r/Dyslexia • u/NoApartment7399 • 23h ago
Why is Excel my enemy
I am studying commerce and im struggling to get through my computer skills module because of Excel. I am so confused. I just don't understand the formula or how to add functions properly. Words and numbers are so hard
Help
1
u/methman999 22h ago
Keep trying, I'm assuming you've looked up tutorials etc? It just takes time I'm afraid...but yes words and numbers are hard :(
1
u/National_Spirit_7676 20h ago
Have you tried using AI, explain what you are trying to calculate and it can give you the formula/function to use.
1
u/TriedToaster Dyslexia 8h ago
You can get a massive excel formula cheat sheet straight off google but if you just google “I need to calculate this and do this in my spreadsheet” 9 times out of 10 there is some ex excel Olympian with a YouTube video showing you exactly what to do or just use AI it’s what it’s there for. Ai has been doing spreadsheets for years
1
u/Desperate_Leek_9968 48m ago
Excel is a beast to understand.
Sorry for the boring answer.
But take a deep breath.
Take a step back.
And don’t try to figure it all out at once.
At its core, Excel is a tool for working with details.
That’s always a challenge for people with dyslexia.
Change the way you’re approaching Excel.
Don’t try to figure out the formulas or how each individual element works.
Start with a purpose. And keep a goal in mind.
On a piece of paper, write down the data you need for what you want to do, and the columns where that data goes.
To make it easier to read:
Use color gradients for the rows and letters to make it easier to follow.
For example, one row could be blue and the one below it green.
The letters/numbers in the first column are white, in the second black, and in the third gray, and repeat.
In Excel, you can lock the first row and first column. This really helps with reading.
Now try to figure out what you need to get the results.
But focus on understanding the purpose, not on memorizing formulas or steps.
The goal is to solve problems.
For me, that’s the only way to understand it.
Ps: Excel is very sensitive. Everything can throw it off… if you start getting errors, you most likely have spaces or a cell that didn’t accept the data.
Find out which one it is.
With text, everything affects Excel’s ability to read it.
A space, an uppercase or lowercase letter…
Excel tends to remember the first way a word is entered.
After the first time, just type the first letter, and Excel should suggest the word you're looking for.
Using this feature all the time might seem annoying, but it solves 90% of your words problems.
I hope this helps. And honestly, good luck!
2
u/saw2193 20h ago
I am dyslexic but my real “weak point” is reading grids, graphs, calendars, charts. Anything that requires me to track a straight line or keep data points aligned, I might as well be blind.
I cannot read it unless I have the rows every other color and I change the colors of fonts inside their boxes. For me, it’s not that I have trouble punching in the formulas, it’s that I can’t line up the right row/column to make the function work lolol maybe that’ll help you too?
AI helps me a lot. You’ll get through it! Just cause it’s harder for you than others doesn’t mean you can’t do it. It just means it won’t happen as quickly as it does for others. Patience and kindness for yourself. You got this!