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5.5: Hands-on Exercise - Small Business / Freelance

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    138544
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    Hands-On Exercise: Building a Student Database

    Create a structured and protected Excel database using tables, data validation, and sorting/filtering tools.

    Part 1: Create and Format the Table

    1. Open a new workbook and rename the sheet Student_Data.
    2. In A1:E1, enter headers:
      • Student ID
      • First Name
      • Last Name
      • Major
      • Status
    3. Enter at least 10 rows of sample data.
    4. Select the entire range and press Ctrl + T to create a Table.
    5. Confirm “My table has headers,” then apply a Table Style (e.g., Table Style Medium 2).
    6. Rename the table:
      • Table Design → Table Name → Students_Table.

    Part 2: Add Data Validation and Drop-Down Lists

    1. Select column E (Status).
    2. Go to Data → Data Validation → Allow: List.
    3. In the Source box, type:
    4. Active, Probation, Graduated, Withdrawn
    5. Test by selecting values from the drop-down list.
    6. Repeat for column D (Major) if desired, using a predefined list of programs (e.g., CIS, Business, Education).

    Part 3: Organize and Filter Data

    1. Use Sort A to Z on the “Last Name” column.
    2. Use Filter to show only students with Status = “Active.”
    3. Experiment with Custom Sort (e.g., sort by Major, then Last Name).
    4. Apply conditional formatting to highlight students on “Probation” in light red.

    Part 4: Navigation and Protection

    1. Freeze the header row using View → Freeze Top Row.
    2. Split the view horizontally to compare student data across columns.
    3. Protect the sheet:
      • Go to Review → Protect Sheet,
      • Allow users to select unlocked cells only.

    Save as CH5_Student_Database.xlsx.


    This page titled 5.5: Hands-on Exercise - Small Business / Freelance is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Gabrielle Brixey.

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