Making Sense of Microsoft Excel

Making Sense of Microsoft Excel provides students with the knowledge, tools, and skillsets they need to fully understand the vast capabilities of Microsoft Excel, learn how the program functions, and apply their newfound knowledge to use the program effectively.

The book begins by defining a spreadsheet, explaining the types of information that are input into one, and the maximum capacity of spreadsheets. Over the course of eight chapters, students learn how to create a spreadsheet, make a graph of the data from the sheet, use a spreadsheet to find stats about given numbers, use the monthly payment and present value functions, name cells, and create borders. Additional chapters address cell indentation, protecting spreadsheets, managing lists, creating templates, using pivot tables, using Visual Basic Programming within a spreadsheet, and more.

For the second edition, images throughout the text have been replaced and updated to reflect the current appearance of Microsoft programs and interfaces. Since Microsoft programs are now a subscription-based service, the interface of the program may continue to change; however, the instructions in this book are up-to-date, even if coloration and design elements differ slightly.

This highly valuable and comprehensive introduction to Microsoft Excel empowers students to use the program confidently and effectively. Making Sense of Microsoft Excel is well suited for courses in business, statistics, economics, finance, or any other course that introduces the use of Microsoft Excel.

John P. Herzog is an instructor of computer science at Wittenberg University and an instructor of economics and finance at the University of Dayton, where he teaches courses in principles of macroeconomics, business finances, financial analysis and markets, and microeconomics. He earned his bachelor's degree and master's degree in business administration from Wright State University.