3.1.9: Excel Hands-on Exercises
- Page ID
- 56563
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)Hands-On Exercise: Sales Dashboard with Dynamic Charts
Build a small dashboard that compares categories, shows a trend over time, and highlights composition—then make it dynamic.
Instructions
- Create a table named SalesData with columns: Month (Jan–Dec), Category (e.g., A/B/C/D), Units, Revenue.
- Enter at least 12 months × 4 categories (48 rows). Convert to Table (Ctrl+T).
Step 1: Column Chart (Comparison)
- Insert a Clustered Column chart showing Revenue by Category (sum).
- Sort categories by Revenue (descending).
- Add a Chart Title and Data Labels (for totals only).
- Use a consistent palette and move the legend to the bottom.
Step 2: Line Chart (Trend)
- Insert a Line chart for Monthly Revenue (sum across all categories).
- Add markers and a horizontal Major gridline for readability.
- Title: “Monthly Revenue Trend – 2025”.
Step 3: Pie/Donut Chart (Composition)
- Insert a Donut chart for Category Share of Revenue (latest month only).
- Limit to 4–5 slices; label percentages directly.
- Title: “Revenue Composition – Latest Month”.
Step 4: PivotTable + PivotChart (Dynamic)
- Create a PivotTable from SalesData: Rows = Month; Columns = Category; Values = Sum of Revenue; Filters = (optional) Region or Sales Rep (if added).
- Insert a PivotChart (Clustered Column or Line).
- Use field buttons to filter by Category/Month. Hide buttons for clean export.
Step 5: Dashboard Polish
- Place charts on a single sheet named Dashboard.
- Align/size charts (snap to grid); apply a theme; standardize title fonts (16–18 pt).
- Add a small notes box stating data source and last refresh date.
Deliverable: Save as Chapter6_Sales_Dashboard.xlsx.
Creating a Personal Expense Tracker
Build a simple, functional spreadsheet that tracks monthly expenses while practicing data entry, formatting, and worksheet organization.
Instructions
- Create a New Workbook
- Open Excel → Blank Workbook.
- Save as: ExpenseTracker_YourLastName.xlsx.
- Set Up Headers
- In Row 1, type:
Date | Description | Category | Payment Method | Amount | Notes
- In Row 1, type:
- Enter Sample Data
- Fill in at least 10 rows of realistic transactions.
Example categories: Rent, Utilities, Groceries, Gas, Entertainment.
- Fill in at least 10 rows of realistic transactions.
- Format for Clarity
- Apply bold and center alignment to the header row.
- Use Currency format for the Amount column.
- AutoFit column widths (double-click between column letters).
- Add Totals
- Below your data, use AutoSum (Σ) to calculate total spending for the month.
Example formula: =SUM(E2:E11)
- Below your data, use AutoSum (Σ) to calculate total spending for the month.
- Enhance the Worksheet
- Apply cell shading to headers.
- Use border lines to separate sections.
- Rename the worksheet tab: January_Expenses.
- Add a second sheet for February_Expenses.
- Save and Review
- Save your workbook and verify totals update correctly if values change.
Challenge Extension:
Add a “Monthly Budget” value and create a simple formula to display Remaining Balance = Budget - Total Spent.