Introduction to Spreadsheets

What are Uses of Spreadsheets? Prepare budgets Maintain student grades Prepare financial statements Analyze numbers Manage inventory Make forecasts

Advantages of Spreadsheets Forecasting and making decisions Fast and efficient Automatically recalculates

What-if Analysis A spreadsheet tool used to play out different situations to determine the outcome

Parts of the Spreadsheet Window Active cell cells Column C Row 5

Entering Data into a Spreadsheet Labels Alphabetical text Values A number Formulas Statement that performs a calculation Functions Built-in formula that is a shortcut for common calculations

Identifying Labels and Values

Identifying Formulas and Functions The result of the formula function The result of the function

Identifying Parts of a Spreadsheet Formula mathematical operators =B2+C2+D2 equal sign—first part of any spreadsheet formula cell reference/address—made up of the column heading and the row number

Identifying Parts of a Spreadsheet Function =SUM(B2:B6) name of function range equal sign

Mathematical Operators + addition - subtraction * multiplication (asterisk) / division (slash or diagonal)

Spreadsheet Functions Function Name Description AVERAGE Average of arguments. COUNT Counts the number of cells in a range. IF Specifies a logical test to perform; then performs one action if test result in true and another if it is not true. MAX Maximum value of range of cells. MIN Minimum value of range of cells. ROUND Rounds a number to a specified number of digits. SUM Totals a range of cells.

Relative and Absolute Referencing cells that change when they are copied into other cells Absolute cells that do not change regardless of where it is copied Precede cell address with dollar sign ($) to make it a constant