0% found this document useful (0 votes)
140 views

COSC 101 - Introduction To Computing

Uploaded by

Michael Rotimi
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
0% found this document useful (0 votes)
140 views

COSC 101 - Introduction To Computing

Uploaded by

Michael Rotimi
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 385

COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

DISTANCE LEARNING CENTRE


Ahmadu Bello University
Zaria, Nigeria

COSC 101:
Introduction to Computing

Course Material

Programme Title: B.Sc. Computer Science


Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material i
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

© Distance Learning Centre, ABU Zaria, Nigeria, 2018

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or
by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise
without the prior permission of the Director, Distance Learning Centre, Ahmadu
Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.

Published and Printed by


Ahmadu Bello University Press Limited
Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria.
Tel.: 08065949711.
e-mail: [email protected];
[email protected]

ii Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Course Writers/
Development Team
Editor
Prof. M.I Sule

Course Materials Development Overseer


Dr. Usman Abubakar Zaria

Subject Matter Expert


Dr. Salisu Aliyu

Subject Matter Reviewer


Mal. Nura Sulaiman

Language Reviewer
Enegoloinu Adakole

Instructional Designers/Graphics
Nasiru Tanko , Ibrahim Otukoya

Course Coordinator
Emmanuel Ekoja

ODL Expert
Dr. Abdulkarim Muhammad

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material iii


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Contents
Title Page 1
Copyright Page 2
Course Writers/Development Team 3
COURSE STUDY GUIDE 4
i. Course Information 4
ii. Course Introduction and Description 4
iii. Course Prerequisites 4
iv. Course Learning Resources 5
v. Course Objectives 5
vi. Activities to Meet Course Objectives 5
vii. Time (To Complete Syllabus/Course) 6
viii. Grading Criteria and Scale 6
ix. Links to Open Education Resources 9
x. ABU DLC Academic Calendar 10
xi. Course Structure and Outline 11
xii. STUDY MODULES 19

MODULE 1: Computer Systems Hardware and Software Components 19


Study session 1: Computer System Components and Their Functions 19
Study session 2: Introduction to Operating Systems: Part I 39
Study session 3: Introduction to Operating Systems: Part II 48

MODULE 2: Microsoft Word 59


Study session 1: Text and Paragraph Formatting 59
Study session 2: Tables and Graphics 97
Study session 3: Table of Contents, References & Citations, Mail Merge123

MODULE 3: Microsoft Excel & PowerPoint 159


iv Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Study session 1: Microsoft Excel: Part I 159


Study session 2: Microsoft Excel: Part II 199
Study session 3: Microsoft Power Point: Part I 230
Study session 4: Microsoft Power Point: Part II 267

MODULE 4: Introduction to Internet and Its Related Technologies295


Study session 1: Internet Tools and Technologies I 295
Study session 2: Internet Tools and Technologies II 329
Study session 3: Working with Email 352

xiii. Glossary 368

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material v


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Course Study
Guide
Course Information
Course Code: COSC 101
Course Title: Introduction to Computing
Credit Units: 2 CU
Year of Study: Year 1
Semester: First

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 1


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Course
Introduction and
Description
Introduction
You are welcome to COSC 101 (Introduction to Computing) which is a 2 credit
unit course. It is an introductory course to the field of computing aimed at
introducing first year students to the fundamentals of computing. This course
material consists of both the theoretical and the laboratory component of the
course.

Description
We are expected to cover the following modules: Introduction to computer
systems, Components of computer systems and their functions, Windows operating
systems and its utilities, Hands-on exposure to Office application software (MS
Office or Open Office): Word processing, spreadsheets, presentation graphics and
databases. Introduction to and use of Internet tools and technologies.

i. COURSE PREREQUISITES
You should note that although this course has no subject pre-requisite, you
are expected to have:
1. Satisfactory level of English proficiency
2. Basic Computer Operations proficiency
3. Online interaction proficiency
4. Web 2.0 and Social media interactive skills.

2 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

ii. COURSE LEARNING RESOURCES


i. Course Textbooks
S.B. Junaidu, A.F. Donfack-kana and A. Salisu, Fundamentals of information
technology ABU press (2013)
J.J. Parsons and D. Oja, Practical Computer Literacy, Thompson Learning, 2005
Curt Simmons, How to Do Everything with Windows XP, 2nd Edition McGraw-
Hill/Osborne, 2003, ISBN 0-07-223080-0
Peter Norton‘s, Introduction to Computers, 5th Edition McGraw-Hill/Glencoe,
2003, ISBN 0-07-826421-9

iii. COURSE OBJECTIVES


This course is design to ensure that you are able to:
1. Develop fundamental skills such as problem solving.
2. Have a working knowledge of basic computer components
3. Obtain basic Microsoft Office application proficiency
4. Gain skills in using current Web technologies
5. Improve communications skills.

iv. ACTIVITIES TO MEET COURSE OBJECTIVES


Specifically, this course shall comprise of the following activities:
1. Studying courseware
2. Listening to course audios
3. Watching relevant course videos
4. Field activities, industrial attachment or internship, laboratory or studio
work (whichever is applicable)
5. Course assignments (individual and group)
6. Forum discussion participation
7. Tutorials (optional)
8. Semester examinations (CBT and essay based).

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 3


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

v. TIME (TO COMPLETE SYLABUS/COURSE)


To cope with this course, you would be expected to commit a minimum of three
(3) hours weekly for the course (study, assignments & Forum discussions).

vi. GRADING CRITERIA AND SCALE


Grading Criteria
A. Formative Assessment
Grades will be based on the following:
Individual Assignments/Test (CA 1, 2 etc) 20
Group Assignments (GCA 1, 2 etc) 10
Discussions/Quizzes/Out of Class Engagements etc 10
B. Summative Assessment (Semester Examination)
CBT based 30
Essay based 30
TOTAL 100%

C. Grading Scale:
A = 70-100
B = 60 – 69
C = 50 - 59
D = 45-49
F = 0-44

D. Feedback
Courseware based:
1. In-text questions and answer (answer preceding references)
2. Self-assessment questions and answer (answer preceding references)

Tutor based:
1. Discussion forum tutor input
2. Graded continuous assessments
4 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Student based:
1. Online programme assessment (administration, learning resource, deployment,
and assessment).

IX. LINKS TO OPEN EDUCATION RESOURCES


OSS Watch provides tips for selecting open source, or for procuring free or open
software.
SchoolForge and SourceForge are good places to find, create, and publish open
software. SourceForge, for one, has millions of downloads each day.
Open Source Education Foundation and Open Source Initiative, and other
organisations like these, help disseminate knowledge.
Creative Commons has a number of open projects from Khan
Academy to Curriki where teachers and parents can find educational materials for
children or learn about Creative Commons licenses. Also, they recently launched
the School of Open that offers courses on the meaning, application, and impact of
"openness".
Numerous open or open educational resource databases and search engines
exist. Some examples include:
 OEDb: over 10,000 free courses from universities as well as reviews of
colleges and rankings of college degree programmes
 Open Tapestry: over 100,000 open licensed online learning resources for an
academic and general audience
 OER Commons: over 40,000 open educational resources from elementary
school through higher education; many of the elementary, middle, and high
school resources are aligned to the Common Core State Standards.
 Open Content: a blog, definition, and game of open source as well as a friendly
search engine for open educational resources from MIT, Stanford, and other
universities with subject and description listings.
 Academic Earth: over 1,500 video lectures from MIT, Stanford, Berkeley,
Harvard, Princeton, and Yale.

