Learner Guide: Heart Trust/National Training Agency
Learner Guide: Heart Trust/National Training Agency
LEARNER GUIDE
OPERATE A SPREADSHEET APPLICATION (BASIC)
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*** 2004***
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
Introduction....................................................................................................................................1
Welcome .....................................................................................................................................1
This Competency Unit .................................................................................................................1
Before you start............................................................................................................................2
Planning your learning programme .............................................................................................2
How to use this Learner Guide ....................................................................................................4
Using the Computer and Other Resources...................................................................................6
Method of Assessment.................................................................................................................6
Self-Assessment Checklist.................................................................................................23
Self-Assessment Checklist.................................................................................................34
Self-Assessment Checklist.................................................................................................37
Self-Assessment Checklist.................................................................................................45
ITIDAT0171A
OPERATE A SPREADSHEET
APPLICATION (BASIC)
INTRODUCTION
Welcome
Welcome to the Learner guide for Competency Standard “Operate a Spreadsheet Application
(Basic)”. This is just one of a number of learner guides produced for the Data Operations Skills
Streams of the Information and Communication Industry, and it is designed to guide you, the
learner, through a series of learning processes and activities that will enable you to achieve the
specified learning outcomes for the competency units.
The content of this guide was developed from the Competency Standard ITIDAT0171A, which
is one of the basic building blocks for the National Vocational Qualification of Jamaica (NVQJ)
certification within the industry. Please refer to your Learner’s Handbook for a thorough
explanation of standards and competencies, and how these relate to the NVQJ certification.
You are also advised to consult the Competency Standard for a better understanding of what is
required to master the competency.
“Operate a spreadsheet application (basic)” addresses the knowledge and skills requirements
to perform basic operations using spreadsheet application and create a document. This
competency consist of the following areas or elements:
As you go through each element you will find critical information relating to each one. You are
advised to study them carefully so that you will be able to develop the necessary knowledge,
skills and attitudes for operating a spreadsheet application.
a. Obtain a Learner’s Logbook that you will use to record evidence of your new
skills/competence. As you demonstrate your new skills, record your activities and have your
learning facilitator sign off on the m. This will allow you to provide evidence of your
competence when you are being assessed against the competency standard.
b. Ensure that you have access to the facilities and equipment necessary for learning.
The self-assessment checklist on the following pages will assist you in planning your training
programme as it will help you to think about the knowledge and skills needed to demonstrate
competency in this unit. As you go through checklist you will be able to find out which
competencies you have already mastered and which ones you will need to pay more attention to
as you go through the learning process.
To complete the self-assessment checklist simply read the statements and tick the ‘Yes’ or ‘No’
box. You should do this exercise now.
Self-Assessment Checklist
- Operate a spreadsheet application (basic)
2. I can add, copy delete or move columns and rows within the
spreadsheet as desired ( ) ( )
If you ticked most of the ‘Yes’ boxes then you might not need to go through the entire guide.
Ask your learning facilitator to assist you in determining the most appropriate direction for this
competency.
If you ticked few of the ‘Yes” boxes or none at all then you should work through all of the guide,
even though some of the material might be familiar to you.
Plan your learning based on your answers. Be sure to involve your learning facilitator in the
planning process.
This Learner Guide is designed to assist you in working and learning at your own pace. We
suggest that you:
• Check your progress at each checkpoint to ensure that you have understood the material.
Observe the icons and special graphics used throughout this guide to remind you of what you
have to do to enhance your learning. The icons and their meanings are as follows:
Definition Box
Words/phases are defined or explained in this box. The
words/phases being explained are in bold print.
Checkpoint
This denotes a brain teaser and is used to check your
understanding of the materials presented. No answers are
provided for the questions asked.
Activity
This denotes something for you to do either alone or with
the assistance of your trainer/supervisor.
Reference
Points you to the reference materials and other support
documents or resources used in compiling the unit content.
• Ask your learning facilitator for help if you have any problems with the interpretation of the
contents, the procedures, or the availability of resources.
• Complete each activity as you come to it. If the activity requires you to perform an actual
task, be sure to tell your learning facilitator when you get to that activity so that he/she can
make arrangements, if necessary.
