What is MS Excel and its features

Microsoft Excel is a spreadsheet program developed by Microsoft Corporation to organize, and calculate data with formulas and functions. It is commonly known as MS Excel. Sometimes, it is called Excel. MS Excel is a part of the Microsoft Office suite available to Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS. It was first published on September 30, 1985. Though what is MS Excel and its features are the basics of MS Excel, I will describe it in this content in a short manner.

The basic function of Microsoft Excel is to record and analyze numerical and statistical data with the help of spreadsheets. It also offers a graphical representation of data with the help of charts.

With this article, we will learn about Microsoft Excel and its essential features, how to use Excel, what are the benefits of using Excel, etc.

About Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Excel is a combination of spreadsheets. A spreadsheet is a worksheet that combines columns and rows. Users can enter numerical or statistical data to manage, analyze, or perform arithmetical operations. Excel includes graph tools, pivot tables, macro programming, visual basic applications, etc.

The image below is how a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet looks like. Some important parts of Excel 1) Menu bar, 2) Tools bar, 3) Column, 4) Row, 5) Formula bar, and 6) Cell are shown below.

How to Open MS Excel

You can open MS Excel like other applications in windows using the start menu. The steps of opening MS Excel are as

• Go to Start menu
• Click on All programs
• Select Microsoft Office
• Choose the MS Excel

Features of Microsoft Excel

Though the basic features of Microsoft Excel are data storing and data analysis, it has a huge range of tools and functions. We can divide the features of Microsoft Excel into several parts.

General Features of Excel

• Copy & Paste
• Paste Special
• Page setup
• Insert
• Delete
• Cell Alignment
• Colors
• Font size
• Spelling and Grammer check
• Printing facilities etc.

Data Analytical features of Excel

Data can be stored and analyzed in different ways in Excel. The following features are the basic available features for data analysis.

• Table
• Pivot Table
• Grouping
• Sorting
• Sum, Average, etc.
• Filtering
• Data validation
• Importing Data
• Error Checking
• Removing duplicate data etc.

Graphical features of Excel

There are many graphical features available in Excel. Major features are

• Charts
• Smart arts
• Clip Art
• Shapes
• Pictures
• Screenshots
• Icons
• 3D Models etc.

Functional features of Excel

• Functions
• Hyperlinks
• VBA macros
• Protections
• Conditional Formats etc.

Other special features of Excel

• Protect spreadsheet
• Sharing facilities
• Translating
• Freezing pane
• Zoom etc.

Benefits of MS Excel

Microsoft Excel is widely used for data storing, reporting, and analyzing. The benefits of MS Excel can be described below.

• Data Storage: Using MS Excel, you can store data very easily.
• Reporting: Microsoft Excel provides a wide range of reporting facilities with tables, charts, etc.
• Formulas: Unlimited uses of formulas can give you a better experience of data analysis.
• Visibility: Filtering, freezing, and charts give you clear visibility of your data.
• Printing: Excel gives printing facilities to the user.
• Templates: Lots of free built-in templates are available for the users
• Platform: Windows, Mac, iOs, and Android platforms.
• Export/Import: Can export and import data in different formats.
• Simplify: Make everything easy and simple.
• Robust Analytics: Excel makes you more analytical.
• Increase efficiency: MS Excel increases efficiency and productivity.

Uses of Microsoft Excel in Business

You can use Microsoft Excel in the workplace. There is a lot of opportunity in the business field. The list can be too long to mention here. I can try to mention a few of them. Microsoft Excel can be used for

• To analyze your business opportunities
• To manage your People working under you.
• To prepare a report of performance.
• To build up a strategic system.
• To maintain Office administration.
• To manage program
• To Manage projects.
• To manage accounts.
• To manage contract administration.

The disadvantage of MS Excel:

Although MS Excel offers many advantages, there are some disadvantages too.

• Virus attack: Virus attacks are the main threat to MS Excel. It can damage all your data.
• High Prices: Prices are high and difficult to afford by all.
• Wrong uses: User wrong input and wrong formula can supply the wrong report.

Today in this blog, I tried to give you a clear idea about what is MS Excel and its features available. I hope, from this short description, you able to understand  What Microsoft Excel is and What are the basic features of Microsoft Excel. Very soon, we will start to share different tips, tricks, and tools of Microsoft excel on our website, excelwrap.com