Topic 10- Spreadsheets

Topic 10- Spreadsheets

1. cells

   • a cell reference always starts with a letter and ends with a number
   • a range of cells is a set of cells in a row or a column
   • cells can contain
     • labels- any text in a cell describing the data in a row or column
     • data- any values(text or numbers) that are entered for the use of calculation
     • formulas and functions-mathematical calculations carried out automatically

2. formulas

   • must always start with a =
   • the result of a formula is automatically recalculated every time the data on a spread sheet changes
   • four main mathematical operations
     • + Add
     • - Subtract
     • * Multiply
     • / Divide

3. functions

   • must always start with a =
   • part of spreadsheet software, theyre specialised calsulations built in to the spreahseet software
   • function name describes what the function can do
     • SUM
     • COUNT
     • MIN
     • MAX
     • AVERAGE

4. benefits of using a spreadsheet

   • Automatic recalculation -Every time the content of a cell is changed, calculations are performed and other cells are updated if necessary.
   • accurate calculation- providing the formulas have been set up correctly, the formulas will always produce a correct calculation
   • graphs/carts- can be drawn using data in selected cells
   • replication- once the first formula is correctly entered, it is possible to drag across to adjacent cells in a row or column so the computer copies the pattern of the calculation