• Get your learning facilitator to sign and date the Learner Logbook when you have completed
an activity.
When you have worked through all elements of guide, and when you can tick every ‘Yes’ box,
you are ready for assessment and may ask your learning facilitator to assist you in making the
arrangements to have your performance assessed.
Where your activities refer you to the library, computer and Internet resources, ask your learning
facilitator to assist you with locating these resources. If you are getting your training in an
institution, there may be a library and computer laboratory. If this is not the case, visit the local
library and find out what resources are available.
If you are new to the computer and the Internet, someone should be able to show you how to use
these resources.
Please note that in many of your activities you have been referred to information on the Internet.
This is because the Internet has a vast amount of information that can help you in acquiring the
particular competencies. We would like to advise you, however, that we cannot guarantee that all
the sites will be available when you need them. If this happens, ask your learning facilitator to
assist you with locating other sites that have the information you require.
Method of Assessment
Competency will be assessed while work is being undertaken under direct supervision with
regular checks, but may include some autonomy when working as a team. You are advised to
consult the associated competency standard for further details relating to the assessment
strategies.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
As you go through this element you will acquire the necessary knowledge skills and attitudes to
create a spreadsheet. Your learning facilitator is there to assist you with the different activities.
Upon completion you will be able to:
1. Open documents and enter numbers, text and symbols in the cells according to
information requirements
2. Add, select, copy, delete or move columns and rows in the spreadsheet as desired
3. Apply simple mathematical functions
INTRODUCTION TO SPREADSHEETS
A spreadsheet can also store formulae which perform simple calculations on the basic numbers
by adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing them or performing a wide range of operations
upon them.
• Make calculations
• Analyze and predict trends
• Plan budgets
• Perform mathematical tasks
• Create charts, which display your information in a more interesting graphical format.
Spreadsheets are very large work areas. For example, a single worksheet in Microsoft Excel has
256 columns by 65536 rows. That is over sixteen million cells in which to insert data. As the
worksheet area is so large the only part displayed on the screen is the area you are currently
working on.
The ability to format and prepare basic spreadsheets is an essential part of organizing data and
calculating formulae in a business. Using a spreadsheet is an effective way to communicate ideas
and information, plan and organize activities, and to use mathematical ideas and techniques.
Here are some important skills that you must master when creating spreadsheets
ACTIVITY:
Excel allows you to create spreadsheets much like paper ledgers that can perform automatic
calculations. Each Excel file is a workbook that can hold many worksheets. The worksheet is a
grid of columns (designated by letters) and rows (designated by numbers). The letters and
numbers of the columns and rows (called labels) are displayed in gray buttons across the top and
left side of the worksheet. The intersection of a column and a row is called a cell. Each cell on
the spreadsheet has a cell address that is the column letter and the row number. Cells can contain
text, numbers, or mathematical formulas.
CHECKPOINT:
To START EXCEL
Click on the START button and then go to PROGRAMS, from the submenu select Microsoft
Excel as depicted below:
go to the links below and follow the instructions given on ways to start Microsoft Excel
Refer to:
http://www.trincoll.edu/depts/cc/documentation/Excel/excel2000_pc/excel00_pc.htm
http://www.bcschools.net/staff/ExcelHelp.htm
When you start EXCEL a blank workbook opens displaying 3 worksheets. Data can be entered
straight away into the first worksheet.
The intersection of a column and a row is called a CELL. Data should be entered in cells.
The three types of data that can be entered into an Excel worksheet are:
Text and numbers are regarded as constant values because they do not change unless you select
and edit them. The result of a formula, however, does not remain constant as it will automatically
change if the values to which it refers, change.
The active cell has a highlighted border around it. As soon as data is entered, the insertion point
appears within that cell. Pressing Enter, or pressing the down direction arrow key, will move the
highlight to the cell directly below. To move to a cell to the right or left of the active cell, either
click on the cell or, press the right or left direction arrow key, after entering the data.
Use the mouse to select a cell you want to begin adding data to and use the keyboard strokes
listed in the table below to move through the cells of a worksheet.
Entering Text
When entering text, the text is positioned at the left edge of the cell (this is known as left
aligned). If the text being entered is longer than the cell width, the text will automatically extend
into the cells to the right as long as those cells are empty. The default width of a cell is
approximately 8 characters which can be increased to accommodate 255 standard font
characters.
