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- How do I enter text and numbers?
- How do I format the font in a spreadsheet?
- How do I construct a formula in a spreadsheet?
- How do I move and copy information?
- How do I create a chart?
- How do I set margins?
- How do I get the gridlines to print?
- How do I print my spreadsheet?
How do I enter text and numbers?
1. Select the cell that is to contain the information by clicking on it so that it has a bold, black frame around its border.
2. Begin typing the information that should be in the cell.
3. When all the information has been typed and is visible in the cell press the enter key to keep the information.
*NOTE: Upon pressing the enter key, depending on the layout of your spreadsheet, the entire piece of information typed into the cell may not be fully visible.
How do I format the font in a spreadsheet?
1. Select the cell that is to be formatted by clicking on it so that it has a bold, black frame around its border. This can also be done by clicking and dragging to select a group (or range) of cells that will all be formatted the same way at the same time.
2. Click the format menu then select cells. Click the font tab then select the font, font style, size, underline and color for the text. Notice there is a preview box in the bottom right corner of that dialog box so the selections made are visible before they are confirmed.
How do I construct a formula in a spreadsheet?
There are 5 basic things that need to be considered when creating a formula OF ANY KIND.
1. Always make sure you are in the cell that is to contain the answer before you begin. Excel will place information in whatever cell you request. It does not give an error message if you put something in the wrong place.
2. Formulas ALWAYS begin with an equal sign or a mathematical operator. There are many different operations that Excel can perform. When you start a cell by typing an equal sign that tells Excel to prepare to calculate and that the cell contains a value not text. You will also notice that values are automatically right justified in the cell. CAUTION: The equal sign must be at the very beginning of the cell. If a space is accidentally inserted here it may not be visible and it would hinder Excel’s calculating capabilities.
3. Be very careful not to insert any spaces or extra characters in a formula, once again, these would hinder Excel’s calculating capabilities.
4. Excel will recognize values or cell references in a formula. When using a value in a formula Excel does not recognize that value as being anywhere in the spreadsheet. It just sees it as a number just like a calculator sees a number. When using a cell reference Excel calculates whatever is in that cell at any given time. As a result, this is a wonderful timesaver as we make changes to our spreadsheet. As you change values in your spreadsheet the calculations will automatically update with the correct value from the referenced cell.
5. The last thing that you need to know in order to create any calculation is the order of operations. How will Excel read a very complicated formula? Excel will ALWAYS start with anything in parenthesis (), then move on to exponents ^, from there Excel will do multiplication*, division /, addition+ and subtraction-. If we had a simple equation such as “=15+7*2” the answer could be different depending on how you calculate it. The answer to that equation could be 29. It could be 44. It could even be 37 if rearranged. You must tell Excel how you want the system to read the equation. You want the sum of 15 and 7 to be multiplied by 2. You would type “=(15+7)*2” and get an answer of 44.
How do I move and copy information?
1. Select the cell that is to contain the information by clicking on it so that it has a bold, black frame around its border.
2. Click the scissors on the toolbar to cut (move the information to a new location) or click the button that looks like two pieces of paper (one button to the right of the scissors) to copy (repeat the same information in another cell) the information.
3. Select the cell that is now to contain the information ( if you are moving a group (range) of cells, only the cell where the information will begin needs to be selected).
4. Click the clipboard button to paste the information in its new location.
How do I create a chart?
1. Select the cell or range of cells that are to be reflected in the chart by clicking on it so that it has a bold, black frame around its border.
2. Click insert then chart to begin the Chart Wizard.
3. First, select the type of chart then click next.
4. Then verify the data range (cells to be reflected in the chart) and decide if they should be visible in columns or rows. You may click the radio button (the circle in front of each option) to see the difference between the look of the chart in column format and row format. Upon selecting your preferences, click next.
5. If necessary, give the chart and its axis titles then click next.
6. Finally, determine where the chart should be located. If it is to be in an existing sheet in the workbook, select the sheet name from the drop down list. If it is to be on a new sheet by itself select "as a new sheet" then type what you want the sheet to be called in the dialog box area.
7. Click "finish" to complete the chart.
How do I set margins?
1. Click file then page setup.
2. Select the margins tab.
3. Using the up and down pointing arrows in the appropriate area (top, bottom, left, right) select the distance in inches that the spreadsheet should begin from the edge of the piece of paper.
4. Upon completion of your selections, click OK to confirm the new margins.
How do I get the gridlines to print?
1. Click file then page setup.
2. Select the sheet tab.
3. Under the middle block in the area called print click the check box next to gridlines.
4. Click OK to confirm your selection to print the gridlines on the spreadsheet.
How do I print my spreadsheet?
1. Click file then click print.
2. From the bottom half of the page select the print range (all or only pages from-to), how many copies you want, if you want the collated and what (selection, entire workbook or active sheet) specifically you want printed.
3. When all your selections are made click OK to print.
Updated on 17-OCT-05
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