Windows 8 and Office/excel

kathateria · 5 December 2013 at 8:09AM

Well we have this new laptop, with windows 8.
My husband blagged, that he can use excel,when he had a job interview.
Ive never used it,so not something Ive ever needed. Im sure i could work it out.

So now i have to have it!
What is compatable with windows 8?
And of course, where is the cheapest place to buy it?

gb12345 · 5 December 2013 at 8:19AM

I'm assuming that your husband didn't compound his lie by telling the interviewer that he is also able to write macros. If not, then start off by downloading one of the free office packages (OpenOffice or LibreOffice). They have spreadsheet programs that can open and save MS Office documents.

This will allow him to have a play around and learn how to use a spreadsheet, such as using formulas and producing charts.

There are differences between the free packages and Excel, but he should at least get a basic understanding of how things work.

bod1467 · 5 December 2013 at 8:30AM

If your husband blagged (bragged?) that HE could use Excel when HE had a job interview, why do YOU need Exel and why do YOU need to get used to it?

kathateria · 5 December 2013 at 9:21AM

Blagging is a term I use, that makes out you know what to do, when you actually don't. Or making things work to your benefit, by being economical with the truth.:D
Fibbing.
When asked if he had excel, and knew how to work it, he said yes. In truth,He can email and surf, but that's it.

I actually blagged CBBC into paying for our wedding.:beer:

He has no idea about computers, where as I have a basic understanding.
I can whip up a letter,or poster. Put on photos,iPod ect.
But spread sheets leave me a bit baffled. I can type,as I did that at school. On a manual type writer!
I will need to sit with him,and play together. Might try and find a basic course for him.

gb12345 · 5 December 2013 at 9:30AM

kathateria wrote: »

makes out you know what to do, when you actually don't.

So he lied then

What is the job? It is likely that his only involvement with Excel will be data entry and may be using the odd common formula.

richard9991 · 5 December 2013 at 10:02AM

He needs to do an ECDL course aswell as doing it on line many further education colleges do them as well.

http://www.ecdluk.co.uk/

kathateria · 5 December 2013 at 10:04AM

He will be a residential care worker.
Total career change, from a steel erector!
He had no idea what it was, and thought I would know.
He did say he knows the basics, so they wont be expecting the earth.

tyllwyd · 5 December 2013 at 10:09AM

I bought one of these books, which takes you through it quite slowly.
http://www.excelcentral.com/excel2010/essential/books.aspx

gb12345 · 5 December 2013 at 10:33AM

kathateria wrote: »

He will be a residential care worker.

I wouldn't imagine that he'd be doing anything other than entering data then.

Download one of the free packages (the spreadsheet application in both of them is called Calc) that I suggested in my earlier post and that should give him enough knowledge to learn any specifics once he finds out what exactly it is he is goign to be doing with Excel.