Introduction to Spreadsheets

Microsoft Excel A program which allows you to perform complex mathematical operations in an organized manner.

What is a spreadsheet? A spreadsheet is a grid of rows and columns containing numbers and text.

Terms you need to know

RowsColumnsRangeCells Active CellCell AddressWorkbookWorksheet

LabelsNumeric LabelsValuesMathematical OperatorsOrders of OperationEquation FormulaFunction Formula

Some Terms

Workbook- An excel file

that contains single or multiple worksheets.

Worksheet- One page in an

Excel workbook

Rows vs. Columns

Rows-Identified by 1,2,3, etc. and goes across the spreadsheet horizontally

Columns-Identified by A,B,C and goes across the spreadsheet vertically.

The Size of the Spreadsheet

Number of Rows- 65536

Number of Columns- 256

Cell

This is where a row and column meet. Each cell has a cell location. Examples of this are A1, C5, Z34.Label-alphanumeric data that describes the values that follow and cannot be used in a calculation.Value-Numeric data that can be used in calculations.Range-A rectangular group of adjacent cells.

Columns

R

O

W

s

Active Cell

Range

Range

Cell Address Edit Cell

Label

Numeric Label

Numeric Label

Label Value

Mathematical Operators

Addition +

Subtraction –

Multiplication *

Division /

+ X -

Orders of Operation

1. Parenthesis2. Exponents3. Multiplication4. Division5. Addition6. Subtraction

Two Types of Formulas

A formula in an instruction to calculate a number.All formulas begin with an equal sign =Equation Formulas Use mathematical operators

Function Formulas Use function names (no math operators)

Equation Formulas

To add

= cell+cell+cell

To subtract

=cell-cell

To multiply

=cell*cell

To divide

= cell/cell

Or any combination of math operators:

Example = A1*10

Example = (A1+B3)*B7+10

A1 = 10

B3 = 2

B7= 5

Function Formulas

= function name (cell:cell) Function Names SUM – adds a range of cells AVERAGE – finds the average of a range of

cells MIN – lowest value in a range MAX – highest value in a range COUNT – number of cells filled with a value COUNTA number of cells filled with a label

Function Formulas

The first step to using formulas is to think about what mathematical operation you want to accomplish. It helps sometimes to write the math problem on paper first. Next click on the cell where you want the answer to the formula to appear.Choose the formula you want from the drop down menu next to the SUM icon.Select the cells you want to include in the operation.

If EXCEL guesses the cells for you, MAKE SURE TO VERIFY THAT THOSE ARE THE CELLS YOU WANT! EXCEL IS NOT ALWAYS RIGHT!!

Formulas and Functions

Formulas always begin with the “=“ sign. This symbol tells Excel that a calculation is required. Formulas do not include spaces, and can include values and/or references to other cells.

Formulas

To Add: =cell+cell+cell or =sum(Range)To Subtract: =cell-cellTo Multiply: =cell*cellTo Divide: =cell/cellTo Average: =average(range)Lowest #: =min(range)Highest#: =max(range)Count#s: =count(range)Count Labels: =counta(range)Conditional Statement: =if(condition, then x, else y)

Checklist (for each spreadsheet)

Headings Centered Over ColumnsTitle Centered over the SpreadsheetCorrect FormulasDecimals aligned in numeric columnsCommas and Dollar Signs where appropriateCentered Vertically and Horizontally on pageName, Period, and Name of Spreadsheet in the Header