When text extends from the active cell into the empty cells to the right, the cell address for such
text is the first cell where the data was entered. For example, if the text extends from cell A1
through to cell A4, the cell address is A1. This is important to remember, as editing can only take
place when the correct cell address is highlighted. If the adjacent cells are not empty, only the
amount of text that will fit into the width of the current column is displayed and the remainder of
the entry is hidden. Such text can only be displayed in full if the width of the column is increased
to accommodate the text.
Entering Numbers
When entering numbers, the last digit is positioned at the right edge of the cell (this is known as
right aligned). Calculations can only be made on numeric entries. Numbers entered as text cannot
be included in calculations and should be preceded by an apostrophe.
It is possible to use shortcut keys to quickly enter the date and time into a worksheet:
Entering Formulae
• Cell addresses are used to identify the cells included in a formula. This ensures that the
result of a formula is automatically updated should any changes be made to the values
within the cells.
• Before entering a formula, always ensure that the highlight is positioned in the cell where
the result is to appear. When a formula is entered into the active cell, the result of that
formula appears only after clicking on an adjacent cell, pressing Enter or pressing a
direction arrow key. To confirm the result of the formula it is necessary to return to the
cell where the formula was entered.
• If the cell should fill with hash signs this indicates that the column width should be
increased to accommodate the formula result. When the width of the column is increased
the hash signs will disappear and the formula result will be displayed.
A formula can include mathematical functions such as addition, subtraction, division and
multiplication. You can use a formula to:
By applying the AutoSum function a range of cells are quickly added together to provide a
result. Without this function each cell address would have to be inserted in the formula. For
example, using AutoSum to add the contents of the cell range A5:A10, the formula =SUM
(A5:A10) is automatically inserted. If AutoSum were not used you would have to type
=A5+A6+A7+A8+A9+A10, or =SUM (A5:A10).
ACTIVITY:
To OPEN an existing workbook in EXCEL => click on File then Open, and select the
appropriate drive and File as depicted overleaf:
CHECKPOINT:
In order to effectively manipulate rows and columns in a spreadsheet there are some important
features, which you must know:
Selecting cells
Cells can be selected by extending the highlight from one cell across a range of cells. In order to
format previously entered data, it is necessary to select the cells in which the data appears. The
following table indicates how cells can be selected.
Data to
be Mouse Keystrokes
selected
Single
Click on cell. Press direction arrow key to locate cell.
cell
Locate the first cell in the range. Hold down the
Click on the first cell
Shift key and press the appropriate direction arrow
in the range then hold
Range of key to select the range of cells. For example, if the
down the left mouse
cells Shift key is held down and then the right direction
button and drag to the
arrow key is pressed, the active cell and the cell to
last cell in the range.
the right of the active cell are selected.
Click on the cell
All cells above row one and to Press Control and A.
the left of column A.
Select the first range
Non- of cells, then hold Use F5 to open the Go To dialogue box and enter
Adjacent down the Control key the cell ranges required, each one separated by a
Cells and select the other comma.
range of cells.
Click on the row
A Row Hold down Shift and press the spacebar.
number.
Click on the column
A Column Hold down Control and press the spacebar.
letter
If you select cells, AutoSum can also be used to total several columns or rows at the same time.
By selecting the cells where the results are to appear, then activating the AutoSum function, each
row or column will be automatically totalled.
Cells, which adjoin, are referred to as adjacent cells. Cells which do not adjoin are referred to as
non-adjacent cells. When it is necessary to edit non-adjacent cells, time is saved if it can occur
simultaneously, rather than working on each cell range individually. (See screen capture below)
To select a RANGE of cells for example, selecting cells A1 to A5 (denoted A1:A5) you should
highlight from the first cell in this case A1 to the last cell A5 as shown:
• The manipulation of rows and columns includes being able to change the HEIGHT of
the ROW and the WIDTH of the COLUMN.
To change the row height, first select the row as shown above and then select FORMAT from
the menu bar then ROW, then Height and type in the desired height and click OK.
