Spreadsheet packages

Meaning and Definition of Spreadsheet Package

A Package can be defined as software written to perform a particular task.

Therefore, a Spreadsheet Package is a program that enables the computer user to carry out calculation-related tasks. Spreadsheets are majorly used for organizing and analysing numeric data. They were designed to replace the pencil, calculator and the writing pad. It is widely used in diverse range of disciplines like Engineering, Mathematics, Science, Accounting, etc.

Spreadsheet packages

Examples of Spreadsheet Package

1. Lotus 1-2-3

2. Microsoft Excel

3. STATVIEW

4. Quattro pro

5. GS-Calc

6. Easy Calc

7. Super-Calc

8. Visi-cal

9. Apple numbers

10. Freeware spreadsheet program

NOTE: For the purpose of this lesson, our focus shall be on Microsoft Excel because it is user-friendly, flexible and contains more advanced features.

Uses of Spreadsheet Packages

For Statistical analysis

For Mathematical purposes

Regression analysis

Budget management and control

Preparation of daily sales report

Stock/Inventory control analysis

Preparation of examination results

Accounting purpose

Financial projection and analysis

Preparation of Payroll, etc

EVALUATION

Define Spreadsheet Package?

Give Five examples of Spreadsheet Package

State Seven uses of Spreadsheet Package

SPREADSHEET FEATURES AND TERMINOLOGIES

CONTENT

Spreadsheet Features and Terminologies

Loading and Exiting Spreadsheet Packages

Spreadsheet Features and Terminologies

To fully understand and use a spreadsheet package, one must be used to some terminologies. These terminologies include;

Row

Column

Cell

Active Cell

Worksheets

Workbook

Chart

Data Range

Fill handle

Moving border

Rows

A Row is a horizontal line of cells which runs from left to right in a worksheet. They can be identified by the numbers at the left-hand-side of the work sheet. They are numbered from 1, 2, 3 to 1,048,576 in Excel 2007, 2010, 2013 & 2016.

Columns

A Column is a vertical line of cells in a worksheet usually identified by letters across the top of the sheet. There are about 16,384 columns in Excel 2007, 2010, 2013 & 2016.

Cells

A Cell is the intersection of a row and a column. The highlighted rectangle on the cell is the cursor but is known as ‘cell pointer’ which enable users to move around the sheet. They can be identified by the combination of column header (e.g. ‘A’) and the row header (e.g. ‘1’) to give cell A1.

The Active Cell

The active cell is the cell that contains the cell pointer, while the active worksheet is the worksheet where the cell pointer is currently located.

Worksheet

The worksheet (also known as spreadsheet) is the working area of the package where entering of data and calculations are handled. It consists of rows, columns, cells and a cell pointer where data are actually entered and manipulated.

Workbook

This can be simply defined as a collection of worksheets. Each workbook contains many worksheets just like a normal single book with a number of pages.

Chart

A Chart is a graphical representation of data that enables you to understand the data at a glance. Examples of Charts include Column (histogram), Pie chart, Bar Chart, Line Chart, Surface, Doughnut, etc.

Data Range

A group of highlighted cells in a worksheet is referred to as a Range.

Fill Handle

This is a small black square at the corner of selected cells. The cursor changes to a black cross when moved to it.

Moving Border

This is an animated border that appears around a selected cell that has been cut or copied. Press the ESC key to cancel a moving border.

The features of a typical Microsoft environment are presented below:

Spreadsheet features and terminologies

NOTE: Educators should please ensure that the Excel environment is carefully treated with the participation of the students.

Loading and Exiting Spreadsheet Packages

Loading the Spreadsheet Package

METHOD I

To load a spreadsheet package, take the following steps:

Click on the START button

Point to ALL PROGRAM

Point to Microsoft Office

Click on Microsoft Excel

METHOD II

Double-click the Microsoft Excel icon on the desktop. The spreadsheet package opens. The active cell is cell A1 and the active worksheet is sheet 1.

Exiting the Spreadsheet Package

To exit a spreadsheet package, take any of the following steps:

Click on the File menu and select Exit.

Click on the Close button on the Title bar

Press ALT + F4.

