General Instructions for Excel Workbook Assignments

  1. Each worksheet in your workbook should be named. Delete unused worksheets and adjust the horizontal scroll bar.
  2. Name your data and use the names in functions and formulas. Ordinarily, the names of your data will be the same as the row or column headings.
  3. The headers and footers on all your worksheets should be similar to the headers and footers shown below:
    4. Your Name Workbook and Worksheet name Assignment #
    Date Page x of y Time
  4. These instructions apply unless superseded by what I say in class. Take good notes. Unless specified otherwise in these or other instructions, you may work the assignment in any reasonable manner. Use various font, style, shading, line, border, format, pattern and color arrangements. Use both custom and AutoFormats. Use forms such as scroll bars. Usually, you will print your worksheets with the gridlines turned off.
  5. Print assignments with both formulas shown and not shown. Put the worksheets without the formulas shown in the front of your assignment. To show formulas press Ctrl + backquote. Obviously, all the worksheets should be in order and stapled.
  6. Use the numeric keypad to enter data. Be sure to check and recheck the accuracy of any data you input.
  7. Assignments are due in at the time of the test. Assignments may be turned in late only under exceptional circumstances.
  8. Use various page layouts and margins. The more originality and cleverness, the better your grade. Outstanding homework may receive extra points. When you prepare your workbook, assume that you will be turning it in to your employer. Make your workbook easy to understand. It should have an attractive appearance.
  9. Use appropriate statistical characters (such as µ rather than mu) from the character map (which is located in accessories). Some helpful fonts are: LFMATH, LFBOLD, Symbol, MSLine Draw, System and Terminal (some of these fonts may not be supported by the network.) Be sure to properly show subscripts and superscripts (such as x² rather than x2.)
  10. If you are not proficient at using Win95, learn it.
  11. Make liberal use of the help menus. Patience, time, and diligence will solve most problems. Don't be afraid to experiment.
  12. Your charts, where applicable, should contain appropriate labels, legends, scales and headings. Unless I specify otherwise, choose the chart series that you believe best conveys the data.
  13. Generally, each worksheet should contain some explanatory text. Use a combination of both cell notes or the text tool. Cell notes you create should be printed and turn in with your worksheets. Remember to use the spell checker.
  14. You must create you own workfiles. However, doing your homework in groups is better than doing it by yourself. Don't let someone else do your work for you. You may be tested on workbook usage.
  15. Always keep a copy of the workbooks you turn in.
  16. If you miss class, get notes from a fellow student.
  17. Your homework may not be returned. You may check your score on the INFORM terminal.
  18. If you are not sure what to do on an assignment, use your intuition, common sense and proceed boldly!