To change the column width, first select the column as shown above and then select FORMAT
from the menu bar then ROW, then Width and type in the desired width and click OK.
• The manipulation of rows and columns also includes being able to delete a row or a
column
Rows, columns, (or worksheets) can be deleted by using the mouse or the menu bar. You can:
To delete a row or column first select the desired row/column and then select EDIT from the
menu bar and then click on Delete.
Go to the link below for further instructions on how to manipulate rows and columns
Refer to:
http://www.trincoll.edu/depts/cc/documentation/Excel/excel2000_pc/excel00_pc.htm
Before copying or moving data, the appropriate cell range should be selected. When the copying
or moving process commences the selected cells are marked with a moving border. When the
moving border is displayed, the cell contents can be copied or moved into other cells.
After locating the destination cell and pressing Enter, the moving border disappears and the
copying or moving process is complete. The selection can be cancelled by pressing any direction
arrow key. If Escape is pressed before the copying or moving process is completed, the process
will be cancelled.
Cell contents can be repeatedly copied to new locations as long as the moving border is
displayed. The cell contents can only be moved once to a new location. As soon as the cell
contents have been relocated and pasted the moving border disappears, and the move is
completed.
When locating a destination range it is only necessary to highlight the cell in the top left corner
of the destination range.
• Menu bar
• Shortcut keys
When copying or moving a worksheet, the worksheet must be selected before it can be copied or
moved to another location within a workbook or to a different workbook. The active worksheet
is the currently selected worksheet. When you move or copy of a worksheet the worksheet in the
new location becomes the active worksheet. For example, if you copy a worksheet in workbook
A to workbook B, you remain in workbook B after the copy has been made.
You may wish to re-arrange the order of the worksheets within your workbook. To do this select
the worksheet which is to be moved and then select Edit from the menu bar, choose 'Move or
Copy Sheet'. The Move or Copy dialogue box opens with the highlight in the 'Before Sheet' list
box. All of the worksheets in the workbook are listed in this box. Locate the appropriate
worksheet in this list and the moved worksheet will be relocated immediately before the
highlighted worksheet. Press Enter to complete this move.
You may wish to copy a worksheet within your workbook if, for example, you required the same
details on several worksheets. First select the worksheet which is to be copied and then select
Edit from the menu bar. Choose 'Move or Copy Sheet' to open the 'Move or Copy' dialogue box
which will display the highlight in the 'Before Sheet' list box. All of the worksheets in the
workbook are listed in this box. If you scroll through the list of worksheets, you will find the
copied worksheet to be relocated immediately before the highlighted worksheet. Check the
'Create a Copy' checkbox and press Enter. The copied worksheet has the same name as the
original worksheet but with the number of the copy after it, for example, Results (2).
TIP! If you press Enter before checking the Create a Copy checkbox the worksheet will be
moved instead of being copied.
To move a worksheet to a different workbook, open both workbooks and then select the
worksheet you wish to move. From the menu bar select Edit and choose Move or Copy Sheet,
then access the 'To Book' list box and choose the destination workbook. Pressing Enter moves
the worksheet to the highlighted workbook and positions the worksheet first in that workbook.
After the worksheet has been moved, the highlight is located in the destination workbook. As
both workbooks are open, you can move between them by clicking on the workbook name on the
Task Bar (or press Control and F6). Alternatively, select Window from the menu bar and select
the open workbook name from the end of the drop-down menu.
To copy a worksheet to a different workbook, open both workbooks and then select the
worksheet you wish to copy. From the menu bar select Edit and choose Move or Copy Sheet.
Then access the 'To Book' list box and choose the destination workbook. Check the Create a
Copy checkbox and press Enter.
TIP! If you press Enter before checking the Create a Copy checkbox the worksheet will be
moved to the destination workbook instead of being copied.
CHECKPOINT:
What is the name of the bar that the name of the selected cell
appears? How would you select a range of data?
ACTIVITY:
Excel is a software package that allows you to enter and manipulate numbers, along with labels
that describe the meaning of those numbers, in a useful format. It allows you to do calculations
on the values entered by entering formulae that will add, subtract, divide, multiply and perform
other operations on the values that you have entered.
Excel can perform very sophisticated calculations therefore you must master the basics.
