1. Background material for first Excel lab
Spreadsheet Basics
Background material for first Excel lab

2. Spreadsheet Layout Worksheet Cells contain one data item
Rows (1-16,000+)
Columns (A..Z,AA..IV)
Cell References: B5, C3, etc.
Cell Range:
UpLeft : LowRight
Cells contain one data item
A number
A letter sequence
A formula
Range
A4:A12 B5
Range
C5:D11

3. Flexibility == Power
Use formulas to calculate one cells’ value based on other cells’ values
Syntax of Excel language = c3 + b3 + a15
Math: + - * /
Order of precedence ( ) */ +-
Functions
Perform complex equations, simply
Can operate on a range of cells Example =sum(a3:c9)
Relative and Absolute Cell References

4. Relative vs Absolute References
Relative Reference by default
Copy and “Fill” will change references based on new position
Absolute Reference
Column and Row absolute: $F$2
Reference do not transform when copy or fill is applied
Partial ($A4 or A$4)
Use absolute for all constant values in formulas
Numbers (constants) mean nothing ?? = a3 *
Constants are frequently not constant!
Called problem parameters
Flexibility requires it (and so do I)

5. Format Cell formatting Charts Font, color, shading, etc
Numeric: Currency, percent, # of decimals
BE CONSISTENT (and logical)
Charts
Graphics should simplify meaning
Appropriate choice of chart type
Label appropriate values

6. Lab Lab: Work through the example pgs 376-393 Changes: Due:
“Swanson’s Hawk” to ”yourlastname ‘s Hawk”
Remove all constant values from formulas
Format all values appropriately
Due:
Friday, February 20th by 5 p.m.
Submit to class IN box as yourlastname excel lab.xls
Note: Length (inches) values on pages are incorrect

7. Homework Work through the discount table example on p. 396
Changes: add a descriptive title that includes your name to the top of the spreadsheet
Name the file yourlastname discount hw.xls
Work through the loan table example on p. 399
Changes
Make the loan rate a problem parameter instead of a constant
Experiment with different loan rates to see the ease of calculation
Name the file yourlastname loan hw.xls
Both files due in the IN folder by midnight, Tuesday, Feb. 24