The following are all presentations of the same value (1.05):

The following are all presentations of the same value (1.05): 1.05 = 1.050000 = $1.05 = 105% = 1/1/1900

Likewise, these ALSO represent the same numerical value (.75):

Likewise, these ALSO represent the same numerical value (.75): .75 = $0.75 = 75% = 3/4 = 6:00:00 PM Speaker notes: We'll cover the ins and outs of the various formatting choices in the next post. But be aware, that formatting can be tricky. Notice how, in the first example above, if we choose to format the value 1.05 as a Date, we get the displayed value of 1/1/1900.

In a way, this is to be expected, since we learned that in Excel, the number 1 can be considered to represent 1/1/1900. But what about that .05 (five one-hundredths)? Well, this would actually represent 1/20th of 1 day (5/100ths reduces to 1/20th). But since we specified a date format which did not include the time as part of the format to display, we get only the date.

The value of a number is stored in the cell. Formatting determines how the number is displayed, and what level of precision is displayed. When using the value of the cell in calculations, the true value is used, not the displayed value!

The Text Data Type

The Text Data Type Microsoft Excel regards test as strings of characters. The letters of the alphabet, numerical characters, symbols such as % and $, as well as spaces and tabs are all valid text. In cases where Excel cannot distinguish a value as either a number type, a logical type, or an error type, the value will be treated as text.

Speaker notes: Excel will recognize a text string of up to 32,768 characters. However, only 1024 can be displayed in a cell. Excel tries to be helpful, in that, as you enter information into a cell, the application attempts to determine what type of data you are entering and treat it accordingly.

Speaker notes: For example, we will return to the issue of leading zeros and account numbers.

Speaker notes: For example, we will return to the issue of leading zeros and account numbers. Lets say an account number begins with four zeros:00001234567891011. If we were to simply enter this string of numbers into a cell, excel will decide we are entering a number value, and will drop those leading zeros.

We can tell Excel to treat the data in a cell as text by pre-pending a single-quote character before the text we wish to enter, or by applying the text format to the cell through the cell formatting menu (which we will discuss in the next post).

The Error Data Type

The Error Data Type Speaker notes: There are instances in which errors will occur when Excel evaluates the contents of a cell. For example, division by zero is mathematically undefined, and the machine cannot, by itself, resolve this error. It turns out the Excel has an Error type specifically for this instance, the #DIV/0! result.

The different error values Excel provides are listed in the following table, along with the meaning of th

The different error values Excel provides are listed in the following table, along with the meaning of the error:

In Cell A1, type a very long number (16 digit number)

In Cell A1, type a very long number (16 digit number)

If a number is too large to fit in a cell, it may appear as several pound signs or as scientific notation

If a number is too large to fit in a cell, it may appear as several pound signs or as scientific notation.

To enlarge the cell so that all of the data appears, simply double-click on the right side of the cell, o

To enlarge the cell so that all of the data appears, simply double-click on the right side of the cell, or place the cursor on the right side of the cell and drag it to the right. This cursor must be visible to perform either action.

The height of a row may be adjusted by placing the cursor over the top or bottom of the row’s heading and

The height of a row may be adjusted by placing the cursor over the top or bottom of the row’s heading and dragging to the desired height. This cursor must be visible to perform either action.

Right Click cell A1 and select “Clear Contents” to clear the number we typed.

Right Click cell A1 and select “Clear Contents” to clear the number we typed.

Click on “Insert,” then “Insert Sheet” to add another worksheet.

Click on “Insert,” then “Insert Sheet” to add another worksheet.

New worksheet added.

New worksheet added.

To rename a worksheet, right-click on the tab, and select “Rename.”

To rename a worksheet, right-click on the tab, and select “Rename.” Rename this sheet “Practice”

Cells must be highlighted, or selected, for Excel to perform a task. Simply click on a cell, hold down th

Cells must be highlighted, or selected, for Excel to perform a task. Simply click on a cell, hold down the mouse button, drag the mouse over all the cells you wish to select, and release the mouse button.

If the cells you need to select are NOT next to each other, hold down the Ctrl key as you select each one

If the cells you need to select are NOT next to each other, hold down the Ctrl key as you select each one.

Click on a column’s heading to select the entire column.

Click on a column’s heading to select the entire column.

To select multiple columns, click and drag across the columns you wish to select.

To select multiple columns, click and drag across the columns you wish to select.

To select columns that are not next to each other, hold down the Ctrl button and select the columns.

To select columns that are not next to each other, hold down the Ctrl button and select the columns.

Click on a row’s heading to select the entire row.

Click on a row’s heading to select the entire row.

To select multiple rows, click and drag across the rows you wish to select.

To select multiple rows, click and drag across the rows you wish to select.

To select multiple rows that are not next to each other, hold down the Ctrl key and select the rows.

To select multiple rows that are not next to each other, hold down the Ctrl key and select the rows.

In the current spreadsheet, type in the following categories across row 1.

In the current spreadsheet, type in the following categories across row 1. (A1) (B1) (C1) (D1) (E1) (F1) (G1) Last Name First Name Address City State Zip Code Email

To insert a NEW column, highlight the column that you wish to place the new column in front of, then clic

To insert a NEW column, highlight the column that you wish to place the new column in front of, then click “Insert,” then “Insert Sheet columns.”

Please note that all the headings in the columns to the right of the new column have shifted to the next

Please note that all the headings in the columns to the right of the new column have shifted to the next column over. Add “Unit Number” Heading to the new column.

Now in cell A5 type “Hello” (tab) to cell B5 and type “Goodbye” (tab) to cell C5 type “Later” (Enter)

Now in cell A5 type “Hello” (tab) to cell B5 and type “Goodbye” (tab) to cell C5 type “Later” (Enter) In A6 type “Hi” (tab) in B6 type “Bye” (tab) and in C6 type “Later”