- Types of Data You Enter into Excel
- Entering Different Types of Data into a Cell
- Controlling the Next Cell Selection
- Using Copy, Cut, Paste, Paste Special to Enter Data
- Using Text to Columns to Separate Data in a Single Column
- Inserting Symbols and Equations into a Cell
- Using Web Queries to Get Data onto a Sheet
- Using Series to Quickly Fill a Range
- Editing Data
- Working with Tables
- Fixing Numbers Stored as Text
- Spellchecking Your Sheet
- Finding Data on Your Sheet
- Using Data Validation to Limit Data Entry in a Cell
Inserting Symbols and Equations into a Cell
Sometimes you need more than the symbols available on the keyboard, such as a copyright or registered trademark symbol. Some people have the Alt+number combination memorized, but if you’re like me, you don’t. No worries, though—if you go to the Insert tab, the Symbols group has commands for inserting equations and symbols.
First, select the cell where you want the symbol to appear. Next, select the Symbol option, and a window appears where you can search for the symbol you want. Once you find it, double-click on it, or click on it once and then click the Insert button. The symbol appears in the cell. The dialog box remains open in case you want to enter more symbols.
An equation isn’t the same as a formula. The formulas entered in Excel are meant to do calculations on the sheet. An equation doesn’t perform a calculation. Instead, it shows how a calculation is performed, using variables instead of numbers, like E=mc2. If you click on the down arrow of the Equation button, a list of popular equations appears. If you don’t see the one you want, click the Equation button itself. A frame with Type Equation Here will appear on your sheet. Also, two new ribbons will appear—Drawing Tools and Equation Tools. Use the commands on the Equation Tools, Design tab to create your equation. Use the commands on the Drawing Tools, Format tab to format the frame in which the equation appears. When you’re done with the equation, just click elsewhere on the sheet.