• Average function
• Minimum function
• Maximum function
• Count function
TIP! Before using any function always place the highlight in the cell where the result is to
appear.
When entering a function/formula it must be preceded by the “=” sign and then the rest of the
function follows.
Operations in Excel
ACTIVITY:
It is important in Excel to use cell references. For example in the sheet below the student
“Micheal Christie” has the following results for Test 1 = 56 and Test 2 = 78. Note that the “56”
is in cell B2 and “78” is in cell C2. Under the total column the =SUM function is being used;
note in the brackets of the function is the range of cells to be totaled B2:C2 (the function
=SUM(B2:C2) means add all the elements in cells B2 to cell C2). After one types in the function
or formula then the enter button must be pressed.
CHECKPOINT:
• What is a cell reference? What does the term range of cells mean?
How is the cell reference used in calculations? What is the
difference between a relative and an absolute cell reference?
• What are some of the more common Excel functions? For
instance what functions are used to find average, minimum,
maximum.
ACTIVITY:
Now that you have completed this element, check whether you have fully grasped all the
components by doing the following self-assessment:
Checklist 1 Yes No
1. I know how to open documents and enter numbers, text and
symbols in the cells according to information requirements ( ) ( )
Checklist 2
Yes No
LEARNING OUTCOMES
As you go through this element you will acquire the necessary knowledge, skills and attitudes to
customize basic settings. Your learning facilitator is there to assist you with the various
activities. Upon completion you will be able to:
1. Select the appropriate font type, size and colour according to the purpose of the
document
2. Apply alignment, justification and line spacing options according to spreadsheet
formatting requirements
3. Make appropriate modifications to column width and height to suit the spreadsheet
requirements
4. Format cells to display different styles, values and information as required
5. View multiple workbooks/spreadsheets at any one time
The purpose of the document will determine properties such as the font type, size and colour. To
select/change the font type, size and colour you must first select the cells or range of cells and
then make the changes from the FORMAT then Cells menu.
For example if you wish to change text in Excel to font type TAHOMA, size 10 and colour RED
then you would do the following:
Select the range of cells then click on FORMAT then Cells and click on the FONT tab and
make the necessary changes as shown on page 25. The selected font type, size and colour are
manipulated for the selected cells (A1 and B1). (See screen capture on)
Refer to: the link below for a tutorial on how to select font type, size and colour
http://tutorials.beginners.co.uk/read/category/19/id/348
http://www.isd.salford.ac.uk/publica/notes/excelqr.pdf
In order to format the spreadsheet you should be familiar with the formatting toolbar as shown
on page 26:
CHECKPOINT:
What are the different ways in which font type, size and colour can
be manipulated?
ACTIVITY:
Ask your facilitator to provide you with exercises where you will be
able to manipulate the font type, size and colour. Ask him/her also
how to use different features of the formatting toolbar.
Alignment can be applied either before or after the data is entered as long as the cells have been
selected. The alignment can be changed using:
• the mouse
• the menu bar (screen capture shown on page 28)
Three of the ways in which the alignment of data can be applied are:
• Horizontal (the positioning of data between the left and right edges of the cell)
• Vertical (the positioning of data between the top and bottom edges of the cell)
• Orientation (the default; the text in a cell appears horizontally and reads from left to
right)
• Cell alignment is manipulated by using the Alignment tab from the FORMAT Cells
menu
Line Spacing
You may want to enter more than one line of text in a cell or have text in several lines in the cell
rather then extending into adjacent cells and having to increase the column width. If you wrap
text in the cell, the row height will adjust automatically but the column width may need to be
adjusted.
To wrap the text in a cell, select the cells that contain the text you wish to wrap and open the
Format Cells dialogue box. Choose the Alignment tabbed section, select the Wrap Text
checkbox. Press Enter. This can be done prior to entering data or applied to selected data.
Refer to: The link noted provides a tutorial on how to adjust alignment and line
spacing.
http://www.bcentral.co.uk/technology/office/tips/excel/exceltips1.asp
CHECKPOINT:
There are several reasons for modifying the width and height of columns in a spreadsheet. Adjust
the width:
• if part of the data is hidden and cannot extend to the adjacent cell
• if the cell fills with hash signs, this indicates that the column is not wide enough to
display the result of the formula.
