Spreadsheet

    A spreadsheet is a grid used to organize information and to perform calculations (math operations) with that information. Charts or graphs may also be created using a computer spreadsheet.   A spreadsheet is similar to a table in word processing; but the spreadsheet is more powerful - it has more options than a table.
    Spreadsheets are frequently used by students, teachers, secretaries, bankers, librarians, lawyers, pollsters, politicians, strategic planners, financial analysts, engineers, scientists, entrepreneurs, CPAs, marketing managers, venture capitalists, consultants, anyone who keeps track of their income and bills. In fact, most everyone finds spreadsheets very helpful.
    When you first start using a spreadsheet it may help if you have played "Battleship" - identifying cells on a spreadsheet is similar to identifying ship locations in that game.
     At school we use Excel. It is the spreadsheet program within Microsoft Office.

Column

vertical - identified by a letter at the top of the column

A strip of information running up and down, like in a newspaper. You might also think of it as a column that supports a building.

Row

horizontal - identified by a number at the left of each row

A horizontal line of boxes (cells). Think of it as the "row of seats" in a theater.

Cell

the box formed by the intersection of a column and a row

Identified by the column letter followed by the row number - a cell address stating its coordinates. Cells may contain only one type of information - there are two types of information - labels and values.

Value

numbers only

--Numbers are used in calculations and displayed in a chart or graph.
--By default numbers are right aligned.

Label

words

--By default a label is left aligned.
--A label has no numeric value.
--A label may have text, symbols, dates, and numbers not used in calculations.

More Vocabulary Words

Grid

A series of evenly spaced horizontal and vertical lines that intersect each other - sometimes called a matrix.

Active Cell

The cell that is highlighted or selected

Entry Bar or
Formula Bar or
Data Entry Bar

The box or bar that shows what you typed in a cell - it is easy to make changes in this bar rather than trying to edit within the small cell.

Edit

To change what is already in a spreadsheet

Enter

To type in or record data in a spreadsheet

Calculations

To permit calculations to be performed,
a cell may not contain both labels and values.

Formula -
A formula is an equation that performs operations on worksheet data. Formulas can perform mathematical operations, such as addition, multiplication, division, and subtraction or they can compare worksheet values. Formulas can refer to other cells on the same worksheet, cells on other sheets in the same workbook, or cells on sheets in other workbooks.

As you solve a word problem, think of the number sentence first, then type it in a cell as a formula.

Formulas calculate values in a specific order. A formula in Microsoft Excel always begins with an equal sign (=). The equal sign tells Excel that the characters that follow it make up a formula. Following the equal sign are the numbers to be calculated (the operands), which are separated by calculation operators (+, -, x, etc). A colon : is used to name a cell range (A1:B3 means the six cells A1 through B3 are selected or highlighted). Excel calculates the formula from left to right, according to a specific order for each operator in the formula. You can change the order of operations by using parentheses.

Function -
Functions are "shortcut" formulas (already in the program) that perform calculations by using specific values, called arguments, in a particular order. For example, the SUM function adds values or ranges of cells.

Web Sites -
Create Simple Graphs

Bar Chart (fill in) - http://nlvm.usu.edu/en/nav/frames_asid_323_g_2_t_1.html
(change the number of rows and the number of columns

and click to show totals)
Circle Chart (fill in) - http://nlvm.usu.edu/en/nav/frames_asid_183_g_2_t_1.html?open=activities

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Last updated April 02, 2007 ~ Mrs. K. Bradley, Otsego Local Schools, Elementary Computer Coordinator
ot_kab@nwoca.org