Excel Introduction
Microsoft Excel – Complete Beginner to Interview Guide
Microsoft Excel is one of the most powerful and widely used spreadsheet tools in the world.
It is essential for students, professionals, accountants, data analysts, and businesses.
Excel helps you:
✔ Store and organize data
✔ Perform calculations
✔ Analyze data
✔ Create charts & reports
✔ Automate tasks
🔹 PART 1: Introduction to Excel
1️⃣ What is Microsoft Excel?
Microsoft Excel is a spreadsheet application used to store data in rows and columns and perform calculations on that data.
📌 Excel is part of Microsoft Office / Microsoft 365.
2️⃣ Where is Excel Used?
Excel is widely used in:
✔ Accounting & Finance
✔ Business & Sales reports
✔ Education & Research
✔ Data Analysis
✔ Inventory Management
✔ Payroll & HR
✔ Project Management
📌 Excel is a must-have skill for interviews
3️⃣ Excel Workbook & Worksheet
▶ Workbook
A workbook is an Excel file.
📁 Example:
▶ Worksheet
A worksheet is a single sheet inside a workbook.
📄 A workbook can contain multiple worksheets.
4️⃣ Rows, Columns & Cells
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
| Row | Horizontal (1, 2, 3…) |
| Column | Vertical (A, B, C…) |
| Cell | Intersection of row & column |
📌 Example:
5️⃣ Types of Data in Excel
Excel supports different data types:
✔ Text (Name, City)
✔ Numbers (Salary, Age)
✔ Date & Time
✔ Currency
✔ Percentage
✔ Formula
📌 Excel automatically detects data type
6️⃣ Basic Excel Formulas
Formulas always start with =
▶ Addition
▶ SUM Function
▶ Average
7️⃣ Excel Functions
Functions are predefined formulas in Excel.
Common functions:
✔ SUM()
✔ AVERAGE()
✔ COUNT()
✔ MAX()
✔ MIN()
📌 Functions save time & reduce errors
8️⃣ Excel Charts
Excel allows you to create visual representations of data.
Common chart types:
✔ Column Chart
✔ Bar Chart
✔ Line Chart
✔ Pie Chart
📌 Charts help in data analysis & presentations
9️⃣ Excel Sorting & Filtering
▶ Sorting
Arrange data in:
-
Ascending order
-
Descending order
▶ Filtering
Show only required data.
📌 Very useful for large datasets
🔟 Excel Advantages
✔ Easy to learn
✔ Saves time
✔ Accurate calculations
✔ Handles large data
✔ Useful for all professions
1️⃣1️⃣ Excel Limitations
❌ Not ideal for very large databases
❌ Manual errors possible
❌ Limited automation without VBA
📌 Excel Interview Questions
Q1. What is Excel used for?
👉 Data storage, calculation, analysis & reporting
Q2. What is a cell?
👉 Intersection of a row and column
Q3. What does a formula start with?
👉 =
Q4. Difference between workbook and worksheet?
👉 Workbook = file, Worksheet = sheet
✅ Summary
✔ Excel is a spreadsheet software
✔ Uses rows, columns & cells
✔ Supports formulas & functions
✔ Used for data analysis & reports
✔ Important for exams & interviews
