Overview
Oftentimes, people find themselves lost or “stuck” when executing tasks for creating spreadsheets. Excel users in this scenario usually have a faint memory of how to do something, or they “know it can be done,” but can't fully remember how to get to where they need to go. Like most Microsoft apps, Excel sorts similar functions in each of the main tab menus. For example, the Insert tab includes anything you might want to put into your Excel file, including pictures, charts, graphs, and more. When trying to find a specific function, systematically navigate through the ribbon in Excel to find exactly what you are looking for:
Information
To systematically navigate through Excel:
- Review the tabs at the top of the screen
- Select a Tab that you believe is appropriate for your task and scan the information from left to right through the Groups on the Ribbon. Oftentimes, the most used items will be closer to the left of the screen. Excel ribbons for common items available in PowerPoint and Word will also be in similar places between the three programs.
- Finally, search the Icons within your selected Group for the appropriate option. Groups are the names that appear below each section of a Tab but are not menus themselves.
Example:
Jordan has been asked to tidy up a table in Excel and make it presentable. To accomplish this, they want to alter text within certain cells so that it is centered vertically (so they want to change an alignment).
Jordan will:
- Go to the Home tab. This tab has similar text editing features available in the Home tab that is found in PowerPoint and Word.
- Navigate from left to right through the Groups on the Ribbon and find the “Alignment” Group
- Move up into the Icons within the Alignment Group and select the “Middle Align” Icon.
If you are unable to find the icon that you are seeking, be sure to check for an expansion button to reveal any hidden options. In addition, you also have the option to use the “Tell Me” Bar at the top of the page to search for items and phrases.