Student Guide

40567A
Microsoft Excel associate 2019
Module 4: Managing tables and range data
 Managing tables and range data

Contents
Contents........................................2
Module overview...........................4
Description.................................4
Scenario.....................................5
Cornerstone................................6
Lesson 1: Understanding tables and ranges 7
Overview....................................7
Warm-up.....................................7
Topic 1: Format data as a table and change the table style 8
Create a table without a style applied 9
Create a table with a style applied at the same time 10
Activity: Tell a story..............13
Try-it: Format data as a table and change the table style 14
Try-it......................................14
Try-it 2...................................15
Topic 2: Convert a table to a range 15
Activity: Pose a challenge.....16
Activity instructions...............16
Try-it: Convert a table to a range 16
Wrap-up....................................17
Lesson 2: Configuring table format options 19
Overview..................................19
Warm-up...................................19
Topic 1: Configure table style
options.....................................20
Activity: Discuss and learn....21
Activity instructions...............22
Try-it: Configure table style
options..................................22
Topic 2: Insert and manage rows, columns, and the total number of rows
.................................................23
Use the Resize command......23

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Enter data.............................24
Paste data.............................24
Insert data.............................25
To insert a column.................26
Delete rows or columns in a table 27
Total Row..............................27
Activity: Discuss and learn....28
Try-it: Insert and manage rows, columns, and total number of
rows.......................................29
Wrap-up....................................30
Lesson 3: Naming tables and ranges 31
Overview..................................31
Warm-up...................................31
Topic 1: Name a table..............32
Activity: Pose a challenge.....33
Activity instructions...............34
Try-it: Name a table..............34
Topic 2: Define a named range 35
Edit and delete named ranges37
Activity: Discuss and learn....38
Try-it: Define a named range. . .39
Try-it 1...................................39
Wrap-up....................................40
Lesson 4: Sorting and filtering.....42
Overview..................................42
Warm-up...................................42
Topic 1: Sort and filter records. 43
Sort a cell range column in ascending or descending order 44
Change the Sort Options Orientation for a data set 44
Sort a table column in ascending or descending order 44
Filter a cell range column......45
Filter a table column.............47
Clear a filter from a column. .47
Clear all filters in a worksheet48

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 Managing tables and range data

Remove all filters in a worksheet 49

Activity: Show and tell...........49
Try-it: Sort and filter records. 50
Topic 2: Perform a custom sort 50
Sort text................................51
Sort numbers.........................52
Sort dates and times.............53
Sort by more than one column55
Sort by cell color, font color, or
icon.......................................56
Activity: Pose a challenge.....57
Activity instructions...............57
Try-it: Perform a custom sort 58
Wrap-up....................................58
Cornerstone.................................60
Overview..................................60
Objectives.................................60
Duration...................................61
Instructions...............................61
Tasks........................................61
File 1: Cornerstone_Munsons_apparel_
starter.xlsx............................62
File 2: Cornerstone_Munsons_bee_product_inventory_ starter.xlsx 63
Glossary.......................................64

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 Managing tables and range data

Module overview
Description
Whether your data range is small or gigantic, analyzing data can be a
manual and time-consuming process. Knowing how to turn data and a data
range into a table makes the process much more efficient; it provides you
with options to sort, filter, and perform calculations faster.
In this module, you will turn a data range into a table. You will add a style to
the table, change the color of the table borders, add a banded row
background color effect, emphasize first or last rows, and include a total row.
Along the way, as questions come up about the table data, you will apply a
filter or sort to group data in a way that best answers your questions. Some
workbooks are large and contain many tables across many worksheets. In
this case, you will give a table a name for ease of navigation. In other cases,
a table is no longer needed, and you will need to turn it back into a data
range.
This module builds on what was covered in the previous one as you applied
formatting and structure to cells, columns, rows, and worksheets. Now you
will correlate your understanding to similar formatting and structure of
tables.
The lessons and learning objectives that will help you acquire these skills are
outlined below. Once you are comfortable with these skills, you will get a
chance to apply them in a task-based Cornerstone project.

Lesson Learning objective Exam

objective(s)
Understandi  Convert a data range to a table and  3.1.1
ng tables apply a style  3.1.2
and ranges

Configuring  Manage rows and columns of a table  3.2.2

table format
options

Naming  Name a table and define a named  2.3.1

tables and range  2.3.2
ranges

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Lesson Learning objective Exam

objective(s)
Sorting and  Sort and filter data range and table  3.2.2
filtering records  3.3.1
 3.3.2

Cornerstone:  Format data as a table, work with  3.1.1

Organizing table style options, create a named  3.1.2
farm table, and filter and sort data  3.1.3
merchandise  3.2.1
data  3.2.2
 3.2.3
 3.3.1
 3.3.2

Table 1: Objectives by lesson

Scenario
Munson’s Pickles and Preserves Farm distributes their harvested crops to
many local and regional outlets, including grocery stores, restaurants,
farmers markets, and their own onsite farm stand.
Distribution data is captured in workbooks, but workbooks are not set up for
filtering and sorting the harvest yield, distribution routes, wholesale pricing,
retail pricing, and more.
You have been asked to sort out the disorderly data. Your first task is to
create the tables that capture information such as harvest yield, distribution
locations, wholesale prices, etc. The tables allow you to quickly filter, sort,
and find specific information. Because time is precious, and production on
the farm doesn’t stand still, you need to get this done quickly.

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Cornerstone
At the end of this module, the cornerstone will help you recall how to
manage tables and data.
It’s a task-based project to help you practice the following skills:
 Convert a range of data to a table
 Convert a table to a range
 Modify table settings and options
 Modify a table or range
 Apply sorting to data
 Apply filtering to data

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 Managing tables and range data

Lesson 1: Understanding
tables and ranges
Overview
After this lesson, you’ll be proficient in creating and formatting a table
created in Excel. You’ll be able to format a range as a table, change a table
style, and convert a table to a range.

Warm-up
In the previous lesson, you learned how to apply worksheet styles to cells
and remove formatting from worksheet cells.
In this lesson, you will learn how similar formatting can be applied to a range
of cells by formatting these as a table. With the help of the Format as
Table and Table commands, you will learn two different processes to
accomplish this. The Format as Table command creates a table and applies
a style at the same time. However, the Table command creates a table only.
A style can be applied later if the user chooses.
You will also learn how to convert a table back to a range.
Get ready for discussions and step-by-step demonstrations, along with
opportunities to put to practice what you learn along the way. But first,
check how well you know the prerequisite concepts needed to follow this
lesson.
Use these questions to find out what you already know about this lesson’s
topics:
1. What keyboard shortcut can you use to insert a table?
Select the correct option.
a. Ctrl+T
b. Ctrl+Shift+=
c. Ctrl+Shift+L
d. Ctrl+Shift+-

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2. A Select here to enter text. provides the capability to select the arrow
in the column header to narrow the data.
3. What option is a unique combination of borders and shading to change
the appearance of the table?
Select the correct option.
a. Themes
b. Effects
c. Styles
d. Colors
4. A table can be converted to which of the following?
Select the correct option.
a. Chart
b. PivotTable
c. Data range
d. SmartArt

Topic 1: Format data as a table and

change the table style
Imagine you have been given an Excel workbook full of popular video
game data that has been collected over the past few years. You want to use
the data to find answers to some questions you have about your favorite
games. Trying to answer these questions by organizing the data can be a
time-consuming and manual process. Converting the data into a table gives
it structure to help you quickly manage and analyze it.
There are several ways to insert a table.

