!

ntroduction to Spreadsheets
An overview of Spreadsheets
!ndex
Continue clicking to view the whole
presentation or click on a link to go to a
particular section:
!ntroduction
Benefits of Using a Spreadsheet
Components of a Spreadsheet
Formulas
Nath Symbols Used in a Spreadsheet
Review
!avigation
At the end of each section, you will see
the symbol below.
You can return to the !ndex by clicking
on it.
!f you want to continue with the
presentation, just ignore it.
!ntroduction to Spreadsheets
!ntroduction
Spreadsheet programs are used
primarily to help people compute
numbers.
You can build applications to compute :
engine compression ratio
loan information
quantities of building materials required
student grades
etc.
!ntroduction
The uses for spreadsheets are
practically endless.
Depending on the problem to be solved
they can range from basic to very
complex.
Click to see a sample spreadsheet
application.
For example, this
spreadsheet
application is built
to compute loan
payments.
The user can typein
the Amount
Borrowed, Length of
Loan, and the
!nterest Rate for their
situation.
Every time a
change is made to
one of these, the
spreadsheet
recalculates the
results.
Click to see what
happens when the
Amount Borrowed is
changed from 3S000
to 7S000.
Did you notice that the
Nonthly Payment
amount automatically
changed when the
Amount Borrowed
was changed to 7S000?
Click again and watch
carefully.
When the user typesin
7S000 and presses
E!TER, all of the
computations that are
based on the Amount
Borrowed figure change.
The user typesin 7S000
for the loan amount.
..then presses E!TER.
!ote that the Nonthly
Payment, and many other
related numbers have now
changed.
!ntroduction
]ust imagine how long it would take to
make the loan computations you just
saw using only a calculator and paper.
The Advantages of Using
Spreadsheets to Solve Problems
Benefits
Let's explore the benefits of using a
spreadsheet instead of a calculator:
&7eed: You can quickly change input
values and get updated answers instantly.
Benefits
Accuracy: Assuming the spreadsheet
application is welldesigned, you should
get accurate answers every time.
This is true because you handle" the
numbers less. When doing multiple step
problems with paper and calculator you are
always entering, clearing, and reentering
numbers. Every time this happens the
potential for an input error increases.
Benefits
fficiency:
!t may take a bit more time to create a
new spreadsheet application compared to
doing it with a calculator and paper, but
once it is done you can use it over and
over again.
Benefits
&7readsheets reward curiosity:
Because it is so easy to change input numbers and
get results so quickly, you will be more willing to
experiment. For example you might be more
likely to ask things such as:
What will be the engine displacement if ! change the bore
from 3.000" to 3.030"?
What will be the compression ratio if ! change from flat top
pistons to S cubic centimeter dome pistons?
How much will my monthly payments drop if ! can
refinance my loan for 6 instead the current 7.S rate?
Calculators
A computer spreadsheet isn't
necessarily the best tool in all
situations.
Calculators
&7eed: !f you need a single answer
very quickly it might be better to use a
calculator.
You can turn on a calculator and get to
work right away.
Even fast computers still take a few minutes to
get up and running!
Calculators
ost: Excellent calculators can often be
obtained for less than $10.
While computer prices are always decreasing
they still represent a sizable investment.
Even if the computer is cheap, you still need to
buy software to get any use out of it.
Calculators
Access: Calculators are small, portable, and
don't need an electrical plugin.
!n many working environments it is either
not easy or practical to have computer
access.
This can be due to rough conditions,
heat, extreme cold, water, lack of
electrical connections, etc.
!ntroduction to the Parts of a Spreadsheet
The Parts of a Spreadsheet
!ow that you know some of the things
you can do with a spreadsheet, let's
look at the main components of a
spreadsheet program.
This is the screen you
will see when you start
a spreadsheet program.
This large white area
with the grid is where
you will do your work.
The grid is made up of
columns, indicated by
letters.
Here, Column C is
highlighted in purple.
The grid is also made up
of rows. Rows are
numbered.
Here, Row 4 is
highlighted in purple.
The place where a
column and a row
intersect is called a cell.
Each cell has an
address. !t is made up
of the Column letter and
the Row number.
The cell C4 is
highlighted in blue.
What cell is indicated
here?
!t must be E12, since it
is where column E and
row 12 intersect.
This application is used to compute the area of a rectangle:
length
width
Area
!f you click on a cell
using the mouse, you
can typein:
-'ext
This application is used to compute the area of a rectangle:
length
width
Area
!f you click on a cell
using the mouse, you
can typein:
Text
-!umbers

This application is used to compute the area of a rectangle:

length
width
Area
!f you click on a cell
using the mouse, you
can typein:
Text
!umbers
-ormulas

After typingin the

formula, press E!TER.
The spreadsheet will
automatically compute
the answer based on
the numbers typedin by
the user.

