Spreadsheets are more than just functional tools—they can be both informative and visually appealing. Proper formatting, such as adjusting decimal places, using color highlights, adding borders, or hiding unnecessary columns, makes reports easier to read and interpret.
In this segment, you will learn the fundamentals of creating effective reports. Topics include:
- Hiding or removing irrelevant columns
- Freezing rows or columns for better readability
- Formatting numbers for clarity
- Time-saving shortcuts to streamline workflow
It is recommended to practice these techniques using the Hospital Charges dataset as you follow along. Experiment with different formatting options to enhance your understanding.
Let’s start exploring how to create well-structured and readable reports.
Paying attention to small details—like hiding irrelevant information or adjusting column widths—can greatly improve the readability of your reports.
In the next session, we will cover number formatting, which helps display figures in the correct units and with the proper number of decimal places. Make sure to also practice the keyboard shortcuts introduced, as they can enhance your efficiency while working in Excel.
Displaying numbers in the correct formats and units makes analysis easier and reduces the chances of misinterpretation. Techniques like adjusting number formats, hiding unnecessary columns, and using shortcuts not only improve readability but also make working with data more efficient.
Another important feature that enhances both clarity and workflow efficiency is freezing panes, which we will cover in the next section.
In this segment, you learned several techniques to make your reports more readable, including hiding or removing unnecessary data, applying proper number formats, and freezing panes. Key takeaways include:
- Only delete data if you are certain it will never be needed; otherwise, hiding it is safer.
- To freeze rows or columns beyond the first, select the first cell in the table area corresponding to the rows and columns you want to freeze.
- The formatting techniques introduced here are just the basics; Excel offers many more advanced options to explore.
In the next segment, you will learn about conditional formatting, a powerful tool that helps create visually effective and insightful reports.