse or simply prefer to use the keys on the keyboard.

Navigation Within Excel

CTRL + Home – This shortcut will move you to the beginning of your worksheet. The active cell will typically become A1, or the first cell located in the top left corner of the page.

CTRL + End – This combination of keys will all your active cell to become the one located in the bottom right corner of your worksheet.

CTRL + N – These two keys open a new worksheet when pressed at the same time.

Data Selection

CTRL + Click – This keyboard shortcut will provide you with the ability to select a number of cells at one time. You would normally click your mouse and drag the cursor across the page to select more than one cell. However, by pressing the CTRL key, you can select cells that are not touching each other.

CTRL + A – These two keys, when pressed together, will allow you to select the entire worksheet.

CTRL + C – This shortcut makes a copy of the cells you have just selected. They will be appended to the clipboard, and can be pasted somewhere else on the worksheet, or into a new worksheet.

CTRL + V – Pressing these two keys together will allow you to quickly paste the cells you have previously copied.

Font Formatting in Excel

The following keyboard shortcuts will apply to the text within an active cell. Additionally, they will also alter the text within each cell if many cells are currently selected.

CTRL + B – Bolds the text

CTRL + I – Italicizes the data

CTRL + U – Underlines the text

Filed Under: Excel, Microsoft, Tips Tagged With: Control key, Keyboard shortcut, Microsoft Excel, Mouse and Keyboard, Shareware, Underline, Utilities, Windows

2 Computer Essentials

: Image by cocoate.com via Flickr

When you are buying a computer you are overwhelmed with the amount of choices there are available to you. There is certainly no limit to what you can have done to it. As a matter of fact you have websites that are completely devoted to giving your computer every accessory and piece of power it possibly can. It’s so easy to get overwhelmed by these choices that you end up making a rather poor choice about your computer and either overpay or don’t get what you really needed on the computer in the first place. So here is a list of exactly what your computer needs.

Microsoft

This should go without saying seeing as how almost every computer in the world runs on Windows but if you get a computer without the essential windows tools you’ll making your own PC worse for wares. The truth is that Windows isn’t the best feature of Microsoft. Their office edition has some of the better applications out there and for that you are missing the boat if you pass them up. Go and get yourself Windows today and the great office programs that go along with it.

DVD Player/Sound Card

Don’t fool yourself into thinking that your computer was here for the explicit purpose of hanging your email. The truth is your computer is quickly become your one stop entertainment center. You can do anything on it. So make sure your next computer has a DVD player and a good sound and graphics card. It’s the best thing that you can possibly do for your computer in the future. This will also help as many stations and companies are putting their programming online. It’s become a big industry and you could use a computer that knows how to handle it. Having these things will make your computer what you need it to be.

Filed Under: General, Internet, Microsoft, Tips Tagged With: DVD, Microsoft, Microsoft Security Essentials, Microsoft Windows, Operating system, Personal computer, Windows, Windows XP

New Features In Microsoft Excel 2010

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There are a lot of great new features available with Microsoft Excel 2010. These features are definitely worth taking a look at. They include:
· Search Filter: This will allow you to quickly and easily narrow down your searches so that you can search a million entries instantaneously.
· Conditional Formatting: You can make your document look professional by adding great formats to it. With Excel 2010 there are more styles, icons, color effects, data bars and highlighting capabilities.
· Power Pivot Add-In, which used to be known as Project “Gemini”: Yu can streamline the integration of data from multiple sources so that you can quickly and easily work with a lot of data (up to as many as a million rows).
· Sparklines: You will be able to graphically display your data within just one cell, whether this is in a line, column or win/loss format.
· Slicer: This is a filtering mechanism that will allow you to maneuver your data without using drop down lists to do so. As such, it will be easier to section off your data to be filtered.
· Backstage: This is what replaces the traditional file menu. It is more ergonomic and efficient.
· An Improved Ribbon: The new ribbon allows you to quickly access your favorite commands. You will also be able to create customized tabs in order to make Excel look the way that you want it to.
· Online Capabilities: Now you can post your spreadsheets online so that you will be able to work on them from anywhere you want. You will also have all of the same capabilities that you would normally have whenever you choose to work in another location.
· Excel Web App: This is the application that you will use whenever you are working online. It is what will allow you to view and edit your spreadsheet from anywhere at any time.
· Excel Mobile: With the mobile version you can always stay up-to-date if you have a Smart Phone.

Filed Under: Excel, Microsoft, Tips Tagged With: Data, Excel, Excel Web App, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office 2007, Office Web Apps, Pivot table, Spreadsheet