MS Excel
A guide to using Microsoft's spreadsheet program
Microsoft Excel is a spreadsheet application used for organizing, analyzing, and visualizing data. It can be used for a wide range of tasks, from simple calculations and budgeting to complex financial analysis, and includes features like formulas, charts, and PivotTables. It is part of the Microsoft 365 Apps and Services which you have access to as a student or staff member at the University.
We've included a few videos to make it easy to get started, but for more in-depth tutorials you may find the following training helpful:
- University Excel Courses - Free courses, in person and online, covering fundamentals, charts, advanced functions, pivot tables, lookup functions and much more. Simply log in to the course booking system and search for Excel, or view 'Focus On' webinars in the video player.
- Learnit Training For Beginners - A free half-day course covering the basics of cell functions, formulas, functions, tables and includes downloadable project files.
- Microsoft's Tips for Students - A video playlist explaining frequently used features and highlights shortcuts that students may find useful.
Related resources | SPSS | NVivo | MATLAB | Microsoft 365 Apps & Services
Last updated on 21 October 2025
Guides
Basics
- Getting started with Excel
- MS Excel Mouse Pointer Basics
- MS Excel Keyboard Shortcuts
- Creating and Sharing Spreadsheets Safely
Functions & Formulas
- How do I use functions in Excel?
- The IFS Function
- The FILTER Function
- The XLOOKUP Function
- What are Excel formulas and how do I use them?
Tables
Information
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