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Excel is a complex program with so many features that is difficult to remember all of the details for issuing commands. To reduce this burden, Excel has an extensive built-in help system. We will look at two ways to locate help with a command: keyword search and directory search.
In keyword search, we type the keywords that describe what we are trying to do in a search text box. For example, if I wanted to delete a worksheet, I might type "delete sheet" in the search text box. Excel will show a list of topics that contain these keywords in a Search Results pane. We click on the topic that best describes what we wanted to do. When we click on a topic, it will open in a new window titled Microsoft Excel Help. In this window, we will find step-by-step instructions to accomplish our task.
In a directory search, we navigate through a hierarchy of links until we find the topic we are looking for, which will open in the same Microsoft Excel Help window used for keyword search.
While Excel has been designed to be intuitive, you will encounter tasks that do not work as expected. In these instances, Excel Help is a valuable source of assistance.
Type a question for help - typing the question
In the upper right corner of the Excel window is a drop down list that displays the text Type a question for help.
Click over the word Type, and the text box will be ready to receive your question.
In the upper right corner of the Excel window is a drop down list that displays the text Type a question for help.
Click over the word Type, and the text box will be ready to receive your question.
I want directions for changing the name of a worksheet, so I type Change worksheet name in the text box, and press the Enter key.
I want directions for changing the name of a worksheet, so I type Change worksheet name in the text box, and press the Enter key.
The help topic explains how to change the name of a worksheet.
The help topic explains how to change the name of a worksheet.
When we are finished reading the help information, we can close or minimize the window. I usually minimize the help window because I may need to read it a second time to complete my task.
When we are finished reading the help information, we can close or minimize the window. I usually minimize the help window because I may need to read it a second time to complete my task.
To access the table of contents for Excel help, select Microsoft Excel Help from the Help menu.
To access the table of contents for Excel help, select Microsoft Excel Help from the Help menu.
Looking for help topics in the table of contents has the advantage that related topics are easily accessible. Instead of seeing a single topic, we see the context within which that topic is located.
Looking for help topics in the table of contents has the advantage that related topics are easily accessible. Instead of seeing a single topic, we see the context within which that topic is located.
Help in the Table of Contents - Microsoft Excel Help
The Rename a sheet topic appears in the Microsoft Excel Help window.
The Rename a sheet topic appears in the Microsoft Excel Help window.
This is the same topic page where we ended with the search. The advantage to finding the topic through the table of contents is that we have links to other closely, related topics.
This is the same topic page where we ended with the search. The advantage to finding the topic through the table of contents is that we have links to other closely, related topics.