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 5


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

 JISC: Joint Information Systems Committee works on behalf of UK higher


education and is involved in many open resources and open projects including
digitising British newspapers from 1620-1900!

Other sources for open education resources


Universities
 The University of Cambridge's guide on Open Educational Resources for
Teacher Education (ORBIT).
 OpenLearn from Open University in the UK.
Global
 Unesco's searchable open database is a portal to worldwide courses and
research initiatives.
 African Virtual University (http://oer.avu.org/) has numerous modules on
subjects in English, French, and Portuguese.
 https://code.google.com/p/course-builder/ is Google's open source software
that is designed to let anyone create online education courses.
 Global Voices (http://globalvoicesonline.org/) is an international community of
bloggers who report on blogs and citizen media from around the world,
including on open source and open educational resources.
Individuals (which include OERs)
 Librarian Chick: everything from books to quizzes and videos here, includes
directories on open source and open educational resources.
 K-12 Tech Tools: OERs, from art to special education.
 Web 2.0: Cool Tools for Schools: audio and video tools.
 Web 2.0 Guru: animation and various collections of free open source software.
 Livebinders: search, create, or organise digital information binders by age,
grade, or subject (why re-invent the wheel)?

6 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

X. ABU DLC ACADEMIC CALENDAR/PLANNER

PERIOD
Semester Semester 1 Semester 2 Semester 3
Activity JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC
Registration
Resumption
Late
Registration
Facilitation
Revision/
Consolidation
Semester
Examination

N.B: - Semester Examinations 1st/2nd Week January


- All Sessions commence Mid-February
- 1 Week break between Semesters and 4 Weeks vocation at end of session.
- Semester 3 is OPTIONAL (Fast-tracking, making up carry-overs & deferments)

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 7


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

XI. COURSE STRUCTURE AND OUTLINE


Course Structure
WEEK MODULE STUDY SESSION LABORATORY ACTIVITY
COMPONENTS
1. Read Courseware for the corresponding Study
Session.
Study Session 1: LAB 1: Computer System
2. View the Video(s) on this Study Session
Week 1 Computer System Components and their
3. Listen to the Audio on this Study Session
Components & Their Functions 4. View any other Video/U-tube
Functions (http://bit.ly/2rfAyhN , http://bit.ly/2s9ujMJ )
5. Read Chapter/page of Standard/relevant text.
6. Any additional study material
7. Any out of Class Activity.
1. Read Courseware for the corresponding Study
Session.
Week 2 Study Session 2: LAB 2: Operating Systems2.1 View the Video(s) on this Study Session
STUDY
Operating System Part 3. Listen to the Audio on this Study Session
MODULE
I 4. View any other Video/U-tube
1
(http://bit.ly/2Q5TkjX , http://bit.ly/2randXQ )
5. Read Chapter/page of Standard/relevant text.
6. Any additional study material
7. Any out of Class Activity.

8 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

1. Read Courseware for the corresponding Study


Session.
Week3 Study Session 3 2. View the Video(s) on this Study Session
Operating System Part LAB 3: Operating System 23. Listen to the Audio on this Study Session
II 4. View any other Video/U-tube
(http://bit.ly/2EGomcO , http://bit.ly/3935R0q ,
http://bit.ly/2ScMtYF )
5. Read Chapter/page of Standard/relevant text.
6. Any additional study material
7. Any out of Class Activity
1. Read Courseware for the corresponding Study
Study Session 1 Session.
Week4 Text and Paragraph LAB 4: Text and Paragraph
2. View the Video(s) on this Study Session
Formatting Formatting 3. Listen to the Audio on this Study Session
4. View any other Video/U-tube
(http://bit.ly/34Hvxfp , http://bit.ly/35MRNpC ,
http://bit.ly/34L0XBA )
STUDY 5. Read Chapter/page of Standard/relevant text.
MODULE 6. Any additional study material
2 7. Any out of Class Activity
1. Read Courseware for the corresponding Study
Study Session2 Session.
Week 5 Tables and Graphics LAB 5: Tables and Graphics
2. View the Video(s) on this Study Session

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 9


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

3. Listen to the Audio on this Study Session


4. View any other Video/U-tube
(http://bit.ly/38ZoWjM , http://bit.ly/2ScBE91 ,
http://bit.ly/2Q1Bwqc )
5. Read Chapter/page of Standard/relevant text.
6. Any additional study material
7. Any out of Class Activity
1. Read Courseware for the corresponding Study
Session.
Study Session3 LAB 6: Table of Contents,
2. View the Video(s) on this Study Session
Week6 Table of Contents, References and Citations,
3. Listen to the Audio on this Study Session
References and Mail Merge 4. View any other Video/U-tube
Citations, Mail Merge (http://bit.ly/2S8AdbI , http://bit.ly/2Mg71fg ,
http://bit.ly/2tBPPKt )
5. Read Chapter/page of Standard/relevant text.
6. Any additional study material
7. Any out of Class Activity
Study Session1 1. Read Courseware for the corresponding Study
Microsoft Excel: Part I Session.
Week 7 2. View the Video(s) on this Study Session
LAB 7: Microsoft Excel 1 3. Listen to the Audio on this Study Session
4. View any other Video/U-tube
(http://bit.ly/2PGUP9m , http://bit.ly/3991e4W ,

10 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

STUDY http://bit.ly/2Q4TCYu )
MODULE 5. Any additional study material
3 6. Any out of Class Activity
1. Read Courseware for the corresponding Study
Study Session2 Session.
Week 8 Microsoft Excel: Part II LAB 8: Microsoft Excel II 2. View the Video(s) on this Study Session
3. Listen to the Audio on this Study Session
4. View any other Video/U-tube
(http://bit.ly/35MTeo0 , http://bit.ly/393X6Dl )
5. Read Chapter/page of Standard/relevant text.
6. Any additional study material
7. Any out of Class Activity
1. Read Courseware for the corresponding Study
Study Session3 LAB 9: Power Point Session.
Week 9 Microsoft Power Point: 2. View the Video(s) on this Study Session
Part I 3. Listen to the Audio on this Study Session
4. View any other Video/U-tube
(http://bit.ly/2sNYqt8 , http://bit.ly/36Vv6Q7 )
5. Read Chapter/page of Standard/relevant text.
6. Any additional study material
7. Any out of Class Activity

