This wikiHow teaches you how to create a datasheet, a document that uses columns and rows to organize data. The most commonly used spreadsheet programs include Microsoft Excel, Apple Numbers, and Google Sheets.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Using Microsoft Excel
Step 1. Open Microsoft Excel
Click or double-click the Excel icon, which looks like a white “X” on a dark green background.
Step 2. Create a blank spreadsheet if you want
If you don't want to use a spreadsheet template with a built-in format, click “ Blank workbook ” in the top left corner of the page, then go to step seven (heading/heading of data).
Step 3. Explore the available template options
Browse the list of templates in the Excel window or type a word or phrase into the search field at the top of the screen to search for templates by keyword.
Step 4. Choose a template
Click the template you want to use to select it. The template window will open after that.
Step 5. Click Create
It's on the right side of the template window. After that, the template will be opened in Excel.
Step 6. Fill in the form on the template if necessary
If you are using a template with a built-in format, fill in the required form to complete the template, then move on to step 13 (saves sheet).
- Skip this step if you are not using a template.
- Some templates use multiple spreadsheets that you can access via the tabs in the lower-left corner of the Excel window.
Step 7. Know where to add the data header/title
Usually you need to put the title or header of the data on the “
Step 1.” above the spreadsheet.
For example, if you are creating a list of employee names and grouping them by department, enter the department name in the “ A1 ”, then the name of another department in the box “ B1", etc.
Step 8. Select the box
Single-click the box to which you want to add data.
For example, if you want to type the word "Date" in the " A1, click the box " A1 ”.
Step 9. Enter data
Type the word, phrase, or chart you want to add into the box.
Step 10. Save the data
Press Enter to save it. The data will be formatted and stored on the grid.
Step 11. Enter any other required data
You can fill in the other boxes on the worksheet as you wish or need.
Step 12. Sum the data values in the boxes
If you want to use a single square to calculate the total value and the closing parenthesis (eg =SUM(A1, B1)).
Step 13. Save the file
Press the shortcut Ctrl+S (Windows) or Command+S (Mac) to open the " Save As " window, then follow these steps:
- Type in the desired file name.
- Select a storage location (on Mac computers, you'll need to click the " Where " drop-down box first).
- Click " Save ”.
Method 2 of 3: Using Apple Numbers
Step 1. Open
Numbers.
Click or double-click the Numbers app icon, which looks like a series of white horizontal bars on a light green background.
Step 2. Create a blank spreadsheet if you want
If you want to create a blank spreadsheet, follow these steps and move on to step seven (adding data headers/titles):
- Click the tab " All ” in the upper-left corner of the Numbers window.
- Click on “template” Blank ” in the top left corner of the page.
- Click " Choose ” in the lower right corner of the window.
Step 3. Browse the available template categories
On the left side of the window, you can see several tabs (eg. All ”, “ Basic , and others). Click a tab to display a list of templates from the selected category.
You can also browse the list of templates in the middle of the page
Step 4. Select a specific template to use
Single-click the template you want to use to select it.
Step 5. Click Choose
It's in the lower-right corner of the window. The template will open in the Numbers window.
Step 6. Fill in the form on the template if necessary
If you are using a template with a built-in format, fill in the required forms to complete the template, then move on to step 13 (saves sheet).
- Skip this step if you are not using a template.
- Some templates use multiple spreadsheets that you can access via the tabs in the lower-left corner of the Numbers window.
Step 7. Know where to add the data header/title
Usually you need to put the title or header of the data on the “
Step 1.” above the spreadsheet.
For example, if you create a list of employee names and group them by department, enter the department name in the “ A1 ”, then the name of another department in the box “ B1", etc.
Step 8. Select the box
Single-click the box to which you want to add data.
For example, if you want to type the word "Date" in the " A1, click the box " A1 ”.
Step 9. Enter data
Type the word, phrase, or chart you want to add into the box.
Step 10. Save the data
Press Return key to save the data. After that, the data will be formatted and saved to the grid.
Step 11. Enter any other required data
You can fill in the other boxes on the worksheet as you wish or need.
Step 12. Sum the data values in the boxes
If you want to use a single square to calculate the total value and the closing parenthesis (eg =SUM(A1, B1)).
Step 13. Save the spreadsheet
Once you've finished creating the spreadsheet, you can save it as a file on your computer with these steps:
- Click " File ” in the upper-left corner of the screen.
- Click " Save As… ” in the drop-down menu.
- Enter a file name.
- Select a storage location (you may need to click the " Where " drop-down box first to see the directory listing).
- Click " Save ”.
Method 3 of 3: Using Google Sheets
Step 1. Go to the “About” page of the Google Sheets service
Visit https://www.google.com/sheets/about/ through your computer's web browser.
Step 2. Click Go to Google Sheets
It's a blue button at the bottom of the page. After that, the Google Sheets page for your Google account will open.
If you're not logged into your Google account, type in your email address and password when prompted
Step 3. Show template options if necessary
If you don't see a list of templates at the top of your Google Sheets page, you can view them with these steps:
- Click " ☰ ” in the top left corner of the page.
- Click " Settings ”.
- Check the " Templates " box.
- Click " OK ”.
Step 4. Create a blank spreadsheet if necessary
If you want to create a blank worksheet and fill it in while continuing to work, click the “ Blank ” on the left side of the template list, then move on to step eight (adding a header/data title).
Step 5. Expand the list of available templates
Click the link GALLERY TEMPLATES ” in the top right corner of the page to expand the list.
Step 6. Choose a template
Browse the list of templates for available options until you find the template you want to use, then click on a template to open it in Google Sheets.
Step 7. Fill out the template form if necessary
If you are using a template with a built-in format, fill out the required forms to complete the template, then move on to step 14 (download sheet).
- Skip this step if you are not using a template.
- Some templates use multiple spreadsheets that you can access via the tabs in the lower-left corner of the page.
Step 8. Identify where to add the data header/title
Usually you need to put the title or header of the data on the “
Step 1.” above the spreadsheet.
For example, if you are creating a list of employee names and grouping them by department, enter the department name in the “ A1 ”, then the name of another department in the box “ B1", etc.
Step 9. Select the box
Single-click the box to which you want to add data.
For example, if you want to type the word "Date" in the " A1, click the box " A1 ”.
Step 10. Enter data
Type the word, phrase, or chart you want to add into the box.
Step 11. Save the data
Press Enter to save it. The data will be formatted and stored on the grid.
Step 12. Enter any other required data
You can fill in the other boxes on the worksheet as you wish or need.
Step 13. Sum the data values in the boxes
If you want to use a single square to calculate the total value and the closing parenthesis (eg =SUM(A1, B1)).
Step 14. Download the spreadsheet
The spreadsheet will be saved to your Google Drive account, but you can download it to your computer as a file with these steps:
- Click the menu " File ” in the top-left corner of the Google Sheets page.
- Choose " Download as ” in the drop-down menu.
- Click the file format in the drop-down menu, e.g. " Microsoft Excel (.xlsx) ”.
Tips
- You can usually print a spreadsheet by clicking on the “ File ", choose " Print, and clicked “ Print ” in the “Printers” window.
- Sheets can be used for a variety of purposes, from managing contacts to creating payroll counters.