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Create a table without a style applied

1. Select a cell within your worksheet data range.
2. Select the Insert tab, go to the Tables group, and then select Table.

Figure 1: Table command

3. The Create Table dialog box displays. The Where is the data for your
table? field displays the range. If changes are needed to the range, select
the range of cells in the worksheet or modify the range in the dialog box
field.

Figure 2: Create Table dialog box

4. Indicate if the table has headers by selecting the My table has headers
check box.
Note: By default, a table has a header row. Every table column has
filtering enabled in the header row so that you can filter or sort your table
data quickly.
5. Select OK.

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Did you know?

You can insert a table by using the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+T.

Create a table with a style applied at the

same time
1. Select the cell or the data range.
2. On the Home tab, go to the Styles group, and then select Format as
Table.

Figure 3: Format as Table command

3. The Styles gallery appears with three categories of styles to choose from:
light, medium, and dark.

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Figure 4: Format as Table Style Gallery

4. Place the cursor over a style and observe the live preview of this table
style applied to the data range.
5. Select a style that is appropriate for the worksheet and overall workbook
style. Some companies have specific branding to go with a logo.
6. In the Format as Table dialog box, set the cell range.

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7. Indicate whether the table has headers by selecting the My Table has
headers check box.
8. Select OK.

Video
To review the video on creating a formatting table, go to:
Create a table

When a cell in a table is selected, by design, the Table Tools Design

contextual ribbon displays. The application indicates a table has been
selected, and it presents all the Table commands in one ribbon. This makes
it convenient for you to customize table styles, table options, and other
formatting quickly.
For now, let’s focus on the Table Styles group.

Figure 5: Table Styles group

If the table created doesn’t already have a style applied or you need to
change the current style that has been applied, you can select a new style
from the Table Styles group; for example, you know your boss dislikes
purple and you want to select another color. To change the style:
 Select Row 1 of n button to view the gallery styles row-by-row or select
the More button to display the entire gallery at once. Note that the value
of n might vary based on the number of rows in your table.
 Select a style to update the table.

Figure 6: Table Styles gallery

Note when you select a cell outside of the table area, the Design ribbon
disappears.

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Did you know?

Data tables are part of a suite of What-If Analysis
commands. Go to: Calculate multiple results by using a data
table for more information.

Activity: Tell a story

Get ready for a story shared by your teacher about the challenges of
organizing data. This activity includes a group discussion and teacher-led
demonstration of converting a data range into a table and applying a style.
In this activity, your teacher will tell a story to highlight how turning a data
range into a table can help with data analysis. You’ll participate in a group
discussion on how the process of creating a table with the Table command
differs from the Format as Table command.

Resources required
You will need the following resources for this activity:
 Open L1_T1_act_crop_distribution_starter.xlsx in this lesson’s
Learning Activity Resources.

Activity instructions
Participate in the activity by following these instructions:
1. Observe the workbook the teacher has opened.
2. Ask clarifying questions.
3. Answer questions asked by the teacher.
4. Participate in the group discussion.

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 Managing tables and range data

Try-it: Format data as a table and change the

table style
Crop harvesting at Munson’s is a fast-paced process. Munson’s does an
excellent job of capturing information about when the crop was picked, by
what team, and where the crop goes from there through distribution. You
need quick ways to get answers to questions such as what fruit was shipped
to our community-supported agriculture shareholders last month? For this
and other sorting and filtering capabilities, you need to convert the data
range into a table and then apply a style.
In this leveled try-it, you will discover how converting a data range into a
table helps you organize data quicker and allows for different formats to be
applied.

Try-it
Resources
You will need the following resources for this try-it:
 Open the L1_T1_try1_crop_distribution_starter.xlsx file in this
lesson’s Learning Activity Resources.
 Select the CSA worksheet.

Instructions
The following are the general tasks that you need to perform during this try-
it:
1. Navigate to the CSA worksheet.
2. Convert the data range into a table.
3. Select any cell in the data range.
4. Format the data range as a table.
5. Select a style from the Style gallery categories (Light, Medium, or
Dark).
6. Don’t forget to save your work!
If you are confident your solution file is complete for this exercise and have
time to attempt the next try-it, leave the solution file open. It should be the
same as the Try-it 2 starter file.

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Try-it 2
Resources
You will need the following resources for this try-it:
 Open the L1_T1_try2_crop_distribution_starter.xlsx file in this
lesson’s Learning Activity Resources.

Instructions
The following are the general tasks that you need to perform during this try-
it:
1. Navigate to the Processing worksheet.
2. Convert the data range, cells A1 to F21, into a table.
3. Select any cell in the data range.
4. Insert a table.
5. Apply a style from the Styles gallery categories (Light, Medium, or
Dark).
6. Don’t forget to save your work!

Topic 2: Convert a table to a range

Sometimes a table is no longer needed to represent groups of data in a
meaningful way. While working on a group project, you might have inherited
an Excel table that your team member has created. You like the style
formatting that was applied to the table but just need a range that can still
be sorted and filtered. You can convert a table back to a range of data while
retaining the table style without the table functionality.
To convert a table to a range of data:
1. Select any cell in the table, go to the Table Tools Design ribbon, and
then select Tools group.
2. Select Convert to Range. Alternatively, right-click or access the context
menu, and then from the context menu, select Table > Convert to
Range.

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Figure 7: Convert to Range command

Note table features are no longer available. The row headers no longer
include the sort and filter arrows.

Activity: Pose a challenge

The teacher poses a challenge to you: find a way to take the table created in
the last topic activity and convert it back to a range. You’ll participate in a
group discussion to examine the options for converting a table back to a
range. You’ll then follow the teacher in a teacher-led demonstration.

Resources required
You will need the following resources for this activity:
 Open the L1_T2_act_crop_distribution_starter.xlsx file.

Activity instructions
1. Go to the Crop_Sourcing worksheet.
2. Work with a fellow student to figure out how to convert the Crop Sourcing
table back to a data range.
3. Here are some clues to get help with this challenge:
o Observe the available table ribbon commands.
o Enter keywords, such as convert range, in the Tell me what you
want to do field.
o Use the F1 key to get help or go to the File tab and select Help
(question mark icon).
o Ask the teacher or other students questions for additional help.

Try-it: Convert a table to a range

While working on your group project, you discover that you no longer
need the table format for the data, but you want to keep the style of the
table. You need to convert the table back to a range.
In this stand-alone try-it, you will apply your learning and see for yourself
how you can convert a table back to a range.

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Resources
You will need the following resources for this try-it:
 Open the L1_T2_try_crop_distribution_starter.xlsx file in this lesson’s
Learning Activity Resources.

Instructions
The following are the general tasks that you need to perform during this try-
it:
1. Go to the Processing worksheet.
2. Convert the table to a range.
3. Don’t forget to save your work!

