Before electronic spreadsheets were introduced, record and account keepers used pen and paper to record data into a ledger that a book containing a number of spreadsheets. Accounting records and calculations were recorded by hand and entered into the spreadsheet every time calculations were made.
According to history, the idea to invent an electronic spreadsheet was started by Dan Bricklin while he was an MBA student at Harvard Business School in 1978. While observing his lecturers erase and rewrite the whole workings on the spreadsheet on the blackboard while calculating, he tried to think of an easier way to do calculations only by changing one digit on the spreadsheet.
The electronic spreadsheet application allows the user to;
- Save records
- Delete records
- Edit records
- Arrange and sort records
- Calculate mathematical calculations, stastistics, finance and engineering based on formulas and functions
- Display information in the form of a table or chart
The Microsoft Excel Software allows the user to:
- Save and process data;
- Format worksheets like adding currency symbols and decimals, adding colour effects, alignment and protection,
- Produce charts based on data,
- Carry out calculations, statistics, engineering and finance,
- Make predictions based on the use of analysis what-if,
- Automate actions based on macro use
- Store and manage data easily in the database
- Insert graphics
- Access internet based on the hyperlink.
- Introduction to Microsoft Excel Windows
(b) Main Menu Bar
There are distinct differences in the Main Menu Excel compared to other Microsoft Office applications. Among the obvious differences are: On the sub Insert Menu there are special features such as adding cells, rows, columns, worksheets, functions and charts. The other features are similar to the menu in Microsoft Word.
(c) Toolbar on Microsoft Excel Display
Microsoft Excel provides a number of toolbars that can be searched by selecting the View on the Main Menu and click Toolbars. The specified Toolbar can be viewed on the display screen. Each toolbar has a set of icons to assist to facilitate the Excel user to carry out the task of formatting, editing and carrying out mathematical instructions.
Cell Format
Cell can be formatted in various formats. The method to format cells of users is to highlight the said cell first before displalying the screen to format cells. Highlighting cells can be carried out in any one of the following ways:
(a) Cell - Clicking any one of the cells to activate it
(b) Range - Click and drag the mouse over a number of cells
(c) Column - Click on the column header of the respective columns
(d) Row - Click on the row header on the respective row
The Sub window Cells format is a main menu to format cells. The display is seen by clicking on Format of the MainMenu and clicking on Cells. By using the sub window of Cells format, the user can change the characteristics of the cell in the form of changing numbers in the cell, aligning the cell content, font characteristics cell border, cell pattern and changing the protection for cells.
On the Alignment menu, the user can update the position and orientation of the cell content display. The user can also merge the cells through Merge cells.
Type of Data Input and Mathematical Operation Function
Cells can either be blank without any input or with a constant or a formula as an input.
Constant is:
(a) An input that does not change including text, date, time
(b) Numbers that have a numeric value for instance integer, decimal, percentage or fraction which if needed change a new entry has to be made
A Formula is an addition which is an operation and mathematical function to the constant, and any change to it will change the whole calculation. This also means in the event the constant is changed, the change in the calculation outcome will occur automatically.
Formulas have to start with the symbol =.
Common mathematical operations using formulas include
Among the common mathematical functions that are usually used by teachers include those in the table below:
Arranging and Sorting Data
Besides functioning to carry out mathematical operations, Excel is also useful for routine work such as arranging data in table and chart form to be presented and printed.
Data Insertion can be done using the instruction Sort.
For this purpose, data has to be highlighted first, then click Data on the Main Menu and select Sort.
The Sub Window displayed will allow the user to sort the data in the said column according to alphabetically order and strength of value in descending or ascending order.
Filtering Data
When the collection of data becomes too large the capacity to access the data becomes more difficult. Excel prepares the feature to filter data to facilitate easy
access of data displayed.
The filtering of data can be done by clicking Data on the Main Menu, click Filter on the sub menu and select Auto Filter.
Making a Table
Tables are used to present data in the form of text and numbers to facilitate understanding. The table in Excel is formed as a result of formatting on cells containing data. Among the formatting effects usually applied on cells include adding colour to the table header, creating a border around the cell and range, the effect on the alignment of the text in cells including the orientation effect.
Making Charts
Charts are used as graphic representation added into Excel. The usual way to produce a chart would be by using Chart Wizard. The sub Window of Chart Wizard is taken out for display by clicking on the Chart Wizard Icon on the toolbar or by clicking on Insert on the Main Menu and selecting Chart.
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