Excel Fundamentals and Data Entry

What You Will Learn

• Identify workbooks, worksheets, rows, columns, cells, and ranges
• Enter text, numbers, and dates correctly
• Format cells for currency, percentages, and dates
• Use AutoFill and Freeze Panes

Lesson Notes

The Excel Workspace

A workbook is the file; it contains worksheets (tabs at the bottom). Columns are letters, rows are numbers, and each cell has an address such as C7. A range is a group of cells, written like A2:A20. The formula bar shows what is really in the selected cell.

Entering Data Well

Put one kind of information in each column, with a clear header in row 1. Enter numbers without symbols (type 1250, then format as currency). Enter dates in a standard format (10/2/2027). Keep one record per row and avoid blank rows in a list.

Number Formatting

Formatting changes how a value looks, not the value itself. Use Currency or Accounting for money, Percentage for rates, Date for dates. Adjust decimal places with the Increase/Decrease Decimal buttons.

Time-Savers

AutoFill: drag the fill handle (small square at a cell's corner) to continue a series such as months or 1, 2, 3. Freeze Panes: keep the header row visible while scrolling. Rename worksheet tabs so they describe their contents.

Key Terms

In-Class Activities

Build a Supply List

Create a worksheet with columns Item, Category, Quantity, Unit Cost, and Date Ordered. Enter 10 office supplies, format Unit Cost as currency and dates consistently, freeze the header row, and rename the tab Supplies.

AutoFill Practice

Use AutoFill to create: the months January–December, the weekdays Monday–Friday, and the numbers 5, 10, 15 … 100.

Assignment: Contact and Supply Workbook

Create a workbook with two named tabs:

• Contacts: 10 fictional vendors with Name, Company, Phone, Email, and City.
• Supplies: your supply list from class with correct formats.
• Freeze the header row on both tabs.

Graded with the Module Assignment Rubric.

Reflection Journal

Order in a spreadsheet makes information trustworthy and easy to use. Where in your life is God inviting you to build better order: your time, your space, your finances, or your thoughts?

Prayer focus: Ask God to bring order and clarity to your work and your life.

Not a Math Class

Many women walk into an Excel class with old fears about math. Here is good news: Excel does the math. Your job is to set up information carefully so the calculations are right.

The heart of good spreadsheets is structure: one kind of information per column, clear headers, one record per row, no blank rows in the middle. When information is organized well, Excel can sort it, total it, and chart it in seconds.

Think of a well-kept supply closet. Everything has a labeled place; you can tell at a glance what is running low. A good spreadsheet is the same kind of order, made digital.

Be patient with yourself this week. Clicking cells, typing entries, and formatting numbers may feel slow. That's normal. Within a few weeks, it will feel natural.

Think About It

1. What feelings do numbers bring up for you? ______________________
2. What would you track in a spreadsheet after release? ______________________
3. How does order help you feel calmer? ______________________

Daily Devotions for Week 1

Order and Peace

Let all things be done decently and in order.— 1 Corinthians 14:40 (KJV)

Order is a gift that brings calm and clarity.

Reflect: What would you like to put in order?

Pray: Lord, bring order to my work and life.

Do: Organize one list today.

Diligent Hands

He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.— Proverbs 10:4 (KJV)

Steady, diligent work brings increase over time.

Reflect: Where can you be more diligent?

Pray: Lord, make my hands diligent.

Do: Practice data entry for fifteen minutes.

Fear Not

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee.— Isaiah 41:10 (KJV)

Old fears about learning don't have to rule you. God strengthens you.

Reflect: What learning fear can you hand over?

Pray: Lord, strengthen me and help me.

Do: Try one new Excel skill without fear of mistakes.

Counting the Cost

For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost?— Luke 14:28 (KJV)

Counting and tracking are wise habits Jesus affirmed.

Reflect: What in your life needs careful counting?

Pray: Lord, give me wisdom to plan.

Do: Build a simple list of your weekly expenses.

Growing Step by Step

For precept must be upon precept… line upon line; here a little, and there a little.— Isaiah 28:10 (KJV)

Learning builds line upon line. Each small step matters.

Reflect: What did you learn this week?

Pray: Lord, teach me line upon line.

Do: Review this week's notes for ten minutes.