Introduction to Spreadsheets

using MS Excel

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Learning Objectives

Learning Outcome Assessment Criteria

Use a spreadsheet application such as MS Know the anatomy of a spreadsheet application by
Excel to analyse and manipulate data to navigating its interface and some of its most
solve problems ranging from routine to important features
complex.
Perform a range of operations on Cells and Sheets

Solve relatively simple problems by applying

formulas and functions

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Apply relevant spreadsheet techniques to organise
and view data
Specific Topics to cover
1. What is a spreadsheet
2. Microsoft Excel
3. Basic terminology
4. Rows and columns
5. Types of data Link to GCG Global
6. Navigating a worksheet Tutorial
7. Inserting data into cells
8. Formatting cells

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9. Renaming and Inserting a worksheet
10. Performing basic calculations
11. Creating a chart
Definition of terms

• Excel is a spreadsheet application in the Microsoft Office suit of

programs.
• A spreadsheet is a grid of rows and columns containing numbers, text,
and formulas.
• The purpose of a spreadsheet is to solve problems that involve
numbers.
• Excel uses the term worksheet to refer to computerised spreadsheets.

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• A collection of related worksheets is referred to as a workbook.
Starting Excel

Launch Excel from Start

Button or Task Bar (if
relevant)

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The Excel Backstage View

Open New or
Saved Excel File

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 Title bar

Menu bar
Tools ribbon

Name box Formula bar

Active cell
Column letters

Row numbers
Vertical scrollbar

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Horizontal scrollbar
Active workbook
Column, Row and Cell basics…

• Cells are named according to the position on the worksheet where a

column letter converges with a row number.
• Therefore, a cell name consists of the column letter and the row
number e.g. B2. The name of the active cell is displayed in the name
box.
• An active cell is the cell that has a highlight around it. Anything that
the user types will be entered into the active cell.

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• The arrows on the keyboard can be used to move the highlight in the
worksheet. A user can also click on the desired cell to make it active.
 Types of values
• There are two types of data: text and values:
– Text is data that will not be used in a calculation e.g.:
• Words
• Phrases e.g. headings – Example Spreadsheet
• Symbols e.g. currency symbols $ = USD, £ = Pounds, € = Euros
• Numeric text e.g. phone number 043-745 1234 or ID number.
– Values are data that contain only numbers and may be used in
calculations e.g.:

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• Numbers 123,456
• Dates 24 March 2010
Inserting data into a worksheet

Typed value
Type table displayed in
heading Formula bar
into cell

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Click this tool
Highlight the number of cells that you
Heading occupies 3 merged rows
would like the heading to occupy
Enter
Column
headings

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Enter the
rest of the
data
Converting figures to specific number format

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Basic calculations

Calculate the
total cost in the
top cell only

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First, click
the answer
cell to
Formula: =Cost activate it
Price x Units Sold
 Using a Function key to perform same calculation

Step 2: Click this button

Step 1: Activate cell

Step 3: Select the correct
function from the list

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Step 4: Highlight the cells that contain
the figures involved in the calculation
Step 5: Click OK
Step 6: Click on hold on
this little square. The drag
your mouse down the column
to apply the formula for all the
other figures

Step 7: Convert to currency

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Renaming a worksheet

Choose rename
on the menu

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Right-click on top of the tab to be
renamed
Inserting a chart and a graph

Step 2: Go to the insert

tab and find the Charts
group

Step 1: First Blank canvas

activate an appears
empty cell

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 Click Select Data

Click the Edit button

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lect all the values in the column

Select all the values in the column

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End