Introduction to Spreadsheets Program: Excel

Starting Excel Spreadsheets Spreadsheet –A grid of rows and columns used to make calculations. A spreadsheet’s greatest advantage is its ability to make automatic calculations.

Column (#7 on your handout) –Vertical portions of the spreadsheet identified by letters (A, B, C, etc.). This letter designates the column heading. There are 256 columns in a spreadsheet, ending at IV

Row (#9 on your handout) –Horizontal portions of the spreadsheet identified by numbers (1, 2, 3, etc.). This number designates the row heading. There are 65,536 rows in a spreadsheet.

Cell (All over your handout) –A single location on a spreadsheet. It is the intersection of a row and a column.

Active Cell (#6 on your handout) –A single highlighted location on a spreadsheet. It is the only cell that work can be done in at one time, and it is the cell with the heavy black border around it.

–The active cell can be changed by: Clicking a new cell with the mouse Using the directional arrows to move to another cell Using the “Go To” key (F5) or on the Edit Menu – which goes to a specified cell. Several keystroke shortcuts (Home, End, etc)

Cell address or Name box (#5) –A column letter and a row number (A2, F15), sometimes referred to as a “cell coordinate or cell reference.” Located on the left side of the formula bar.

Cell cursor –The highlighted portion on the spreadsheet indicating the active cell Formula Bar/Status bar (#8) –A location on the spreadsheet that indicates the type of entry and the contents of the active cell.

Range –A defined area of a worksheet. Selecting the cells F4, F5, and F6 can be indicated as F4:F6. Block of cells –May be defined as a range A1:G2

Status of a Cell (#8) Cell Contents –The “true” data, text, or formula entered into a cell. The Formula Bar always reveals the “true” contents of the cell.

Excel Notes Part Duex

Three types of data that can be entered into a spreadsheet: Label:Any non-numeric data (text, dates, etc) entered as the first character in a cell. Default alignment is LEFT. Value:Numeric data (numbers that have a numeric value assigned to them). Default alignment is RIGHT Formula:A combination of cell references, numeric constants, and mathematical operators (+, -, *, /). A formula must always begin with an equals = sign.

Using Formulas Formula –An instruction to calculate a number An equal sign must precede a formula Arithmetic Precedence –The order in which a spreadsheet does math operations Whatever is in Parenthesis Exponents Multiplication or Division (from left to right) Addition or Subtraction (from left to right)

Mathematical Operators –The standard mathematical operators used in formulas are: Exponents^ Multiplication* Division/ Addition+ Subtraction-

Function –A built-in formula that performs a special calculation automatically SUM() – Adds all values in a range of cells AVG() – Averages values in a range of cells COUNT() – counts all the non-blank cells… MAX() – Indicates the highest value… MIN() – Indicates the lowest value… –Example: =SUM(A1:A5)

Format Page set-up –Page Portrait (vertical) Landscape (horizontal) –Sheet Print Gridlines Print Row and Column Headings

Insert and Delete Columns and Rows –Save before you insert, delete, move or copy data. –When a column or row is inserted, a blank area is created. Existing columns and rows shift to allow for newly created space. –Select the location and Click Insert, Column or Insert, Rows

Copy Data –Formulas may be copied horizontally or vertically To another cell or range of cells –When a formula is copied, the cell references change relative to their new location Fill Handle –If you are copying a formula across a row or down a column you can use the Fill handle in the bottom right corner of the cell to drag the formula to fill the cells.