• a mouse
• the menu bar
• AutoFit Selection
It is also possible to set a default column width for all worksheets in a workbook. Select Format
from the menu bar, choose Column, and choose Standard Width to open the Standard Width
dialogue box. Type the measurement required and select OK or press Enter to close the dialogue
box.
Row Height
By default, the height of a row will be slightly higher than the data in the row. Based on the
Microsoft Excel default font of Arial, 10 point, the row height will be 12.75 point.
The height of a row can be increased or decreased by using:
• the mouse
• the menu bar
If you increase the point size of an entry in one cell in a row, then the height of the entire row is
automatically adjusted to that point size even though other entries in the row may be a smaller
point size. It is not necessary to select the whole row.
CHECKPOINT:
ACTIVITY:
In order to format cells to display different styles, values and information you should use the
Number tab from the FORMAT Cells menu.
For instance if you are working on a spreadsheet and wish to change the numbers viewed to
show currency you would have to select the cells and the select FORMAT then Cells and click
on the Number tab. From the number tab the currency option would be selected and the data
(numbers in this case) would change to reflect currency.
CHECKPOINT:
ACTIVITY:
http://pubs.logicalexpressions.com/Pub0009/LPMArticle.asp?ID=14
6
In order to view multiple workbooks/spreadsheets at the same time you would have to create a
WORKSPACE. The first thing to do is to open more than one excel workbook and use the
restore down button on the title bar so that the rest of the screen can be seen. After the restore
button has been pressed, use the mouse to move the edges of the workbook so that both can be
seen as shown on page 32:
The key to being able to view more than one workbook at the same time is being able to change
the size of each window with the use of the mouse. To change the size of the window, place the
mouse pointer at the edge of the window where it will change into a double headed arrow. You
will then be able to change the size by clicking and holding down and moving the mouse.
Refer to: Go to the following links to get some valuable information about
workbooks.
http://www.nlearnseries.com/site/samplehtml/excel2000/worksheetsversusworkbooks.ht
m
http://www.nlearnseries.com/site/samplehtml/excel2000/movingbetweenworksheets.htm
http://www.nlearnseries.com/site/samplehtml/excel2000/switchingbetweenopenworkboo
ks.htm
CHECKPOINT:
ACTIVITY:
Now that you have completed this element, check whether you have fully grasped all the
components by doing the following self-assessment:
Checklist 1
Yes No
1. I know how to select the appropriate font type, size and colour
for the purpose of the document ( ) ( )
Checklist 2 Yes No
Font type, size and colour are appropriately selected for the
1. purpose of the document ( ) ( )
LEARNING OUTCOMES
As you go through this element you will acquire the knowledge, skills and attitudes to format a
spreadsheet. Your learning facilitator is there to assist you with the various activities. Upon
completion you will be able to:
In addition to changing the font and point size of the text in your worksheet, you can also
enhance the appearance by applying formats such as bold, italics and underline.
These formats can be applied by the use of shortcut keys (toggle keys). Pressing these keys will
apply the formatting and pressing them again will cancel the formatting. Use these keys for:
Formatting can be applied before typing the text or by selecting previously typed text, then
applying or cancelling.
Hyphenated words can be entered into a worksheet, e.g. mother-in-law. If such words are too
long to fit into a cell they will either be displayed in the adjoining cell or you can change the
width of the column.
CHECKPOINT:
ACTIVITY:
Practice using the bold, italics, underline and hyphenation. Ask your
facilitator to provide you with additional exercises to help you master
the competency.
A workbook can be saved in various locations. To save a document you should select File then
Save As from the menu bar. From the Save as box select the desired drive from the Save in box;
name the file in the File name box and then select Save. The Save as window is shown below:
After the file is saved then one can close the file by going to the menu bar and selecting File and
then Close.
CHECKPOINT:
ACTIVITY:
Now that you have completed this element, check whether you have fully grasped all the
components by doing the following self-assessment.
Checklist 1 Yes No
Checklist 2 Yes No
LEARNING OUTCOMES
As you go through this element you will acquire the necessary knowledge, skills and attitudes to
print spreadsheets. Your learning facilitator will assist you with the various activities. Upon
completion you will be able to:
There are three ways in which an Excel spreadsheet can be viewed prior to printing. These are:
• Normal View
• Print Preview
• Page Break Preview.
