Data, Information, and Organizational Knowledge

The SLPs for Modules 1-3 will introduce you to Microsoft Excel functions for cell formatting and applying simple formulas and functions, basic pivot tables, and what-if equations. You will also explore how Excel reports are represented in data tables, charts, and graphs. Whether you are a novice or have already an understanding of Excel, these exercises will help you acquire and/or refresh Excel skills.

As most of you know, Excel is a powerful application that is used worldwide, and learning Excel skills are important to your career in Information Technology Management. Among the many tasks, Excel is used to work as a calculator and to perform higher math and statistical functions. Since you will be working on different Excel exercises each week, you will be watching the assigned videos first and then completing the exercises step by step.

For a quick introduction to Excel menus, please review the following Lynda.com video. You do not need to start a free trial, but if you want, Lynda.com offers a 10 day free-trial to review the lessons. You can always rejoin the site after that period is over.
http://www.lynda.com/Excel-tutorials/Using-menu-system/116478/125009-4.html

Excel files are called workbooks and are created each time you start a new worksheet. Multiple workbooks can be created within a single file. If you save Excel files to your local drive, you are the only one that can access them; however, if you save them to the cloud using OneDrive, you can export and share them with others. Excel is designed to enter information in cells. A cell is intersection a column and a row. For instance, column A and row 5 create a cell with an address of A5. Page layout is one of the most important features, and a good document presentation depends on correct page layout. The page orientation and margin size allow you to control your documents. Page orientation options are landscape and portrait.

SLP 1 will begin by introducing you to some Excel basic functions as follows.

· Home - The home tab provides access to most common used commands for working with data.

· Insert - The insert tab provides ability to insert charts, tables, Sparkline, filter, and more.

· Page layout - The page layout tab is to change the print formatting of workbook, including margin width, page orientation, and themes.

· Formulas - The formulas tab gives access to useful functions and formulas, and calculate and analyze numerical data, such as average and percentage.

· Data - The data tab is for sorting and filtering information in the workbook.

· Review - The review tab is a powerful editing feature like inserting comments and tracking changes.

· View - The view tab is for switching between different views of the workbook and freezing panes.

· Contextual - Contextual tabs will appears on Ribbon when you working with tables and pictures.

Next, you will review the following link containing a series of videos to prepare you for the SLP exercises. Refer to tutorials at http://www.gcflearnfree.org/excel2013

1. Getting Started with Excel [video 4]

2. Creating Opening Workbooks [video 5]

3. Saving and Sharing Workbooks [video 6]

4. Cell Basics [video 7]

5. Modifying Columns, Rows, and Cells [video 8]

6. Formatting Cells [video 9]

7. Worksheet basics [video 10]

8. Page Layout [video 11]

9. Printing Workbooks [video 12]

In this module, you will be acquainted with an introduction to Excel and some of its basic functions. After watching the recommended videos, perform the following:

1. Open the Excel software, you will see a blank worksheet, click on file, save as, browser to your local C:\ drive, type "Module1-exercise" in the file name section, and OK to save it to hard drive.

2. Close the worksheet.

3. Click to locate and the assignment file "Module1-excericse" and open it.

4. Enter the following data into the worksheet, starting from A2 on the left side, and perform the functions below. Save the file again on your local drive.

5. Locate your file on the local drive.

6. Use Save As to make a copy as "Module 1- Exercise 2."

7. Enter the following data and use Calibri font size 11" and AutoFit text to column width.

8. Change the fonts and size to Georgia and 14", then AutoFit to column width again.

· Jack Johnson
· Rayon Robinson
· Alex Hollywood

Change page orientation and change margin to "narrow." Save the file.

Desire margin: Narrow.
Save your file.

After completing the Excel exercises, please upload the Excel file with your results to SLP 1 Dropbox.
SLP Assignment Expectations

Your assignments will be graded following these expectations:

· The assignment file must be developed in Excel and saved as .xls file.

· Precision: the questions asked are answered.

· Clarity: Your answers are clear and show your good understanding of the topic.

· Breadth and depth: The scope covered in your paper is directly related to the questions of the assignment and the learning objectives of the module.

· Critical Thinking: It is important to read the "required readings" posted in the background material plus others you find relevant. Your paper should include important concepts from these readings and incorporate your reactions and examples that illustrate your reflective judgment and good understanding of the concepts.