Excel is a widely used program that we encounter in almost every aspect of our lives – at work or even at home. Knowing the different types of data that Excel accepts is important for anyone who works with spreadsheets. This article will provide a basic understanding of the four types of data that can be entered into an Excel spreadsheet.
The first type of data is a label, which includes text and numbers, as well as special characters. When you type a label into a cell, such as “jam” or “section 1,” Excel automatically aligns it to the left-hand side of the cell.
The second type of data is a number. When you type a number into a cell, such as “1500” or “1,200,” Excel aligns it to the right-hand side of the cell. It’s worth noting that characters like dollar signs and commas can be added after the fact.
The third type of data is a date. When you type a date into a cell, such as “Jan 2nd 2015,” Excel will automatically convert the format and align it to the right-hand side of the cell. It’s essential to be specific when typing in dates, or else Excel will consider it a label instead of a date. To quickly insert the current date, use the “control semicolon” shortcut in Excel.
The last type of data is a formula, which always starts with an equals sign. When a formula, such as “5 + 5,” is entered into a cell, Excel displays the result of the formula. Formulas can result in a label, number, or date, depending on the formula being used.
In conclusion, Excel accepts four types of data: labels, numbers, dates, and formulas. Understanding how these types of data are formatted and aligned in Excel is essential for working with spreadsheets efficiently.