Microsoft Excel 2013 Part 2: Intermediate

About this Microsoft Excel 2013 Part 2: Intermediate Guide

This intermediate-level overview focuses on practical, job-ready techniques for preparing, formatting, and managing Excel 2013 workbooks so spreadsheets look professional and print as intended. Lessons center on real workplace scenarios: optimizing page layout, controlling print output, using templates to standardize deliverables, and arranging multiple worksheets for review or distribution. Clear, step-by-step examples and hands-on exercises help learners apply each concept immediately to their own files.

Learning outcomes

Working through the guide will strengthen core intermediate Excel skills that improve both visual presentation and printing reliability. Key outcomes include:

• Page layout proficiency: set margins and orientation, apply scaling, and adjust column widths so printed reports remain readable and well-structured.
• Accurate print control: define print areas, insert and manage page breaks, and include gridlines or headings selectively for clarity.
• Reusable templates: create and save templates that enforce consistent formatting and speed recurring reporting tasks.
• Workbook and worksheet organization: view, arrange, and compare multiple workbooks or worksheets to prepare consolidated or meeting-ready packets.
• Reliable printing options: configure copy settings, collation, and printer-ready previews to avoid common output errors.

Who will benefit

This material is tailored for learners who already know basic Excel operations and want to advance toward production-quality documents. Typical users include students preparing polished reports, administrative staff formatting documents for distribution, and professionals or analysts who produce printed summaries or shared workbooks.

How the guide teaches

The instruction is concise and practical: focused explanations are followed by guided actions and exercises that mirror common workplace tasks. Visual examples and step-by-step tasks reinforce each technique so you can reproduce results in your own spreadsheets. Exercises emphasize transferability so improvements are immediate and relevant to day-to-day workflows.

Practical applications

Techniques in this guide translate directly to everyday needs at work or school. Use them to produce handouts that fit intended paper sizes, standardize departmental reports with templates, and assemble multi-sheet workbooks that retain clarity when printed or shared electronically. Consistent page setup and print preview practices reduce wasted paper and avoid last-minute format fixes.

Practice exercises and mini-projects

• Create a printable report: set margins, apply scaling, define a print area, and preview before finalizing.
• Build a reusable template: add headers and footers, lock cell formats, and preset page settings for recurring monthly reports.
• Assemble a meeting-ready workbook: arrange worksheets, insert page breaks, and use view options to present consolidated materials clearly.

Common pitfalls and how to avoid them

• Skipping print preview: always preview to catch unwanted page breaks, clipped columns, or layout shifts before printing or sharing.
• Inconsistent formatting: use styles and templates rather than manual, per-cell adjustments to maintain clarity and reduce errors.
• Manual-only fixes: rely on built-in features and formulas when possible to automate repetitive tasks and prevent mistakes.

Key terms to know

Familiarize yourself with workbook, worksheet, print area, page break, scaling, page layout, template, data validation, and print preview. These terms recur throughout the guide and help you follow instructions and apply techniques reliably.

Expert tips

• Test 'Fit to' scaling on multiple printers to ensure consistent output across devices.
• Save common page setups as templates to enforce consistency across teams or departments.
• Use Page Break Preview and Print Preview frequently when preparing shared reports or handouts.

Next steps

Work through the exercises using a worksheet you use regularly to see immediate improvements in printed output and workbook consistency. Applying these intermediate skills will streamline repetitive tasks and elevate the professional presentation of your spreadsheets. This guide was prepared by California State University, Los Angeles to support learners advancing from basic spreadsheet work toward more presentation-ready and reliable Excel workflows.