Spreadsheet Software

Category: Class Discussion, Spreadsheet / Database

Spreadsheet

“The Essential Question” for this unit:
Explain how spreadsheets simplify the organization of data. Answers to this question will be developed as we move through class discussions and lessons in MS Excel.

A term to describe software used for math calculations.

A spreadsheet program allows one to enter numerical values or data into the rows or columns of a spreadsheet, and to use these numerical entries for such things as calculations, graphs, and statistical analysis.

What is a Spreadsheet?

  • A tool for organizing data
  • A mathematical tools to crunch numbers
  • A graphing application
  • A charting application

Spreadsheets are made up of

  • columns
  • rows
  • and their intersections are called cells

In a spreadsheet there are three basic types of data that can be entered.

  • labels – (text with no numerical value)
  • constants – (just a number — constant value)
  • formulas* – (a mathematical equation used to calculate)
data types examples descriptions
LABEL Name or Wage or Days anything that is just text
CONSTANT 6 or 4.25 or -4.8 any number
FORMULA =4+6 or = 2*5+4 math equation

*ALL formulas MUST begin with an equal sign (=).

Labels are text entries. They do not have a value associated with them. We typically use labels to identify what we are talking about.

Basic Math Functions

Operation
Symbol
Constant
Data
Referenced
Data
Answer
Multiplication
*
 = 5 * 6 = A1 * B3
30
Division
/
 = 8 / 4 = A3 / B2
2
Addition
+
 = 4 + 7 = B2 + A2
11
Subtraction
–
 = 8 – 3 = A3 – B1
5

 Video:

Beginner Tutorial

http://www.usd.edu/trio/tut/excel/index.html

http://www.fgcu.edu/support/office2000/excel/

M&M Lesson

http://www.microsoft.com/education/candy.mspx

Fast Food Lesson

http://www.wmburgweb.com/Resources/Lesson/index.htm