1. Unit Spreadsheets Contents Tech Talk: Buying a Computer Projects
Starting with You Why should you know how you will use a new computer before you buy one? To find out, go to the Online Learning Center at concepts.glencoe.com. Choose Before You Read Quizzes and take the Unit 5 Pre-Quiz.
Tech Talk: Buying a Computer
Computer Components and Your Needs (pg. 208–209)
Computer Advertisements (pg. 210)
Performance and Price (pg. 211–212)
Projects
Create a Spreadsheet (pg. 214–227)
Apply Formulas (pg. 228–238)
Evaluate Your Data (pg. 239–250)
Spreadsheets
Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

2. Buying a Computer You Will Learn pg. 208–213 Key Terms
component
warranty
performance
To analyze your computer needs before shopping for equipment
How to evaluate advertisements for computers
To determine how a computer’s performance relates to price
Spreadsheets

3. Computer Components and Your Needs
Buying a Computer
Computer Components and Your Needs
pg. 208–209
component
A piece of hardware that is part of a computer system. (pg. 208)
What Should I Look For in a Computer?
A computer system includes various basic components:
Computer
Monitor
Keyboard
Mouse
Before you buy a computer, you may want to consider these questions:
Will I need additional software or hardware?
Do I need a desktop or a laptop?
What type of printer or monitor do I need?
Spreadsheets

4. Computer Components and Your Needs
Buying a Computer
Computer Components and Your Needs
Analyze In addition to a monitor, keyboard, and mouse, what computer components do you think you might want? Why?
Possible answers include:
Speakers, to hear music and sounds
CD burner, to play and save music or pictures
DVD burner, to play and save video or pictures
Video card, to play complex games
Color or photo-quality printer, to print images
Modem, to access the Internet
Spreadsheets

5. Computer Advertisements
Buying a Computer
Computer Advertisements
pg. 86–87
warranty
The computer manufacturer’s promise to pay for specific repairs for a certain length of time. (pg. 210)
What Costs Are Not Included?
Some costs do not always appear in ads for computer systems. Consider the following:
Software – adding the programs you need may add additional costs to the basic package
Internet service - usually a monthly fee that is not included in a basic computer package
Repairs - often covered for a limited time by the manufacturer’s warranty
Spreadsheets

6. Computer Advertisements
Buying a Computer
Computer Advertisements
Cause and Effect What happens if your computer malfunctions and you do not have a warranty, or your warranty has expired?
If your computer malfunctions and you do not have a current warranty that covers repairs, you will have to pay for the repairs yourself.
Spreadsheets

7. Buying a Computer Performance and Price pg. 211–212
How fast a computer works. (pg. 211)
A computer’s performance is based on the speed or quality of its components.
Microprocessor (CPU) – a fast CPU improves overall performance
Random-access memory (RAM) – more RAM lets the computer process information faster
Modem and network connections – a dial-up modem is not as fast as other types of connections, such as wireless
Spreadsheets

8. Buying a Computer Performance and Price pg. 211–212
Why Are Computer Prices So Different?
Shop around! Computer prices vary based on:
The components you choose
Where you make your purchase
Software included
Setting up a small computer network at home can help families save money by:
Sharing Internet connections
Sharing files, programs, and other software
Sharing printers and other hardware
Spreadsheets

9. Buying a Computer Tech Talk Assessment pg. 213
Identify What are three factors that can affect the price of a computer and components?
Self-Check Assess your understanding of what you read. Go to the Online Learning Center at concepts.glencoe.com. Choose After You Read Quizzes and take the Unit 5 Tech Talk Quiz.
Possible answers include:
Whether the computer is a laptop or a desktop
Speed of Microprocessor (CPU)
Amount of RAM
Type of monitor
Size of hard disk/storage
Modem and network connections
Software
Hardware, such as a printer, scanner, or CD burner
Where the items are purchased
Spreadsheets

10. Going Online Tech Talk Assessment pg. 213
Evaluate Why would you choose to buy a computer that does not offer the highest performance available?
Possible answers include:
Budget
Your needs (you might not need the fastest computer available)
Spreadsheets

11. Create a Spreadsheet 1 Contents Exercise 1-1 Exercise 1-2 pg. 214–227
Key Terms
Contents
worksheet
workbook
range
AutoFit
Exercise 1-1
Identify the parts of the Excel window
Move between cells in a worksheet
Exercise 1-2
Create and save a new worksheet
Enter data into cells
Edit and delete data
Spreadsheets

