Excel Essentials for Beginners

What is the formula to add two numbers in Excel?

• =ADD(A1, A2)

• =TOTAL(A1, A2)

• =A1 * A2

• =SUM(A1, A2) or =A1 + A2

Answer explanation

The correct formula to add two numbers in Excel is =SUM(A1, A2) or =A1 + A2. The other options are incorrect as they do not represent valid addition functions in Excel.

How do you change the font size of a cell in Excel?

• Use the 'Insert' tab to adjust the font size.

• Double-click the cell and type the new font size directly.

• Select the cell, go to the 'Home' tab, and adjust the font size in the 'Font' group.

• Right-click the cell and select 'Change Font Size' from the menu.

Answer explanation

To change the font size in Excel, select the cell, then go to the 'Home' tab and adjust the font size in the 'Font' group. This is the correct method, as the other options do not provide the right steps.

Which chart type is best for showing trends over time?

• Scatter plot

• Pie chart

• Bar chart

• Line chart

Answer explanation

A line chart is best for showing trends over time as it connects data points with lines, making it easy to visualize changes and patterns. Other chart types like scatter plots and pie charts are less effective for this purpose.

What function would you use to find the average of a range of cells?

• SUM

• MAX

• COUNT

• AVERAGE

Answer explanation

To find the average of a range of cells, you would use the AVERAGE function. This function calculates the mean of the selected values, making it the correct choice compared to SUM, MAX, or COUNT.

How can you sort data in ascending order in Excel?

• Use the 'Filter' option to rearrange the data.

• Select the data range, go to 'Data' tab, click 'Sort A to Z'.

• Right-click the data range and choose 'Sort by Color'.

• Select the data range, go to 'Home' tab, click 'Sort Z to A'.

Answer explanation

To sort data in ascending order in Excel, select the data range, go to the 'Data' tab, and click 'Sort A to Z'. This option directly arranges the data from the smallest to the largest value.

What is the shortcut key to open the Format Cells dialog?

• Ctrl + Shift + C

• Shift + 1

• Alt + F

• Ctrl + 1

Answer explanation

The shortcut key to open the Format Cells dialog in Excel is Ctrl + 1. This combination directly accesses the formatting options, making it a quick way to modify cell properties.

Which function would you use to count the number of cells that contain numbers?

• MAX

• SUM

• AVERAGE

• COUNT

Answer explanation

The COUNT function is specifically designed to count the number of cells that contain numeric values. In contrast, MAX, SUM, and AVERAGE perform different calculations and do not count cells.

How do you create a pie chart in Excel?

• Select your data, go to 'File' > 'New Chart', and choose a type.

• Select your data, go to 'Insert' > 'Pie Chart', and choose a style.

• Highlight your data, click on 'Data' > 'Chart Options', and pick a design.

• Choose your data, navigate to 'View' > 'Chart Wizard', and select a format.

Answer explanation

To create a pie chart in Excel, select your data, then go to 'Insert' and choose 'Pie Chart' to pick a style. This is the correct method, as it directly accesses the chart options needed for pie charts.

What is the purpose of the VLOOKUP function?

• To look up and retrieve data from a specific column in a table based on a matching value in the first column.

• To format cells based on their values.

• To calculate the sum of a range of cells.

• To create a chart from a data set.

Answer explanation

The VLOOKUP function is designed to search for a value in the first column of a table and return a corresponding value from a specified column, making it essential for data retrieval in spreadsheets.

How can you apply a filter to a data range in Excel?

• Right-click the data range and choose 'Insert Filter'.

• Select the data range, go to the 'Home' tab, and click 'Sort'.

• Select the data range, go to the 'Data' tab, and click 'Filter'.

• Select the data range, go to the 'View' tab, and click 'Hide'.

Answer explanation

To apply a filter in Excel, select the data range, navigate to the 'Data' tab, and click 'Filter'. This enables filtering options for your data, allowing you to sort and filter based on specific criteria.