Lesson 2: Data Entry and Formatting

1. Entering Text, Numbers, and Dates

One-Liners:

Type directly into a cell and press Enter or Tab.
Enter numbers, and Excel automatically recognizes them.
Use formats like 12/25/2025 or 25-Dec-2025 for dates.

Worked Example:

Name	Age	Date of Birth
John Doe	25	12/10/1998
Jane Smith	30	05/15/1993

Tip: Ensure date consistency using Format Cells (Ctrl + 1).

2. Copying, Cutting, and Pasting Data

One-Liners:

Copy (Ctrl + C) and Paste (Ctrl + V) to duplicate data.
Cut (Ctrl + X) moves data from one cell to another.
Use Right-click → Paste Special to paste values, formulas, or formats.

Tip: Use Ctrl + Shift + V to paste values without formatting.

3. Using AutoFill and Flash Fill

One-Liners:

Drag the fill handle (bottom-right of the cell) to continue a pattern.
Use Flash Fill (Ctrl + E) to auto-fill patterns.

Worked Example:

Enter "Monday" in A1, drag the fill handle to A7 → Excel fills Monday to Sunday.

Tip: Enable Flash Fill via File → Options → Advanced.

4. Cell Formatting and Adjustments

One-Liners:

Column Width: Drag the border or use Alt + H + O + W.
Row Height: Drag border or use Alt + H + O + H.
Use Ctrl + B for bold, Ctrl + I for italics.

Tip: Use Conditional Formatting (Alt + H + L) to highlight key data.