This is an image of the Getting Started Task Pane (the default task pane for Excel 2003). With an Excel task pane, you can left click on the blue text links to activate them. You can tell if any given text is a link to another pane or resource, by moving your mouse pointer over it. If the text becomes underlined, it is a link.

 

Underneath the Open heading, is a list of recently used files that you can choose from. At the bottom of the recently used files list there is a Create a new workbook option that, when clicked, will switch panes to the New Workbook task pane. In the Getting Started pane, you can enter a term or phrase in the search box and have Excel return results for it. Search boxes are also available in the Help task pane and the Research task pane.

 

You can switch between task panes by clicking the downward pointing triangle at the top right of the task pane. A drop down menu will display the titles of the task panes available to you. You can choose a task pane to replace the current one by left clicking on it in the menu.

 

This Image shows the Task Pane menu, and demonstrates the selection of the New Workbook task Pane. The current task pane (Getting started) is the one with the check mark at its left.

 

If you have switched between two or more task panes, you can navigate to any of the panes you have used recently by clicking the green arrow buttons at the top left of the pane. Clicking the Home button (located next to the green arrow buttons) will bring you back the Getting Started Task Pane.

 

To close a task pane, left click the x in the upper right corner of the pane.

 

You should practice navigating between task panes, and exploring the resources they offer. The following list describes some of features of the different Excel 2003 task panes.

 

·              The Getting Started task pane offers a search box, a recently used file list, and links to Microsoft Office Online and other resources

·              The Help task pane provides a search box, a Table of contents link, and other links including Microsoft Office Online, Contacts, and What’s New

·              The Search Results task pane allows you to turn the Microsoft Office Online links on or off, and provides access to more online search options

·              The Clip Art pane helps you find graphics, video clips, and other media that you may wish to include in your workbook

·              The Research pane lets you search through a thesaurus, or find a language translation for a term or phrase.

·              The Clip Board pane identifies the items saved to the clipboard, letting you paste or delete the item of your choice.

·              The New Workbook pane provides options for opening new workbooks, and existing ones

·               The Shared Workspace and Document Update panes, help you create and manage shared workspaces

·              The XML Source can add an XML map to your Workbook

 

Remember, if you want to close a task pane, left click the X in the upper right corner of the pane.