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 11


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

8. Read Courseware for the corresponding Study


Study Session4 LAB 10: Session.
Week 10 Microsoft Power Inserting Tables and Charts,9. View the Video(s) on this Study Session
Point: Part II Inserting Clip Art, Grouping10. Listen to the Audio on this Study Session
objects on the slide, Adding11. View any other Video/U-tube
Transition and Animation (http://bit.ly/2ZaTPNH , http://bit.ly/391Iowe )
Effects, Running Slide Show 12. Read Chapter/page of Standard/relevant text.
13. Any additional study material
14. Any out of Class Activity
1. Read Courseware for the corresponding Study
Study Session1 Session.
Week 11 Internet Tools and LAB 10: Internet tools and
2. View the Video(s) on this Study Session
Technologies I Technologies 3. Listen to the Audio on this Study Session
4. View any other Video/U-tube
(http://bit.ly/2EB6Bf0 , http://bit.ly/38Zqyu1 ,
STUDY http://bit.ly/2Q3PKXH )
MODULE 5. Read Chapter/page of Standard/relevant text.
4 6. Any additional study material
7. Any out of Class Activity
Study Session2 1. Read Courseware for the corresponding Study
Internet Tools and LAB 11: Internet tools and Session.
Technologies II Technologies 2. View the Video(s) on this Study Session
3. Listen to the Audio on this Study Session

12 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

4. View any other Video/U-tube


Week 12 (http://bit.ly/2yCwPuE , http://bit.ly/34IThzG )
5. Read Chapter/page of Standard/relevant text.
6. Any additional study material
7. Any out of Class Activity
1. Read Courseware for the corresponding Study
Session.
Study Session3 LAB 12: 2. View the Video(s) on this Study Session
Working with Email Working with E-mail 3. Listen to the Audio on this Study Session
4. View any other Video/U-tube
(http://bit.ly/2Q5rRz1 , http://bit.ly/2EBacKb )
5. Read Chapter/page of Standard/relevant text.
6. Any additional study material
7. Any out of Class Activity
Week 13 & 14 REVISION/TUTORIALS (On Campus or Online) & CONSOLIDATION WEEK

Week 15 & 16 SEMESTER EXAMINATION

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 13


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Course Outline
MODULE 1: Computer Systems Hardware and Software Components
Study session 1: Computer System Components and Their Functions
Study session 2: Introduction to Operating Systems: Part I
Study session 3: Introduction to Operating Systems: Part II

MODULE 2: Microsoft Word


Study session 1: Text and Paragraph Formatting
Study session 2: Tables and Graphics
Study session 3: Table of Contents, References & Citations, Mail Merge

MODULE 3: Microsoft Excel & PowerPoint


Study session 1: Microsoft Excel: Part I
Study session 2: Microsoft Excel: Part II
Study session 3: Microsoft Power Point: Part I
Study session 4: Microsoft Power Point: Part II

MODULE 4: Introduction to Internet and Its Related Technologies


Study session 1: Internet Tools and Technologies I
Study session 2: Internet Tools and Technologies II
Study session 3: Working with Email

14 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Study Modules
MODULE 1: Computer Systems Hardware and Software Components
Contents
Study session 1: Computer System Components and Their Functions
Study session 2: Introduction to Operating Systems: Part I
Study session 3: Introduction to Operating Systems: Part II

STUDY SESSION 1
Computer System Components and Their Functions

Section and Subsection Headings:


Introduction
1.0 Learning Outcome
2.0 Main Content
2.1- What is a Computer?
2.2- Introduction to ICT
2.3- Computer Components
2.4- Computer Devices
2.5- Storage Components
2.6- Types of Storage
3.0 Lab Exercise
4.0 Study Session Summary and Conclusion
5.0 Self-Assessment Questions and Answers
6.0 References/Further Reading

Introduction
In this session, we will learn ―what a computer does‖, we will introduce ICT
(Information Communication Technology), computer components, recognize
different types of input and output devices and how they are used to process
Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 15
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

data/information, terminologies relating to storage components, understand the


different types of storage and their specific usage and capacities.

1.0 Study Session Learning Outcome


After studying this session, I expect you to be able to:
1. Explain the terminology and uses of Information Technology
2. Identify the input and Output devices used for processing data/information
3. Enumerate the functions of various computer hardware and peripheral.

2.0 Main Content


2.1 What is a Computer?
A computer is an electronic device that accepts data/information and processes it
and give output (result) and also store data/information based on a program or
sequence of instructions. Thus every computer should be able to do the following:
- Accept data
- Process data
- Store data
- Give output
Figure 1.1.1 shows the logical components of computer system

DATA INPUT
PROCESS OUTPUT
INFORMATION

STORAGE

Figure 1.1.1: Computer Logical Component

2.2 - Introduction to ICT


1. What is Information Technology (IT)?
An Information Technology (IT) system processes, stores, and/or transfers
(communicates) information.
16 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

a. Information can take many different forms such as text, numbers, pictures,
sound, video, and multimedia.
b. To transfer information, IT systems use computers, telecommunications
networks, and other electronic devices.
c. Because of the importance of communications in IT, the term Information and
Communication Technology (ICT) is often preferred to IT.
d. Since IT involves many different and often highly specialized areas, it is often
seen as a very daunting subject.
e. However, the basis of ICT is simply to help us to improve the way we deal with
information in all areas of our lives.

2. What is ICT Used for?


a. ICT is used in business, academia, industry, government, heath care, etc.
b. It is also an important part of our everyday activities
c. Computers enable us to process information and perform specific tasks much
more quickly than we could do ourselves
d. ICT systems are very flexible and can be made to perform a variety of
different tasks
e. ICT networks (e.g., Internet) allow us to distribute and share information
quickly, and over a very long distance
f. Many developments in IT are designed to make our lives easier
- But people expectations of what they (and others) can achieve are often
leading to unrealistic demands being placed on people and the technology
around them
g. We live in an ―Information Society‖
- The effective use of information is regarded as the defining element of the
20th - 21st century, as important as the industrial revolution before it.

2.3- Computer Components


Hardware Components
Hardware represents the physical and tangible components of the computer, i.e., the
Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 17
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

components that can be seen and touched. Examples of hardware include the
following:
a. Input devices -- keyboard, mouse, touchscreens, etc.
b. Output devices -- printer, monitor/VDU, speakers etc.
c. Secondary storage devices -- hard disk, CD, DVD, etc.
d. Internal components -- CPU, motherboard, RAM, etc.

The main components used to build a personal computer and other types of
microcomputers are:
i. Internal Components: That is, they are located inside the computer case. The
computer case is often times referred to as the system unit.
ii. External Components: Some are connected externally, using ports;

- A port is a kind of plug, usually located at the back of the computer.


Components located outside the computer's case are referred to as peripheral devices.
PCs are customizable, because they use components. You can add internal or
external components for specific tasks, such as playing sound, and choose more
powerful components to make a high performance PC, or you can specify less
powerful, less expensive components for a basic office computer. This means that
PCs vary quite widely in terms of performance (the speed at which a computer
performs different tasks), cost, and the sort of applications (software) that they can
run. Computer components can be divided into the following categories:
a. Microprocessors: - process instructions and perform calculations.
b. Storage devices: - (memory and disks) hold data.
c. Input devices: - (mouse and keyboard) let the user enter data.
d. Output devices: - (monitor, speakers, and printer) (display data).
e. Network devices: - (network card, modem) allow computers to transfer data to
and from other computers.

