Part I: Getting Started with Excel
In addition to the list of functions, there is a More Functions option at the bottom of the
drop-down list. Selecting this option shows the Insert Function dialog box and makes all of
Excel’s functions available to you. Beyond that, you can simply type whatever formula you
want in the total row.
The resizing handle
At the bottom right of the last cell in the table is the resizing handle. You can drag this
handle to change the size of the table. Increasing the length of the table adds blank rows,
copying down formatting, formulas, and data validation. Increasing the width of the table
adds new columns with generic names like Column1, Column2, and so forth. You can change
those names to something more meaningful.
Decreasing the size of the table simply changes what data is considered part of the table.
It does not delete any data, formatting, formulas, or data validation. If you want to change
what’s in your table, you’re better off deleting the columns and rows as you would any
range rather than trying to do it with the resizing handle.
Creating a table
Most of the time, you’ll create a table from an existing range of data. However, Excel also
allows you to create a table from an empty range so that you can fill in the data later. The
following instructions assume that you already have a range of data that’s suitable for a
table:
- Make sure the range doesn’t contain any completely blank rows or columns;
otherwise, Excel will not guess the table range correctly.
- Select any cell within the range.
- Choose Insert ➪ Tables ➪ Table (or press Ctrl+T). Excel responds with its Create
Table dialog box, shown in Figure 4.20. Excel tries to guess the range, as well as
whether the table has a header row. Most of the time, it guesses correctly. If not,
make your corrections before you click OK.
The range is converted to a table (using the default table style), and the Table Tools Design
tab of the Ribbon appears.
Excel may not guess the table’s dimensions correctly if the table isn’t separated from other information by at least
one empty row or column. If Excel guesses incorrectly, just specify the exact range for the table in the Create Table
dialog box. Better yet, click Cancel and rearrange your worksheet such that the table is separated from your other
data by at least one blank row or column.
To create a table from an empty range, select the range and choose Insert ➪ Tables ➪ Table.
Excel creates the table, adds generic column headers (such as Column1 and Column2), and
applies table formatting to the range. Almost always, you’ll want to replace the generic col-
umn headers with more meaningful text.