12. Create a Spreadsheet 1 Contents Exercise 1-3 Exercise 1-4 pg. 214–227
Format cells
Define and use ranges
Change column width
Insert and delete columns and rows
Exercise 1-4
Add a title to a worksheet
Change row height
Print a worksheet
Spreadsheets

13. Exercise 1-1 Get to Know Microsoft Excel
Create a Spreadsheet
Exercise 1-1 Get to Know Microsoft Excel
pg. 215–217
worksheet
A table of data that is organized into rows and columns. (pg. 215)
workbook
An Excel file that holds worksheets. (pg. 215)
In this exercise you will learn several ways to move between cells in a worksheet. Knowing how to move between cells will help you quickly create a worksheet to organize your data.
Microsoft Excel is an example of spreadsheet software. Each workbook in Excel may contain any number of worksheets that can be used to:
Make calculations
Create budgets
Organize information
Microsoft Excel
APPLICATIONS USED
5A Computer Systems
DATA FILE USED
Spreadsheets

14. Exercise 1-1 Get to Know Microsoft Excel
Create a Spreadsheet
Exercise 1-1 Get to Know Microsoft Excel
pg. 215–217
The rows and columns in an Excel worksheet intersect (cross each other) to create cells. A cell is where data is entered. Each cell has an address, which is the cell’s column letter and row number (such as B16 or L5).
Spreadsheets

15. Exercise 1-2 Create a Worksheet
Create a Spreadsheet
Exercise 1-2 Create a Worksheet
pg. 218–220
Microsoft Excel
APPLICATIONS USED
In this exercise you will create a new Excel workbook. You will enter data to compare the prices of two different computers. You will also change column widths so you can read all your data.
Spreadsheets

16. Exercise 1-2 Create a Worksheet
Create a Spreadsheet
Exercise 1-2 Create a Worksheet
pg. 218–220
The first row or column in a worksheet should have labels or headers to identify the content.
Some tasks you can perform with data in a worksheet are:
Enter - type data in a cell
Replace - type over old data in a cell
Edit - use the formula bar to change data in a cell
Copy - copy data from one cell to another
Spreadsheets

17. Exercise 1-3 Format a Worksheet
Create a Spreadsheet
Exercise 1-3 Format a Worksheet
pg. 221–222
range
A group of cells in a spreadsheet. (pg. 221)
AutoFit
A tool in Microsoft Excel that can automatically change the width of a column to fit the longest entry, or change the height of a row to fit the font. (pg. 221)
In this exercise you will insert and delete columns in a worksheet. Then you will format the new data and change the width of a column so that the data fit in each cell.
There are many ways to change the appearance and function of a spreadsheet. Some of the common editing tasks you can perform in Excel are:
Changing the font format in a cell or range of cells
Using AutoFit to adjust the size of columns and rows.
Adding or deleting rows, columns, cells, and worksheets
Microsoft Excel
APPLICATIONS USED
Spreadsheets

18. Exercise 1-4 Format and Print a Worksheet
Create a Spreadsheet
Exercise 1-4 Format and Print a Worksheet
pg. 223–224
In this exercise you will format the worksheet with a title and set the print area. In addition to all the formatting options available with spreadsheet software, there are several main points to remember when you print a worksheet from Excel:
Always set the print area using the File menu, to avoid printing many pages of blank cells.
Use the Print Preview function to make sure you are ready to print.
Decide whether or not you want the gridlines to show, and set this using the Page Setup command.
Microsoft Excel
APPLICATIONS USED
Spreadsheets

19. Create a Spreadsheet, pg. 214–227
Project Assessment
Identify Which of the following is not a task you can do using spreadsheet software such as Microsoft Excel? What type of software would you use to do this task?
write a paper
run calculations
create budgets
organize grades
The correct answer is:
A. write a paper
To write a paper, you would use word processing software, such as Microsoft Word.
Spreadsheets

20. Create a Spreadsheet, pg. 214–227
Project Assessment
Compare What is the difference between a workbook, a worksheet?
A worksheet contains a single spreadsheet page.
A workbook is the computer file that holds a series of worksheets.
Spreadsheets

21. Create a Spreadsheet, pg. 214–227
Project Assessment
Describe Why do you think it is important to set the print area and preview a worksheet before printing it?
Possible answers include:
It is important to set the print area because worksheets often contain hundreds of columns and rows, and some unwanted sections may print along with the ones you really want to see. (Setting the print area can save a lot of wasted paper!)
Similar to a Microsoft Word document, you can preview a worksheet before printing it in order to make sure the document appears the way you want it to. (Previewing a worksheet before printing it can also save a lot of wasted paper.)
Spreadsheets

