Spreadsheets
What is Excel?
Objectives1. Identify the parts of the Excel Screen2. Identify the functions of a spreadsheet3. Identify how spreadsheets can be used4. Explain the difference in columns and rows5. Locate specific cell references6. List the types of data that can be put into a
spreadsheet
Microsoft Excel Many companies use a spreadsheet for
numerical and financial data to analyze and evaluate information
Microsoft Excel’s spreadsheets are called worksheets
The difference between Worksheets and WorkbookOne makes up the other! Worksheets are the
spreadsheets that combine to make the workbooks
What is a spreadsheet?A program that allows you to use data to
forecast, manage, predict, and present information
Spreadsheets allow users to input data into a table that is easy to read and analyze
ExcelSpreadsheets •An electronic document that stores data•Formed by vertical columns and horizontal rows•An intersection of a column and row is the cell
Understanding ExcelColumns are the vertical boxes that permeate
a worksheet. Columns are labeled with letters.
Rows are the horizontal boxes throughout the worksheet. Rows are labeled with numbers
Cells refer to the intersection of a column and a row
Cell Reference is the name of the Column letter and the row number, such as A6, or F8
Columns and Rows!What does a column look like? Which way does it go?
What does a row look like? Which way does it go?
A column is vertical!
Word association can help! Think of house or structure with columns!
Can you think of a column on your own?
A row is horizontal!Look around you, you
may have rows of desks in your classroom!
Spreadsheets
•Excel spreadsheets can contain workbooks and worksheets
•The workbook holds the related worksheets
•Think of it like your binder, with all the pages of data!
File TabFile Functions
Creating a new workbook
Open an existing oneSaveSave asPrintSendClose
The RibbonIs the panel at the top of the document
There are eight tabs across the panelFile, Home, Insert, Page Layouts, Formulas, Data,
Review, and View.The tabs are made up of groups
Groups provide logical collections of features to perform different functions in developing and editing your spreadsheets!
The RibbonCommonly used features are on the ribbon
Click on the arrow, on the bottom right corner of each group, to find additional features
The Dialogue Box Launcher •Dialogue Box Launchers are small icons that appear in some groups. Clicking a Dialog Box Launcher opens a related dialogue box or task pane, providing more options related to that group.
Groups
Each tab has additional groups of information.
Home: Clipboard, fonts, alignment, number, and stylesInsert: Tables, Illustrations, ChartsPage Layouts: Themes, Page Setup, Formulas: Function Library, CalculationData: Sort & Filter, Data ToolsReview: Proofing, CommentsView: Workbook views, show/hide, zoom, window, macros
Quick Access Toolbar
•A customizable toolbar
•You can add items; just right click on any item in the file tab or on the ribbon; click “add to quick access toolbar-a shortcut will be added.
•You can move this toolbar above or below the ribbon; click Show Below the Ribbon
What’s that in the shadows?Mini Toolbar
Displays when you highlight the text or highlight and right-click text
It is a floating toolbar Displays common formatting tools, such as bold,
italics, fonts, font size and font color
Moving around in ExcelTo move the insertion point here Press
Down to the next cell Enter
Up to the next cell Shift + enter
Next cell Tab
Previous cell Shift + tab
Cell at beginning of row Home
Click on the Excel icon on your desktop!
Performing Calculations
Excel FormulasA formula is a set of mathematical
instructions that can be used in Excel to perform calculations. Formulas are started in the formula box with an = sign.
Excel FormulasThere are many elements of an excel formula.
References: The cell or range of cells that you want to use in your calculation
Operators: Symbols (+, -, *, /, etc.) that specify the calculation to be performed
Constants: Numbers or text values that do not change
Functions: Predefined formulas in Excel
Excel FormulasTo create a basic formula in Excel:Select the cell for the formula Type = (the equal sign) and the formula Click Enter
Calculate with FunctionsA function is a built in formula in Excel. A
function has a name and arguments (the mathematical function) in parentheses. Common functions in Excel:Sum: Adds all cells in the argumentAverage: Calculates the average of the cells in
the argumentMin: Finds the minimum value Max: Finds the maximum valueCount: Finds the number of cells that contain a
numerical value within a range of the argument
Calculate with FunctionsTo calculate a function:Click the cell where you want the function applied Click the Insert Function button Choose the function Click OK
Complete the Number 1 box with the first cell in the range that you want calculated
Complete the Number 2 box with the last cell in the range that you want calculated
Function LibraryThe function library is a large group of functions on the Formula Tab of the Ribbon. These functions include:AutoSum: Easily calculates the sum of a rangeRecently Used: All recently used functionsFinancial: Accrued interest, cash flow return rates
and additional financial functionsLogical: And, If, True, False, etc.Text: Text based functionsDate & Time: Functions calculated on date and timeMath & Trig: Mathematical Functions
Relative, Absolute and Mixed ReferencesCalling cells by just their column and row labels
(such as "A1") is called relative referencing. When a formula contains relative referencing and
it is copied from one cell to another, Excel does not create an exact copy of the formula.
It will change cell addresses relative to the row and column they are moved to. For example, if a simple addition formula in cell C1 "=(A1+B1)" is copied to cell C2, the formula would change to "=(A2+B2)" to reflect the new row.
Relative, Absolute and Mixed ReferencesTo prevent this change, cells must be called by absolute referencing and this is accomplished by placing dollar signs "$" within the cell addresses in the formula.
Continuing the previous example, the formula in cell C1 would read "=($A$1+$B$1)" if the value of cell C2 should be the sum of cells A1 and B1.
Both the column and row of both cells are absolute and will not change when copied.
Mixed referencing can also be used where only the row OR column fixed. For example, in the formula "=(A$1+$B2)", the row of cell A1 is fixed and the column of cell B2 is fixed.
Linking WorksheetsYou may want to use the value from a cell in
another worksheet within the same workbook in a formula.
For example, the value of cell A1 in the current worksheet and cell A2 in the second worksheet can be added using the format "sheetname!celladdress".
The formula for this example would be "=A1+Sheet2!A2" where the value of cell A1 in the current worksheet is added to the value of cell A2 in the worksheet named "Sheet2".