Are you one of those people who writes information (birthdates, phone numbers and addresses, assignment due dates) on scraps of paper? Ever have trouble finding those scraps of paper? Keeping information organized can save you time energy and frustration. A simple Excel file could be the answer to your problem. Microsoft Excel is a way to collect and organize information. Putting the information into columns and rows gathers up all relevant information on one page. After you type in the information, you can format it to make it easy to read, sort or filter it to help find specific information, and add in mathematical formulas. This can help you get rid of some of those scraps of paper on your desk.

Ways to Use Excel Track birthdates Have you ever forgotten a loved one’s birthday or your own wedding anniversary? You can list all important dates in an excel workbook and organize them in order of occurrence even sit an alert to the ones coming up with in the next few days. This way you can be prepared for these. Here is what a sample birthday reminder spreadsheet would look like. Image: http://www.nordberg.co.uk/ExcitingExcel/images/AnniversaryReminder.jpg

- Keep list of phone number and mailing address Today many people have all the phone numbers they need stored on their cell phone for quick and easy access. What happens when you cell phone dies? You lose it? Or it is stolen? Who ya gona call then? By making a phone list in excel, you have a back up. Some phone companies can even export this information into a new cell phone for you. Along with phone numbers you could store mailing address, email addresses or any other pertinent information on family and friends that you can look up quickly. Here is an example http://excel-phone-list-template-software.smartcode.com/screenshot.html - Keep list of phone number and mailing address

- Track class grades You can use excel to track your grades in a class. You can use it to show a running total (points and/or percentage) and even create a formula to show you what you need to get on one assignment or many to get an A.

-Budget -Track Expenses -loan calculations -balance checkbook Excel is best for anything involving numbers, especially if you want to do any calculations with them. Any mathematical formula you can think up, excel can perform. You can use excel to make a household budget, plan savings, track your expenses, and even balance your checkbook. It is like having a personal accountant working for you. Many of these more complex excel formulas can be easily accessed with a downloadable template. This way the hard formula set ups are done for you and you just have to plug the numbers in. (plugging it in may be the difficult part) <Example of budget http://www.financialnut.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/excel_budget_fullview.jpg Example of checkbook http://exceltemplate.net/images/Checkbook_Register.jpg>

Here’s an example of a simple budget spreadsheet <insert screenshot of budget template from Excel>.

-Organize Anything You can use excel to organize just about anything. Do you have lists of information you use for your job? Grocery lists? Take inventory of items in your house. It’s endless. Think of a way you can use it to help you.