LibreOffice Calc Help Sheet

Libre Office is free to download & gives you a a complete office package. Calc is the name of the
spreadsheet (like Excel).

Entering data

• You can enter headings & then enter data into the spreadsheet by just clicking on the cells
and typing directly into them. (Change the widths of each column by dragging them at the
top so that everything can be seen clearly.)
• By highlighting the cells in your table & going to format and then cells you can go under the
border option and add borders to make your tables look a little clearer.

Using formulae

• You will need to add extra columns to your table which are based on the data you already
have (e.g. taking the natural log). The easiest way to do this is use a formula, rather than
working out each one by hand.
• For instance if you want a new column to hold ln(V) then put that as the heading and click
on the first cell. Then in the bar at the top of the page next to the = sign type =LN(cell) but
replace cell with the cell you are finding the natural ln of e.g. =LN(B2). Then press enter
and you should see the number appear in the box.
• Now click on the little black square in the bottom right hand corner of that square and hold
down. Drag downwards so the lines cover the whole column to the bottom of the table.
When you let go the formulae will have been correctly added to each row and you should
see numbers in all the cells. (Note: the cells contain the number but when you click on a cell
if you look at the bar at the top of the page you will see the formula)

Plotting graphs

• Select the cells you want to plot a graph of (including the heading). Whilst they are
highlighted click insert, chart.
• Pick XY scatter, then pick the points and lines option, the underneath you can pick whether
you want it to be a straight line or a curve.
• Click next until it gets to point 4, here you can add labels to your x and y axis. Also check
the box which says display grids x axis and again for y axis.
• Once your graph appears you can make it bigger and move it around the page.
• To find the equation for the line of best fit, double click on the graph and then click on the
straight line so it is selected, then right click on it and pick insert trend line. Under type click
on linear and then at the bottom tick show equation so it appears on the graph (you can also
pick the names for your x and y variables).

If you need any help just send me a message!