The Motherboard
A motherboard (or system board) is a large printed circuit board with connections for
18 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

all the other components in the computer. The motherboard allows the components to
exchange data. It also houses the power supply. The type of motherboard determines
the types of CPU, memory, and hard disk and other peripherals that can be installed
in the computer. Figure 1.1.2 shows the motherboard.

Figure 1.1. 2: Motherboard

The System Case


a. The motherboard (and other internal components) is housed within a protective
case, usually made of metal and plastic and often referred to as the "box".

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 19


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

b. The design of the case can affect how many expansion cards and components can
be added to the computer. Some cases are designed to be easy to open and access
to make maintenance of the computer simpler.

Figure 1.1.3: System Case

2.4 - Computer Devices


2.4.1 - Ports and Peripheral Devices
A hardware port is a socket designed to allow the connection of extra devices, often
outside the system case, such devices are referred to as peripherals. Typical
peripheral devices include the mouse, keyboard, monitor, and printer. Even though
they are located outside the case, such devices are often essential for operating the
computer. Some parts are attached directly to the motherboard; others may be
attached to an expansion card plugged into the motherboard. Traditionally, parts were
always positioned at the back of the system case.

20 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 1.1.4: Ports


However, in many modern designs, some ports (notably USB and Fire wire
connectors) may be provided in the front of the case, far easy access. On a portable
or laptop computer, ports are usually located at the back and sides of the case. Ports
used to connect the newest generation of USB memory devices are often referred to
as slots. Ports and connecting cables are always one of two genders: male connectors
have pins; female connectors have holes. There are many different types of port, each
requiring a different type of connector.

Figure 1.1.5: Types of Port


Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 21
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

2.4.2 Input Device


An input device is any device that is used to supply information to a computer. Input
Devices are components use to capture data/ Information electronically and is
converted to a form that can be processed by the computer. A few examples of input
devices are given below.
MOUSE JOYSTICK DIGITIZER

KEYBOARD

SCANNER TRACK BALL


MICROPHONE

Figure

1.1.6: Input Device

Keyboard: the most common input device is the keyboard, which is used both for
text-based data input and for selecting commands. Keyboards usually have the
following:
a. Keys for the letters of the alphabet
b. Keys for punctuation symbols
c. Numbered keys or a numeric keypad (or both)

22 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 1.1.7: Keyboard

Below are the functions of the keys:


i. Typing (alphanumeric) keys: these keys include the letters, numbers,
punctuations, and symbol keys that we use mostly in our daily life.
ii. Control keys: these keys are used alone or in combination with other keys to
perform certain actions. The most frequently used control keys are Ctrl, Alt, the
Windows logo key, and Esc.
iii. Function keys: the function keys are used to perform specific tasks. They are
labelled as F1, F2, F3, and so on, up to F12. The functionality of these keys
differs from program to program.
iv. Navigation keys: these keys are used for navigate in a long window pane such
as documents or webpages and editing text. They include the arrow keys,
Home, End, Page Up, Page Down, Delete, and Insert.
v. Numeric keypad: the numeric keypad is handy for entering numbers quickly.
The keys are grouped together in a block like a conventional calculator or an
adding machine.

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 23


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Table 1.1.1: Key Name


KEY NAME HOW TO USE IT

SHIFT Press Shift in combination with a letter to type an uppercase letter.


Press Shift in combination with another key to type the symbol
shown on the upper part of that key.

CAPS LOCK Press Caps Lock once to type all letters as uppercase. Press Caps
Lock again to turn this function off. Your keyboard might have a
light indicating whether Caps Lock is on.

TAB Press Tab to move the cursor several spaces forward. You can also
press Tab to move to the next text box on a form.
ENTER Press Enter to move the cursor to the beginning of the next line. In a
dialog box, press Enter to select the highlighted button.
SPACE BAR Press the Spacebar to move the cursor one space forward.

BACKSPACE Press Backspace to delete the character before the cursor, or the
selected text.

2.4.3 Central Processing Unit: The CPU handles the processing operation of the
Computer. It manipulates data to process or transform it into information. It functions
like the brain of the Computer.

24 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 1.1.8: Central Processing Unit

2.4.4 Output Devices


Output devices are components used to produce processed data and information in a
form usable by people/end users.

Figure 1.1.9: Output Devices

2.5 - Storage Components


Memory and disks are the components used to store data for processing. Units of
measure (i.e., capacity of storage) are bits, Bytes, megabytes, and gigabytes.
i. Bit: a binary or logical 1 or 0, which is the lowest unit of measure of
information
ii. Byte: is a chunk of bits (combination of bits) used to represent information (e.g.,
Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 25
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

character). There are usually eight bits in a byte, E.g., 01000001 is used to
represent the letter A in binary code. Bytes are commonly abbreviated with a
capital B and bits are abbreviated with lower-case b, but not always.

More often, hardware and software are described as being a certain number of bits.
This refers to how much information the hardware or software can process at any
given time, e.g., if a CPU is a 32-bit processor, it means that the CPU can process 32
bits of data in each clock cycle.
iii. Popular Measures:
a. Kilobyte (denoted as KB)
- A kilobyte (KB) Is 1024 bytes,
- The size of a data file is often measured in kilobytes
- Why is kilobyte not ―1000‖ bytes?
b. Megabyte (denoted as MB)
- A megabyte is 1,048,576 bytes (1024 kilobytes)
- A megabyte (MB) is often used to measure the amount of main memory or the
size of a collection of files within a Folder
- A megabyte is about as much data as 500 pages of double-spaced text
- Why is Megabyte not ―1,000,000‖ bytes?
c. Gigabyte (denoted as GB)
- A gigabyte (GB) is equivalent to 1,024 MB
- The memory capacity of most storage devices, such as hard drives, is measured
in gigabytes (GB)
d. Terabyte (denoted as TB)
- Terabyte (TB) is equivalent to 1,024 GB
- Hard drive arrays on corporate file servers are quickly approaching terabyte
capacities.
e. Petabyte (denoted as PB)
- Petabyte (PB) is equivalent to 1,024 TB
- Hard drive arrays on corporate file servers are quickly approaching terabyte
capacities.
26 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

f. Exabyte (denoted as EB)


- Exabyte (PB) is equivalent to 1,024 PB
- Hard drive arrays on corporate file servers are quickly approaching terabyte
capacities.

2.6 - Types of Storage


Memory is one of the most essential parts of the computer. From the moment you
turn your computer on until the time you shut it down, your CPU is constantly using
memory. There are two types of storage used by the computer when storing data.

2.6.1 Primary Storage: refers to the main storage of the computer because it holds
data and applications that are currently in use by the computer. Primary storage is the
most common form of data storage which typically refers to the ROM and RAM.
i. Read-only Memory (ROM: stores the data necessary to start the computer
and identify its component. ROM is non-volatile or persistent memory that
holds permanent information, such as the BIOS software that enables the
components in the computer to communicate with each other. Data stored in
ROM is not deleted when the computer is switched off. It cannot usually be
deleted or overwritten in the course of normal computer operations.