!ntroduction to Spreadsheet Formulas

Formulas
Formulas are what make spreadsheets
so valuable.
Formulas process the numbers input by
users and compute answers based on
how they are written.
Formulas
!ow this is a really basic situation, but
suppose you want to use a spreadsheet
to compute S + 3.
The following slide shows one way you
could do it.
Formulas
A B C D E
1
2
3
4
S
Here is a simplified view
of a typical spreadsheet
grid.
Formulas
A B C D E
1
2
3
4
S
Start by clicking on a
cell where you want the
answer to appear.
!n this case we chose
cell B4.
Type in this statement:
= S+3
=S+3
!ow press E!TER.
You will see an answer
of 8 displayed.
8
Formulas
A B C D E
1
2
3
4
S
8
Using a spreadsheet in
this manner isn't really
a good idea though.
!f all we wanted to do
was S+3, we would
have been better off
doing that with a
calculator.
A calculator is much
faster in this case.
After all you don't have
to boot up a computer,
start the spreadsheet
program, open a new
file, etc.
The following slide
shows a better way to
use the spreadsheet.
Formulas
A B C D E
1
2
3
4
S
S
3
We are going to create
a formula that will add
two numbers together.
Start by typingin some
numbers to be added.
We will enter S in cell B2,
and 3 in cell B3.
Formulas
A B C D E
1
2
3
4
S
S
3
The formula will go in
cell B4.
To begin, we will first
typein: =
!"TE: All formulas must
start with the = sign.
= B2
!ext, typein the location
of the first number you
want to be added.
!t is found at B2, so type
B2 after the = sign.
Formulas
A B C D E
1
2
3
4
S
S
3
= B2
After typing B2, type in
a + sign.
+
After typing the plus sign,
typein the location of the
other number you want
added.
!n this case, type B3.
B3
When you hit the E!TER
key, the spreadsheet will
automatically compute
the answer.
8
8
S
3
Formulas
A B C D E
1
2
3
4
S
10
18
!ow that the formula is
written, let's see what
happens if we change
the input numbers.
Let's replace the S with
a 10 and then change
the 3 to 18.
13 28
!ote how the answer
will automatically
update when each input
number is changed.
Formulas
!ow it might be a little easier to understand
why a formula is so valuable.
Since you input cell locations instead of specific
numbers, the formula will be able to update based
on changes made to the input values.
The first thing we tried: = S + 3 isn't a formula because
it can do only one thing. !t is a onetrickpony.
The second attempt: = B2 + B3 is a true formula
because it can add any two numbers together. !t is
ready to compute whatever gets typed into cells B2 and
B3.
!ntroduction to Basic Spreadsheet Formulas
Writing Formulas
So now you know how to make a
formula to add two numbers together.
What if you want to make a new
formula? What symbols are used in a
spreadsheet for other math operations?
Click to see some examples.
Writing Formulas
"peration: Subtraction
Symbol:
Sample Formula: =B1B2
A B C
1 !nput:
2 !nput:
3 Answer:
10
4
=B1B2 6
Writing Formulas
"peration: Nultiplication
Symbol: *
Sample Formula: =B1*B2
A B C
1 !nput:
2 !nput:
3 Answer:
4
3
=B1*B2 12
Writing Formulas
"peration: Division
Symbol: /
Sample Formula: =B1/B2
A B C
1 !nput:
2 !nput:
3 Answer:
21
7
=B1/B2 3
Writing Formulas
"peration: square root
Symbol: sqrt()
Sample Formula: =sqrt(B1)
A B C
1 !nput:
2 Answer:
3
2S
=sqrt(B1)
S
Writing Formulas
"peration: exponent
Symbol:
Sample Formula: =B1B2
A B C
1 Base:
2 Exponent:
3 Answer:
4
3
=B1B2 64
Writing Formulas
"peration: cube root
Symbol: (1/3)
Sample Formula: =B1(1/3)
A B C
1 !nput:
2 Answer:
3
8
=B1(1/3)
2
Review of Concepts and Terminology
Review
Let's review the terms and concepts
you have learned in this presentation.
Review
Spreadsheet: A
software application
used primarily for
computing numbers.
The spreadsheet
application shown
here is used for
computing
paychecks.
Crid: The main
region of the
spreadsheet where
numbers, words, and
formulas are
entered.
Columns: The
vertical component
of the grid. Columns
are identified by
letters.
Review
Rows: The horizontal
component of the grid.
Rows are identified by
numbers.
Cells: Are found at the
intersection of a column
and a row.
Cells are identified first
by the column letter,
then the row number.
Shown is cell D10.
!n a cell you can type:
- Words
!n a cell you can type:
- Words
- !umbers
!n a cell you can type:
- Words
- !umbers
- Formulas
Where is the formula in
this cell?
!t's there but the
spreadsheet only
displays the answer.
To see the formula used
in cell B10, click on the
cell.
You will see the formula
appear in this white
strip above the grid.
Review
To write a formula in a spreadsheet always
start by typing an = sign first.
!n a formula, cell locations rather than
specific numbers are used.
Using cell locations allows the formula to compute
any desired number, not just one situation.
Review
Coal: Divide two numbers.
Procedure:
A B C
1 Answer:
2
3
=10/4
2.S
Problems:
1.) What has been typed isn't
even a formula.
2.) Effort resulted in an answer
for only one situation. You
would have to retype the entry
to compute different numbers.
3.) We would have been
better off using a calculator if
all we wanted was the answer
to 10 4.
Review
Coal: Divide two numbers.
Procedure:
A B C
1 !nput:
2 !nput:
3 Answer:
10
4
=B1/B2 2.S
Cell B3 contains a
true formula.
!t will compute an
answer based on
whatever is typed
into cells B1 and B2.
This is more useful
than what we had
before because now
we can quickly divide
any two numbers.
Review
Nath symbols used in spreadsheet
formulas:
"peration: Symbol:
Addition +
Subtraction
Nultiplication *
Division /
Exponent
Square Root sqrt()
Cube Root (1/3)
The End
Written by: Peter C. Esser
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College
Copyright 2002