EVALUATION

Briefly explain the following terminologies: (i) Row (ii) Column (iii) Cell (v) Workbook (vi) Data Range

Highlight the steps required to load and exit Microsoft Excel

WORKSHEETS

Definition of a Worksheet

A worksheet can be defined as the working area of the program where entering of data and calculations are handled. It consists of rows, columns, cells and a cell pointer.

Starting Excel Worksheet

This entails the following:

(i) Opening a worksheet

(ii) Data entry

(iii) Editing

(iv) Saving

(v) Retrieving worksheet

Opening a Worksheet

Method I:

To create a new worksheet, follow the steps below:

Open Microsoft Excel from the Start button

Click on Office button to display a sub menu

Select New

Click on Create

A new workbook will be displayed.

Method II:

Open Microsoft Excel

Press Ctrl + N

Data Entry

There are three types of data that can be entered into an excel worksheet. These are Labels, Numbers and Formula.

Labels are made up of texts that are entered into the active worksheet. Examples are letters of alphabets (A-Z)

Numbers/values consists of numerals 0 – 9

Formulas are mathematical expressions which return calculated value.

A typical example of data entry is shown below:

Worksheets – Data entryFig. 1: Entering data into the worksheet

NOTE: Educators should please ensure that students practise the act of entering data into the worksheet by entering the data shown in Fig. 1 above.

Editing the Worksheet

Editing a worksheet means to either insert data, delete existing ones or to make corrections to the already existing data. Fig. 2 below shows the edited version of Fig. 1

Worksheets – Editing the worksheetFig. 2 Editing Worksheet

NOTE: Educators should please ensure that the students edit the previous excel sheet (Fig. 1) to give the excel sheet shown above (Fig. 2)

Saving a Worksheet

To save a worksheet for the first time, follow the steps below:

Click on the Microsoft office Button

Click on Save

When the dialog box appears, in the save in box click on the arrow, a drop-down menu

Select a location to save e.g. My Document

Type a file name in the File name

Click on Save.

Worksheets – Saving a worksheet

Fig. 3 Save As Dialog Box

Subsequently, just press ctrl + S to continue saving the worksheet.

NOTE: Educators should please show the students other methods of saving a worksheet

Retrieving a Worksheet

To retrieve an existing or saved worksheet, follow the steps below;

Load the spreadsheet package (Microsoft Excel in this case)

Click on the File menu or the Microsoft Office button

Click on Open, the open dialog box will be displayed

Click on the arrow beside the Look in box

Select My Document from the drop-down menu

Click on the File Name

Click on Open

Formatting Worksheet

The general arrangement of data is known as ‘Formatting’. The contents of selected cells can be formatted using the formatting tool bar. Formatting changes the way numbers and text are displayed in a worksheet.

Changing Fonts

NOTE: Educators should practically demonstrate the methods of changing font sizes, style, colour, attributes (bold, italics and underline), alignment(left, right, centre), style, etc.

Formatting Values in a Range

The number entered in the worksheet can be formatted to have currency symbols like the dollar ($). To format numbers in a worksheet follow the under listed steps:

Highlight the number(s) in the desired range

Click on the arrow beside the number on the ribbon bar

When the dialog box appears, click on the number tab

Select Currency

Click on the arrow beside the symbol to get a drop-down menu

Select the required symbol e.g. dollar sign with 2 decimal places

Click on OK.

Worksheets – Formatting values in a rangeFig. 4: The Format cells dialog box

NOTE: Educators should please guide the students to format the cells in Fig. 2 above using the steps described above.

Adjusting the Column Width

To adjust the column width so as to accommodate the contents of the cell, follow the steps below;

Click on the cell to be adjusted

Position the cell pointer on the column tab,

The cell pointer changes to a cross

Click and drag to the right to increase the column width

Release the mouse button

NOTE: When the hash sign (#) is displayed inside a cell that contains data, it means the content of the cell is more than what the cell can accommodate. The column widths of that cell need to be adjusted.

Renaming the Worksheets

When MS Excel is opened, the sheets are named Sheet 1, Sheet 2, etc. To rename a worksheet:

Right click on the sheet tab to be renamed

Select Rename

Type the name you wish to give to give to the sheet

Press the Enter key

Worksheets – Renaming the worksheetsFig. 5 Renaming the Worksheet

Inserting Rows or Columns

To shift existing rows or columns to create blank rows or columns, follow the steps below;

Select the current row or column where the new row or column would be inserted

Click on Insert menu

Click on rows or columns