Microsoft Excel Online provides the tools to store important information onto spreadsheets of varying styles and formats. The program also allows users to create charts and tables for business projects. Vast amounts of data can be compiled into spreadsheets and tables as Microsoft Excel Online holds up to 1 million rows by 16,000 columns.

Microsoft Excel Online information includes the latest highlights of the program's features, such as the Office Fluent user interface, charts layout and styles, cell and table styles, and several other tools. The Office Fluent user interface allows Microsoft Excel Online users to write formulas, while the charts layouts and styles feature enables you to add 3-D or other effects to your files. Cell and table styles also allow you to format your Microsoft Excel Online spreadsheets. Resources relating to Microsoft Excel Online for beginners range from reading literature to hands-on tutorials.

1. Read help and feature articles from the Microsoft Excel Online directory.
2. Search for interactive or text-based tutorials from a Microsoft Excel Online provider.
3. Download the Microsoft Excel Online free trial to try out the features and tools before buying the program.
   

Action Steps
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Research the basics up to the advanced features of Microsoft Excel Online

Choose help and how-to articles according to topic from the Microsoft Excel Online list. Find some additional feature articles that focus on Microsoft Excel Online tips and techniques.

I recommend: Start with Microsoft Excel Online product overviews and other basic information at the Microsoft Office Excel product overview page. Read about the latest features of Microsoft Excel Online, brief product demos and helpful information on formatting spreadsheet cells and columns, and other techniques at the Microsoft Office Excel page.

View Microsoft Excel Online and understand how it works

Look for brief product demonstrations, as well as instructor-led and self-paced online courses that teach Microsoft Excel Online for beginners.

I recommend: Select from a list of interactive Microsoft Excel Online courses at the Excel Courses page. Topics range from learning to create an Excel workbook, sharing files and calculating data within tables. For more advanced Microsoft Excel Online courses or for certification opportunities, visit the Microsoft Learning page. Search for Microsoft Excel Online information through third-party courses presented by resources such as TeachUComp, which offers CDs and training manuals.

Practice Microsoft Excel Online at your own pace

Download the Microsoft Excel Online 60-day free trial so that you can experiment with the program's features before buying it for your office.

I recommend: Evaluate system requirements and follow the steps to download the Microsoft Excel Online free trial at the Microsoft Office Professional page. For detailed information or instructions on installing Microsoft Excel Online, visit the Microsoft Office Trial Products page.

Microsoft Excel online programs provide tools that allow business professionals to increase productivity, improve spreadsheet functionality and skillfully analyze spreadsheet information. From add-ins that enhance spreadsheet charts to spreadsheet web-based collaboration tools, Microsoft Excel online sites offer reasonably priced downloads and programs to help users create professional looking spreadsheets quickly, easily and effectively.

Before you buy Microsoft Excel online programs, evaluate your information management and spreadsheet analysis requirements to ensure you purchase applications that meet your specific needs. Research Microsoft Excel Online information and assess the following:

1. What innovative features do Microsoft Excel online products offer to enhance spreadsheet functionality, improve information analysis and simplify spreadsheet formatting?

2. How will Microsoft Excel Online applications facilitate faster and easier information management and increase productivity for your business?

3. How much should you budget for Microsoft Excel online downloads and programs, and which Microsoft Excel online provider offers the best prices?

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Purchase Microsoft Excel online programs that enhance spreadsheet features

Find Microsoft Excel online downloads and applications that offer tools and features to take your spreadsheet functionality to the next level. Look for options that enhance formatting and improve data analysis. Check out resources that will help you effectively manage spreadsheet information.

I recommend: Enhance your Microsoft Excel spreadsheets with professional looking charts, logos and images by downloading SpreadsheetWEB offered by Pagos. Check out the Microsoft Excel Online list of add-ins like pivot table formatting, managing worksheets and merging cells at AbleBits. Download Microsoft Excel online tools for cells formatting and chart creation at Add-in Express.