Wrap-up
In the previous lesson, you learned how to apply styles to worksheet cells
and remove formatting from worksheet cells. This lesson relates how similar
formatting can be applied to a range of cells by formatting these as a table.
With the help of the Format as Table and Table commands, you learned
about two different processes to accomplish this. The Format as Table
command creates a table and applies a style at the same time. The Table
command creates a table only, and a style can be applied later.
You also learned that when a table is no longer needed, it can be converted
back to a range with the help of the Convert to Range command within the
Table Tools Design ribbon.
All the tools you learned in this lesson can help you quickly create a table
and go back to a range as needed.
Use these questions to check what you learned in this lesson:
1. Which command creates a table and simultaneously applies a table style?
Select the correct option.
a. Insert Table
b. Data Table
c. Format as Table
d. From Table/Range
2. Which ribbon tab contextually appears when a cell in a table is selected?
Select the correct option.
a. Format
b. Analyze
c. Design

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d. View
3. Which of the following options are table style categories?
Select all that apply.
a. Light
b. Standard
c. Dark
d. Custom
4. A Select here to enter text. row is automatically included by default
when a table is inserted.

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Lesson 2: Configuring table

format options
Overview
In this lesson, you will configure table options, including inserting a header
row, table rows, table columns, and a table total row, adding a banded row
effect, and removing rows and columns.

Warm-up
In the previous lesson, you learned how to create a table from a range and
how to convert a table back to a range. This was a great start to working
with ranges and tables.
In this lesson, you will learn how to configure table format options and insert
and manage rows, columns, and a total row.
Get ready for discussions and step-by-step demonstrations, along with
opportunities to put to practice what you learn along the way. But first,
check how well you know the prerequisite concepts needed to follow this
lesson.
Use these questions to find out what you already know about this lesson’s
topics:
1. What are the steps you need to take to turn the Filter button on or off?
Select all that apply.
a. Go to the Design tab, Table Styles Options group, and then
select/clear the Filter button.
b. Go to the Home tab, Editing group, Sort & Filter, and then select
Filter.
c. Go to the Data tab, Sort & Filter group, and then select Filter.
d. With a table cell selected, right-click or access the context menu,
select Filter, and then select either Clear Filter from, or Reapply.

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2. Which table row calculates numeric data by using functions?

Select the correct option.
a. Header row
b. Total row
c. Banded row
d. Footer row
3. Select here to enter text. are even rows that are formatted differently
than odd rows.
4. The command Select here to enter text. provides a way to select
additional rows and columns to include in an existing table.

Topic 1: Configure table style

options
In the previous lesson, you learned how to quickly create a table with a
predefined table style.
Sometimes a predefined style isn’t enough. Imagine you have a table that
tracks all the school fundraisers, including the name of the fundraiser, which
school club ran it, fundraiser date, and how much money each one made.
You need to emphasize the money column. With the Style Options group of
commands, you can adjust options for table elements. Selecting the Last
Column box in the Table Styles Options group of the Table Tools Design
ribbon makes the money column (last column) bold. Other table elements
such as Header and Total Rows, First Column, Banded Rows and Columns, as
well as Auto Filtering can be enabled or disabled as well.

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To choose table style options to format the table elements:

1. Select any cell in the table.
2. Go to the Table Tools Design ribbon, Table Style Options group, then
select or clear any of the options (option descriptions are below the
figure).

Figure 8: Table Style Options

o Header Row—Apply or remove formatting from the first row in the

table.
o Total Row—Quickly add SUBTOTAL functions such as SUM, AVERAGE,
COUNT, MIN/MAX to your table from a drop-down selection. SUBTOTAL
functions allow you to include or ignore hidden rows in calculations.
o First Column—Apply or remove formatting from the first column in the
table.
o Last Column—Apply or remove formatting from the last column in the
table.
o Banded Rows—Display odd and even rows with alternating shading for
ease of reading.
o Banded Columns—Display odd and even columns with alternating
shading for ease of reading.
o Filter Button—Toggle AutoFilter on and off.

Activity: Discuss and learn

This is a teacher-led demonstration that reflects on prior learning of creating
a table and the contextual ribbon that appears to help customize the table
design options and settings. You’ll participate in a group discussion about
enabling and disabling Table Style Options and how each option works.

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Resources required
You will need the following resources for this activity:
 Open L2_T1_act_crop_distribution_starter.xlsx

Activity instructions
Participate in the activity by following these instructions:
1. You and your teacher will open the same
L2_T1_act_crop_distribution_starter.xlsx starter file and examine the
table formatting in the Crop_Sourcing worksheet.
2. Your teacher will also demonstrate how to make Table Style Option
changes and lead a group discussion.

Try-it: Configure table style options

In this stand-alone try-it, you will apply your learning and see for
yourself how you can apply style options to an existing table.

Resources
You will need the following resources for this try-it:
 Open L2_T1_try_crop_distribution_starter.xlsx in this lesson’s
Learning Activity Resources.

Instructions
The following are the general tasks that you need to perform during this try-
it:
1. Go to the Processing worksheet.
2. Select any cell within the table.
3. Enable the table header row.
4. Observe the filters in the header row.
5. Emphasize the first column of the table.
6. Observe the formatting change for the first column.
7. Emphasize the last column of the table.
8. Observe the formatting change for the last column.
9. Save your work.

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Topic 2: Insert and manage rows,

columns, and the total number of
rows
After you create an Excel table, you can add or remove rows and
columns by using different methods, which include:
 Using the Resize command
 Entering text or numbers in a cell just below the last row or to the right of
the last column
 Pasting data into a cell
 Inserting rows or columns between existing rows or columns

Use the Resize command

1. Select any cell within a table in an Excel worksheet.
2. Go to the Table Tools Design ribbon, the Properties group, and then
select Resize Table.

Figure 9: Resize Table command

3. Select the range you want to include, starting with the upper left-most
cell.

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4. In the following example, the original table includes the range, A1:G4.

Figure 10: Original table

o After resizing to add additional columns and rows, the table includes
the range, A1:H4.

Figure 11: Updated table

Enter data
 To add a row to a table, start entering data in a cell below the last table
row. The table expands to include the new row.
 To add a column to the right of the table, start entering text or numbers
in a cell to the right of the last column.

Paste data
 To add a row, paste the data in the left-most cell below the last table row.
 To add a column, paste the data to the right of the table’s right-most
column.
 If the data pasted has as many or fewer columns than the table, the table
expands to include all the cells in the range pasted.
 If the data pasted has more columns than the table, the extra columns
are not included as part of the table. You will need to use the Resize
command to expand the table to include the data.

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Insert data
To insert a row:
1. Pick any cell that is not part of the header row and right-click or access
the context menu.
2. Select Insert, and then select Table Rows Above.

Figure 12: Context menu—Insert Table Row command

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 Managing tables and range data

Note: If the selection is in the last row, Table Rows Above or Table Rows
Below can be selected.

To insert a column
1. Pick any cell in the table and right-click or access the context menu.
2. Select Insert, and then select Table Columns to the Left.

Figure 13: Insert a column

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Delete rows or columns in a table

Table rows and columns can be deleted from the Home ribbon or the right-
click context menu.

