Formula bar, status bar and Key Tips

In this lesson

1. 1. The formula bar

   The formula bar is the long box above the cells.

   A cell shows a result. The formula bar shows what is really in the cell.

2. 2. The status bar

   The status bar is the strip at the very bottom of the window.

   Select some numbers. The status bar shows their Average, Count and Sum.

   You get a quick total without a formula.

3. 3. Sheet tabs and zoom

   The sheet tabs are at the bottom left. Click a tab to open that sheet.

   The zoom slider is at the bottom right. Drag it to make the cells bigger or smaller.

4. 4. Key Tips

   In Excel for Windows, press Alt (Mac: not available). Small letters called Key Tips appear on the ribbon.

   Press a letter to open that tab. Alt, then H (Mac: not available) opens the Home tab.

   Ctrl+F1 (Mac: Cmd+Option+R) hides or shows the ribbon.

   (In this browser, use the mouse instead. The shortcut works in Excel.)

5. 5. Try it yourself

   The names are hidden again.

Part of Excel Essentials. Short lessons with practice in a real spreadsheet, checked as you go.