IT Training

This tips and tricks article has been produced by the expert trainers at iTrain Scotland with a specific aim of giving you an insight into the remarkable number of shortcuts which are available in Microsoft Excel 2007. These shortcuts, tips and tricks will allow you as a user of Microsoft Excel to squeeze so much more from the software, empowering you to become far more productive, efficient and smarter when you are working with Microsoft Excel 2007.

Microsoft Excel 2007 Training Shortcuts

We will begin by looking at our trainers’ most favourite shortcuts in Microsoft Excel 2007.  The term shortcuts in relation to Excel in this article refers to the use of either Keyboard shortcuts in Excel (i.e. the use of the keyboard to access functions and perform actions which would otherwise take longer using the mouse) or the use of the Function Keys (The Keys at the top of the Keyboard F1 – F12) to perform shortcuts in Microsoft Excel.

1.  Hold down the CTRL and the ¬ Key (This is the key to the left of the number 1 key) - to show or hide all formulas on your worksheet This tip allows you to reveal all the formulas in every cell on your worksheet at once, which helps you identify which cells contain formulas, what the specific formula is, and allows you to see patterns in lots of adjacent formulas.

2.  Press SHIFT F11 to insert a new sheet within an excel workbook(NOTE: make sure you press SHIFT F11 and not CTRL F11, as CTRL F11 will insert a Macro worksheet which will not work properly).

3.  Select all of your data and press F11 to produce an instant chart(NOTE: You may want to sort your data before you select it. Do this by clicking the SORT button on the Ribbon).

4.  Press F2 to edit a cellThis will allow you to edit say a formula without having to type it from scratch or the need to click into the formula bar.

5.  Press F9 to recalculate formulasYour spreadsheet is set to recalculate every time you enter new data or edit a cell, however pressing F9 will recalculate the whole spreadsheet instantly.

6.  Press CTRL and the TAB key to move between worksheets.

7.  Press CTRL and the * key (use the * on the number pad or CTRL SHFT 8) to highlight a complete range of data (i.e. a data table).

8.  To hide/unhide a row(s):

• To hide a row(s), select a cell(s) and press CTRL 9.
• To unhide a row(s), select the cells containing the range of the hidden row(s) and press CTRL SHIFT (.

To hide/unhide a column(s):

• To hide a column(s), select a cell(s) and press CTRL 0.
• -To unhide a column(s), select the cells containing the range of the hidden column(s) and press CTRL SHIFT ).

Microsoft Excel 2007 Tips

Now we will look at our trainers’ favourite tips in Microsoft Excel.  These are generally useful bits of advice which allow you to access hidden function in Excel or simply work out solutions to problems which are commonly found when using Microsoft Excel.

1.  To edit a cell double click into the middle of the cell

2.  Right click on the Sheet navigation tabs to display a menu of all sheets in a workbookThis tip allows you to see a list of all your sheets in the open Workbook.

3.  After selecting a group of cells containing numbers, look at the status bar (at the bottom of the screen) for a running total of whatever you highlight (i.e. SUM)You may have already noticed this, you can however change the way this displays from Summing numbers to Counting cells, giving you the Minimum or Maximum of the range of cells selected or displaying the Average.  To do this, after selecting a group of cells, right click on the displayed Sum at the bottom right of the page and choose a different function: Sum, Average, Min, Max, Count.

4.  To Zoom in and out of your spreadsheet (i.e. increasing the screen magnification) hold down the CTRL key and roll your mouse wheel forward (to increase magnification) or backwards (to decrease magnification)

Formula Specific Tips For Excel 2007

The shortcuts and tips above relate to the general use of Microsoft Excel 2007.  Here we have included a handful of the formula specific tips which our trainers have selected as the most frequently asked for.

Date & Time

1.  Age: To work out someone’s age given their Date of Birth (DOB) the following formula can be used:

=INT((TODAY()-A1)/365.25)

Where their DOB is in cell A1.

