Spreadsheets and Their Use
Spreadsheets are computer programs designed to assist users in various calculations. They have the ability to easily accomplish simple calculations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. But, they can also help with extremely complex calculations. Moreover, they can be structured in such a way that they produce summaries which bring together results from multiple sheets and many different data sources. In short, whether in business, education, or government, knowing how to use spreadsheets is an essential skill in today’s world.
“Spreadsheets” are extremely useful for calculating a variety of operations. The central ideas of a spreadsheet are simple: o A grid of intersecting columns and rows, which create boxes called “cells.” o Into the “cells” (or boxes), users can enter plain text, “real numbers” or “formulas.” o A wide variety of mathematical formulas and functions which permit the user to do complicated mathematical operations. o Sheets which can link to each other, thus permitting interconnecting operations and the production of report pages for printing. o Spreadsheet programs (aka, “apps”) are available in every office suite: Microsoft, Libre, Google Suite, and other suites). However, if one learns the basic idea in any of the spreadsheet programs, that knowledge can be easily transferred to another system or suite. The most common spreadsheet applications are: > Microsoft Excel > Libre Calc > Google Sheets o Like word processing applications, Microsoft and Libre applications are primarily for desktop and laptop use and have advanced capabilities. Google Sheets is primarily for smartphones (although a desktop version is available). The smartphone version of Google Sheets is very powerful but lacks some of the advanced features of desktop applications. However, one can often begin working via Google Sheets and export the documents to the other applications. Resources: o Two quick introductory reviews of Microsoft excel: > CRC Press. Introduction to Excel. > Montclair. Introduction to Excel. o For a very detailed review and extension of your knowledge (i.e., 336 pages): > Brown. Beginning Excel. A Simple Review Both Libre and Microsoft office suites include a spreadsheet module. The Libre spreadsheet is called “Calc” and the Microsoft is called “Excel” Libre Calc looks like this: Notice that the columns are identified with letters while the rows use numerals. Thus, a particular cell would be identified by the column followed by the row: B12 o The most basic formula is: =sum(cell+cell) So, to add cell B12 to cell C14 and place the result in cell A1, you put the cursor in cell A1 and type: =sum(B12+C14) Now, whatever values appear in B12 and C14 will be added and entered into A1. The result might look like this: Notice that the numeral 24 appears in B12 and 67 appears in C14. They have been added together by the spreadsheet formula in A1, resulting in the number 91. A more complicated table might show the costs for a Youth event, where there is food, transport, housing, equipment rental and speaker honorarium. Notice the formula is” =SUM(B3:B7) This indicates that the spreadsheet should add the numbers cells from B3 to B7 together. Questions: 1. Describe a spreadsheet and its basic purpose. 2. Explain the term “cell.” 3. What is the name of Microsoft’s spreadsheet program? 4. What is the name of Libre’s spreadsheet program? 5. What is the name of Google’s spreadsheet program? 6. Explain how Microsoft, Libre and Google spreadsheets differ. What are the strengths and weaknesses of each? 7.