Buzz
Spreadsheets are fantastic tools for calculating various totals. This article walks you through the process of setting up a basic spreadsheet in Microsoft Excel, using a simple expense report as an example.
Steps
Launch Excel.
Note that there are multiple rows and columns.
- Each column is labeled with a capital letter at the top to help you identify it.
- Each row is numbered on the left side of the first column to indicate its position.
- The location of each cell is determined by the column letter followed by the row number. For example, the cell in the first column and first row is A1. The cell in the second column and third row is B3.
- If you click on a cell, its location will appear directly above column A.
Click on cell A1 and type: Item (Expense).
Click on cell B1 and type: Cost (Expense).
Click on cell A2 and type: Printing (Printing).
Click on cell B2 and type 80.00.
- After clicking outside cell B2, the number 80 will appear in cell B2.
Click on cell A3 and type: Postage (Postage).
Click on cell B3 and type: 75.55.
- After clicking outside cell B3, the number 75.55 will appear in cell B3.
Click on cell A4 and type: Envelopes (Envelopes).
Click on cell B4 and type: 6.00.
- After clicking outside cell B4, the number 6 will appear in cell B4.
Click on cell A5 and type: Total (Total).
Click on cell B5 and type: =SUM(B2:B4).
Click on another cell. The total amount 161.55 will appear in cell B5.
- SUM(B2:B4) is a formula. This formula is used to perform mathematical calculations in Excel. You must type an equal sign (=) before the formula to let Excel know it is a calculation formula.
Click Save (Save).
Tips
- The method above can be applied to Excel 2003 or older versions of Excel.
- Select cells from B2 to B4.
What You Need
- A computer running Windows/Mac OSX operating system
- Microsoft Excel
