BASICS OF USING RIBBONS
Introduction
MS Excel or Microsoft Excel is a potent tool that
organizations and individuals around the world use. It is a potent tool because
it allows you to do a variety of tasks, especially when you must store and
analyze data. In fact, it is so powerful that even today, with all the new
software, applications and tools that are available, more than 80% of all business
professionals are still using MS Excel for most of their business requirements
in terms of data analysis, making business decisions based on the data.
Ribbons
in MS Excel
The Ribbon is a dynamic set of toolbars designed to help
users quickly access the necessary commands to complete tasks in Microsoft
Office programs like Excel, Word and PowerPoint. Located at the top of the
window, it organizes commands into logical groups within tabs, making it easier
to navigate and use various features effectively.
Image source: MS
Excel 365
Key
Elements of the Ribbon
Tabs: Each tab in the
Ribbon is a collection of related commands and tools.
Standard tabs in Excel include:
·
Home: Basic formatting options like font, alignment and styles
·
Insert: Tools for adding elements such as tables, charts and
pictures
·
Page
Layout: Options for document design, including
themes, margins and fonts.
·
Formulas: Access to various functions and formula-related tools
·
Data: Data handling tools, such as sorting, filtering and
importing
·
Review: Proofing and sharing tools, including spelling checks and
comments
·
View: Options for adjusting how the worksheet is displayed
·
Automate:
Scripting Tools, Office Scripts and
Flow Templates
·
Developer:
Code, Add-ins, Controls a d XML
·
Help:
Help and Community
Customizing
the Ribbon
Users can customize the Ribbon to streamline their workflow.
You can create custom tabs and groups, organizing commands based on tasks or
preferences, which makes frequently used tools more accessible.
Font
Selection in the Ribbon
The Ribbon's Home tab features font customization options
where you can adjust font type, size and
color and apply to style (bold, italic, underline). This
section helps users tailor the appearance of their
text to enhance readability and aesthetic appeal.
Quick
Access Toolbar
Located above the Ribbon, the Quick Access Toolbar provides
a shortcut to commonly used commands like save, undo and redo. Users can also
add custom commands to this toolbar.
Dynamic
Visibility of Tabs
Not all tabs are visible by default in Excel. Some tabs
appear only when specific features are in use
and users can enable or disable certain tabs as needed.
Importance
of the Ribbon
·
Improves
User Experience: Groups-related commands
for intuitive use
·
Customization: Allows the creation of personalized tabs and groups
·
Efficient
Navigation: Makes it easy to find
and access commands quickly
·
Enhance
Productivity: Reduces time spent
finding tools and streamlining workflow
·
Personalized
Workflows: Supports user-specific task
organization
