Head First Excel

Chapter 1. Introduction to Formulas: Excel’s real power

We all use Excel to keep lists.

And when it comes to lists, Excel does a great job. But the real Excel ninjas are people who have mastered the world of formulas. Using data well is all about executing the calculations that will tell you what you need to know, and formulas do those calculations, molding your data into something useful and illuminating. If you know your formulas, you can really make your numbers sing.

Can you live it up on the last night of your vacation?

It’s your last night in New York City on a vacation you’ve taken with your friends Bob and Sasha. You’ve had a great time and really enjoyed the city.

But you’ve also spent plenty of money, and now the three of you want to see if you have enough left to go to a nice restaurant on your last night.

Here’s what you budgeted and what you spent

You’ve been handling expenses by having only one of you pay at a time. Instead of splitting up every check at every restaurant, you all figured you’d settle up later.

Now you need to settle up and decide whether you have any more money left in your budget for a big meal.

Sharpen your pencil

1. What approach would you take to splitting up your ...