External data is data that is stored outside of Excel. Excel easily works with data created in different applications if this data is saved in a format Excel can recognize, such as a comma-separated values (CSV) file. By importing the data into Excel, then saving the data in an Excel format, we can manipulate and format the data.
In our case today, we will simply open an existing Excel workbook and copy and paste the data into our existing workbook.
Opening Another Excel Workbook
The data we need is in another Excel workbook, so we have to open that file. This time, we will start the process by using a keyboard shortcut.
Step1. To begin to open the other workbook, press:
Control key+O
NOTE for MacOS Users: To begin to open the other workbook, press: Command key+o.
Step2. To browse for the file,
Click
NOTE for MacOS Users: To browse for the file, Click On My Mac, then navigate to the saved workshop files in the Excel_TheBasics folder.
Step3.To open the desired file,
Double-Click ResponseData.xlsx
NOTE: If you downloaded these exercise files from an Internet source, you may need to enable editing.
Step4. To begin to select all the date, type:
Control key+a
Step5. To copy all the data into the clipboard, type:
Control key+c
Step6. To close this file, type:
Control key+w
Step7. To preserve the clipboard contents, if necessary,
Click
Step8. To navigate to the active cell,
Click cell A4
Step9. To paste the data into the existing worksheet, type:
Control key+v
Step10. Deselect the cells.
Step11. Widen columns if necessary.
Step12. Save the workbook.