Paul McFedries - Excel All-in-One For Dummies (For Dummies (Computer/Tech))

Excel All-in-One For Dummies

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Copyright 2022 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey

Published simultaneously in Canada

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Library of Congress Control Number: 2021948861

ISBN: 978-1-119-83072-6 (pbk); ISBN: 978-1-119-83075-7 (ePDF); ISBN: 978-1-119-83074-0 (ePub)

1. Book 1 Chapter 1
2. Book 1 Chapter 2
3. Book 2 Chapter 1
4. Book 2 Chapter 2
5. Book 2 Chapter 3
6. Book 2 Chapter 4
7. Book 3 Chapter 1
8. Book 3 Chapter 2
9. Book 3 Chapter 4
10. Book 3 Chapter 6
11. Book 5 Chapter 1
12. Book 6 Chapter 1
13. Book 6 Chapter 2
14. Book 7 Chapter 1

1. Book 1 Chapter 1
2. Book 1 Chapter 2
3. Book 2 Chapter 1
4. Book 2 Chapter 2
5. Book 2 Chapter 3
6. Book 2 Chapter 4
7. Book 2 Chapter 5
8. Book 3 Chapter 1
9. Book 3 Chapter 2
10. Book 3 Chapter 3
11. Book 3 Chapter 4
12. Book 3 Chapter 5
13. Book 3 Chapter 6
14. Book 4 Chapter 1
15. Book 4 Chapter 2
16. Book 4 Chapter 3
17. Book 5 Chapter 1
18. Book 5 Chapter 2
19. Book 6 Chapter 1
20. Book 6 Chapter 2
21. Book 7 Chapter 1
22. Book 7 Chapter 2
23. Book 8 Chapter 1
24. Book 8 Chapter 2

Excel All-in-One For Dummies brings together plain and simple information on using all aspects of Microsoft Excel. Its designed to be of help no matter how much or how little experience you have with the program. As the preeminent spreadsheet and data analysis software for all sorts of computing devices running Windows (desktops, laptops, tablets, and even smartphones), Excel offers its users seemingly unlimited capabilities too often masked in technical jargon and obscured by explanations only a software engineer could love. On top of that, many of the publications that purport to give you the lowdown on using Excel are quite clear on how to use particular features without giving you a clue as to why you would want to go to all the trouble.

The truth is that understanding how to use the abundance of features offered by Excel is only half the battle, at best. The other half of the battle is to understand how these features can benefit you in your work; in other words, whats in it for you. I have endeavored to cover both the how to and so what aspects in all my discussions of Excel features, being as clear as possible and using a minimum of tech-speak.

Fortunately, Excel is well worth the effort to get to know because its definitely one of the best data-processing and analysis tools that has ever come along. From let-Excel-do-all-the-work features such as Flash Fill and Analyze Data to eyebrow-raisingly powerful tools such as PivotTables and Solver, Excel has whatever you need to get your numbers crunched. Excel is a blast to use when you know what youre doing, and my great hope is that this fun aspect of using the program comes through on every page (or, at least, every other page).

As the name states, Excel All-in-One For Dummies is a reference (whether you keep it on your desk or use it to prop up your desk is your business). This means that although the chapters in each book are laid out in a logical order, each stands on its own, ready for you to dig into the information at any point.

As much as possible, I have endeavored to make the topics within each book and chapter stand on their own. When theres just no way around relying on some information thats discussed elsewhere, I include a cross-reference that gives you the chapter and verse (actually the book and chapter) for where you can find that related information if youre of a mind to.

Use the full Table of Contents and Index to look up the topic of the hour and find out exactly where it is in this compilation of Excel information. Youll find that although most topics are introduced in a conversational manner, I dont waste much time cutting to the chase by laying down the main principles at work (usually in bulleted form) followed by the hard reality of how you do the deed (as numbered steps).