Computer Boot Up Camp

Week Eight Class Notes-

Spreadsheet Advanced Features

 

 

On-Line at: http://www.dowlingcentral.com/techteam.html

 

1.   Creating a Formula

 

There are many different kinds of formulae that you can create with a spreadsheet. Some get extremely scientific. To see all the functions and formulae, go to INSERT…Function. Most of the functions will be way over your head. You may use some of them in high school and probably many of them in college.

 

For now, I will show you the only one you might need.

 

EXERCISE 1: Open up a blank workbook. Go to the START MENU…NEW OFFICE DOCUMENT…Create NEW BLANK WORKBOOK.

 

Starting in column “A” add a set of random numbers to the “A” column.

 

Now, select all these cells. Then push the Sigma key in the menu bar.

It looks like this :     S    This is also called the auto sum function.

 

This will add up the columns. You can also do the same with a row. Try it again.

 

2.      Create and Modify Charts

 

Charts are graphical representations of the data on a spreadsheet. The most common charts will be the bar or the pie chart. You might also use a line chart.

 

EXERCISE 2: Open up the template Ex 8-1 from the “R” Drive. To make a chart you have to select the data you want in the chart.

 

Select cells A4-7M

 

Notice that this includes not only the data but the labels, as well. You do this so you can have the labels appear on the chart.

 

Now. Press the chart wizard button. It looks like a little bar graph in the menu bar. Decide which type of chart would be best for displaying the data. To see what your chart will look like, use the press and hold button at the bottom of the wizard. Which one is best?

 

Bar Charts are for showing variations among similar items. You might use this to show how different variables changed the outcome in an experiment

 

When you have decided on a type of chart, click NEXT

Step 2 is the choosing chart source data. You have really already done this when you selected the cells at first. You can also choose the cells from this box if you forgot to do it earlier.

 

Step 3 allows you to add a title to your chart. It also lets you add other labels and grid marks. Play around with the different options.

 

Remember, your X-axis and Y-axis need titles. X goes across. Y goes up and down.

 

Step 4 allows you to put your chart on a different page or on the same sheet as the data. Usually, you would put it on the same sheet unless it was big.

 

You are done. Move your chart to a place on the sheet that isn’t in the way of the data.

 

Then you can format it to your liking. Double click on any area of the chart to change color, font, and placement of legend…

 

Save this spreadsheet to your folder. Call it whatever you want. Be descriptive of the content.

 

3.   Printing out Charts

 

EXERCISE 3: Normally, you will just want the chart to print. Select the chart by clicking once on it. Go to FILE…Page Set Up. Click on the Chart tab and select what you want…usually Full Page.

 

Then you could print the chart.

 

4.   On Your Own

 

o        Count and sort a bag of M and M’s according to colors.

o        At the bottom of your open spreadsheet, select a Sheet 2 for a new spreadsheet.

                                                               i.      Label Column A-Colors

                                                             ii.      Label Column B – Amount

o        Enter your data.

o        Format your cells to show the labels in different fonts and colors.

o        Select all cells with colors and their numbers in them. (From column A and B). Click on the A to Z button at the top of the page to put them in alphabetical order.

 

HINT-If you didn’t select the numbers columns, your data will get all mixed up.

 

 

o        Create an appropriate chart. (Try a Pie Chart).

o        Use labels and percentages. (Step 3 of the Chart Wizard.)

o        Format your Chart for Color and Font. Make the colors of each wedge the color of that M and M. Select each individual wedge, double click on it, and format the color.

o        Save the entire workbook to your folder.