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Session 1 Excel Reading Materials

This document provides an introduction to using Microsoft Excel and provides useful tips. It describes what a spreadsheet is, how to enter data and formulas, arithmetic operators, functions like SUM and AVERAGE, formatting cells, and tips for copying and dragging formulas using absolute cell references. It also lists common mathematical and engineering techniques that can be used in spreadsheets like data analysis, curve fitting, interpolation, and optimization.

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67 views22 pages

Session 1 Excel Reading Materials

This document provides an introduction to using Microsoft Excel and provides useful tips. It describes what a spreadsheet is, how to enter data and formulas, arithmetic operators, functions like SUM and AVERAGE, formatting cells, and tips for copying and dragging formulas using absolute cell references. It also lists common mathematical and engineering techniques that can be used in spreadsheets like data analysis, curve fitting, interpolation, and optimization.

Uploaded by

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Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Introduction to MS Excel and

useful tips

CE1011
Professional Skills for
Chemical Engineers

Dr Alfred Fernandez-Castane
Last update: 13th March 2019
Mathematical Solution Procedures
Commonly Used in Engineering Analysis

 Data Analysis Techniques (Statistics)


 Curve Fitting techniques (Looking at Graphs)
 Interpolation techniques
 Single and multiple algebraic equations
 Evaluating Integrals (Evaluate effects over time)
 Economic Analysis
 Optimization (Finding the best solution)
Applicable Engineering Fundamentals

Most engineering problems are based upon


one of three underlying principles:
1. Equilibrium – Force, Flux, and Chemical
2. Conservation Laws – Energy and Mass
3. Rate Phenomena – How something
changes over time.
What is a spreadsheet?

 A spreadsheet is basically a table containing NUMERICAL


and/or ALPHANUMERICAL values.
 Individual elements are known as CELLS.
 Each CELL can contain a single value or a STRING (sequence
of characters)
 The cells are arranged in columns and rows are referenced by
a CELL ADDRESS ( For example, B3 refers to the cell in
COLUMN B, row 3.
 The collection of cells is referred to as a WORKSHEET.
 A cell can have a manually entered number or be assigned a
FORMULA EVALUATION such as C7 being =(C3+C4+C5)
The Excel Window
Entering Data

There are two ways to enter data into Excel


 A simple numerical value called a number constant.
 A string, called a text constant.

When you are finished entering a number in a cell hit


ENTER or click the “checkmark”.
Using Formulas

In Excel, a formula MUST always begin with an


equal sign (=), followed by an expression
involving:
Consider: =(C3+B2+5)
•Constants C3 & B2 are cell addresses
•Operators 5 is the numerical constant
•Cell Addresses The (+) sign is the operator

This formula could be entered in D7 where the formula


would be applied. Note: Any change in C3 or B2 will
automatically change D7!
Arithmetic Operators

Operator Purpose Example


+ Addition A1+B1
- Subtraction A1-B1
* Multiplication A1*B1
/ Division A1/B1
^ Exponentiation A1^3
% Percentage A1%
Operator Preference

Since some formulas include Operator Operator


more than one operator, the
question arises as to which Preference
one is carried out first. The 1 %
order is outlined to the right.
If any formula has two 2 ^
operators from the same 3 * and /
group, the order is carried
out from left to right. 4 + and -

For example, in the formula =(C1/D2*E3), the division


would be carried out first then multiplication.
Using Functions

Excel includes many different functions which


can carry out a wide variety of operations.
They include:
 Mathematical and statistical operations
 Process financial data
 Process AND return text information
Each function has a specific name followed by
an ARGUMENT enclosed in parenthesis.
Function Examples

 =Sum(C1,C2,C3) This will add the numbers


in the three cell addresses. The ARGUMENT
is inside the parenthesis and separated by
commas.
 =Sum(C1:C50) the use of a COLON
indicates a RANGE and will add up ALL cells
between the two cell addresses.
Useful tips

A formula can be copied by


highlighting the cell and placing
the mouse in the bottom right
corner of the cell until a “+”
appears.

With the mouse drag the “+”


down to all the cells where you
want the formula to be copied
and hot enter. Excel will
automatically change the cell
address for you.
Useful tips

To view formulas simply go to the


formulas tab and click “show
formulas” under formula auditing.
Useful tips
Suppose the data you
enter has ONE decimal
place and the calculated
values do not. Is there a
way to change the
FORMAT of the calculated
values?
Useful tips

Highlight the data


you want to
format and RIGHT
CLICK with the
mouse. Choose
FORMAT CELLS
from the menu.
Useful tips

Choose NUMBER,
then change the
number of decimal
places to match
your entered data.
In this case, ONE.
Useful tip
Other function examples

 =SQRT(x) Takes square root of “x”


 =Min(x1:x20) Returns the minimum # in the set
 =Max(x1:x20) Returns the maximum # in the set
 =Round (x,n) Rounds “x” to n decimal places
 =Average (x1:x15) Returns the average
Example: =sum(A1, SQRT(A2/2),2*B3+5,D7:D12)
This example has FOUR arguments as
evidenced by the commas
And ANOTHER tip – ABSOLUTE
addressing

Suppose we have a situation like this. The force is found


by multiplying the weight by length 1 then dividing that
total by length 2. What would happen if we dragged the
formula cell down?
And ANOTHER tip of the trade –
ABSOLUTE addressing

Notice that the formula is now incorrect in


cells B3 – B8
And ANOTHER tip of the trade –
ABSOLUTE addressing

To fix this problem we use the “$” sign in


front of both the ROW and COLUMN. This
creates an absolute address which is fixed in
nature.
Moving things around!

You can:
 Select and Highlight a block of cells
 Copy a block of cells
 Move a clock of cells
 Delete rows or columns
 Create grids
 Change font color, fill in backgrounds, etc
 Adjust column widths

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