- name the sheet
- understand references
- enter information
- activate a cell
- enter row headings
- enter column headings
- make a column wider
- enter values
- calculate a difference
- calculate a percent diff
- sum some values
- calculate net income
- copy formulas
- copy and paste
- use the fill handle
- change a value
- extra bits
copy formulas
Excel lets you copy a formula in one cell to another cell that needs a similar formula. This can save a lot of time when building a worksheet with multiple columns or rows that need similar formulas.
For example, you can copy the formula in cell B6 (total income for budgeted amounts) to cell C6 (total income for actual amounts).
Similarly, you can copy the formula in cell D3 (difference between budgeted and actual sales) to D4 (difference between budgeted and actual interest income).
Excel automatically rewrites the cell references so they refer to the correct cells. You can view a cell's formula by activating the cell and looking in the formula bar near the top of the window.