This formula can now be copied down to calculate ages on a whole range of DOBs if you have a list of people’s DOBs.

2.  Converting Time to Decimal: To convert a list of times (formatted to the time format e.g. 14:35) to a simple number, the following formula can be used:

=(A1-INT(A1))*24

where A1 is a cell containing the time.

Text

1.  Use the ampersand (&) symbol to join two text cells together:

=A1&B1

where there is some text in cells A1 and B1(TIP: use a space inside “ “ to put a space in-between the word(s)):

=A1&” “&B1

2.  Use the following formula to extract someone’s first name from a cell containing their whole name:

=LEFT(A1,FIND(“ “,A1))

where their whole name is in Cell A1, put a space in-between the “ “

3.  Use the following formula to extract someone’s second name from a cell containing their whole name:

=RIGHT(A1,LEN(A1)-FIND(“ “,A1))

where their whole name is in Cell A1, put a space in between the “ “

Conclusion

The Microsoft Excel 2007 shortcuts, tips and tricks you have now learned above are an example of the things you will learn when attending a Microsoft Excel 2007 Computer Training Course.  If you found the information in this article useful, you may well benefit from attending one of our courses.  Our trainers are very skilful in giving you the tuition which you require to use Excel in exactly the way you need to use it.

Our Microsoft Excel courses can cover a whole range of subjects specific to your working needs.  The following list is an example of just some of the topics covered in our Excel training courses:

Important tips for power users

• Managing large data collections
• Managing data tables more effectively
• Summarising data using new functions
• Creating powerful conditional formats
• Creating more attractive charts
• Controlling printouts more carefully

Reordering and summarising data

• Organising data into levels
• Looking up information in a data list

Combining data from multiple sources

• Consolidating multiple sets of data into a single workbook
• Linking to / from data in other worksheets
• Linking data from Access or other data sources

Analysing unconventional data sets

• Finding optimal solutions with the solver
• Analysing data with descriptive statistics
• Varying the data to get required results through the use of goal seek

Creating dynamic lists

• Analysing data dynamically with pivot tables
• Importing data from other sources
• Creating dynamic charts using pivot tables and Smart Art

Collaborating with colleagues

• Sharing data lists
• Managing comments
• Tracking and managing colleagues’ changes
• Protecting workbooks and sharing with user privilege
• Authenticating workbooks

iTrain Scotland offers a wide range of Microsoft computer training courses including specialising in Microsoft Excel 2007 courses.

Courses can be delivered in our excellent Edinburgh computer training centre or alternatively delivered on-site at your premises (with the optional use of our mobile training suite). For more information please refer to our website www.itrainscotland.co.uk, e-mail excel@itrainscotland.co.uk or call 0131 272 2790. You can also use the contact form below to send iTrain Scotland a message.

Tags: advanced excel 2007 training, advanced excel training, excel 2007 training, itrain scotland, Microsoft Excel 2007 Tips and Tricks, microsoft excel 2007 training

There are many different articles on this site ranging from Excel training courses, to IT training, to project management and PRINCE2 etc. We are now pleased to add to that wide ranging list by talking about SDI Emotional Intelligence Training Courses.

We all know that good communication is the key to fruitful relationships in all areas of our lives. However, there is a particular obstacle to this, in that we all see the world through a different set of lenses. Our individual view of the world determines our behaviour and communication and how we then interpret the behaviour and communication of others. Everything we observe is filtered through our own value systems, which means we can sometimes misinterpret the actions of others, thus causing conflict.

Have you ever been on a motorway and had a driver right up against your back bumper, flashing their headlights to get past. What do you think at that point ? Probably something quite negative and unprintable ! You might stay put in your lane to block them (with or without an appropriate gesture !) or be intimidated to move over. How would you feel if you knew that person had a sick child in the car and was rushing them to hospital ? Probably a much different emotion, and you would gladly move over?

