Spreadsheets

Spreadsheets

1. Cells

   • A cell reference always starts with a letter and ends with a number e.g. A5 or H28
   • A range of cells is a set of cells in a row or column
   • Data entered into cells can be different data types e.g. text, number, currency, date, percentage etc.
   • Each cell can contain:
     • Labels - any text in a cell describing the data in a row or column (titles, headings that identify data)
     • Data - any values (text or numbers) that are entered for the use of calculation
     • Formulas and functions - mathematical calculations carried out automatically

2. A spreadsheet application such as Excel can store all its data in a single file. This file is called a 'workbook'.

3. A workbook is made up of one or more 'worksheets'. A worksheet is a single tab in the spreadsheet workbook.

4. Formulas

   • Must start with an =
   • Formulas perform calculations on cell contents
   • Formulas appear in the formula bar
   • The result of a formula is automatically recalculated every time the data on a spreadsheet changes
   • The 4 main mathematical operations:
     • + Add
     • - Subtract
     • * Multiply
     • / Divide

5. Functions

   • Must also start with an =
   • Functions are part of a spreadsheet software. They are specialised calculations built in to the spreadsheet software
   • Function name describes what a function can do e.g. SUM, COUNT, AVERAGE, MIN, MAX, IF
     • =SUM(D2:F7)

6. Formatting

   • The content of a cell can be formatted:
     • Font style, size, colour, border style, alignment, cell colour
     • Multiple cells can be merged in to one cell
   • Cells are often formatted to reflect the data that is held in them. Data types include:
     • Currency, number, real, integer (whole number), date, text

7. Replicating cells

   • When you position the mouse pointer in the bottom right hand corner of the cell and drag it down or across, the spreadsheet tries to respond intelligently. If there is a formula in the cell, the spreadsheet tries to adjust it as it goes down the page to fit in with the new position and the cells being referred to

8. Graphs & Charts

   • Using charts/graphs allows us to notice patterns & trends more easily
   • Specific data can be selected on a spreadsheet and a chart/graph of this data can be created
     • Bar charts - to compare values
     • Pie charts - to show how a total is divided among a number of different categories
     • Line graph - display trends