22. Apply Formulas 2 Exercise 2-1 Exercise 2-2 Exercise 2-3 pg. 228–238
Key Terms
Exercise 2-1
Calculate results using arithmetic operators
Enter formulas in cells
Exercise 2-2
Add a column of numbers with AutoSum
Find the minimum and maximum values in a range
Count and average the numbers in a range
Exercise 2-3
Explore relative addressing
Copy functions
arithmetic operator
formula
function
AutoSum
relative addressing
Spreadsheets

23. Exercise 2-1 Enter Formulas
Apply Formulas
Exercise 2-1 Enter Formulas
pg. 229–230
Microsoft Excel
APPLICATIONS USED
In this exercise you will learn how to enter formulas into the Computer Price Comparison worksheet you began in Project 1. These formulas will help you determine the total cost of each computer.
Spreadsheets

24. Exercise 2-1 Enter Formulas
Apply Formulas
Exercise 2-1 Enter Formulas
pg. 229–230
arithmetic operators
A symbol that represents a specific action. For instance, the arithmetic symbol for addition is the + sign. (pg. 229)
formula
A calculation in Excel that describes the relationship between cells; for example, you can create a formula to add data in a range of cells. (pg. 229)
The primary function of a spreadsheet is to perform calculations by using arithmetic operators to create formulas. Some common arithmetic operators include:
Arithmetic Operator
Action +
Add –
Subtract *
Multiply /
Divide =
Equals
Spreadsheets

25. Exercise 2-2 Use Functions to Summarize Data
Apply Formulas
Exercise 2-2 Use Functions to Summarize Data
pg. 231–233
function
A built-in formula in Excel. (pg. 231)
formula
A shortcut button on the Standard toolbar for the Sum function in Excel. (pg. 231)
In this exercise you will use the AutoSum feature to simplify calculations of long columns of numbers. Then you will use the Max, Min, and Count functions.
In Excel, you can use functions, such as AutoSum, to perform calculations. Some common Excel functions are:
Function
Description
Sum
Calculates the total of a cell range
Average
Calculates the average of a cell range
Minimum (Min)
Finds the smallest number in cell range
Maximum (Max)
Finds the largest number in a cell range
Count
Shows the number of cells in a range
Microsoft Excel
APPLICATIONS USED
Spreadsheets

26. Exercise 2-3 Copy Formulas
Apply Formulas
Exercise 2-3 Copy Formulas
pg. 234–235
relative addressing
The change a formula makes when it is moved or copied to other cells with different data. (pg. 234)
In this exercise you will copy formulas you entered in the previous exercise so you will not have to enter them again.
Sometimes, you may want to apply the same formula to different groups of cells. Excel simplifies this task with its relative addressing tool, which adjusts a formula automatically when it is applied to different cells.
Microsoft Excel
APPLICATIONS USED
Spreadsheets

27. Apply Formulas, pg. 228–238 2 Project Assessment
Compare What is the difference between a function and a formula?
A formula is a calculation, such as addition or subtraction, that describes the relationship between cells.
A function is a built-in formula in Excel.
Spreadsheets

28. Apply Formulas, pg. 228–238 2 Project Assessment
Predict How do you think relative addressing will help you when using Excel?
Relative addressing allows you to apply the same formula to different cells without having to retype the formula to include the new cell addresses. This saves time and helps avoid keying errors.
Spreadsheets

29. Apply Formulas, pg. 228–238 2 Project Assessment
Identify Name three common Excel functions and what they do.
Possible answers include:
Function
Description
Sum
Calculates the total of a cell range
Average
Calculates the average of a cell range
Minimum (Min)
Finds the smallest number in cell range
Maximum (Max)
Finds the largest number in a cell range
Count
Shows the number of cells in a range
Spreadsheets

30. Evaluate Your Data 3 Exercise 3-1 Exercise 3-2 Exercise 3-3
pg. 239–250
Key Terms
Exercise 3-1
Select criteria to use in a sort
Sort in ascending order or descending order
Exercise 3-2
Display rows that match your needs
Hide columns
Exercise 3-3
Create a bar chart
Select a data series
sort
criteria
ascending sort
descending sort
filter
hiding
chart
Spreadsheets

