Open Excel
Choose a blank workbook or a template
Click a cell to enter data
Type values directly into cells
Use Enter to move to the next row, or Tab to move to the next column
Format cells (Home tab → Font, Alignment, Number)
Set number formats (Home → Number → Currency/Percent/Number)
Create a table (Insert tab → Table)
Apply table styles (Table Design tab)
Enter formulas (type `=` in a cell)
Use common formulas (e.g., `=SUM(range)`, `=AVERAGE(range)`, `=IF(condition, value_if_true, value_if_false)`, `=VLOOKUP(…)`, `=XLOOKUP(…)`)
Reference cells in formulas (e.g., `=A1+B1`)
Copy formulas (select the cell with the formula → drag the fill handle)
Sort data (Data tab → Sort)
Filter data (Data tab → Filter)
Create charts (Insert tab → choose chart type)
Select data for the chart (highlight range before inserting)
Add chart labels and titles (Chart Design/Format tabs)
Create pivots (Insert tab → PivotTable)
Refresh pivot data (PivotTable Analyze tab → Refresh)
Save the file (File tab → Save As)
Rename sheets (double-click sheet tab)
Move or copy sheets (right-click sheet tab → Move or Copy)
Protect a worksheet (Review tab → Protect Sheet)
Freeze panes (View tab → Freeze Panes)
Set print settings (File tab → Print → adjust options)
Print (File tab → Print → Print button)
Export (File tab → Export → Change File Type)