From the Home ribbon

1. Select the table rows or table columns.
2. Go to the Home ribbon, Cells group, and select the arrow next to the
Delete command. Then, select Delete Table Rows or Delete Table
Columns.

Right-click context menu

1. Select the table rows or table columns.
2. Right-click or access the context menu, and then select Table Columns
or Table Rows.

Total Row
A Total Row can be displayed at the end of the table. By default, it uses the
SUBTOTAL function to display a total of the numeric data in a column.
Instead of manually inserting a formula or function to calculate ticket sales
for a school play or sports game, by checking the Total Row box in the
Style Options group, Excel quickly calculates the total for you. In the last
topic, you applied style options to a table such as a header row, banded rows
and columns, and a filter button. Another command called Total Row is also
a command that is part of the Table Style Options.

Video
To review the video on how to total numeric data in a table,
go to: Add a total row to a table

To enable a total row at the end of a table:

1. Select a cell within the table.
2. Go to the Design Table Tools ribbon, the Table Style Options group,
and select the Total Row box.
3. The Total Row is inserted at the bottom of the table.
4. The default Total Row setting uses the SUBTOTAL function for SUM.
This is a Structured Reference formula and is exclusive to Excel tables.
You can also apply a different function to the total value by selecting the
More Functions option or by writing your own.

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Additional information
To expand your learning, discover how to use structured
references in tables by going to: Using structured references
with Excel tables

Did you know?

There is a keyboard shortcut for the Total Row command.
Use the Ctrl+Shift+T keyboard shortcut to add a total row at
the bottom of a table.

Activity: Discuss and learn

This is a teacher-led group discussion and demonstration building on
learning from a previous topic about how to insert and delete columns and
rows in a data range. Students will be able to compare what they previously
learned about working with data ranges with the process of inserting and
deleting columns, rows, and a total row in a table.

Resources required
You will need the following resources for this activity:
 Open L2_T2_act_crop_distribution_starter.xlsx in this lesson’s
Learning Activity Resources.

Activity instructions
Participate in the activity by following these instructions.
Your teacher will project a workbook that contains a data range and a table
and will ask for your help with adding and removing columns and rows.
1. Examine the workbook data range and table.
2. When asked by the teacher, suggest how to add columns, rows, and a
total row.
3. When asked by the teacher, suggest how to remove columns and rows.

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Try-it: Insert and manage rows, columns, and

total number of rows
A Munson’s colleague has updated the Processing worksheet to
include row totals for each crop item. You need to insert a column for notes
and include a total row to display the average total.

Resources
You will need the following resources for this try-it:
 Open L2_T2_try_crop_distribution_starter.xlsx in this lesson’s
Learning Activity Resources.

Instructions
The following are the general tasks that you need to perform during this try-
it:
1. Go to the Processing worksheet.
2. Select cell E2.
3. Insert a table column to the left.
4. Observe the table. The new column has been inserted.
5. In cell E1, replace the text, Column1, with Notes.
6. Add a total row to the table.
7. Observe the table. A total row has been added in Column H.
8. Change the table total to display an average total.
9. Now you have a total row with the average displayed for all numeric
values in the Total column displayed.
10. Don’t forget to save your work!

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 Managing tables and range data

Wrap-up
In the previous lesson, you learned how to create a table from a range and
how to convert a table back to a range. This was a great start to working
with ranges and tables.
In this lesson, you learned how to configure table format options and insert
and manage rows, columns, and a total row.
All the tools you learned in this lesson can help you quickly apply formatting
to a variety of table layouts.
Use these questions to check what you learned in this lesson:
1. What keyboard shortcut can you use to turn on or turn off a Total Row at
the end of the table?
Select the correct option.
a. Ctrl+F
b. Ctrl+Shift+T
c. Ctrl+Shift+F
d. Ctrl+T
2. On which tab can you find the Insert Sheet Columns and Insert Sheet
Rows commands?
Select the correct option.
a. Page Layout
b. Insert
c. Home
d. View
3. The Select here to enter text. check box displays special formatting for
the first column of the table.
4. Select here to enter text. are even columns formatted differently than
odd columns.

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 Managing tables and range data

Lesson 3: Naming tables and

ranges
Overview
In this lesson, you will give ranges and tables unique names, making it easier
for navigation and referencing within a workbook.

Warm-up
In the previous lesson, you learned how to configure table format options.
In this lesson, you will learn how to change the default name assigned to a
table to something more meaningful to the data included. You will also learn
how to name a range of cells.
Use these questions to find out what you already know about this lesson’s
topics:
1. A range can be named in the Name Box.
Select the correct option.
a. True
b. False
2. Which of the following options cannot be part of a range name?
Select the correct option.
a. Space
b. Number
c. Period
d. Underscore

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 Managing tables and range data

3. What is the default name for a new table?

Select the correct option.
a. Table_1
b. Table 1
c. Table.1
d. Table1
4. A table name can have up to Select here to enter text. characters.

Topic 1: Name a table

You may recall from earlier lessons that each time you create a new
workbook, Excel assigns a default name to the workbook according to this
naming convention: Book1, Book2, Book3, and so on.
When a new worksheet is added to a workbook, Excel assigns a default name
to the worksheet according to this naming convention: Sheet1, Sheet2,
Sheet3, and so on.
A newly added table is no different. Each time you create a table, Excel
assigns a default name to the table according to this naming convention:
Table1, Table2, Table3, and so on.
Let’s say you have a workbook that tracks how much money you make with
a part-time job. Sheet1 or Table1 doesn’t help you understand which
month’s pay it is. Naming it January or January_Pay can make a big
difference!
As the previous example illustrated, to make it easier for reference purposes,
you can change a table name to something more meaningful as it applies to
the table data.
Before you rename a table, here are the rules you must follow:
 Use valid characters. Always begin a name with a letter; an underscore
character (_); or a backslash (\). Use letters, numbers, periods, and
underscore characters for the rest of the name.
Exceptions: You can’t use “C”, “c”, “R”, or “r” for the name, because
they’re already designated as a shortcut for selecting the column or row
for the active cell when you enter them in the Name or Go To box.
 Don’t use cell references. Names can’t be the same as a cell reference,
such as Z$100 or R1C1.

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 Managing tables and range data

 Don’t use a space to separate words. Spaces cannot be used in the name.
Consider how you can write the name using no spaces. You might also
use an underscore character (_) or a period (.) as word separators; for
example, DeptSales, Sales_Tax, or First.Quarter.
 Use a maximum of 255 characters. A table name can only have up to 255
characters.
 Use unique table names. Duplicate names aren’t allowed. Excel doesn’t
distinguish between uppercase and lowercase characters in names, so if
you enter “Sales” but already have another name called “SALES” in the
same workbook, you’ll be prompted to choose a unique name.
To rename a table:
1. Select a cell within the table.
2. Go to the Table Design > Design ribbon, Properties group, Table
Name field.
3. Enter a new name.

Figure 14: Table Name field

Did you know?

Table names appear in the Name Box.
Select the Name Box arrow in the Name Box field (next to
the Formula Bar) to see a list of all named tables in the
workbook. Select any table from the list, and Excel will take
you directly to that table, even if it’s on another worksheet.

