1. ME 142 Engineering Computation I
Excel Basics

2. Active Cell Each rectangle of the spreadsheet grid is called a cell
Each cell is identified by its cell address, made up of a column letter and row number
The active cell is identified by:
A heavy border
Row/column headings highlighted
Cell address shown in the name box
Information is entered through the active cell

3. Text, Numbers, & Formula
The most common types of data used in a spreadsheet are
Text
Numbers
Formulas

4. Text, Numbers, & Formula Numbers – numeric value
May be integer or real numbers
Text – character, word, label
By default Text is left justified
Formula – equation
Begin with equal sign (=)
Formula shown in formula bar
Results of calculation shown in the cell

5. Entering/Editing Data & Formulas
Entering data similar to word processor
Mouse, arrow keys, enter, tab, …
May use the mouse to select appropriate cells while entering formula
May edit in formula bar

6. Moving/Copying Data & Formulas
Many methods to move/copy data
Cut, copy, and paste to clipboard
Move by dragging
Copy/move single or multiple cells
Try [Shift] and [End] keys
Fill handles

7. Relative & Absolute Addressing
Relative Addressing refers to the automatic incrementing of a cell address during the copying process
It is an extremely important feature of spreadsheets
Copying down increments row numbers
Copying across increments column numbers
Absolute Addresses are constant and do not change or increment when copied
A dollar sign “$” in front of a row or column number denotes an absolute address

8. Relative & Absolute Addressing
Relative Addressing is the default: (example D5)
Copying down increments row numbers (example: D6)
Copying across increments column letters (example: E5)
Use $ to change from relative to absolute
Example $D$5
May use in combination
Example $D5 or D$5
Use [F4] key to toggle

9. Named Cells
Using named cells in your formulas can make them easier to comprehend
Enter a cell name in the Name box
Individual cells or ranges may be named
A cell name acts as an absolute address is not modified when a formula is copied
To remove a name use Ribbon commands Formulas/Name Manager

10. Conditional Formatting
With conditional formatting, particular format attributes are applied only if a certain condition is met
Makes it easy to spot extreme data values

11. Built-in Functions Hundreds of built-in functions available
See formula ribbon
Formulas contain arguments in parenthesis
We’ll cover a number of those useful to engineers throughout the semester

12. Error Messages
Understanding excel error messages can be useful in finding spreadsheet errors:
#DIV/0 divide by zero
#N/A result is not available
#NAME? Function name not recognized
#NUM! Not a valid number (too large…)
#REF! Invalid cell referenced
#VALUE! Wrong type of argument

13. Formatting Numbers
Variety of formats available within Excel, including Custom Formats

14. Formatting Numbers
Engineering typically requires specific number of decimal places or significant digits
General, Number and Scientific formats common
Engineering notation available as Custom format

15. Row & Column Manipulation
Entire Rows and Columns may be moved, copied, inserted (added), hidden, and deleted
Columns/Row width/height may be resized