31. Evaluate Your Data 3 Exercise 3-1 Sort Data pg. 240–241
criteria
Characteristics that define an item, such as age or last name. (pg. 240)
sort
A way of arranging data in a particular order. (pg. 240)
ascending sort
A sort to arrange data from lowest to highest, such as A to Z or 1 to (pg. 240)
descending sort
A sort to arrange data from highest to lowest, such as Z to A or 100 to 1. (pg. 240)
In this exercise you will sort the components in your computer price comparison alphabetically and numerically.
Once you have entered data into a worksheet, you may want to organize it to be more useful. You can arrange data by criteria, using a sort:
ascending sort - lowest to highest
descending sort - highest to lowest
Microsoft Excel
APPLICATIONS USED
Spreadsheets

32. Evaluate Your Data 3 Exercise 3-2 Filter Data pg. 242–243
A way to find just the information you need and hide the rest. (pg. 242)
hiding
A way to reduce the amount of information displayed in an Excel worksheet. (pg. 242)
In this exercise you will use a worksheet that lists five computer systems, each with different components and prices. You will use filters to display the systems that meet your criteria and hide data that you do not need to see.
To see just the data you want, you can:
Use a filter
Hide columns or rows
Filtering and hiding are particularly useful when a worksheet has many rows or columns, and the screen becomes distracting with too much information.
Microsoft Excel
APPLICATIONS USED
5A Computer Systems
DATA FILE USED
Spreadsheets

33. Exercise 3-3 Create Charts
Evaluate Your Data
Exercise 3-3 Create Charts
pg. 244–247
Chart
A visual way to display and compare data; also known as graph. (pg. 244)
In this exercise you will create a column chart that compares the prices of each component of a computer.
Excel offers a variety of options for creating charts, or graphs, of data. Some types of charts are:
Bar
Column
Line
Pie
Often, charts are easier to understand and interpret than a page full of numbers!
Microsoft Excel
APPLICATIONS USED
Spreadsheets

34. Exercise 3-3 Create Charts
Evaluate Your Data
Exercise 3-3 Create Charts
pg. 244–247
Spreadsheets

35. Evaluate Your Data, pg. 239–250 2 Project Assessment
Explore Think of a situation in which you might want to use the Sort function in Excel.
It is useful to sort information that can be put into a certain order so that information is easier to find. For example, if you are giving out awards for school attendance, an ascending sort will indicate students with the least amount of absent days.
Spreadsheets

36. Evaluate Your Data, pg. 239–250 2 Project Assessment
Compare and Contrast Discuss the similarities and differences between filtering and hiding data.
Possible similarities include:
Neither function deletes information from the worksheet.
Both functions conceal information so that it is not visible.
Possible differences include:
Filtering allows you to choose exactly the data you need and hides the rest (even within the same row or column).
Hiding requires that you choose entire rows or columns so they are not displayed.
Spreadsheets

37. Evaluate Your Data, pg. 239–250 2 Project Assessment
Analyze Which of the following chart types would be the best choice for showing the percentages of boys and girls in your school? Why?
bar
column
The correct answer is:
D. pie
To show the percentages of boys and girls in your school, the pie chart would be most effective because it shows parts of a whole.
line
pie
Spreadsheets

38. Unit Spreadsheets Unit Assessment
Make Predictions How do you think Excel helps businesses?
Among many other tasks, businesses may use Excel to:
Create budgets
Compare products or other items
Organize customer or employee data
Track and calculate sales figures
Prepare graphs for presentations and reports
Assessment Double-check your knowledge of Excel. Go to the Online Learning Center at concepts.glencoe.com. Choose e-Review Quizzes and take the Unit 5 Tech Assess Quiz.
Spreadsheets

39. Unit Using the Internet Unit Assessment
Cause and Effect Why do you think it is important to become comfortable with Excel in high school?
Excel is commonly used in homes (for personal tasks) and in offices (for business tasks). Students who learn Excel in high school will have an advantage when they graduate, whether they go to college or start a professional career right away.
Spreadsheets

40. Unit Using the Internet Unit Assessment
Evaluate Give an example of data that might be easier to understand as a chart rather than as numbers in a worksheet.
Examples include:
Comparing sales from year to year
Illustrating temperature patterns
Showing percentages of different groups of people
Spreadsheets

41. Unit Using the Internet Unit Assessment
Analyze Based on what you have learned so far, which feature of Excel do you think is the most useful? Which do you feel the least comfortable with right now?
Identify an aspect of Excel that you think is particularly useful, as well as one you would like to familiarize yourself with further.
Spreadsheets

42. Unit Using the Internet Unit Resources
For more resources on this unit, go to the Online Learning Center at
Spreadsheets