Spreadsheet software
allows for tracking of numerical data.
Spreadsheets were originally kept on paper and were a way for accountants to track financial and other numerical data. With the advent of computer spreadsheet software such as Microsoft Excel, the ability to track data using a spreadsheet is available to a much wider range of people. Spreadsheets organize data into horizontal rows, vertical columns and individual cells, with rows designated by number and columns designated by letter. Spreadsheet software also allows the user to perform calculations involving the data in the spreadsheet.
Instructions
Creating, Opening and Saving Spreadsheets
1. Click on the File menu within your spreadsheet program. Click on "New." In Microsoft Excel, you will see a panel stating "New Workbook." Click on "Blank Workbook" to open a new spreadsheet. In other spreadsheet software, a new spreadsheet will open once you click "New."
2. Click Control-S (CTRL S) or pull down "Save" from the File menu to save your spreadsheet. If you are saving a just-created spreadsheet, you will be asked to name it. Save the spreadsheet into the correct folder on your computer desktop.
3. Open an already-created spreadsheet by clicking on "Open" within the File menu, then clicking on the spreadsheet file you want from the list your computer will present on your screen.
Entering and Formatting Data
4. Click on an individual cell to enter data into a spreadsheet. You can enter any alpha-numerical data. The data you enter can appear immediately in the cell you're working with and also in a line on the top of the spreadsheet. Make any corrections in that line. Click on any other cell to make your data appear in the correct cell.
5. Widen columns if necessary by clicking on the right side of the column head and dragging it to the right. Narrow columns by clicking on the left side of the column head and dragging it to the left.
6. Change color, font, size or style of your data by clicking on the cell where you want to see the changes. Open the Format menu and make the appropriate font choices to apply the changes. Click on any other cell to see what the changes look like.
7. Specify the type of numerical data you're entering by clicking on the cell(s), column(s) or row(s) with the data in question. Click on the Format menu and choose Cell in Excel or Number in other spreadsheet programs. You will be offered a menu with choices of numerical designations including Currency, Percentage, Fraction and others. Choose the appropriate specification. Click away from the data you're working with to see what the changes look like.
Arithmetic Functions
8. Choose a blank cell at the bottom of the column or the right end of the row in which you want to perform an arithmetic function such as addition or subtraction.
9. Type a formula in your chosen cell starting with an equal sign (=). This sign lets the spreadsheet software know to apply a formula.
10. Still in your formula cell, type the range of cells to which you want the formula to apply, with a colon separating the beginning and end cells of the range. For instance, if you are adding all the numbers in column B and you have 15 rows in that column, type =B1:B15.
11. Type in the symbol for the formula you wish to apply. For addition, use a plus (+) sign. For subtraction, use a minus (-) sign. For multiplication, use an asterisk (*). For division, use a forward slash (/). For percentage calculation, use the percent sign (%). For exponential calculation, use a caret (^). Your spreadsheet software will instantly perform the calculation and replace the formula you typed in with the correct answer.
Tags: File menu, numerical data, spreadsheet software, changes look, changes look like