Excel Basics

Working with Text


Cut/Copy and Paste text
It is very rare to be able to create a worksheet and everything falls into the proper order.  For example, often when working with spreadsheets, we discover the second column should really be after the third column.  Most novices would erase everything and start again, or ignore the issue and be left with something less than satisfying.  That is where cut and paste comes into play.  We want to cut something out and move it to another location. 

STEPS

1. Select the text using either the keyboard or mouse conventions.  Decide whether you want to move the information or copy it.
2. From the Edit menu, choose Cut or Copy which ever applies.  You will notice the cell(s) you selected now have a dashed box around the area.
  Cut Copy
or use the shortcut  Hold tap X  Hold tap C 
or from the toolbar, click on    
3. Position the cursor where you want the text to be inserted
4. Finally, we paste the information into it's new location.
From the Edit menu choose Paste
 or use the shortcut Hold tap V
or from the toolbar

The text will appear where the cursor was located.


 
 


Undo your last action
This feature is absolutely one of your best friends.  When you make a mistake, DON'T PANIC.  If you do, you will probably kill your file completely.  Just utilize the undo feature.  It should be noted that current releases of most Excel processing programs have many undo levels, meaning you can remove more than the last action. 
From the Edit menu choose Undo
  or use the shortcut Hold tap Z
or from the toolbar
   

For multiple undo actions use the drop list attached to the button or continue using the shortcut until all the unwanted commands are removed.


 
 


Reverse your undo
If you have overdone your undo's bring the actions back by utilizing the reverse feature.
From the Edit menu choose Redo
  or use the shortcut Hold tap Y
or from the toolbar

For multiple undo actions use the drop list attached to the button or continue using the shortcut until all the unwanted commands are removed.


 
 
 


Make multiple changes to text
When you want to set any style that is not readily available on the formatting toolbar, you should utilize the font dialog box.  There is a wide variety of options available.
1. Select the text using either the keyboard or mouse conventions.

2. From the Format menu, choose Font

3. Select the Font Face, Size, and Style. 

4. Select other Font options as desired

5. Click on OK or tap the Enter key


 
 


Bold - Italics - Underline text
These options are the most widely used.  They are so popular that learning the shortcuts can be a very good idea. 
1.  Select the text using either the keyboard or mouse conventions.
2. Choose Font from the Format menu, choose Bold, Italic or Underline from the Appearance group box
Click on OK or tap the Enter key

 Or  

Attribute Shortcut  toolbar
Bold Ctrl B

Underline

Ctrl U

Italic

Ctrl I

 
 


Change the Font style/size
1. Select the text using either the keyboard or mouse conventions.
2. Choose Font from the Format menu, choose the font from the Font box, then choose OK
or
You can also click on the standard tool bar.  Select the font face.  

Or
Click on this button to change the font size.
Do not limit your size to the choices listed.  For example, let's say you the lettering is too small at 10 pt, and too big at 12 pt.  You actually want to use 11 pt, but it is not listed.

The font size is limited only by the page size you are working with, instead of choosing a size from this list provided, double click in the size field to select the current setting, type the size you want, then tap the enter key.  ie 11 enter


 


The Format Painter
Once you've formatted text to look the way you want, you can copy the formatting to other text in the document. 

For example, you have a 30 page spreadsheet that has Subtotals that you want to have stand out.  To make the Subtotals stand out, you have decided to make the font different by changing the:  style, size, color, bold and italics those cells, and Set the subtotals to a currancy style.  If you wanted to do that to every subtotal, you would have to remember 6 different setting options for each cell.

This feature is marvelous.  It does take a little practice, but once you have mastered it, the feature is really kind of fun.  Needless to say, there are several ways of using format painter.

Mouse

  • Position yourself in the cell that has the formats you want to copy.
  • On the Standard toolbar, do one of the following:

  • Single click   to copy the formatting to one location or double click for several locations.

    The mouse pointer will change to a paintbrush with an I-beam pointer, select the text you want to format.

    If you are copying formats to several locations, complete one operation, release the mouse button, and then select additional cell(s) anywhere in the document.
  • When you finish copying character formatting, click the Format Painter button again or press ESC.
Using the keyboard
You can copy the character formatting of selected text quickly by using shortcut keys. Select the text with the formats you want to copy and then press CTRL+SHIFT+C. Then select the text you want to change, and press CTRL+SHIFT+V.

 

 

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