eLearning Excel Introduction

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Excel Introduction

1. Unit 1: Getting Started
2. Unit 2: Entering and editing data
3. Unit 3: Modifying a Worksheet
   1. Moving and copying data
   2. Moving and copying formulas
   3. Inserting ranges
   4. Deleting ranges
   5. Unit 3 Practice Activity
4. Unit 4: Using Functions
5. Unit 5: Formatting Worksheets
6. Unit 6: Printing
7. Unit 7: Creating Charts

Moving and copying data

Moving involves physically transferring data from one location to another, whereas copying refers to duplicating data so that it appears in more than one location.

There are several methods that can be used to move or copy data.

Toolbar buttons and shortcut keys

The Cut, Copy and Paste buttons are located on the standard toolbar:

• Use CutandPaste to move data
• Use Copy and Paste to copy data

Try it!

Switch to Sheet 3 in Sales report.xls.

Use Cut and Paste to move the names that appear in cells A5:A7 to cells A8:A10.

Then use Undo to move the names back to their previous location.

Use Copy and Paste to copy the names that appear in cells A5:A7 to cells A8:A10.

Then use Undo.

Handy hint:

Only one cell needs to be selected when pasting data - it is not necessary to try and select the same number of cells as you are moving or copying.

Press the Esc key to remove the moving border from around copied or cut cells.

Using the Clipboard

The Clipboard provides a more visual/pictorial interface for copying and pasting data.

The Clipboard can be accessed through the Edit menu; or by using the dropdown arrow at the top of the Task Pane.

Accessing Excel's Clipboard

Try it!

Use the Edit menu or the dropdown arrow at the top of the Task Pane to display the Clipboard.

On Sheet 3 of Sales report.xls, select cells C5:C7 and copy the cells. The values you have copied will show on the Clipboard.

Select cell C8 then click on the copied values showing on the Clipboard. The values should now be pasted in cells C8:C10.

Using the mouse

Drag-and-drop methods:

• Move data, by selecting it then dragging and dropping it to a different location
• Copy data, by selecting it, and holding down Ctrl in conjunction with dragging and dropping

Right mouse button:

• Select the data, then right-click for cut and copy options
• Select the destination cell for the data, then right-click for the paste option

Try it!

On Sheet 3 of Sales report.xls, use the mouse to move the values in cells C5:C7 to C8:C10.

Use the mouse to copy the values in cells C8:C10 to C5:C7.

Select the cells C8:C10 and delete the values from these cells.

Using the Paste Options Smart Tag

The Paste Options smart tag appears on the screen after copied data has been pasted, providing various options that can be applied to the pasted data.

The Paste Options smart tag can be turned off by going to Tools-Options-Edit and deselecting 'Show Paste Options buttons'.

The Paste Options smart tag

Deselecting copied data

The moving border ('marching ants') around copied data can be removed by pressing the
Esc key.

This also removes the Paste Options smart tag from the screen.