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Preface

This core Microsoft® Excel® text provides students with the skills needed to execute many personal

and professional activities. It also prepares them to go on to more advanced skills using the Excel

software. The text takes the approach of making decisions using Excel. Personal decisions introduced

include important purchases, such as homes and automobiles, savings for retirement, and personal

budgets. Professional decisions include budgets for managing expenses, merchandise items to mark

down or discontinue, and inventory management. Students are given clear, easy-to-follow

instructions for each skill presented and are also provided with opportunities to learn additional

skills related to the personal or professional objectives presented. For example, students learn the

key terms with respect to home mortgages and understand the impact interest rates have on monthly

mortgage payments. This text also places an emphasis on “what-if” scenarios so students gain an

appreciation for the computational power of the Excel application. In addition, students learn how

Excel is used with Microsoft® Word® and Microsoft® PowerPoint® to accomplish a variety of

personal and professional objectives.

All screenshots that appear throughout this text are copyright of Microsoft Corporation. All Rights

Reserved. They have been used with permission from Microsoft Corporation. How to Use Microsoft®

Excel®: The Careers in Practice Series is an independent publication and is not affiliated with, nor

has it been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation.

Saylor URL: http://www.saylor.org/books

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Chapter 1

Fundamental Skills

Microsoft® Excel® is a tool...