Microsoft Excel for the Web Quick Start Guide

Introduction to the Excel 365 Interface 

Excel 365 opens to a page showing Create New workbook options across the top. In most cases you will select Blank workbook, but there are several template options to choose from.

In the Recommended section you will see Excel files/workbooks that you commented on, recently opened or regularly open.

At the bottom you will see all your Excel files/workbooks and can toggle between all, recently opened, shared or favorites.

You are also able to search, filter and change the view between list and thumbnail.

You also can upload new documents here as well. Uploads can be accomplished by pressing the upload button or dragging and dropping a word file into the browser window. Note that you will only be able to upload excel files when in excel.

Click Blank workbook at the top left to get started.

Web Interface Overview

Key components:

- Ribbon: Toolbar with tabs (Home, Insert, Page Layout, etc.)

Take note of the Ribbon across the top which organizes commands into tabs. This is your main navigation hub.

Based on the tab you click at the top, the bottom portion will provide relevant tools.

- Formula Bar: Area above the grid to type or edit values or formulas

- Sheet Area: Main grid of rows and columns

- AutoSave: Automatically saves changes to OneDrive or SharePoint

- File Menu: Access to Create a Copy, Print, Share, Version History, etc.

- Comments & Notes: Add contextual notes and comments for collaboration

Just right click the desired cell and select New Comment or New Note from the drop-down menu.

🧑‍💻 Entering & Editing Data

- Click a cell and type your data.

- Press Enter or use arrow keys to move.

- Use the Formula Bar to view or edit the contents of a cell.

➕ Using Formulas and Functions

Start any formula with '='

- =SUM(A1:A5)

- =AVERAGE(B1:B5)

- =A1+B1, =A1*B2

Use the 'fx' button next to the formula bar to insert functions.

🎨 Formatting Data

Use the Home tab to:

- Change fonts, colors, borders, number formats

- Use Conditional Formatting for dynamic visuals

- Cell Styles provide quick presets for headers, titles, etc.

- You can also apply formulas, sort, filter and search.

📊 Inserting Charts

1. Select your data by using your mouse to highlight desired cells.

2. Go to Insert > Recommended Charts.

3. Choose the chart type (e.g., Column, Line, Pie).

4. Charts are interactive and can be edited via the sidebar. To activate the sidebar, once your chart is added to your sheet, simply double click the chart.