Figure 1.1.10: ROM

ii. Random Access Memory (RAM): stores data while it is being processed.
E.g., RAM is required to run software while the computer is powered. RAM,
is volatile or non-persistent memory, is a temporary memory store. Data held
in RAM is only stored while the computer is switched on E.g., when you
create a document (such as a letter), the document is stored in your computer's
Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 27
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

RAM, until you save it to disk. RAM holds data required by the CPU, which
cannot store large amounts of data itself. RAM is important because it enables
the CPU to get data quickly, e.g., when a software application is started, the
data needed to run the program is copied from the main disk into RAM, where
the CPU can access it.

2.6.2 Secondary Storage: refers to the external storage devices and other external
media such as hard drive and optical media. The following are the types of secondary
storage:
i. Storage Disks or Drives
a. Disk drives invented in the 1950s, are used to store and transfer data files.
b. Magnetic disks or drives are used to preserve data when the computer is turned
off and to move and backup data.
c. When data is entered into a computer, it must be saved as a file to preserve it
when the computer is switched off.
d. Also, software applications need to install files on the main disk drive in the
computer in order to run.
e. The most important type of long term storage component in the desktop
computer is the hard disk, which is used to store the software and data on which
the computer runs.
f. Computer hard disk vary in sizes. Recent Personal Computers uses SATA hard
disk as against IDE Hard Disk.
g. Hard disks have a hard platter that holds the magnetic medium, as opposed to
the flexible plastic film found in tapes and floppies.
h. The magnetic disk can be easily erased and rewritten, and it will "remember" the
magnetic flux patterns stored for many years.
i. Many computers will also have removable disk drives to install software and
backup data files.
j. Disk capacity is principally a question of capacity: how much data can be stored
on the disk?
k. Disk performance is determined by other factors including the seek time (the
28 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

time it takes to find data on the drive) and the transfer rate (the speed at which
data can be moved to and from a disk).

Figure 1.1.11: Storage Disks or Drives

ii. Other Magnetic Media


a. Other magnetic disk devices, such as Iomega Zip and Jaz clicks, are also
available
b. These disks tend to offer much less capacity than a hard disk (although much
more than a floppy disk)
c. The main advantage is that the disks can be removed and transferred
elsewhere.
d. One of the most popular external magnetic storage options available today is
the Universal Serial Bus (USB) flash drive
e. These can store hundreds of times the information found on a standard floppy,
and don't need a special reader
f. USB drives pop into a standard USB port on the desktop or laptop computer.
g. Most recently Solid State Drives (SSD) are now being used on Personal
Computers.
Floppy disk

Figure 1.1.11 Other Magnetic Media


Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 29
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

3.0 LAB EXERCISE


Laboratory for Week 1: Computer System Component and their Functions
Instruction:
a. You should write your answer to the questions below in your notebook.
b. You must give your notebook to the lab instructor for marking.
c. Lab exercise 2 will require the image of the motherboard available on the
link www.abu.edu.ng/iacc/cosc101/ for reference.
d. Lab exercise 3 will require the use of a standard computer keyboard for
illustration.

Lab Objectives:
The student should understand:
a. The different types of computer casing.
b. How to identify the make or manufacturer of a system
c. The Internal & External components of a computer systems
d. The different ports available to a particular system and their functions

Lab Exercise 1:
Requirement: this lab exercises require a complete system with its internal
components.
1a) Identify the Following:
i. The TYPE/MAKE AND MODEL of the computer you‘re using. E.g. (HP –
Pavilion, DV4, laptop).
ii. LPT Ports, how many ports are there? Where are they located in your
computer?
iii. COM ports. How many ports did you see?
iv. PS2 ports. What colour is for Mouse & for Keyboard?
v. Where is the POWER LED located?
vi. The CD/DVD ROM. Is the ROM in your computer CD or DVD Writable?

30 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

1b) Functions and differences between COM and PS2 ports

Port Function Unique characteristics (if


any)

Lab Exercise 2: (Use an image not real Motherboard)


Instruction:
a. You should write your answer to the questions below in your notebook.
b. You must give your notebook to the lab instructor for marking.

Lab Objectives:
The student should understand:
a. the type of Motherboard in their system casing. (i.e. AT or ATx technology)
b. various components of a board.
c. the functions of some of these components

1. Observe the motherboard very well. Draw The board and label the
following:
i. PCI Slots. How many are they and what is/are their colours?
ii. BIOS
iii. Processor and Processor Heat Sync.
iv. RAM Slots
v. Primary & Secondary IDE Slots
vi. What type of GRAPHIC ADAPTER is in your system? (is it VGA or
SVGA)?

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 31


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Check sheet for Motherboard components


Component Make (if any) Pins(if any)
Bios
Processor
Motherboard
PCI Slots
Phone Jack
RAM

Lab Exercise 3: Understanding the Functions of Computer Keyboard


Instruction:
a. You should write your answer to the questions below in your notebook.
b. You must give your notebook to the lab instructor for marking.

Lab Objectives
The students should understand:
1. The type functions of the keyboard buttons
2. How to position fingers ergonomically.
3. How to combine some buttons as Shortcuts
4. Observe the Keyboard, locate and know the functions of the following
buttons:
i. The Function buttons
ii. Computer Special Keys (Enter key, tab, Shift, backspace, ctrl, alt and Caps
Lock
iii. Prt Sc (print screen), Space bar
iv. What is the function of F1, F8, F10 and F12.
v. Num Lock, Windows Logo button, Esc button.

4.0 Study Session Summary


In this session, we were able to discuss computer components, the terminology
relating to storage components, recognize different types of Input and Output devices
32 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

and how they are used to process data/information. We also discussed the different
types of storage and their specific uses and capacities. The process in storing
data/information and type of storages were also discussed. We are able to practice the
Lab exercise.

5.0 Self-Assessment Questions and Answer


Questions
1) Term ‗program‘ refers to any piece of _________
A. Software
B. Hardware
C. Netware
D. Groupware

2) Which of the following are hardware components of a computer system


A. Mouse, monitor, keyboard
B. Processor, Operating system, mouse
C. Processor, anti-virus, floppy drive
D. RAM, spreadsheet, monitor
3) The unit that convert human understandable data to machine data is called___
A. Output
B. Input
C. Storage
D. Processing
4) How many bits make one byte?
A. two
B. eight
C. sixteen
D. thirty two
5) Which of the following keys is a Navigation key?
A. Numeric keys
B. arrow keys
Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 33
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

C. Ctrl key
D. Shift key

6.0 Answers to Self Assessment Questions


1. A
2. A
3. D
4. A
5. B

7.0 References/Further Reading


S.B. Junaidu, A.F. Donfack-kana and A. Salisu, Fundamentals of information
technology ABU press (2013)
J.J. Parsons and D. Oja, Practical Computer Literacy, Thompson Learning, 2005
Curt Simmons, How to Do Everything with Windows XP, 2nd Edition
McGraw-Hill/Osborne, 2003, ISBN 0-07-223080-0
Peter Norton‘s, Introduction to Computers, 5th Edition McGraw-Hill/Glencoe,
2003, ISBN 0-07-826421-9

34 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Study Session 2
Introduction to Operating Systems: Part I

Section and Subsection Headings:


Introduction
1.0 Learning Outcome
2.0 Main Content
2.1- What is Operating System?
3.0 Lab Exercises
4.0 Study Session Summary and Conclusion
5.0 Self-Assessment Questions and Answer
6.0 References/Further Reading

Introduction
An Operating System acts as an intermediary between the user of a computer and
the computer hardware. The purpose of Operating System is to provide an
environment in which a user can execute programs in a convenient and efficient
manner. Over the course of this study session we shall look at some examples of
Operating Systems.

