Excel Basics in 30 Minutes: The Beginner's Guide to Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets

by Ian Lamont

Updated! Here's your chance to finally learn how to use Microsoft Excel! In a single sitting, this quick and easy user guide will help you learn MS Excel basics, from navigating the home screen to working with formulas and charts. It’s a great Excel tutorial that will help you in the office, at school, or even at home.

Excel Basics In 30 Minutes, 2nd Edition is written in plain English, with lots of step-by-step instructions and screenshots that demonstrate exactly what to do. This MS Excel tutorial references Excel 2016, but most of the step-by-step instructions apply to earlier versions of MS Excel released as part of the Microsoft Office and Office 365 suites, including Excel 2013 and Excel 2010. If you don't own Excel, the book explains how to use two free online spreadsheets programs: Excel Online and Google Sheets (part of the Google Drive online office suite). There are also instructions for the Excel mobile apps for Android and iOS.
Topics covered
Excel screen layout, cells, and terminology
Excel 2016 vs. Excel Online vs. Google Sheets
Using Excel for Android and Excel for iOS
Basic Excel formatting
AutoFill
Excel formulas and functions
How to make charts in Excel
Sorting and filtering
Collaboration and sharing
Exporting PDF, CSV, and other forms
Printing tips
Excel import and export formats (PDF, .CSV, .TSV, text, etc.)

This is not an Excel bible, but rather a basic Excel tutorial and reference that answers the core questions that any new Excel user will have:

What is a spreadsheet?
What are cells?
What is the button with the Greek letter for?
How can Excel spreadsheets create basic financial projections?
How can certain data in a worksheet be highlighted?
How can data be alphabetized or ranked?
How to edit a chart in Excel
How to print an Excel spreadsheet without cutting off columns

The second edition is up-to-date with new instructions and high-resolution screenshots of Excel 2016, Excel Online, and the new Google Sheets. It includes new sections about collaboration, OneDrive, and other features.
Real reader reviews

“Fast and easy, this book is everything it claims to be. The material presented is very basic but it is also incredibly accessible with step-by- step screenshots and a friendly tone more like a friend or co-worker explaining how to use Excel than a technical manual.”

”One thing I particularly liked about "Excel Basics in 30 minutes" is that it covers BOTH the MS Excel basics and the Google version basics. Explaining anything this intricate in 30 minutes is a challenge. (Can it be read in 30 minutes? Yes, I could do it, but I am not a typical user, I did not need to stop and practice the examples.) I was impressed that the book does go into some of the ‘meat’ of Excel while still being a book that someone with NO previous exposure to a spreadsheet can grasp.”

Excel Basics In 30 Minutes, 2nd Edition is authored by Ian Lamont, an award-winning technology writer and author of Google Drive &amp

Genres: Nonfiction, Business

112 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2012

About the author

I am the author of a half-dozen “In 30 Minutes” guides, including Google Drive & Docs In 30 Minutes, Dropbox In 30 Minutes, Excel Basics In 30 Minutes, and Twitter In 30 Minutes. I’ve been writing about business, technology, education, and culture for years, starting with newspapers and magazines in the 1990s and later expanding to online media. I was the senior editor, new media for IDG’s Computerworld and served as the managing editor of The Industry Standard. My articles, essays, and blog posts have appeared in numerous locations, from the BBC World Service website to Lifehacker.

My interest in technology is rooted in early exposure to computers, video games, and science fiction. I am old enough to remember the original Battlestar Galactica, and read Gene Wolfe’s Shadow of the Torturer when I was 12. I have been writing science fiction short stories for more than 10 years, but in 2014, I took part in NaNoWriMo and managed to produce the first draft of my first science fiction novel which, unfortunately, requires significant revisions before it can be released!

My latest project is Lean Media (leanmedia.org) which is a framework for creating all kinds of media, from books to videogames. The first draft was completed in September 2016, and I expect the book to come out in 2017.

Reviews

[Kelli W · Rating 3 out of 5]

DEMYSTIFYING EXCEL!

Excel has an image problem. Are you someone who assumes Excel is only meant to be used by accountants, analysts, mathematicians or any other related “geeky” stereotype you can think of? Do not worry, you are in the majority. The author of this guide wants to dispel that myth. The point of this quick introduction into Excel is to not only get you up to speed on the basic concepts, but also show you examples of all the modern day uses for which anyone can use Excel. Including for work, school, personal projects, etc.

"Excel Basics in 30 Minutes" is exactly as the title proclaims. It is a guide for beginners. The guide is easy to follow, it uses plain English, step-by-step instructions, with lots of screen shots for you to follow along. It is also interactive so you can open Excel on your own device and do the basic functions along with the screen shots and entirely at your own pace.