Activity: Pose a challenge

The teacher will pose a challenge to you to brainstorm/predict strategies for
solving the table name challenge. You’ll pair up with another student and try
to solve the challenge.
Your teacher will then lead a demonstration of how to name a table by using
the Table Name field and will lead a group discussion.

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 Managing tables and range data

Resources required
You will need the following resources for this activity:
 Open L3_T1_act_crop_distribution_starter.xlsx in this lesson’s
Learning Activity Resources.

Activity instructions
The teacher will lead a discussion about naming tables. Participate in the
activity by following these instructions:
1. Listen to the instructions given by the teacher.
3. Apply critical thinking to find possible solutions to the challenge.
4. Share your solutions with the class.

Try-it: Name a table

The Crop_Distribution workbook will be shared with many colleagues
at Munson’s once it's finalized. You realize the table you have been working
with has the default name, Table3. You need to rename the table to
something that more closely represents the data it contains. This will surely
help everyone find and work with the table much quicker!

Resources
You will need the following resources for this try-it:
 Open L3_T1_try_crop_distribution_starter.xlsx in this lesson’s
Learning Activity Resources.

Instructions
The following are the general tasks that you need to perform during this try-
it:
1. Go to the Processing worksheet table.
2. Select a cell within the table.
3. Replace the current name, Table2, with ProcessedOrders.
4. Observe the named tables including the updated table name you just
changed, ProcessedOrders.
5. Don’t forget to save your work!

Topic 2: Define a named range

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 Managing tables and range data

In the previous topic, you named a table. You can also name a range of
cells. Naming a range can be useful for quickly navigating to the range from
the Name Box or Go To command. It can also help simplify the process of
referencing cells in a formula.
 There are a several ways to name a range of cells. Before you try naming
a range, here are the naming rules you must follow:
o Use valid characters. Always begin a name with a letter; an underscore
character (_); or a backslash (\). Use letters, numbers, periods, and
underscore characters for the rest of the name.
Exceptions: You can’t use “C”, “c”, “R”, or “r” for the name, because
they’re already designated as a shortcut for selecting the column or
row for the active cell when you enter them in the Name or Go To
box.
o Don’t use cell references. Names can’t be the same as a cell reference,
such as Z$100 or R1C1.
o Don’t use a space to separate words. Spaces cannot be used in the
name. Consider how you can write the name using no spaces. You
might also use an underscore character (_) or a period (.) as word
separators; for example, DeptSales, Sales_Tax or First. Quarter.
o Use a maximum of 255 characters. A range name can only have up to
255 characters.
o Use unique range names. Duplicate names aren’t allowed. Excel
doesn’t distinguish between uppercase and lowercase characters in
names, so if you enter “Sales” but already have another name called
“SALES” in the same workbook, you’ll be prompted to choose a unique
name.
 There are several different commands you can use to name a range. Let’s
start with the Name Box.
Name a range with the Name Box:
a. Select the range you want to name.
b. Select the Name Box.
c. Type or input a name and press Enter.

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 Managing tables and range data

Figure 15: Name Box field

 Next, let’s work with the Create from Selection command.

Name a range with the Create from Selection command:
a. Select the range you want to name, including the row or column labels.
b. Select the Formulas ribbon, Defined Names, and then select Create
from Selection.
c. In the Create Names from Selection dialog box, select the check
boxes depending on the location of your row/column header.
d. If you have only a header row at the top of the table, just select Top
row.
e. If you have a top row and left column header, select Top row and Left
column options, and so on.
f. Select OK.
g. Names are automatically selected and applied based on the column or
row labels.
 The Define Name command is another way to give a range a name.
Name a range with Define Name:
a. Select the range you want to name.
b. Go to the Formulas tab, Defined Names group, and select Define
Name. Alternatively, right-click or access the context menu, and select
Define Name.
c. In the New Name dialog box, Name field, enter a name.
d. The Scope field is set to Workbook by default. This means the named
range is accessible from a worksheet of the workbook. If it only needs
to be accessible from a specific worksheet, select the arrow, and from
the drop-down list select the name of the worksheet.
e. Add an optional comment about this range in the Comment field.
f. The Refer to field displays the worksheet and range specified. If the
range needs to be updated, select this field.

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 Managing tables and range data

g. Enter text or numbers in the field or select new cells to update.

h. If the New Name dialog box is in the way of the range, select the
arrow within this field to collapse the dialog box.
i. Select the arrow again to expand the dialog box.
j. Select OK.
 The Name Manager command is one other method to create a named
range.
Define a range name with the Name Manager:
a. Select the range you want to name.
b. Go to the Formulas tab, Defined Names group, and select Name
Manager.
c. In the New Name dialog box, in the Name field, type or input a name.
d. The Scope field is set to Workbook by default. This means the named
range is accessible from a worksheet of the workbook. If it only needs
to be accessible from a specific worksheet, select the arrow, and from
the drop-down list select the name of the worksheet.
e. Add an optional comment about this range in the Comment field.
f. The Refer to field displays the worksheet and range specified. If the
range needs to be updated, select this field. Enter the cell references
in the field or select new cells to update. If the New Name dialog box
is in the way of the range, select the arrow within this field to collapse
the dialog box. Then select the arrow again to expand the dialog box.
g. Select OK.

Edit and delete named ranges

 Named ranges cannot be managed through the Name Box area. If a
named range needs to be updated or deleted, use the Name Manager
command.
To edit a named range:
a. Go to the Formulas tab, select the Defined Names group, and select
Name Manager.
b. In the Name Manager dialog box, select the named range from the
list.
c. Select the Edit button.
d. Make the necessary changes to the Name, Scope, Comment, and
Refers To fields.
e. Select OK.
f. Select Close.

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 Here’s how to delete a named range:

a. Go to the Formulas tab, select the Defined Names group, and select
Name Manager.
b. In the Name Manager dialog box, select the named range from the
list.
c. Select the Delete button.
d. A question displays asking if you are sure you want to delete the
named range. Select OK.
e. Select OK again.
f. Select Close.

Additional information
For more information on inserting a named range in a
formula, go to: Insert a named range into a formula in Excel

Video
 Use the Video quick part if you are inserting videos.
 Use the following boilerplate text to introduce a link/video:
To review the video on defining and using names in formulas,
go to: Define and use names in formulas

Activity: Discuss and learn

This is a teacher-led demonstration and group discussion to help you build
on the previous learning about naming a table and how naming cell ranges
has a similar process and naming convention.

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 Managing tables and range data

Resources required
You will need the following resources for this activity:
 Open L3_T2_act_crop_distribution_starter.xlsx in this lesson’s
Learning Activity Resources.

Activity instructions
Your teacher will demonstrate how to name a table with the Table Name
field and name a range of cells with the Name Box field, Create from
Selection command, Define Name command, and Name Manager
command. You will also observe how to edit and delete named ranges with
the Name Manager command.
Participate in the activity by following these instructions:
1. Open the Crop_Distribution workbook.
2. Get familiar with the workbook contents, worksheets, and named areas:
tables, cells, and cell ranges.
3. Observe the demonstration and discussion of renaming a table led by the
teacher.
4. Participate in the group discussion.