Select Microsoft Excel online solutions that maximize productivity

Choose a Microsoft Excel online product that offers quick and easy options to optimize business productivity. Research Microsoft Excel online options that expedite spreadsheet development and streamline information management capabilities. Consider software programs that share Microsoft Excel information online for simplified team communication and collaboration.

I recommend: Download the Get Started Tab for Excel 2007 add-in at Microsoft.com to access free content on Office Online that helps you learn Excel 2007 quickly and offers valuable online tips. Turns Microsoft Excel spreadsheets into multi-user, secure, web based tools with the SecureSheet free trial at SecureSheet Technologies. Access a Microsoft Excel Online list of add-ins to improve work productivity at Office Assistance.

Find Microsoft Excel online applications available at competitive prices

Be a smart shopper and compare prices among several Microsoft Excel online providers. When evaluating prices, be sure to compare the same versions of the Microsoft Excel online applications to ensure you are getting your desired software at an affordable price. Ask about free trials before purchasing Microsoft Excel software or downloads.

I recommend: Get free Microsoft Excel online workbooks, templates, add-ins and tutorials at OzGrid. Play a free demo and purchase AnalyzerXL, which includes 165 technical analysis functions and indicators for Microsoft Excel formulas, at AnalyzerXL. Download free and competitively priced Microsoft Excel add-ins, updates, service packs and viewers to improve Excel performance and functionality at Beqiraj.com.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Before downloading or purchasing Microsoft Excel online products, make sure the programs are compatible with your computer's operating system. Ask your Microsoft Excel online provider about compatibility requirements.

Everyone in business should be able to perform basic functions using Microsoft Excel. There are many business tasks you can perform with Excel, including payroll, inventory and budgets. When working with Microsoft Excel, there are certain key terms that you will repeatedly encounter; knowing these terms will allow you to fully understand the many Excel features that are available. These terms will also allow you to seek help when necessary by using the Excel help feature and online tools. Being able to speak "Excel" is important as you explore all the functions that Excel can perform for your business.

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Ribbon

The ribbon is new for Excel 2007. The ribbon sits at the top of your screen and helps you navigate your way through Excel. Older versions of Excel have menus and sub-menus. The ribbon replaces those by grouping like items together on a ribbon, or line across the top of your screen.

I recommend: Computerworld has a terrific cheat sheet on its website that includes all the items located on the ribbon and an explanation of what they do.

Function

Functions are formulas that Microsoft has already written for you, such as sum or average. Using formulas can save you a lot of time since you don't have to create them or do the math yourself.

I recommend: There are a vast number of Excel function tutorials on the Developer Shed website. There is a tutorial for just about every need you could have, even those you may not have thought of.

Named ranges

A range is a group of cells within a spreadsheet. A named range is that same group of cells, but you give it a meaningful name so you and anyone using your spreadsheet will know exactly what that range is representing.

I recommend: To learn how to create a named range, when they could be useful and what they look like, visit the Stay Home and Learn website.

Freezing and unfreezing panes

When working with Excel, it is imperative that you know the trick of freezing and unfreezing panes. This involves freezing one row or column so you can see it, while still being able to scroll over to see all your other rows and columns. This is extremely helpful if you need to compare date in different columns or rows.

I recommend: Ozgrid.com has a simple tutorial to teach you how to freeze and unfreeze panes.

Fill handle

You will find a fill handle in the lower right corner of any active cell. By clicking or dragging on the fill handle, you can copy what is in the cell to other cells or you can create a series.

I recommend: You can watch a helpful video focused on using fill handles on 5min Life Videopedia. It will show you all the tricks to using fill handles.

Number formatting

Number formatting is adjusting the way the numbers appear inside the cells, including the placement of decimal points. Excel has many options for number formatting.

I recommend: MouseTrax Computing Solutions has a very extensive overview of how to use number formatting and the different options available.