1.0 Study Session Learning Outcome


After studying this session, I expect you to be able to:
1. Understand the basic features and terminology of Operating Systems

2.0 Main Content


2.1 - What is Operating System?
Operating System is a software that manages the computer hardware.
Operating system provides a set of basic features that all software applications must
use. It maintains a degree of compatibility between applications, selection of a
particular OS is usually determined by compatibility with other systems, but cost,
Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 35
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

user preference, and customizability can be important factors. Software enables the
computer's hardware to perform useful tasks, such as creating, displaying and
printing a letter. It is a system program that carries out the functions summarized
below:
i. Process management
ii. Memory management
iii. Input/output control system
iv. File Management

2.1.1 Examples of Operating Systems

MAC OS
Figure 1.2.1: Example of Operating System

Application software:

Figure 1.2.2 Application Software

2.1.2 Computer System


Computers come in different shapes and sizes. The choice of type depends on the end
user requirements and purpose.

36 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

DESKTOP LAPTOP TABLET PHABLE


T

Figure 1.2.3 Different kinds of Computer Systems

A complete computer system for office use would consist of a System unit, Monitor,
Keyboard, Mouse, Printers and Speaker

Figure 1.2.4 Computer System

3.0 LAB EXERCISE


Laboratory for Week 2: Operating System I

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 37


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Lab Exercise 1:
Requirement: the lab exercises requires Windows 2007
 Change the size of Icons on the desktop
a. Right click on the free space of your DESKTOP
b. Point to VIEW option and choose either Small, Medium or Large icon size.
Toggle between them and see how they differ.
 Sort Icons
a. Right Click on the free space of your DESKTOP
b. Point to SORT BY and Click NAME option. Then
c. Repeat item b., but this time click on ITEM TYPE option.
 Add and remove Desktop Gadgets
Gadgets are objects that are added at the desktop to provide specialized
information. Some of them require the internet for synchronization.
 To Insert a gadget
a. Right Click on the free space of your DESKTOP.
b. Click on GADGET option
c. Double Click on CALENDAR, CLOCK and CPU METRE to place them
at your desktop.
d. Click and drag them to rearrange them on the right hand side of your
desktop.
 To Remove the gadgets
a. Place your mouse pointer on the GADGET you want to remove
b. A small sub menu will appear
c. Click on the Close (x) button.
 Change Wall Papers
a. Right Click on the free space of your DESKTOP
b. Click the PERSONALISE option.
c. Choose ARCHITECTURE theme and close the window to view its
animation at the DESKTOP.
d. Try another theme, NATURE and view how it works.

38 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

e. Try any other theme of your choice and


d. Click the Close (x) button to apply the change.
 Change Screen Saver
a. Right Click on the free space of your DESKTOP
b. Click PERSONALISE option
c. Locate the SCREEN SAVER option at the bottom of the screen
d. Change your SCREEN SAVER to 3D TEXT
e. Click on the SETTINGS button
f. Under CUSTOM TEXT option, delete whatever is in there and type
“WELCOME TO AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY”.
g. Click OK
h. Click PREVIEW to see how the animation will look like.
i. Change the WAITING TIME to 1 minute
j. When you are done, either click ―OK‖ to apply the changes or CANCEL to
discard the changes.
k. Experiment with other options and also change their waiting time.
 Change Mouse Pointer
a. Right Click on the free space of your DESKTOP
b. Click PERSONALISE option
c. Locate and click the ―CHANGE MOUSE POINTER‖ option on the top
left hand side of that screen
d. A DIALOG BOX (like the one below) will pop up

Figure 1.2.5: A Dialog Box


Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 39
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

e. In POINTERS TAB, Under SCHEME OPTION, click for the menu to drop
down.
f. Locate “WINDOWS BLACK (EXTRA LARGE) (SYSTEM SCHEME)” and
click. Click APPLY option to confirm the selection
g. Click OK.
h. Reverse back to the initial mouse selection as it was before.

 Change the Power Button Options

Figure 1.2.6: Power button options

a. Right Click on the START BUTTON. Start button is a round object and has a
WINDOWS LOGO on top. It is located at the bottom left side of the TASK
BAR.
b. Click on PROPERTIES
c. Under ―POWER BUTTON OPTIONS‖, Click and Choose ―SWITCH
USER‖.
d. Click OK
e. Now click on the TASK BAR and you will see SWITCH USER

 Add and Remove Task Bar Items


To Add run Command on the task bar
a. Right Click on the START BUTTON
b. Click PROPERTIES
c. Click on the ―TASK BAR‖ tab
d. Click ―CUSTOMISE‖ Button
e. Scroll to the ―RUN COMMAND‖ Check box and Click it. Make sure there
40 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

is a CHECK SIGN there.


f. Click OK
g. Click on your TASK BAR and you will see RUN Command present.

To Remove a Command
a. follow processes (a to e) in ―To Add run Command on the task bar‖ above.
b. Go to PICTURES and click the ―DON’T DISPLAY THIS ITEM OPTION‖
c. Click OK.

4.0 Study Session Summary


In this session, we are able to discuss an Operating System as a software that
manage computer hardware, we also looked at examples of Operating Systems and
some examples of Application Software. Also a corresponding Lab exercise for the
study session is also provided for students.

5.0 Self-Assessment Questions and Answer


Questions

1) Which of the following is not an operating system?


A. Windows
B. Linux
C. Unix
D. Opera
2) Which of the following is an example of application software?
A. Microsoft word
B. Operating system
C. Anti-virus
D. Interface
3) An operating system manages_______________
A. Memory
B. Processor
Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 41
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

C. Disk and I/O devices


D. All of the above
4) You can sort desktop icons by
A. Name
B. Item type
C. Size
D. All of the above
5) Which of the following is not a power button option
A. Switch user
B. Login
C. Shut down
D. Restart

6.0 Answers to Self Assessment Questions


1. D
2. A
3. D
4. D
5. B

42 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

7.0 References/Further Reading


S.B. Junaidu, A.F. Donfack-kana and A. Salisu, Fundamentals of information
technology ABU press (2013)
J.J. Parsons and D. Oja, Practical Computer Literacy, Thompson Learning, 2005
Curt Simmons, How to Do Everything with Windows XP, 2nd Edition McGraw-
Hill/Osborne, 2003, ISBN 0-07-223080-0
Peter Norton‘s, Introduction to Computers, 5th Edition McGraw-Hill/Glencoe, 2003,
ISBN 0-07-826421-9

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 43


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Study Session 3
Introduction to Operating Systems Part II

Section and Subsection Headings:


Introduction
1.0 Learning Outcome
2.0 Main Content
2.1 - The start Menu, Desktop Icons and Shortcuts
2.2 - Using Wallpapers and Screensaver
2.3 - Understanding the Task Bar and Using the Search Companion
2.4 - Using Windows Explorer and Using the Run Command
2.5 - Using Help and Support Centre (Getting Online Support)
3.0 Lab Exercise
4.0 Study Session Summary and Conclusion
5.0 Self-Assessment Questions and Answer
6.0 References/Further Reading

Introduction
The Windows Desktop enables working with the Windows Operating System (OS)
platform with very little hassle and minimal technical knowledge. When your
computer complete booting, it takes you to the Windows welcome screen.
Components/Parts of the Windows Desktop are Start menu, Desktop Icons and
Shortcuts, using wallpapers and screensavers, understanding the task bar, using
search command.