Try-it: Define a named range

You have a table that has been converted to a range. You want to make
it easier for everyone working with this data range in the future by naming
the range. You need to apply a descriptive name to the range.

Try-it 1
In this stand-alone try-it, you will apply a name to a range of cells.

Resources
You will need the following resources for this try-it:
 Open L3_T2_try_crop_distribution_starter.xlsx in this lesson’s
Learning Activity Resources.

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 Managing tables and range data

Instructions
The following are the general tasks that you need to perform during this try-
it:
1. Go to the Processing worksheet.
2. Select the cell range A2:G21.
3. Name the range: ProcessedOrders.
4. Go to another worksheet within the Crop_Distribution workbook.
5. Observe the named ranges and named tables.
6. Select ProcessedOrders from the list.
7. Observe the area it takes you to and that is selected.
8. Don’t forget to save your work!

Wrap-up
In the previous lesson, you learned how to configure table format options
and insert and manage rows, columns, and a total row.
In this lesson, you learned how to update the name of a table to something
more meaningful for the data it represents. You also learned how to give a
range of cells a meaningful name. Giving tables and ranges of cells names
can help workbook readers quickly navigate to the associated data. Named
ranges can also be used in formulas.
Use these questions to check what you learned in this lesson:
1. Which of the following fields create a named range?
Select all that apply.
a. Name Box
b. Create from Selection
c. Define Name
d. Name Manager
2. You can name a range with a right-click or using the context menu.
Select the correct option.
a. True
b. False

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 Managing tables and range data

3. The Select here to enter text. command is where a named range can
be created, edited, and deleted.
4. You can access a table from which of the following areas?
Select all that apply.
a. Find
b. Name Box
c. Go To
d. Selection Pane

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 Managing tables and range data

Lesson 4: Sorting and

filtering
Overview
In this lesson you will sort and filter records in a data range and table.

Warm-up
In the previous lesson, you learned how to update a table name and name a
range of cells. In this lesson, you will learn how to sort and filter data in cell
ranges and tables.
Use these questions to find out what you already know about this lesson’s
topics:
1. Which command displays data in an alphabetized or numerical order?
Select the correct option.
a. Filter
b. Sort
c. Replace
d. Arrange All
2. Which command provides a way to sort with multiple levels?
Select the correct option.
a. Custom Sort
b. Sort A to Z
c. Sort Z to A
d. Sort Smallest to Largest
e. Sort Largest to Smallest
3. A filter based on cell color can be applied to a column.
Select the correct option.
a. True
b. False
4. A Select here to enter text. is created to sort by any other
characteristic that doesn’t sort well alphabetically.

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Topic 1: Sort and filter records

You’re a farmer, and you sell honey at the local farmers market. Well,
you didn’t sell the honey in the past, but your enterprising daughter did
before she went off to college. Now that you are doing it, you’ve been trying
to organize everything. After entering all the sales receipts into an Excel
spreadsheet, you see that there is no organization to the sales. You’d like to
sort the receipts in a variety of ways. First, you’d like to sort these by honey
categories—wildflower, orange blossom, and clover—to understand which
varieties are the favorites among the local community. Next, you’d like to
filter transactions with multiple sales in chronological order to determine
changes to the upcoming sales promotions that you have to approve.
What do you do? Sort and filter.
Depending on the data arrangement orientation, you can sort columns or
rows to display text such as names or companies in alphabetical order or
numbers from largest to smallest.
There may be times that sorting isn’t enough; there’s just too much data in
the worksheet to figure out the answers to the questions you have about the
data. For this or similar situations, filtering can help. You can choose which
data to temporarily hide for a column or multiple columns.
Sorting options depend on the contents of the column or row selected. If it
contains a text string, the sorting options will be A to Z (ascending order) or
Z to A (descending order). If it contains a numeric string, the sorting options
will be smallest to largest number or largest to smallest number.
While cell range and table columns and rows have the same sort and filter
capabilities (also called AutoFilter) and the process is similar, it’s worth going
over the steps for each.

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Sort a cell range column in ascending or

descending order
1. Select a cell in the column you want to sort.
2. Right-click or access from the context menu, select Sort, and then:
a. To sort an alpha text string, select Sort A to Z or Sort Z to A. You
may also go to the Home ribbon, Editing group, select Sort & Filter,
and select Sort A to Z or Sort Z to A.
b. To sort a numeric string, select Sort Smallest to Largest or Sort
Largest to Smallest. You may also go to the Home ribbon, Editing
group, select Sort & Filter and Sort Smallest to Largest or Sort
Largest to Smallest.
Note: When a column is sorted, the related information in the other columns
moves as well.

Change the Sort Options Orientation for a

data set
Most data sets are arranged in a column layout with labels defining the
information in each column. For this reason, the default setting for sorting
orientation is to sort top to bottom. If the data set you are working with is a
row labeled layout, you will need to change the Sort Options Orientation.
1. Go to the Home ribbon, Editing group.
2. Select Sort & Filter, and then select Custom Sort.
3. In the Sort Options dialog box Orientation section, select the Sort left
to right option.
4. Select OK.

Sort a table column in ascending or

descending order
1. Locate the Filter command next to the column label you want to sort. If
the Filter command is not present, go to the Table Tools Design ribbon,
Table Style Options group, and check the Filter Button box.
2. Select the Filter command. From the context menu, if sorting text, select
Sort A to Z or Sort Z to A. If sorting numbers, select Sort Smallest to
Largest or Sort Largest to Smallest.

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 Managing tables and range data

Did you know?

 If fill colors have been applied to cells, sort by color can
also be selected.
When a table column is sorted, the related information in the
other columns moves as well. If fill colors have been applied
to cells, the sort by color option can be selected.

Additional information
For more information about sorting and filtering data by
color, go to: Guidelines and examples for sorting and filtering
data by color

Filter a cell range column

1. Select a cell within the range.
2. Locate the column you want to sort. If the Filter option is not available in
the column header row, go to the Table Tools Design ribbon, the Table
Style Options group, and then select the Filter box.
3. Select the column Filter command.
4. Select Text Filters or Number Filters, and then select a comparison
like Between.

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 Managing tables and range data

Figure 16: Table Number Filters context menu

5. Enter the filter criteria and select OK.

Video
To review the video on sorting and filtering records, go to:
Sorting and filtering data

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 Managing tables and range data

Filter a table column

When you put your data in a table, filter controls are automatically added to
the table headers.
1. Select the column Filter option from the column you want to filter. If
someone working in the table has previously turned the filter off, go to
the Table Tools Design ribbon, the Table Style Options group, and
select the Filter box.
2. Clear (Select All) and select the boxes you want to show.
3. Select OK.
4. The column Filter command icon changes, indicating that not all data is
displayed in this column. Select this icon to change or clear the filter.

Video
To review the video on filtering data go to: Filter data in a
range or table

Clear a filter from a column

Select the Filter button next to the column header, and then select Clear
Filter from the context menu<column name>.

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 Managing tables and range data

Figure 17: Clear Filter command

Clear all filters in a worksheet

Navigate to the Data tab and then select Clear.

