Data

To enter data into a cell, select the cell you want to edit by clicking on it.

Data is divided into two groups. Text is any data that is a non-numerical character (letters, operators, symbols, etc.). Text is automatically left-justified in the cell for easy recognition. Information that consists of only numerical characters (0 – 9) is considered a value, and can be used in calculations and formulas. Values are automatically right-justified in a cell.

Examples of text data
Examples of value text

Referencing Data

To reference data from the same sheet, the syntax is as follows:

=A2 
or 
=$A$2, =A$2, =$A2

for statistically-referencing data, or

=Name

for cell-addressed data.

The $ in the statically referenced data signifies which element of the referenced cell is to remain static when auto-filling a column or row, or when copying/cutting a cell to another cell.

To reference data from another sheet, the syntax is as follows:

=Sheet1!A2 

or

=Name!A2

for sheets that are named.

Deleting Data

Data can be deleted in one of two ways: pressing the delete key while the desired cell is selected, or using the Edit Menu –> Delete Contents function in the Excel toolbar.