Therefore, imagine how relationships could be improved if we knew what was driving what people do and say? Imagine what it would be like to truly understand what makes us and others tick.

Psychologist Dr Elias Porter developed a simple to use method for people to gain emotional intelligence and understand their own “motivational value systems” (MVS) and interpret the MVS of others.

It is called “SDI” (Strength Deployment Inventory) and is a hugely effective way of improving relationships, managing conflict, improving team performance and providing insightful training for customer service, sales and many other relationship based activities. Because of the need for supreme teamwork, it is actually used as a compulsory part of basic training in the RAF.

In a nutshell, individuals or teams complete a questionnaire identifying how they would behave in a number of situations, both when they are feeling good about themselves and “on form” but also when faced with conflict, stress and more negative emotions.

From the questionnaire, their “Motivational Value System (MVS)” is identified in the form of a colour or blend of colours. The MVS is the deeply held values that drive a persons behaviour, which can change when the person is faced with conflict or stressful situations. It is thought that a persons MVS is formed at an early age ; “show me the boy and I will show you the man”. It is unlikely to change unless an individual goes through a major life-changing experience. However, that does not mean that behaviour and personality do not change. We as humans have a great ability to adapt, but the theory is that our deep down values remain fairly constant through life.

By recognising your own MVS colour and that of those around you, you are able to understand better what drives behaviour and how to interact with people positively and effectively.

SDI also allows us to be more self-aware and manage our strengths and weaknesses. Have a think about this statement. “A weakness is often an overdone strength in the eyes of someone else”. For example the strength of thoroughness if overdone, could be seen as the weakness of slowness by someone with a different value system.

Depicting the MVS in colours makes SDI memorable, easy to apply and fun to learn. It creates a common language for those who have been “SDI’d” to explore why they and others behave, communicate and react to situations the way they do.

So how does the training work ? SDI is ideal for team based training but also for one to one coaching, particularly if an individual is having problems with relationships and communication. Firstly delegates complete the SDI questionnaire to identify their MVS. In a team based session all the MVS results would be plotted on a wall chart for the team to take away.

Each colour or blend of colours would then be explained to the group who can also spend time reading up on their MVS and that of colleagues in the course pack. A discussion can then take place about the profile of the team, what strengths each colour brings to the party and where the teams “blind spots” could be.

The training is rounded off by using the new-found insights in some group exercises, dividing the delegates into groups of particular MVS values. Some fascinating and fun sessions usually ensue as you see the different value systems interacting and debating.

So how does this benefit an organisation with their staff attending SDI Emotional Intelligence Training Courses? Employees will have increased emotional intelligence,which will improve the quality of working relationships and reduce conflict. Improved relationships and teamwork will no doubt lead to increased productivity, creativity and a positive impact on bottom line profit.

So to summarise, although unfortunately people do not come with instruction manuals, there is SDI !!

If you would like to find out more about the SDI, Target HR are accredited to facilitate the SDI model in both 121 coaching and group workshops and would be delighted to talk to business owners and managers about how it could help improve their business performance.

If you wish to know more on SDI Emotional Intelligence Training Courses please contact Les Potton Chartered FCIPD ACII on 07533 161310 or les@target-hr.co.uk. You can also use the contact form below.

Tags: emotional intelligence training, Intelligence training courses, SDI Emotional Intelligence Training Courses, SDI Training

Budgets stretched or cut, but still needing to train your staff?  Then Microsoft Online Learning might just be the cost effective solution to your problems!

Common Training Problems

Employers –

• Has your training budget been reduced?
• Do you need to get more for less?
• Do you have a geographically spread workforce?
• Is your nearest training centre miles away?
• Do you incur additional costs associated with courses (accommodation, subsistence, mileage/fares) which make it too expensive to train?
• Do you have staff who need just “byte size chunks” of training and not a full day’s course?
• Do you get value for money?
• Can you measure your return on investment?