There is also a companion website to "Excel Basics In 30 Minutes", where the files are free to download including the worksheets the author used as examples in this guide.

*Thank you to i30 Media Corp. & Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) via NetGalley for providing the digital review copy.

[Yodamom · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finally got it ! I have wanted to understand excel for years. This book was simple to use, easy to understand and so clearly written with screenshots for a visual. I couldn’t imagine and easier way to learn this. I have bought other books on excel over the years and found them difficult and abandoned them. I read this following the steps and didn’t finish it in 30 min but under two hours without any stressful confusion and ended with a new skill I understand. I would suggest this to anyone who is like me and suffers from Excel-aversion
Thank you to the publishers for a copy of this for an honest review

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been telling myself forever to learn Excel once and for all, so when I saw this book on NetGalley, I thought I'd give it a read. Glad I did because it forced me to finally tackle the program. Lamont keeps it pretty basic which was good. Anything more and I would have been overwhelmed. He also discusses how to do things on Google Sheets and mobile apps, which is a nice plus for readers choosing those routes.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book (which I won in a GoodReads giveaway) to be very informative and easy to follow. It took me about an hour to get through it since I was making sample spreadsheets as I read. I have used Excel before but only in a limited fashion - this book taught me how to use formulas, make charts, and sort. I really liked the screenshots in the book because I could check to see if my sample spreadsheet matched the one in the book. I would definitely recommend this guide to a friend!

[Zandt McCue · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book out of curiousity as to what Ian would be presenting. I am not a beginner to Excel or Google Sheets, so I was looking at this from the perspective of someone who knew what he was doing. Is this a good book for beginners? I'd say it is. It's instructive, step by step, and teaches you everything you need to know if you were just starting out. My only qualm would be that this information is freely available on the internet. Particularly people who would use Google Sheets might be more inclined to just google what they need to know. It's a good reference book for people that need a tangible information guide in front of them.

[AcademicEditor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tech manuals are confoundingly difficult to write, so I am always impressed when an author manages to produce a guide that is accurate, user-friendly, and not deadly dull to read. This book ticks the boxes for the reader who is perhaps self-taught or knows a little bit, but has much more to learn.

Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for a digital ARC for the purpose of an unbiased review.

[Jonathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book in a First Reads contest.

It will take readers more than 30 minutes to complete this book, even if they are experienced in Excel or in Google Spreadsheets. It takes more than 30 minutes just to read the book, without following the tutorial.

This book teaches readers the basics on the use of spreadsheet programs. Unlike many other tutorial books, this book is applicable to more than one version of Excel, and is also applicable to Google Spreadsheets. The author uses a single example throughout the book in order to demonstrate spreadsheet concepts. The tutorial is clearly written, and there are many pictures to guide the reader.

Readers should be aware of a few things.
It is very hard to keep the paperback edition open while following the author's instructions.
As specified in the title, this book teaches the basics of Excel, so do not expect to become an instant expert. However, the basics are taught very clearly.
In a few places in the book, it is clear that the author edited the instructions, causing a mismatch between the instructions and the images that accompany them.
It seems that the author assumes some basic knowledge. For example, in one location, the instructions mention that the reader should save the spreadsheet, without showing the reader how this can be accomplished.

Despite these issues, the tutorials are clear and interesting, even though they involve more than 30 minutes of effort.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as a goodreads gift and it is very much appreciated. I have used excel a lot in my job but mostly just basic stuff, nothing too flashy. I have been a SAHM for about three years so I thought this was a great refresher book for someone who hasn't used it in some time or a great intro to a new user. The screenshots were good and I loved that he also explained a lot of google docs examples as well. I thought this was well done and I would recommend it to others. Great job!

[Lauren White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice guide to learning how to use Excel for most basic functions. As someone who only uses Excel occasionally, I found the tutorials to be easy to follow. Additionally the visual aids (images of what your screen should look like) were beneficial. It is an easy book to reference if you are having an issue with a particular Excel task.

I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fast-and-dirty introduction to the basics of Excel and Google spreadsheets. Actually, it is a good first introduction. The reader will not be an expert, but the book will begin to demystify spreadsheets.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been out of the office environment for several years and now starting to use Excel again. This has been a great refresher course. Thanks so much for the free books. I have read through and now it sits next to my computer as a reference manual. Thanks again.

[Danny Brzozowski · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fast and easy this book is everything it claims to be. The material presented is very basic but it is also incredibly accessible with step by step screenshots and a friendly tone more like a friend or co-worker explaining how to use Excel than a technical manual.