1.0 Study Session Learning Outcome


After studying this session, I expect you to be able to:
1) Identify the Components of Windows Desktop and;
2) Identify functions of Windows Component

44 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

2.0 Main Content


2.1 - The Start Menu, Desktop Icons and Shortcuts
2.1.1 - Windows Start Menu
 Provides a launch point for all programs or applications
 Clicking the start icon displays a list of options
 The programs (e.g., Microsoft Word) is a sub-list the Programs menu
 Customising the Start Menu
- If you are using (Windows 2000), Click Start  Settings  Taskbar and Start
Menu
- For (Windows XP), Click Start Control Panel Taskbar & Start Menu

Links to
Windows
features

Figure 1.3.1: Window Start Menu

2.1.2 Desktop Icons and Shortcuts


 Shortcuts are links to the original program, file, folder or item
 The desktop is the most common place to place it.
Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 45
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

 When a shortcut is deleted, the original item still exists


Table 1.3.1 shows the steps to follow in creating a desktop shortcut

Table 1.3.1: Desktop Shortcuts

Action Task
To put a 1. Open Windows Explorer, or the location of the item to be placed on
shortcut on the desktop.
the desktop 2. Click Start  Programs  Accessories, and then click Windows
Explorer
3. Right click on the Item and select Create Shortcut to place the
shortcut in the same location as the original
4. Then you can drag the shortcut onto the desktop
5. Right-click on the item, and select Send To  Desktop (create
shortcut)

2.2- Using Wallpapers and Screensaver


Table 1.3.2 and table 1.3.3 show how to change Wallpapers and screen saver of a
computer
Table 1.3.2: Change a Wallpapers
Action Task
To Change1. Open Display in the Control panel OR right click on empty space on
a the desktop
Wallpaper 2. Select Properties and click on the Background
3. Select a background picture from the wallpapers list; In the picture
display list select Center, Title, or Stretch
4. Click Pattern to open the Pattern dialog box; select desired pattern

46 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Table 1.3.3: Change a Screensaver

Action Task
To Set or 1. Select Control panel OR right click on empty space on the desktop
Change a 2. Select Properties  Screen Saver
Screensaver 3. Select a Screen Saver of your choice from the list; Click OK
4. After selecting a screen saver, it will start automatically when your
computer is idle for the number of minutes specified in Wait.
5. Screen saver setting can be changed; to change, click Settings 
Screen Saver tab
6. Click Preview to see how the selected screen saver (will appear on
your monitor). Move your mouse or press any key to end the
preview

2.3 - Understanding the Task Bar and Using the Search Companion
2.3.1 - Understanding the Task Bar
 The Taskbar displays any program you are running, the time, and the Start Icon.
 It is normally positioned at the bottom of the screen.
 It provides a constant view of which applications are running on the system and
an easy way to switch between them.
 It also provides additional information such as time, power consumption
information (on laptops), and volume control, if you have a sound card installed.
 Customizing the Taskbar.
- You can put a toolbar in a handier place, on your desktop or taskbar
- You can even give yourself quick access to frequently accessed files and
programs, by simply dragging and dropping them on the Start menu
- You can view and add more icons to the Quick launch

2.3.1- Using the Search Companion


 Search Assistant makes it easier for you to search for files and folders, printers,

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 47


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

people, and other computers on your network


 It even makes it easier for you to search on the Internet
 Search Assistant also has an indexing service that maintains an index of all the
files on your computer, making searches even faster.
 When you use Search Assistant, you can specify several search criteria (e.g., files
and folders by name, type, and size)
 You can even search for files containing specific text
 You can search for a printer with a specific name or location if you are using
Active Directory
 If you need a printer with special features, you can search for a specific model.
- To Search, Click the Start Icon  Search  type the search keyword

2.4 - Using Windows Explorer and Using the Run Command


2.4.1 - Using Windows Explorer
 Windows Explorer is a tool used to browse the files and folders on the computer.
It opens a 2-pane window.
 Right click on the Start Icon  select Explore
 It can be evoked by a swift combination of window and E keys

48 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 1.3.2: windows Explorer

2.4.2 - Using the Run


 The Run Command is a very handy tool in running applications
 Click on the Start Icon  Run, and type name of a program
 E.g., mspaint (Microsoft Paint), calc (calculator), winword, powerpnt, excel,
etc

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 49


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 1.3.3: Run command box


2.5- Using Help and Support Centre (Getting Online Support)
 Click Start  Help - (Help and Support-Windows XP)
 If you have an Internet connection, you are not limited to other topics within
the Help system; you can jump to the WWW for additional or updated product
information.
 The Help Viewer provides an integrated table of contents, an index, and a
full-text search feature so you can find information easily
 The Help Viewer has the added benefit of allowing you to see the table of
contents, index, or search results at the same time you are viewing a Help
topic.
 The Help Viewer also includes the Favourites tab, which you can use to
bookmark topics. This enables you to quickly display topics that you refer to
often.

3.0 LAB EXERCISE


Laboratory for Week 2: Operating System II
Exercise 1:
a. Locate a free space at the DESKTOP of your system
b. Create a folder called COSC 101
c. Double click on the COSC 101 folders to open it.
d. Create five more folders called COMPUTER FUNDAMENTALS, MS
WORD, MS EXCEL, POWERPOINT and INTERNET respectively.
e. Create two additional folders called LEC and LAB for lecture and Laboratory
respectively.

50 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

f. Click and Drag LEC into COMPUTER FUNDAMENTALS Folder, drag


LAB also into that folder
g. Repeat the same procedure in items e & f but this time drag those folders into
MS WORD, MS EXCEL and POWERPOINT folders.
h. Double click INTERNET folder to open it
i. Create the LEC and LAB in the INTERNET folder as depicted in figure
1.3.4.

Cosc101

Computer MS Word
MS Excel PowerPoint Internet
Fundamentals

LEC LEC LEC LEC LEC

LAB LAB LAB LAB LAB

Figure 1.3.3: Folder structure

Exercise 2: Setting date & time


a. Click the START button
b. Click on CONTROL PANEL
c. Locate ―DATE AND TIME‖ option and Double Click it. A dialog box like
the figure 1.3.4 will appear.

