1. European Computer Driving Licence
Module 4 – Spreadsheets
Chapter Formulae

2. Formulae
The best part of spreadsheets is formulae which make it possible to perform calculations automatically
You can add, subtract, multiply and divide cells
All formulae start with an equals sign
This tells Excel that you are going to insert a formula as opposed to text or numbers
You may find it easier to use the keys on the right hand side of the keyboard to type the symbols! +
add -
minus *
multiply /
divide

3. Selecting Cells
Click in the intersection of row and column headers to select all cells
Click on a column header to select a column
Click on a row header to select a row
To select non adjacent cells hold down the Ctrl key whilst you click on cells or column or row headers (the last cell clicked will appear white)
When you select a range of cells the first cell will be coloured white, the rest pale blue

4. Formatting cells
To format cells, select the cells you want to format and click on the bold, italics, underline icons
To remove formatting, select the cell(s) and click on the icons again to switch them off
To see more formatting options, select the cells, select Cells from the Format menu and click on the Font tab

5. Inserting a border Select the cells you want to apply a border to
From the Format menu select Cells (or right click and select Format cells)
Click the Border tab
First click in the Style section to select a style and/or colour
Next click on the border icons to select non-standard borders – the preview will show your choices
Click OK

6. Entering formulae Click where you want the result to appear
Type an equal sign
Type the first cell reference (eg A2)
Press + - * / as appropriate
Type the second cell reference (eg A3)
Press the Enter key to confirm
The result of the formula appears in the spreadsheet
The formula is displayed in the formula bar

7. Automatic Recalculation
If you have entered your formula correctly and if you change a number, Excel will recalculate!
Don’t insert a space into a cell used in a formula otherwise you will receive an error message #VALUE!
Similarly if you try to divide a cell by 0 or an empty cell, #DIV/0! will appear
If either of these messages appear, check that your formula points to the right cells and that the cells contain the right information!

8. Enter formulae by pointing
Instead of typing in a formula such as =A2+A3, you can use the mouse to point at the cells in the formula.
Click in the cell to contain the formula
Type an equals sign
Click on cell A2
Type a plus sign
Click on cell A3
Press the Enter key to confirm
As you click on the cells, notice how Excel inserts the cell reference!

9. Formatting numbers
To format numbers to display to 2 decimal places with a thousands separator, select the cells, right-click in the selection and select Format cells
On the Number tab click the checkbox Use 1000 separator (,)
Click OK.