Chapter 7 OverviewLesson– 2 Basic7–1 Exploring SpreadsheetsLesson 7 Editing FunctionsLesson 7–3 Using FormulasChapter Review and Assessment

Suppose you wanted to keep track of all your grades in one of your classes so you could figure out your final average for the class. Spreadsheet programs are the perfect software for doing this kind of work.

Spreadsheets are set up like tables with information running across rows and down columns. You could enter your assignments in one vertical column. Then you could enter the grade or score you received on each assignment in the next column.

The spreadsheet could add up all the scores and calculate your average. When an assignment is returned to you, you could add it to the spreadsheet, and your average would be updated automatically. Just think how long it would take you to do this if you did it by hand!

A spreadsheet is a program that processes information that is set up in tables. Spreadsheets can be used to:

place numbers and text in easy-to-read rows and columns

calculate numbers and show the result calculate new results when the

numbers are changed create charts to display data

Frame The frame forms the top and left borders of the worksheet. It includes the column and row headings.

  Active Cell The active cell is the cell currently in use. A rectangle appears around this cell to highlight it and make it easy to spot.

Cell Identifier Located in the upper left corner, just above the frame, the cell identifier is an area that shows the cell address of the cell that is active.

  Formula Bar The formula bar displays what you type. This data will be entered into the active cell when you are done. The formula bar is like a one-line word-processing program. Pressing Enter, Return, or Tab completes the entry and places the data in the cell.

Scroll Bars  Scroll bars appear on the worksheet’s right and bottom edges. You can click on the arrows or slide the scroll box to see another part of the worksheet.

  Worksheet Tabs  On the same line as the horizontal scroll bar are tabs that show the other worksheets that belong to the same spreadsheet file. If you click on one of these tabs, you switch to that worksheet.

Status Bar The status bar appears below the scroll bar at the very bottom of the worksheet. Messages from the program are displayed here.

Moving Around  You can use the Home, End, Page Up, and Page Down keys, along with the scroll bars, to move large distances within the worksheet. You can use the Tab key to move one cell to the right or the arrow keys to move one cell at a time in any direction.

Selecting Cells and Entering Data  To make a cell active, click on that cell. Then type to enter data in the cell. Data can be text, numbers, dates, or formulas.

    Formulas  Formulas are mathematical expressions, which sometimes link numbers in cells. A simple formula might add the numbers in two cells. The formula appears in the formula bar but not in the active cell. The active cell shows the result of the formula—in this case, the sum of the two numbers in the other cells. Functions are commonly used formulas built into the program that make it easier to write the formulas you need.

 

Formatting the Worksheet  You can change the look of a worksheet in many ways. You can add or remove rows or columns or change their size. You can change the font or type size of the data. You can also add color, borders, or shading and change how the data is aligned in the cell.

Spreadsheet a software program used for processing numbers that are stored in tables, such as budgets or financial statements

hoja de cálculo programa de software que sirve para procesar números guardados en tablas, como presupuestos o estados financieros

Worksheet a grid made of vertical columns and horizontal rows in a spreadsheet program

hoja de trabajo cuadrícula compuesta de columnas verticales y filas horizontales de un programa de hoja de cálculo

cell address a unique name by which each cell on a worksheet is identified

dirección de celda nombre único que identifica una celda de hoja de trabajo

Cell the box on a worksheet where each column and row meet

Celda cuadro de una hoja de trabajo donde se cruzan una columna con una fila

active cell the highlighted cell in use in a spreadsheet application

celda activa celda resaltada que está en uso en una hoja de cálculo

Formula a mathematical expression used to link and perform calculations on numbers in worksheet cells

Fórmula expresión matemática que sirve para vincular y realizar cálculos de cifras en celdas de hojas de trabajo

Function a commonly used formula that is built into a spreadsheet program

Función fórmula de uso común que se desarrolla en un programa de hoja de cálculo

In addition to formulas, you can enter three types of data in a worksheet: values, labels, and dates and times. The spreadsheet program identifies the data type entered and formats it.

Values A value is a number, such as a whole number, a fraction, or a decimal. Values are formatted to align to the right in a cell. If a value is too large for the width of the cell, you may see a set of symbols such as ###### or *******. You can change the column width so that the full number shows. Click the right edge of the column heading and drag it to the right.

Labels A label is text or a combination of numbers and text. Labels are typically used for headings or explanations. By default, labels are aligned to the left in a cell. Labels that are too wide will overlap into the next cell to the right—if that cell is empty. If that cell already has text, the long text in the first cell will appear cut off. Again, you can widen the column to show the entire label.

Dates and Times  Data typed as dates or times are displayed in the format you choose. For example, November 1, 2009, can be typed as 11/01/09 or 01-Nov-09. Times can simply be typed as the hour and minute—07:45 or 12:52, for instance.

Dates and Times  Data typed as dates or times are displayed in the format you choose. For example, November 1, 2009, can be typed as 11/01/09 or 01-Nov-09. Times can simply be typed as the hour and minute—07:45 or 12:52, for instance.

Dates and Times  Data typed as dates or times are displayed in the format you choose. For example, November 1, 2009, can be typed as 11/01/09 or 01-Nov-09. Times can simply be typed as the hour and minute—07:45 or 12:52, for instance.