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 51


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 1.3.4: Date and time setting dialog box

d. Click the ―CHANGE DATE AND TIME‖ button


e. Reset back your DATE to 05/10/11 and your TIME to 10:30pm
f. Click OK twice to confirm your changes.
g. View your new date and time at the task bar.
h. Reset your DATE/TIME back to current date and time.

Exercise 3: The Run Command


Use RUN Command to lunch the following applications:
a. mspaint (Microsoft Paint)
b. calc (Calculator)
c. winword (Microsoft Word)
d. powerpnt (Microsoft PowerPoint)

4.0 Study Session Summary and Conclusion


In this session, we are able to discuss desktop icons and how we can change the
appearance of our desktop icons. We also discussed on how we can personalize the
appearance of our desktop and set the date and time of our computer system. In our
next session, we would look at Microsoft word application.
52 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

5.0 Self-Assessment Questions and Answer


Question
1. Task bar is normally positioned at the ------------ of the screen.
A. Right
B. Top
C. Bottom
D. Left
2. We can open File Explorer by using combination of which keys?
A. Ctrl & E
B. Shift & E
C. Alt and E
D. Window & E
3. Which Run command is used to open Microsoft Word?
A. msword
B. mspaint
C. powerpnt
D. winword

4. which of the following steps are used to create a folder on desktop


A. right click  New click on Folder
B. double click on the desktopNewclick on folder
C. double click and click on create new folder
D. left click  New click on Folder
5. To Search, do the following
A. Click the Start Icon  Search  type the search word
B. right click  New Search
C. double click search  type the search word
D. left click  search  click on search

6.0 Answers to Self Assessment Questions


1. C
Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 53
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

2. D
3. D
4. A
5. A

7.0 References/Further Reading


S.B. Junaidu, A.F. Donfack-kana and A. Salisu, Fundamentals of information
technology ABU press (2013)
J.J. Parsons and D. Oja, Practical Computer Literacy, Thompson Learning, 2005
Curt Simmons, How to Do Everything with Windows XP, 2nd Edition McGraw-
Hill/Osborne, 2003, ISBN 0-07-223080-0
Peter Norton‘s, Introduction to Computers, 5th Edition McGraw-Hill/Glencoe, 2003,
ISBN 0-07-826421-9

54 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Module 3
Microsoft Word
Content
Study session 1: Text and Paragraph Formatting
Study session 2: Tables and Graphics
Study session 3: Table of Contents, References & Citations, Mail Merge

Study Session 1
Text and Paragraph Formatting

Section and Subsection Headings:


Introduction
1.0 Learning Outcome
2.0 Main Content
2.1- Introduction and Basic Definitions
2.2- Starting Microsoft and Screen Layout
2.3- Menus, and the Microsoft Office Button
2.4- Quick Access Toolbar, the Ribbon, and Working with Document
2.5- Opening an Existing Document, Saving a Document and Document
Views
2.6- Using the Zoom Option, Closing a Document and Editing a Document
2.7- Formatting Text
2.8- Formatting Paragraphs
2.9- Lists, Setting Tab Stops and Styles
3.0 Lab Exercise
4.0 Study Session Summary and Conclusion

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 55


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

5.0 Self-Assessment Questions and Answer


6.0 References/Further Reading

Introduction
Microsoft Word is a word processor that is part of the Microsoft Office suite. A
powerful tool to create professional looking documents. A word processor is a
program that allows you to create, edit, format, store and print the documents.

1.0 Study Session Learning Outcome


After studying this session, I expect you to be able to:
a) Start up a Microsoft Word application
b) Work with Documents (i.e Opening, Closing and Editing of Documents)
c) Identify the Menu Bar and the functions of its items.

2.0 Main Content


2.1 - Introduction and Basic Definitions
Definition of Microsoft (MS) Word is a word processor that is part of the
Microsoft Office suite. A word processor is a software program, which provides a
Graphical User Interface (GUI) with better capabilities than a text editor does.
A word processor is a program that allows you to create, edit, format, store and
print the documents.

Question: What are the examples of commonly used word processors?


Answer: Examples of commonly used word processors are – WordPerfect, Word
Star and MS Word.
The main advantage of a word processor is that it provides a WYSIWYG (What
You See Is What You Get) interface, which helps you make changes quickly and
easily.

56 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

2.2 - Starting Microsoft and Screen Layout


2.2.1 Starting Microsoft
i. Double click on the Microsoft Word icon on the desktop (if available)
ii. If word icon is not available on desktop, click on Start Button  All
Programs  Microsoft Office  Microsoft Word 2013
iii. Click on Start Button  from the search box  Type Word 2013  Double
Click on Word 2013 icon that appears on the Start Menu. The Word Window
is displayed.

2.2.2 Microsoft word Screen Layout

Figure 2.1.1: Microsoft word Screen Layout

2.3- Menus, and the Microsoft Office Button


Microsoft Word 2013 maintains the same menu system with Word 2007 and 2010.
Recall that the Office Button in Word 2007 was replaced with FILE in Word
2010.You should remember three features as you work within Word 2013:
 the Microsoft Office Button
 the Quick Access Toolbar
Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 57
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

 the Ribbon
 Mini Toolbar RIBBON DIPLAY
OPTIONS
Quick Access
toolbar

Office
Ribbon Button
Figure 2.1.2: Menus, and the Microsoft Office Button

2.4 - Quick Access Toolbar, the Ribbon, and Working with Document
2.4.1 Quick Access Toolbar
The quick access toolbar is a customizable toolbar that contains commands that you
may want to use. You can place the quick access toolbar above or below the ribbon.
To change the location of the quick access toolbar, click on the arrow at the end of
the toolbar and click on ‗Show below the Ribbon‘. You can also add items to the
quick access toolbar.
Question: how do you add item in the Ribbon?
Answer: Right click on any item in the Ribbon and click on Add to Quick Access Toolbar and a
shortcut will be added to the Quick Access Toolbar.

58 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 2.1.3: Quick Access Toolbar

2.4.2 The Ribbon


The Ribbon is the panel at the top portion of the document. It has seven tabs: Home,
Insert, Design, Page Layout, References, Mailings, Review, and View that contain
many new and existing features of Word. Each tab is divided into groups. The groups
are logical collections of features designed to perform functions that you will utilize
in creating or editing your Word document. Commonly used features are displayed
on the Ribbon, to view additional features within each group, click on the arrow at
the bottom right of each group.

Tabs on
the Ribbon

Groups on the
Home Tab

Figure 2.1.4: Ribbon


Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 59
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Each of the tabs contains the following tools:


i. Home: Clipboard, Fonts, Paragraph, Styles, and Editing.
ii. Insert: Pages, Tables, Illustrations, Links, Comments, Header & Footer,
Text, and Symbols.
iii. Design: Themes, Document Formatting, Page Background.
iv. Page Layout: Page Setup, Paragraph and Arrange.
v. References: Table of Contents, Footnote, Citation & Bibliography, Captions,
Index, and Table of Authorities.
vi. Mailings: Create, Start Mail Merge, Write & Insert Fields, Preview Results,
Finish.
vii. Review: Proofing, Language, Comments, