Excel Doesn’t Have to Be Scary – 6 Simple Tips to Help You Feel in Control

For many young people, the idea of managing money can feel overwhelming — and spreadsheets? Even more so. But learning how to track your spending isn’t just about numbers; it’s about building habits that help you feel confident and in control.

While banking apps can show you what’s coming in and going out, they don’t always help you understand your spending patterns. That’s where tools like Excel come in. By taking a few minutes to record your purchases, you can start spotting trends, setting goals, and making choices that reflect what matters to you.

In this blog, Jean Weir from Oyster Flame shares six simple tips to help you get started with Excel — no jargon, no stress. Whether you’re saving for something special or just want to know where your money’s going, these tricks will help you feel more in charge. And if you don’t have Excel? Don’t worry — Google Sheets works just as well and is free to use.

So if you’re ready to build strong habits now that will support you for years to come, let’s dive in.

Excel Doesn’t Have to Be Scary – 6 Simple Tips to Help You Feel in Control

Opening Excel for the first time can feel like stepping into a maze of rows, columns and formulas — and if you’ve ever panicked at the sight of a blank spreadsheet, you’re not alone!

But Excel isn’t just for accountants or data geeks. It’s actually a really useful life skill — whether you’re managing your personal budget, tracking job applications, or planning a project. And the best part? You don’t need to be an expert to get started. With just a few simple tricks, you can feel more in control and less overwhelmed.

Here are six easy Excel tips to boost your confidence — and a mini practice exercise at the end so you can try them out.

1. AutoFill – Let Excel Do the Repeating for You

If you’re typing a list — like days of the week, months, or a series of numbers — don’t do it manually. Excel has a clever feature called AutoFill.

Try it:
Type “Monday” in cell A1. Click the bottom-right corner of the cell (you’ll see a small square) and drag it down. Excel will fill in the rest of the week for you.
It works with numbers too: type “1” in A1, “2” in A2, then drag down to continue the pattern.

2. SUM – Add Things Up in a Flash

Excel can do the maths for you. The SUM function adds up a list of numbers instantly.

Try it:
Type “5”, “10”, and “15” into cells B1, B2 and B3. In B4, type:
=SUM(B1:B3) and press Enter.
The answer (30) appears like magic.

3. AVERAGE – Find the Middle Ground

If you’re tracking anything with numbers — like spending, grades, or scores — the AVERAGE function helps you see the overall picture.

Try it:
Using the same numbers in B1 to B3, type this in B5:
=AVERAGE(B1:B3)
It will give you the average of the values (in this case, 10).

4. Avoid Merging Cells – Use ‘Centre Across Selection’ Instead

Merging cells might look tidy, but it can cause big problems later when sorting or editing your data. A better way to centre a heading across multiple columns is by using Centre Across Selection.

Try it:
Type a heading like “Monthly Budget” in cell A1. Highlight cells A1 to D1, then:

• Right click > Format Cells > Alignment tab
• Under ‘Horizontal’, choose Centre Across Selection
• Click OK
  Your text is now centred, but the cells remain unmerged — much better for long-term use.

5. Conditional Formatting – Make Important Info Stand Out

Conditional Formatting highlights certain cells automatically based on rules you set. It’s a great way to spot patterns or issues at a glance.

Try it:
Imagine you’re tracking expenses. Enter amounts in cells C1 to C5.
Now highlight those cells, go to the Home tab > Conditional Formatting > Highlight Cell Rules > Greater Than.
Choose a number (e.g. £50) and pick a colour. Now any amount over £50 will stand out.

You can also use this to:

• Colour-code grades
• Track goals
• Flag overdue tasks

6. Freeze Panes – Keep Headings Visible

When working with long lists, you can easily forget what each column is. Use Freeze Panes to lock your top row or first column so it stays in view as you scroll.

Try it:
Click on cell A2, then go to View > Freeze Panes > Freeze Top Row. Now your headers will stay visible, no matter how far you scroll down.

Mini Practice Exercise – Create Your Own Simple Budget Sheet

Here’s a quick task to help you put these tips into practice:

1. In Row 1, create a heading like “My Summer Budget” and centre it using Centre Across Selection over columns A to D.
2. In Row 2, add column titles: Item, Cost, Category, Date
3. Add 5–10 example rows — e.g. lunch, cinema, train ticket
4. Use SUM to total your spending
5. Use AVERAGE to see your average cost per item
6. Use Conditional Formatting to highlight any item over £20
7. Use Freeze Panes to keep your headings visible

Even spending 10–15 minutes practising helps you feel more confident — and the more you use Excel, the less scary it becomes.

Excel might seem intimidating at first, but it’s honestly just a tool — one that can make your life easier, more organised, and a little less stressful. Whether you’re managing your money, revising for exams, or just trying to keep track of tasks, learning a few simple tricks can help you feel more in control.

And remember: there’s no such thing as a silly question. Everyone starts somewhere. You don’t have to be a spreadsheet wizard — just open Excel, give it a go, and keep learning.