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CS110: Lecture 2Spreadsheets

Prepared by Fred Annexstein University of Cincinnati

CC Some rights reserved. 2007

Today’s Topics•Basics of Excel Spreadsheets•Preparation for Lab Module 1

CS110: Introduction to Computer Science

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Introduction to Spreadsheets

• Spreadsheet – a computerized ledger• Divided into rows and columns

– Columns identified with alphabetic headings– Rows identified with numeric headings

• Cell – the intersection of a row and a column– Cell reference uniquely identifies a cell

• Consists of column letter and row number

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Rows, Columns, and Cells

Cell referenced by column, then number

Active cell surrounded by heavy border

Column headings above each column. Columns designated with letters

Row headings to the left of each row. Rows designated with numbers

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Types of Cell Entries

• Constant – an entry that does not change– Can be a numeric value or descriptive text

• Function – a predefined computational task• Formula – a combination of numeric constants, cell

references, arithmetic operators, and functions– Always begins with an equal sign

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Introduction to Microsoft Excel

• Common user interface with other Office applications– Menus and toolbars are similar to Word and Power Point

• Workbook – contains one or more worksheets• Worksheet – an Excel spreadsheet

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Toolbars

• Appear beneath the menu bar• Contain buttons that perform commonly-used commands• Standard toolbar – buttons correspond to most basic commands in

Excel– Examples include opening, closing, and saving a workbook

• Formatting toolbar – buttons correspond to common formatting operations– Examples include boldface and cell alignment

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An Excel Workbook

Title bar shows name of workbook

Standard toolbar

Menu bar gives lists of commands

Formatting toolbar

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The Active Cell, Formula Bar, and Worksheet Tabs

Click tabs to move to a different worksheet

Active cell is highlighted

Formula bar displays contents of active cell

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Using the Help System

Click the Help menu

Type a question and click Search

Select one of the search results and it will appear in the Help pane

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Modifying the Worksheet:The Insert Command

Can be used to add rows, columns, or cells

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Modifying the Worksheet:The Delete Command

If deleting a cell, specify whether to move other cells up or to the left

Specify whether you’re deleting cell, row, or column

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Display All the Cell Formulas: Press CTRL + ` (grave accent).

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Using Cell Ranges

• Range – a rectangular group of cells– May be a single cell or the entire worksheet– May consist of a row (or part of a row), a column (or part of a column) or

multiple rows and/or columns

• To select a range:– Click left mouse button at the beginning of the range– Hold left mouse button as you drag the mouse– Release left mouse button at the end of the range

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Copying and Moving Cells

• Copy command – duplicates the contents of a cell or range of cells– Source range – the cell(s) you are copying from– Destination range – the cell(s) you are copying to

• You can copy to more than one destination ranges

• Move operation – transfers the contents of a cell or range to another cell or range

• You must use both the Copy (or Cut) command and the Paste command

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Cell Referencing

• Absolute reference: remains constant when copied– Specified with dollar signs before the column and row, e.g. $B$4

• Relative reference: adjusts during a copy operation– Specified without dollar signs, e.g. B4

• Mixed reference: either the row or the column is absolute; the other is relative– Specified with a dollar sign before the absolute part of the

reference, i.e. B$4

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Absolute and Relative References

Absolute references are used to refer to the weight of each exam. These weights do not change for each student, so absolute references are needed to keep those references constant as the formula is copied

Relative references are used to refer to each student’s exam scores. These scores do change for each student, so relative references are needed to make sure each student’s average reflects his/her scores

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Compute the Student Semester Averages

Absolute and relative references used in formulas

Create the formula in cell E4 and copy to other cells

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Isolating the Assumptions

Enter new exam weights in row 13

New student averages are automatically recalculated

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Formatting Cells

• Format Cells command – controls the formatting for numbers, alignment, fonts, borders, and patterns (color)

• Select-then-do– Select the cells to which the formatting will apply– Execute the Format Cells command

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The Format Cells Command

Number tab allows you to specify appearance of numbers

Alignment tab specifies vertical and horizontal alignment

Font tab allows you to specify font type and size

Borders and Patterns tabs allow you to create special effects

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The Completed Worksheet

Shading is used to identify labels and assumptions, and to show class averages.