Excel Functions: SMALL and LARGE

January 19th, 2012

If you have been using Microsoft Excel for a while, you are probably familiar with the functions MIN and MAX that find the smallest and largest numbers in a range of data.  You may not be aware of two other functions that do something similar, but with something added.

Using the SMALL and LARGE functions, you can choose where in the range you want to find your value.  For instance, if you wanted to find the 3rd largest number in a range, you could type: =LARGE(A1:G35, 3).  It would return the 3rd largest number in the range of cells A1 through G35.

SMALL will do just the opposite. =SMALL(A1:G35, 3) will return the 3rd smallest number in the range.  With the added flexibility, you can begin using SMALL and LARGE in place of MIN and MAX.

If you would like to learn more about all the functions in Excel, consider taking the Excel Level 4 we offer at Executive Training Solutions.  You will have the opportunity to learn about a wide variety of financial, statistical, text and more advanced functions.

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Office 2010: Contextual Tabs

January 17th, 2012

Most  have been working with Microsoft Office 2010 for a while now.  After a little time,  most are used to the Ribbon and found ourselves navigating the different tabs and groups to find the items we need to create documents, spreadsheets and presentations.  One thing that may still be confusing are the extra tabs that sometimes appear on the Ribbon.

These are contextual tabs.  They appear when specific objects are being worked on in an application.  For example, when you create a table in Excel, tabs appear on your Ribbon to make it easier to format and modify that table. As soon as you navigate away from the table, the extra tabs disappear.

There are six different types of contextual tabs:

  • Format
  • Design
  • Layout
  • Playback
  • Arrange
  • Page Setup

The next time one of these tabs appear, take a few minutes to explore the different commands they provide.  You’ll probably find a new tool!

If you would like to take a class to learn more about Microsoft Office 2010, Executive Training Solutions would love to have you as a student.  Check out the website and register for a class today!

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Microsoft Project Conference Coming to Phoenix!

January 12th, 2012

This March (2012), Microsoft is having their Microsoft Project Conference here in Phoenix, AZ!  You can get all the details from their conference website. It’s an excellent opportunity to spend a few days immersed in all the possibilities that Microsoft Project can create for your organization. There are a few different tracks available, and more details will continue to be posted on their site.  If you’re already in Phoenix, you can save all the travel expenses.

If you’re unfamiliar with Microsoft Project, but know that it would be a useful tool, consider taking a 2 day class at our Phoenix training location.  We would be happy to introduce you to the best project management software available.

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Excel “Instant” Hot Keys

January 12th, 2012

There are keys that you can press in Microsoft Excel to instantly do something on your worksheet.  Here are a few of the most popular that we like to tell our students about:

  • F11 will instantly create a chart on your worksheet
  • ALT + + will instantly create an autosum function in the selected cell
  • CTRL + ; will instantly record the current date
  • CTRL + 1 will instantly open the FORMAT CELLS dialog box

To learn more useful tips, attend one of the 4 levels of Microsoft Excel classes offered by Executive Training Solutions in Phoenix.  We have a seat waiting for you!

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Quickbooks Transaction Journal Tip

January 10th, 2012

Quickbooks is an excellent accounting software to help keep the books for small to medium sized businesses.   One thing that accountants wonder about is what happens “behind the scenes” when transactions are created in Quickbooks.  It’s easy to create invoices, pay bills, etc., but there are times when the accountant wants to make sure all the debits and credits are going to the correct accounts.

When you are in any transaction form screen, press CTRL + Y and you will see the Journal Entry.  This is a great tool to verify that everything will show up in the proper accounts.

If you need to learn more about Quickbooks, Executive Training Solutions in Phoenix, AZ offers 2 levels of Quickbooks training.  Visit our website today to find out when the next class is scheduled.

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Windows Key Uses

January 5th, 2012

You have probably noticed the Windows key on your keyboard, but did you know that it was useful for a variety of shortcuts?

  • If you press the WINDOWS key, it will open your START menu
  • Pressing WINDOWS + D will minimize all open windows on your screen and show you the desktop
  • Pressing WINDOWS +  M does the same thing (minimizes all open windows)
  • Pressing WINDOWS + SHIFT + M opens all the windows you minimized with WINDOWS + M or + D
  • Pressing WINDOWS + E will open your FILE EXPLORER
  • Pressing WINDOWS + TAB will move through the icons in your task bar

Try some of these shortcuts today and save time searching for things on your computer!

If you would like to learn more shortcuts, we offer a variety of computer classes to help make you an expert.  Visit our website to find a class, then visit our office in Phoenix, AZ to learn new skills.  We look forward to seeing you soon!

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New Year Special! $50 Classes!

January 3rd, 2012

Until January 31, 2012, you can take some of our Microsoft Office 2012, Level One courses for only $50/day!  This is an amazing deal and saves you almost $200!

Right now, these classes are available at this amazing price:

PowerPoint Level 1 on January 16, 2012

Word Level 1 on January 18, 2012

Access Level 1 on January 19 & 20, 2012 (2 day class = $100 for the class)

If you are interested in other dates, or other classes, you can always check out our ALL CLASS CALENDAR by clicking to follow the link.

We had great turnout for our December special classes, and hope that you can make one of our January classes at our Phoenix location.  Visit our website, or call 602-955-7787 to register today!  If registering online, put the code OFFICE50 in the comments section to receive this great deal.

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Outlook Tip: Font Sizes

September 21st, 2011

You have probably figured out how to change the font in messages that you send through Microsoft Outlook, but you may want to change the font size of the messages waiting in your inbox.  In Microsoft Outlook 2007 and 2010, go to the VIEW tab and VIEW SETTINGS.

Click OTHER SETTINGS and you will see a ROW FONT button.  Click that and you can change the size of the font in your Inbox rows.

If you want to learn more about Microsoft Outlook, attend one of the 3 levels of classes we offer!  We look forward to seeing you at Executive Training Solutions.

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Excel Tip: Mode Function

September 14th, 2011

You may not have thought about modes since middle school, but there are times when you need to know what number is most common in a range.  Perhaps you’re trying to determine what grade most students earned, or the most common price of items in your store.  Microsoft Excel makes it easy to find the mode of any range of numbers.

Select the cell where you want to see the most common number in your range of data.  Then, enter the formula: =MODE(RANGE).

It’s that simple!  Microsoft Excel will let you know the result and will update it if the data in your range changes.

To learn more about using Microsoft Excel, please attend one of our classes.  Our instructors are waiting to share their knowledge with you!

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SQL Tip: Data Types

September 8th, 2011

When creating a SQL statement to use in Microsoft Access, you use the usual SQL statements — SELECT, FROM and WHERE.

When you are setting your criteria in your WHERE statement, double-check your data type.  If your data type is an INTEGER, but you set your criteria as STRING, your search can take much longer, or not work at all.

The key is knowing your data before attempting SQL statements.

If you want to learn more about SQL, consider attending the class we offer at Executive Training Solutions in Phoenix, AZ!

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