Budgets, sales lists or class grades that need totals, filters and charts? Microsoft Excel organizes text, numbers and formulas in a grid of rows and columns, and turns it into a workbook for calculations, data cleanup, and visual summaries.
Cells, formulas, and AutoFill
Enter labels, dates, or values directly into cells, then use formulas and functions to calculate results. Excel includes functions such as SUM, IF, VLOOKUP, and XLOOKUP for adding values, applying conditions, and finding matching data. Cell references let a formula use values elsewhere in the worksheet, so changing an input can update related results.
AutoFill continues a pattern across neighboring cells. Enter the start of a series, such as consecutive months, and extend it with the fill handle. Tables, sorting, filters, and drop-down lists add structure to records and control what values can be entered.
PivotTables and charts
PivotTables summarize worksheet data by arranging fields into rows, columns, values, and filters. Slicers provide clickable filters for narrowing a PivotTable view. A PivotChart presents the resulting summary visually, while regular charts can be created from selected worksheet data.
Conditional formatting marks values with data bars, color scales, or icons, making patterns easier to spot in a table. Sparklines place compact trend charts inside individual cells.
Importing and organizing data
Excel can import and export text and CSV files, and split text across multiple columns. After bringing data into a worksheet, remove duplicates, sort records, or filter a table to focus on particular entries. Freeze panes keep selected rows or columns visible while moving through a larger sheet.
Workbooks can contain multiple worksheets, which can be moved, copied, hidden, or protected. For shared work, Excel supports simultaneous workbook editing and saving to OneDrive.
Pros
- AutoFill extends number and text series across cells
- PivotTables arrange worksheet data for analysis
- Charts, data bars, colors, and icons reveal patterns
- CSV and text files can be imported or exported
System requirements: Windows 10, Windows 11 · Processor: 1.6 GHz, 2-core · RAM: 4 GB (64-bit) or 2 GB (32-bit) · 4 GB available disk space · 1024 × 768 display resolution · DirectX 10 graphics card for hardware acceleration · Internet access · Microsoft account
How do I continue a sequence with AutoFill?
Type the first two or three entries, select them, then pull the small square at the corner of the selection sideways or downward.
What is a PivotTable used for?
A PivotTable arranges worksheet data into summaries using fields, values, and filters.
Can Excel work with CSV files?
Yes. Excel can import and export CSV and other text files.