Figure 18: Clear command

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 Managing tables and range data

Remove all filters in a worksheet

If you want to completely remove filters, go to the Data tab, and then select
the Filter button, or use the keyboard shortcut Alt+D+F+F.

Figure 19: Filter command

Activity: Show and tell

Your teacher will lead a quick demonstration of how to sort and filter a data
range and a table. This will help you understand the similarities for the sort
and filter processes as well as how the outcomes differ slightly.
You will then write a letter to an absent friend explaining why someone
might use sort and filter and also the steps to use sort and filter.

Resources required
You will need the following resources for this activity:
 Open L4_T1_act_crop_distribution_starter.xlsx in this lesson’s
Learning Activity Resources.

Activity instructions
This is a teacher-led demonstration and discussion of how to sort and filter a
data range and table.
Participate in the activity by following these instructions:
1. Observe the demonstration.
2. Participate in the class discussion.
3. Write your letter explaining why someone might use sort and filter.

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 Managing tables and range data

Try-it: Sort and filter records

Your boss at Munson’s has asked about orders placed by Liberty’s
Delightful Sinful Bakery & Café. You need to filter the Processing_Range
worksheet to only display orders from this buyer.
In this stand-alone try-it, you will work with a partner to sort and filter data in
a table.

Resources
You will need the following resources for this try-it:
 Open L4_T1_try_crop_distribution_starter.xlsx in this lesson’s
Learning Activity Resources.

Instructions
The following are the general tasks that you need to perform during this try-
it:
1. Go to the Processing worksheet.
2. Sort the Crop column in A to Z order.
3. Filter the Buyer column to display Liberty’s Delightful Sinful Bakery
& Café only.
4. Don’t forget to save your work so that it is filtered when your boss opens
it!

Topic 2: Perform a custom sort

Video
To review the video on sorting a table, go to: Sort data in a
range or table

Sorting data is an integral part of data analysis. Imagine you are tracking
a list of birthday party invite responses. You can arrange a list of names in
alphabetical order, compile a list of guests each invitee is bringing, and sort
these numbers from the highest to the lowest. You can even order rows by
colors or icons assigned to special guests. Sorting data helps you quickly
visualize and understand your data better, organize and find the data that
you want, and make more effective decisions.

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 Managing tables and range data

Text can be sorted alphabetically in ascending or descending order (A to Z or

Z to A); numbers can also be sorted in ascending or descending order
(smallest to largest or largest to smallest); and dates and times can be
sorted in ascending or descending order (oldest to newest and newest to
oldest) in one or more columns.

Sort text
1. Select a cell in the column you want to sort.
2. On the Data tab, in the Sort & Filter group, do one of the following:
o To quick sort in ascending order, select (Sort A to Z). To quick sort in
descending order, select (Sort Z to A).

Figure 20: Sort commands

 If a table filter has been enabled, you can also select the Filter command
for a column and then select a quick sort in ascending Sort A to Z;
descending Sort Z to A; or select sort by Color Custom Sort.

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Figure 21: Filter context menu Sort commands

Did you know?

If there is a mix of data stored as text and numbers in a
column, you can access the Format Cells dialog box with
the keyboard shortcut, Ctrl+1. Then you can select the
Number tab, General Category, and select Number or
Text.

Sort numbers
1. Select a cell in the column you want to sort.
2. On the Data tab, in the Sort & Filter group, do one of the following:
o To sort from low to high, select Sort Smallest to Largest.
o To sort from high to low, select Sort Largest to Smallest.

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 Managing tables and range data

Figure 22: Sort commands

If a table filter has been enabled, you can also select the Filter command for
a column and then select a quick sort. To sort from low to high, select (Sort
Smallest to Largest); from high to low (Sort Largest to Smallest); or
Sort by Color (Custom Sort).

Figure 23: Filter context menu Number Sort commands

Sort dates and times

1. Select a cell in the column you want to sort.
2. On the Data tab, in the Sort & Filter group, do one of the following:
o To sort from an earlier to a later date or time, select Sort Oldest to
Newest.

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 Managing tables and range data

o To sort from a later to an earlier date or time, select Sort Newest to

Oldest.

Figure 24: Sort commands

If a table filter has been enabled, you can also select the Filter command for
a column and then select a quick sort. To sort from an earlier to a later date
or time, select (Sort Smallest to Largest); from a later to an earlier date or
time, select (Sort Largest to Smallest); or Sort by Color (Custom Sort).

Figure 25: Filter context menu Sort commands

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Did you know?

 Extra leading spaces from imported data can affect
sorting. The TRIM function can remove all leading
spaces.
To review an article on how to use the TRIM function, go to:
TRIM Function

Sort by more than one column

You may want to sort by more than one column or row when you have data
that you want to group by the same value in one column or row, and then
sort another column or row within that group of equal values. For example, if
you have a School club column and a Student column, you can first sort by
School club (to group all the students in the same school club together) and
then sort by name (to put the names in alphabetical order within each school
club). You can sort by up to 64 columns. For best results, the range of cells
that you sort should have column headings.
1. Select any cell in the table.
2. On the Data tab, in the Sort & Filter group, click Sort.
3. In the Sort dialog box, under Column, in the Sort by box, select the first
column that you want to sort.
4. Under Sort On, select the type of sort. Do one of the following:
o To sort by text, number, or date and time, select Values.
o To sort by format, select Cell Color, Font Color, or Cell Icon.
5. Under Order, select how you want to sort. Do one of the following:
o For text values, select A to Z or Z to A.
o For number values, select Smallest to Largest or Largest to
Smallest.
o For date or time values, select Oldest to Newest or Newest to
Oldest.
6. To sort based on a custom list, select Custom List.
7. To add another column to sort by, click Add Level, and then repeat steps
3–5. To copy a column to sort by, select the entry, and then click Copy
Level.
8. To delete a column to sort by, select the entry, and then click Delete
Level.
Note: You must keep at least one entry in the list.

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9. To change the order in which the columns are sorted, select an entry, and
then click the Up or Down arrow next to the Options button to change
the order.
Entries higher in the list are sorted before entries lower in the list.

Figure 26: Custom Sort—Multiple levels

Sort by cell color, font color, or icon

If you have manually or conditionally formatted a range of cells or a table
column by cell color or font color, you can also sort by these colors. You can
also sort by an icon set that you created with conditional formatting.
1. Select a cell in the column you want to sort.
2. On the Data tab, in the Sort & Filter group, click Sort.
3. In the Sort dialog box, under Column, in the Sort by box, select the
column that you want to sort.
4. Under Sort On, select Cell Color, Font Color, or Cell Icon.
5. Under Order, click the arrow next to the button and then, depending on
the type of format, select a cell color, font color, or cell icon.

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6. Next, select how you want to sort. Do one of the following:

a. To move the cell color, font color, or icon to the top or to the left, select
On Top for a column sort, and On Left for a row sort.
b. To move the cell color, font color, or icon to the bottom or to the right,
select On Bottom for a column sort, and On Right for a row sort.
Note: There is no default cell color, font color, or icon sort order. You
must define the order that you want for each sort operation.
7. To specify the next cell color, font color, or icon to sort by, click Add
Level, and then repeat steps three through five.
8. Make sure that you select the same column in the Then by box and that
you make the same selection under Order.
9. Keep repeating for each additional cell color, font color, or icon that you
want included in the sort.

