Taking Microsoft Excel to the Next Level

Dr. Jan RayWest Texas A&M University

andDr. Candace FiggBrock University

Overview

• Introductions• Kids Just Wanna

Have Fun! – M&M Munch a

Bunch

• The Joys of Misrepresenting Data!

– Trust in Trucks

• Playing with Pictographs

• Picture This!• Just for Fun: More

Tips and Tricks• Other Interesting Stuff• Resources

Introductions

Kids Just Wanna Have Fun!M&M Munch a Bunch

• Creating a Column Chart• Changing Column Colors• Changing the Chart Title• Changing the Plot Area

Color• Adding Value Labels• Changing the Color of Value

Labels• Changing the Chart Type• Changing the Background

Color• Changing the Value Axis

Font• Changing the Category Axis

Font• Changing the Value Axis

Title• Changing the Category Axis

Title

The Joys of Misrepresenting Data!Trust in Trucks

• Creating a Column Chart• Deselecting the Auto Axis

Values (Control!)• Misrepresenting Data Even

More (Snicker!)• Changing the Minimum Value

Axis Scale• Changing the Maximum Value

Axis Scale• Changing the Major Tick Mark

Units• Changing the Minor Tick Mark

Units• Changing the Crossing Axis

Scale• Making Things Right (Of

Course!)

Playing with Pictographs

• Creating a Column Chart

• Isolating Pictures for the Pictograph

• Isolating a Column in a Series

• Formatting the Data Point

• Filling the Data Point with a Picture

• Stacking and Scaling the Picture

Picture This!• Adding Pictures

to a Chart • to the

Foreground

• to the Plot Area

• to the Chart Area

Just for Fun – More Tips and Tricks

• Freeze!

• Split!

Just for Fun – More Tips and Tricks

• Fill ‘Er Up!

• Using the Fill Handle

Just for Fun – More Tips and Tricks

• Side-by-Side . . .

• Comparing Content

• Under Conditions . . .

Just for Fun – More Tips and Tricks

• Conditional Formatting

Just for Fun – More Tips and Tricks

• Sum It All Up (and More)

• More– Average– Count– Min– Max

Just for Fun – More Tips and Tricks

• We’re Moving to Mars!

• Well, maybe Pluto . . .

Other Interesting Stuff

• Microsoft Excel Modules– http://www.internet4classrooms.com/on-

line_excel.htm

• Microsoft Excel - Advanced Guides– http://www.reading.ac.uk/ITS/info/training/aims/

exceladv.htm

• Advanced Topics in Excel Spreadsheets– http://spreadsheets.about.com/od/advancedexcel/

Advanced_Topics_in_Excel_Spreadsheets.htm

Other Interesting Stuff

• Integrating Spreadsheets in the Classroom– http://www.amphi.com/~psteffen/excel.html

• Teach-nology: Spreadsheet Themes– http://www.teach-nology.com/themes/comp/

spreadsheets/

• Resources for Science Learning– http://www.fi.edu/qa97/me4/

Questions and Answers

Resources

• Microsoft Office Online– http://office.microsoft.com/training/

training.aspx?AssetID=RC010437481033

• Microsoft Access for Terrified Teachers– ISBN 0-7439-3811-9

• Microsoft Excel XP/X for Terrified Teachers– ISBN 0-7439-3838-0