Employees –

• Do you require training to be better able to do your job?
• Do you just want to learn new skills?
• Your company is unwilling to invest in its employees?
• Do you want to keep up with the latest technology?

This may sound familiar but unfortunately it is very much the case especially in small to medium size businesses.  It costs a lot of money to get trained properly (as well as time out of the office) and most people find this prohibitive if they have to fund it themselves.

Online Training Solution

A convenient and cost-effective solution to the problem is to do Online Learning.  Learn whenever and wherever you want at a time and place convenient to you.

Official Microsoft Online Learning is educational material, produced and written by Microsoft’s product developers, designed to help the user grasp the essential benefits and components of key Microsoft technologies. It can be used in parallel with, or instead of, other training materials such as books.

Benefits – Cost

• Low purchase costs:  For individual titles e.g. Excel Pivot Tables or whole series e.g. MCSE
• Reduced indirect costs:  All courses are web-based, your employees can train at their own pace, at work, at home, or anywhere in fact.  This reduces the indirect costs of off-site training, such as hotels, travel etc.  Furthermore, statistics show that approximately one third of all online learning usage takes place outside standard working hours.
• Pay only for what you need:  Enliten IT’s training needs analysis tool is available freely to anyone interested in our online training courses.  The results will provide you with an informed choice of what training each staff member requires.

Benefits – Manage Learning

A comprehensive reporting system allows you to effectively manage the online training courses.

• Progress tracking:  You can access progress reports freely online, at anytime, to track the development of anybody enrolled on a training course within your organisation.  Reports are mapped to your organisation’s structure, allowing managers to monitor their staff’s learning progression.
• Learning Management System:  The progress of trainees is managed by our Learning Management System (LMS), which can also be fully branded to your business, the LMS allows you to add your own additional content and fully manage the entire training programme.

Benefits – To Business

• To further the IT training budget:  When you need maximum IT training coverage across your workforce, Microsoft online training courses provide the cost efficiency required to achieve your goal.
• To extend the reach of training:  Not every business is stationed in one building; many are spread across the UK or across the world.  Microsoft online training courses allow a business to track the course progression on any employee, no matter where they are.
• Speed:  Once purchased your staff will begin learning within 20 minutes and have access to their on-line course for an entire year.
• Flexibility:  There is no limit on the number of times you can access course titles and you can re-do titles as many times as they like (you can even download them and use them when not on-line).

If this all sounds interesting then Enliten IT now offer a solution you may want to consider for your organisation.

Microsoft Office 2003 Library

Enliten IT currently have a special offer for the full official Microsoft Office 2003 Library (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Access, Outlook, Project, Visio, FrontPage, OneNote and InfoPath).  Once purchased you will have access, to all of the titles listed below for the period of a year.

• Course 4100: Core Training for Access 2003
• Course 4106: Core Training for Excel 2003
• Course 4101: Advanced Training for Excel 2003
• Course 4104: Core Training for Outlook 2003
• Course 4107: Advanced Training for Outlook 2003
• Course 4103: Core Training for PowerPoint 2003
• Course 4105: Core Training for Word 2003
• Course 4102: Advanced Training for Word 2003
• Course 4111: Core Training for Project 2003
• Course 4112: Core Training for Visio Standard 2003
• Course 4108: Core Training for FrontPage 2003
• Course 4109: Core Training for OneNote 2003
• Course 4117: Working with Forms Using InfoPath 2003
• Course 4113: Designing Forms Using InfoPath 2003
• Course 4110: Core Training for Professional Enterprise Edition 2003
• Course 4116: What’s New in Professional Enterprise Edition 2003

Enliten IT offers hundreds of official Microsoft titles (end user and technical), for more information on such things like Excel training classes & IT training please refer to our web site Microsoft Online Training or email info@enliten-it.com or call 0845 108 5481.

Tags: distance learning, enliten it, IT training, microsoft online learning, Online Training