[roxi Net · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recently choosing a job that involves building budgets (from writing to budgets. Why?!), I decided to 'refresh' my skills in Excel -- or develop more -- and having a basic book was very helpful. I'm still a fan of researching specific questions in seconds rather than read through a book on Excel (because of my retention capabilities), however I did find Excel Basics very helpful and I"m very glad to have this resource in my e-library.

[roxi Net · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recently choosing a job that involves building budgets (from writing to budgets. Why?!), I decided to 'refresh' my skills in Excel -- or develop more -- and having a basic book was very helpful. I'm still a fan of researching specific questions in seconds rather than read through a book on Excel (because of my retention capabilities), however I did find Excel Basics very helpful and I"m very glad to have this resource in my e-library.

[Muhammad Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book you can gift /recommend to someone getting started on Microsoft Excel and needs a crash course. The writing style is conversational, which makes it easy to follow, comprehened and retain. Though the book is a short and quick read, it still gives you multiple ways of doing the Excel basics whilst mentioning when to use which method. And off course you will end up liking the ninja tips and will see it as a must read as these are your potential excel time savers.

[Jodee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am an accounting student and have to take several excel classes and the teacher think that we know everything. The information contained here helped fill in the blanks for what the teachers thought I knew but didn't. This information helped me to learn how to do some of the things that I needed to know in order to pass my class without me having to spend lots of money on and excel book or a tutor.

[Kathy Carberry · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent quick reference for anyone who wants to learn Excel quickly and easily. Well written and easy to follow. The best part is that you can refer to it over and over as needed. If you get stuck the answers are easy to find and simple to follow. A great guide for the Excel newbie.

[Annarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

An helpful and great resource if you use Excel.
It made me learn something new about this tool.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

[Cherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

A helpful and easy-to-read starter guide or refresher for Excel and Google Sheets. Very handy to get going quickly with clear instructions and step-by-step screenshots.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Excel Basics in 30 Minutes" really only gives the most basic of instructions which even the most casual user should already know.

[Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a copy through the Goodreads "First-Reads" giveaway, so my thanks to Goodreads and the Author.

It's like a "Cliffnotes" book for Excel 101.

It actually did take me 30 minutes to get through this - I may have had an edge because I use Excel at work so a complete newbie may need more time. But still, after 30 minutes you'll know a good amount. To be efficient like that is a big plus to the author.

My Excel use at work is in a very general capacity and usually have to troubleshoot through things to learn them - my point being I immediately saw the benefit of having this book at my desk as amgo-to guide for when I need it (Ahhh how do I make this graph?!). Sometimes even the basic stuff gets lost if you don't do it for a long time. So if you are like me - you use Excel sometimes and aren't a total idiot with it but get mixed up from time to time - get the book!

As far as the nut's and bolts of writing go the reading is good, the author talks/teaches on your level. He mentions right out the bat that the book is for basics only, so if you are confident in the basics (and do not need a safety net in your desk like me) than this isn't for you. The book sets out and accomplishes everything it says it will.

However, the book was lacking 3 minor things for me. 1.)The end-of-chapter quiz's was a nice touch - but writing them more as"Practice Exercises" would have a better effect, written in a more "summarizing" way so I can go back and figure out something if I missed it.

2.) An appendix at the end that had quick guides would have been nice - something I could quickly look at to see a quick tip (with the page number next to it if I need to go further into it - like a TOC in the but with tiny summaries for each item. I feel like I've seen things like this in other quick-learn books.

3.) An appendix for further reading! I know the basics - what should I do now? What can a read? How can I learn more? What's your advice?

That said - the book does it job - it teaches you the basics of Excel. It's well-written, clear and efficient. I feel better knowing this book is in my desk drawer.

[April · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received Excel Basics free through Goodreads First Reads.
Chapter 1:The Basics; Took more than 30 min but was pretty easy and I answered all the quiz questions no problem.
Chapter 2:Percentages, Pasting, and Rows; Took over an hour. While I was able to replicate everything in the exercise I learned nothing! I hate math and the formulas were not explained well enough for me to understand how to ever apply them in real life. As for the quiz.... not flipping clue how to answer the questions.
Chapter 3: Sorting and Filtering; less confusing than ch.2 but will need to be reread a couple times before it sinks in.
Chapter 4: Printing, PDFs, and Importing/Exporting; started reading but didn't finish as I was burned out from earlier chapters and do not actually need to know how to do it at this time. If and when I ever do need to know I'll come back to it.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book to keep by your desk. I am always forgetting how to work Excel when I need something.
This book is for the person that doesn't use Excel all the time…and can't remember that next step. I'm going to keep my copy on the shelf next to my desk. Don't want to be without this book.
I won this book from GreatReads.