Spreadsheets

Unit 2: Creating More Effective Spreadsheets

Objectives

At the end of this unit you will be able to:

• Create more attractive and powerful spreadsheets.
• Use the function browser to select and use a built-in formula.
• Use functions with absolute and relative references.
• Create a simple chart.

Lecture

Creating More Effective Spreadsheets

Skills

• Lesson 4: Formatting Data
• How do you use formatting commands to change the layout of a spreadsheet?
• How do you format a group of cells all at once?
• How do you use AutoFormat?
• How do you adjust page breaks?
• Lesson 5: Managing Worksheets and Workbooks
• How do you insert, delete, and arrange worksheets?
• How do you insert, move, or delete rows and columns?
• How do you change the width of a column (and the height of a row)?
• How do you add headers and footers?
• Lesson 6: Working With Formulas and Functions
• How do you figure out what formulas and functions to use?
• How do you use the function browser to select and enter functions?
• How do select a range of cells for a function to work on?
• How do you enter functions with absolute references?
• How do you copy labels, values, and formulas?
• How do you display the formulas in each cell?
• How do you use the Max, Min, and If functions?
• Lesson 7: Creating and Modifying Charts
• How do you create charts consisting of spreadsheet data?
• Example: creating a pie chart.
• Example: creating a bar chart.
• How do you copy and delete charts?
• How do you modify and resize a chart?
• How do you print a chart?

Concepts

An understanding of certain concepts is necessary to succeed in the lessons. The following concepts are defined where applicable in the lesson text. You may also click on any concept listed here to see it defined.

1. What is a function browser?
2. What are the "number1, number2,..." that appear in the function?
3. What are the most useful functions?
4. How are Fill Down and Fill Right different from Copy/Paste?
5. How are relative references different from absolute references?
6. When do you use absolute references?
7. Where do I put the "absolute" values?
8. How are inserting and deleting rows and columns different from copying and pasting rows and columns?
9. How does inserting and deleting rows and columns affect cell ranges in functions?
10. What are the parts of a chart?
11. What are the different kinds of charts?
12. What are the different kinds of charts used for?
13. What is a "grid" in a chart?
14. Where can I put a chart?
15. Why does the computer sometimes mislabel the legend and other parts of the chart?

Self-Check

Do you know what happens to cell references in a formula that is copied? The following self-check will test your understanding of this and other concepts:

SS Self-Check #2

Assignments

You must complete the following assignment associated with the lessons above to receive credit for this unit:

Spreadsheet Assignment 2

Copyright 1997 by the Curators of the University of Missouri