Freezing Panes

Once you've finished creating the worksheet structure ”labels and formulas ”you're ready to enter data. The first six columns and twelve rows or so are just fine, but as you scroll to enter data in later columns or rows, the labels for the column headings shift out of view. Instead of memorizing the headings, freeze the label columns and rows so they remain visible as you scroll through the rest of the worksheet. You can freeze a row, a column, or a pane from a split worksheet.

Freeze Columns and Rows

Click the cell that intersects the rows and columns you want to remain visible on the screen.

To freeze panes from a split window, skip step 1.

Click the Window menu, and then click Freeze Panes.

Edit and scroll the worksheet as usual.

Unfreeze Columns and Rows

Click the worksheet that you want to unfreeze.

Click the Window menu, and then click Unfreeze Panes.

Chapter 8. Building a Worksheet with Excel

What You'll Do

Create a Simple Formula

Edit and Copy a Formula

Name a Range

Simplify a Formula with Ranges

Understand Cell Referencing

Use Absolute Cell References

Perform Calculations Using Functions

Calculate Results

Correct Calculation Errors

Create and Edit a Chart

Change a Chart Type

Add and Delete a Data Series

Enhance a Data Series

Format a Chart

Enhance a Chart

Understand Lists

Create a List

Sort and Work with Data in a List

Introduction

Once you enter the data on a worksheet, you'll want to add formulas to calculate values. With Microsoft Office Excel 2003, you can create your own formulas or insert built-in formulas, called functions, for more complex computations .

In addition to using a worksheet to calculate values, you can also use it to manage a list of information, called a list or database. You can use an Excel worksheet to keep an inventory list, a school grade book, or a customer database. You can enter information directly on a worksheet, or use a Data Form, which lets you quickly enter information by filling in blank text boxes, similar to a paper form. Excel provides a variety of tools that make it easy to keep lists up-to-date and analyze them to get the information you want quickly. Excel's data analysis tools include alphabetical organizing (called sorting), and collecting information that meets specific criteria (called filtering).

When you're ready to share data with others, a worksheet might not be the most effective way to present the information. Excel makes it easy to create and modify a chart, also called a graph, which is a visual representation of selected data in your worksheet.