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Excel Help Guide

Use this guide as you navigate the wealth of Microsoft Excel supports available to you at no additional cost.

Just the Basics

Financial Statements

Numeric Formatting Standards

Accounting setting selected from Number options in Microsoft Excel

  • Select the Accounting format for the first and ending number in each column to display the $ sign 
  • Use the Number format for numbers within the column
  • Use a comma for numbers greater than one thousand
  • Be consistent with the use of decimals (cents)

Tutorials

Also see: Common Uses for the Double Underline in Accounting

  • Capitalize the first letter of each account name. Capitalization of the first word is an industry standard, but capitalizing words like a book title may be more visually appealing. Choose an approach and remain consistent. 
  • Use appropriate statement headings. 
  • Use subheadings and total lines.

Excel can be used to perform common accounting calculations:

  • horizontal calculations
  • vertical calculations
  • ratios

Journal Entries

  • Display the $ sign on the first number in each column
  • Capitalize the first letter of account names
  • Include dates
  • For each transaction:
    • List all debits first, left justified
    • List all debits after credits, indented

Ledger T-accounts

  • Record the date and amount
  • No need for $ signs due to small spaces
  • Use formulas to calculate balance
  • Use "Bal" for balance on the correct debit/credit side
  • Last Updated: Mar 17, 2023 1:59 PM
  • URL: https://guides.rasmussen.edu/Excel
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Subjects: Business