Chapter 3 PART 2 - SPREADSHEET CMPF 112 : COMPUTING SKILLS CALC FOR LINUX.

Objectives A brief introduction to Calc created by OpenOffice.org for Linux. Overview of Calc Compatibility between Calc and MS Excel.

Introduction to Calc Calc is a spreadsheet application developed by OpenOffice.org for Linux as part of the open source office suite alongside Impress (for presentation tool) and Writer (for word processing).spreadsheet User can enter data, usually numerical data, in this spreadsheet and then manipulate them to produce certain results. A major advantage of this spreadsheet is that the data is easier to alter. If the correct functions and formulas have been used, the program will apply these changes automatically.

The sheet and cell Calc’s spreadsheets consist of a number of individual sheets, each containing a block of cells arranged in rows and columns. These cells hold the individual elements of text, numbers, formulas and etc which make up the data to be displayed and manipulated. Each spreadsheet can have many sheets and each sheet can have many individual cells. In Calc’s latest version 2.0, each sheet can have a maximum of 65,536 rows (1 through 65536) and a maximum of 245 columns (A through IV). This gives 16,056,320 individual cells per sheet.

The main window With Calc, a new spreadsheet can be opened regardless of which other component of OpenOffice.org you are using at the time. For example, a new spreadsheet can be opened from Writer or Draw. When Calc is started, the main window looks similar to the figure below:

Creating Calc document Calc documents can also be created from templates, if user have any spreadsheet templates available. They only need to select Templates and Documents window, navigate to the appropriate folder and double- click on the required template. A new spreadsheet, based on the selected template, will be opened.

Entering data into Calc Entering data into Calc is a simple process, accomplished using the keyboard. Whichever cell is selected in user’s spreadsheet is where the data will be input. Navigating through the spreadsheet can be done by using either the keyboard or the mouse.

Chart and Graph in Calc As charts and graphs can be powerful ways to convey information to the reader, Calc offers a variety of different chart and graph formats for user’s data. It allows them to customize charts and graphs to a considerable extent so user can present their information in the best and clearest manner.

Components of Calc DataPilot is an advanced technology that makes it easy to pull in raw data from corporate databases; cross-tabulate, summarize, and convert it into meaningful information. Natural language formulas let user create formulas using words (e.g. "sales - costs"). Intelligent Sum Button inserts a sum function or a subtotal automatically, depending on context. Wizards guides user through choosing and using a comprehensive range of advanced spreadsheet functions. Styles and Formatting makes it easy to apply flexible cell formatting options, including freely rotating contents, templates, backgrounds, borders, and many more. Calc's solver component allows solving optimization problems where the optimum value of a particular spreadsheet cell has to be calculated based on constraints provided in other cells.

Compatibility between Calc with Mac OS X and MS Excel Calc is highly compatible with Mac OS X and it can also read MS Excel files created with Microsoft Office 2007 or Microsoft Office 2008.

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