Alice Colyar

In the past 17 years that Computer Learning Institute has been serving the Upper Bucks area it has been my experience that Microsoft Excel has been the most popular class year after year. I believe it is because of the versatility of the application that has made it one of the most widely used packages on the market.

The versions have changed and the interface has changed but the basics have remained the same. Excel performs three major functions. First, addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Second, creates colorful charts/graphs.  Third, serves as a database for large quantities of records. Sounds simplistic but the possibilities are endless.

We offer Excel 2003 and 2007 with three levels of each.

Below is a topic-by-topic list of what is covered in each course. These course descriptions are directly from the Table of Contents of the course manual. Each manual contains a CD with the exercises used in the class.

Additionally, these topics can be re-arranged for a customized approach.

Introduction to Excel

Unit 1:  Exploring the Excel window
Unit 2:  Entering and editing data and simple formulas
Unit 3:  Moving and copying data and functions 
Unit 4:  Using SUM, AVERAGE, COUNT, MAX, and MIN functions
Unit 5:  Formatting worksheets, rows, and columns 
Unit 6:  Printing and page setup options 
Unit 7:  Creating charts, modifying charts, and printing charts
Unit 8:  Web features using Hyperlinks and e-mail attachments

 
Intermediate Excel

Unit 1:  Large Worksheets – hiding, displaying and printing data
Unit 2:  Multiple Worksheets and Workbooks – linking using 3-D formulas
Unit 3:  Customizing Excel toolbars and menus
Unit 4:  Advanced Charting and creating combination charts
Unit 5:  Advanced Formatting with dates and number formats
Unit 6:  List Management by sorting and filtering lists
Unit 7:  Documenting and Auditing and worksheet protection
Unit 8:  Creating and managing Excel templates

Advanced Excel

Unit 1:  Advanced formulas such as IF and nested IF statements
Unit 2:  V-Lookup functions, MATCH and INDEX functions
Unit 3:  List management using sub-totals and database functions
Unit 4:  PivotTables & Pivot Charts -summarize large quantities of data
Unit 5:  Exporting and importing from other software packages
Unit 6:  Using analytical options – Goal Seek, Solver, and Scenarios
Unit 7:  Create macros and assign to an icon on the toolbar
Unit 8:  Interactive Web spreadsheets and PivotTables

Additional software services provided by CLI are:

• Microsoft Access Database design, implementation and troubleshooting
• Website Design and Hosting
• Blog Installation & Consulting
• QuickBooks Pro Set-Up and analysis

CLI has developed a customized new approach to our class offerings…

The monthly course schedule is no longer be published.   All classes are arranged at a time convenient for the client and instructor.   This flexibility is resulting in a quicker response time for scheduling classes.    Classes are held at the clients’ location.   All the client will need is a quiet conference room and CLI will provide the laptops, projector, and the course manuals.

If a client does request a class to be held at the Quakertown location we can do so but a minimum of three attendees are required for the course.

Class prices have increased to $250.00 for the first attendee. Each additional attendee is only $150.00.  This fee includes a six-hour structured class and the manual with a CD. It has been our policy at CLI to offer free follow-up assistance to anyone who has taken a class with us. If after several months an individual has a question concerning anything from the course they are able to call and chat with the instructor and work through the problem. We strive to offer same day outstanding customer support.

In the future our next initiative will be web-based “tele-classes”. These are 45 minute classes on a particular topic such as an Excel Pivot Table or an Excel VLOOKUP function. An attendee can participate without leaving their workstation. More to come on “tele-classes” in our next newsletter.

Thank you for your continued patronage. We always welcome your ideas and feedback.