Activity: Pose a challenge

The teacher poses a challenge to your class: brainstorm/predict strategies
for solving the challenge of sorting multiple columns. You will read an Office
support article to help solve it and work in groups to solve the challenge. You
will race against other student groups. The winning group of students will
demonstrate to the class how to complete the task. If other groups find
different ways to complete the same task, those student groups will also
demonstrate their process.
Your teacher will then quickly review how to sort multiple columns using the
Custom Sort command.

Resources required
You will need the following resources for this activity:
 Open the Office support article link and read the instructions to help solve
the challenge. Also open the L4_T2_act_crop_distribution_starter.xlsx
starter file and follow the Activity instructions.
o Sort data using a custom list.

Activity instructions
Participate in the activity by following these instructions:
1. Go to the Crop_Sourcing_Range worksheet.
2. Join the group assigned by your teacher.
3. Read the Sort data using a custom list support article and discuss with
your team members.
4. Observe the table in the Crop_Sourcing_Table worksheet.

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5. Sort the multiple columns in this order: Date Picked, and then Crop.
6. Observe the teacher-led demonstration.

Try-it: Perform a custom sort

In this stand-alone try-it, you will sort multiple columns of a table. You
need to know which crops are being purchased the most by each buyer (in
alphabetical order). You need to apply a multiple column sort to determine
this.

Resources
You will need the following resources for this try-it:
 Open L4_T2_try_crop_distribution_starter.xlsx in this lesson’s
Learning Activity Resources.

Instructions
The following are the general tasks that you need to perform during this try-
it:
1. Go to the Processing worksheet.
2. Sort the Units column from largest to smallest.
3. Sort the Buyer column in A to Z order.
4. What answer did you find? Which buyer has purchased the most units of a
produce item?
5. Don’t forget to save your work!

Wrap-up
In the previous lesson, you learned how to update the name of a table to
something more meaningful for the data it represents. You also learned how
to give a range of cells a meaningful name.
In this lesson, you learned how to arrange the contents of a data set and
table with the help of the sort and filter commands. When the arrangement
involves several columns of data, you learned how sorting multiple columns
can quickly update the column contents order to accomplish this.
Use these questions to check what you learned in this lesson:
1. Which ribbon command clears the filter and the sort state for the current
range of data?
Select all that apply.
a. Home ribbon, Editing group, Clear Formats

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b. Data ribbon, Sort & Filter, Clear

c. Home ribbon, Editing group, Sort & Filter, Clear
d. Data ribbon, Sort & Filter, Reapply
2. Which of the following options are choices in the Sort Options dialog
box?
Select all that apply.
a. Case sensitive
b. Delete level
c. Orientation
d. Copy level
3. The filter choice Select here to enter text. displays only empty cells.
4. Each Select here to enter text. determines the order a custom sort
displays the data.

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Cornerstone
Overview
In this Cornerstone, you will analyze the farm market apparel and bee
products workbooks by creating tables; applying settings, sorting, and
filtering a table; and converting a table to a range.

Objectives
The following table outlines the Cornerstone objectives and their
corresponding Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) exam objectives.

Convert a  3.1.1: Create Excel tables from cell ranges

worksheet data
range to a table
Apply a pre-  3.1.2 Apply table styles
formatted style
to a table
Apply sorting to  3.3.2: Sort data by multiple columns
a table column
Apply filtering  3.3.1: Filter records
to table
columns
Modify a table  3.2.1: Add or remove table rows and columns
by inserting a
new column
Apply emphasis  3.2.1: Add or remove table rows and columns
to a table
column
Setup a filter  3.2.2: Configure table style options
for a table
Modify a table  3.2.3: Insert and configure total rows
to include a
total row
Configure a  3.2.3: Insert and configure total rows
table total row
Modify a table's  3.2.2: Configure table style options

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style options by
removing a
banded row
effect
Convert a table  3.1.3: Convert tables to cell ranges
to a range
Apply a name to  2.3.1: Define a named range
a range

Table 2: Cornerstone objectives

Duration
25 minutes

Instructions
1. Complete the tasks below for each file.
2. When saving your file, add your name to the end of the filename; for
example, Munsons_ApparelDwayne_Espino. Follow your teacher’s
directions for where to save your files.
3. When you’re done with the Cornerstone, assess your completion and
enter the points you think you earned within the task lists below. You can
use the help of your teacher if you need it.

Tasks
You will work with two files in this Cornerstone. The following are the tasks
you need to do within each file.

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File 1:
Cornerstone_Munsons_apparel_starter.xlsx
Task: Convert a range to a table and add a style. (2
points)
1. Go to the Logo Merchandise worksheet. Convert the data range to a
table with headers. (1 point) (Exam objective 3.1.1)
2. Apply Blue, Table Style Light 9 to the table. (1 point) (Exam objective
3.1.2)
Points scored: Select here to enter text. /2

Task: Sort, filter, and adjust a table (5 points)

1. Within the Logo Merchandise worksheet, sort the Category column in
ascending order. (1 point) (Exam objective 3.3.2)
2. Filter the table to show short-sleeve black shirts only with a quantity of 10
or less. (2 points) (Exam objective 3.3.1)
3. Insert a new column to the right of the Quantity column. Title it Order
Quantity. (1 point) (Exam objective 3.2.1)
4. Even though values have not been entered in the Order Quantity
column yet, add emphasis to the last column. (1 point) (Exam objective
3.2.2)
Points scored: Select here to enter text. /5

Task: Apply table options and update a table name (5

points)
1. Go to the Apparel Sales worksheet. Add a filter to the table. (1 point)
(Exam objective 3.2.3)
2. Add a total row. (1 point) (Exam objective 3.2.3)
3. Update the total to display an average of the sales total. (1 point) (Exam
objective 3.2.3)
4. Remove the banded row effect. (1 point) (Exam objective 3.2.2)
5. Name the table Apparel_Sales. (1 point) (Exam objective 2.3.2)
Points scored: Select here to enter text. /5
FILE 1 TOTAL POINTS: Select here to enter text. /10

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File 2:
Cornerstone_Munsons_bee_product_inventory
_
starter.xlsx
Task: Convert a table to a range and give the range a
name(2points)
1. Go to the Cosmetics Inventory worksheet. Convert the table to a range.
(1 point) (Exam objective 3.1.3)
2. Select the cell range A2:E15 and name the range Bee_cosmetics. (1
point) (Exam objective 2.3.1)
Points scored: Select here to enter text. /2
FILE 2 TOTAL POINTS: Select here to enter text. /2

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Glossary
Add key terms and their definitions used in the module.

Table A group of cells that have been formatted in a column

or row tabular format.
Range of cells A group of consecutive or nonconsecutive cells in a
worksheet that have been selected. Also known as a
cell range.
Sort A command that sorts the contents of a range or table.
Data values can be sorted by one or more columns.
Only the matching results are returned.
Filter A command that filters a range or table based on
selected criteria. Only matching criteria results are
displayed.
Style A combination of preformatted attributes that can be
applied to a range of cells or a table.

Table 3: Glossary terms and definitions

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