It is possible to switch between the different views to check how a worksheet will be displayed
when printed.
The print preview shows you what your spreadsheet is likely to look like when it is printed and
you will have an opportunity to make desired changes before printing.
• Select the Print Preview icon on the Tool Bar (positioned to the right of the Printer
icon)
• Select File from the menu bar and choose Print Preview
CHECKPOINT:
How can you adjust the settings of a print? What is the purpose of the
page break preview?
ACTIVITY:
To adjust the print options you should go to File and then select Page Setup option where you
will be greeted by the following window:
• The window illustrated below is the page window where you will be able to adjust the
page settings as well as the paper size.
• Gridlines
• Row and Column Headings
• Margin Settings
• Page Order
• Draft Print
• Printing in Black and white
• Header/Footer labels
• Worksheet layout
Gridlines
By default, a worksheet will be printed without the gridlines and the printing process will be
much faster. If gridlines are required, select File from the menu bar. Choose Page Setup then
access the Sheet tabbed section. Then, within the 'Print' frame, locate the Gridlines check box (by
pressing Alt and G). If the box is checked, the gridlines will be printed. If the box is unchecked,
the gridlines will be omitted.
By default, a worksheet will be printed without the row and column headings. For example, row
1 column A. There are occasions when such information can be useful, especially when
reference to a cell address is required on a hard copy. To print the row and column headings,
select File from the menu bar and choose Page Setup. Then access the Sheet tabbed section to
locate the 'Row and Column Headings' check box (by pressing Alt and L). If the box is checked,
the headings will be printed. If the box is unchecked, the headings will be omitted.
Margin Settings
The Margin tab displayed on page 41 will enable you to adjust the margin tabs of the spreadsheet
before printing.
Page Order
If a worksheet will be printed on several pages; it is possible to control the order in which those
pages are printed. Select File from the menu bar, choose Page Setup then choose the Sheet
tabbed section. Within the 'Page order' frame a choice can be made from two radio buttons.
These are:
Down and then over - (accessed by pressing Alt and D) when numbering and printing will
proceed from the first page down through the pages below, and then move to the right and
continue printing down the worksheet.
Over and then down - (accessed by pressing Alt and V) when numbering and printing will
proceed from the first page across the pages to the right, and then move down and continue
printing across the worksheet.
Whichever radio button is checked indicates the order in which the pages will be printed. The
default order is Down and then over.
Draft Print
To speed up the printing time of a worksheet it is possible to temporarily change to a draft print
quality, although the formatting and most graphics will be ignored. Select File from the menu
bar, choose Page Setup then choose the Sheet tabbed section. Within the 'Print' frame either
check or uncheck the 'Draft quality' check box (by pressing Alt and Q).
The time taken to print a worksheet containing colours can be reduced by printing colour in
black and white. On a black-and-white printer, Excel will print colour as shades of grey. On a
coloured printer, printing in black and white will change colour fonts and borders to black.
Header/Footer labels
• The Header/Footer tab displayed below will allow you to put labels on each page of the
document either at the top or bottom of the page.
Worksheet layout
You will need to change the orientation of your worksheet to landscape when you want to print
more columns of data than will fit on a portrait page. Select File from the menu bar and choose
Page Setup. Select the Page tabbed section then choose the Orientation frame. There are two
radio buttons; one labelled Portrait and the other labelled Landscape. The r radio button selected
determines the orientation in which the worksheet will be printed.
You may also select Fit the page which will adjust the size of the worksheet to fit one or more
pages.
CHECKPOINT:
ACTIVITY:
You can print the whole workbook, specific worksheets, specific pages or selected areas of the
worksheet. Select File from the menu bar and choose Print to open the Print dialogue box(screen
capture shown below).
CHECKPOINT:
ACTIVITY:
Ask your facilitator to allow you access to a printer so that you may
be able to print a spreadsheet.
Now that you have completed this element check whether you have fully grasped all the
components by doing the following self-assessment.
Checklist 1 Yes No
Checklist 2 Yes No