Getting Started: Launching Excel and the Interface

First things first: open Microsoft Excel. You’ll see a grid of cells, organized into columns (labeled A, B, C, etc.) and rows (numbered 1, 2, 3, etc.). Each cell is a tiny container where you can enter data – numbers, text, dates, formulas, and more. Familiarize yourself with the ribbon at the top. This is your control center, containing all the commands and options you’ll need. Don’t try to learn everything at once; just get a general sense of where things are. You’ll find yourself naturally gravitating towards the sections you use most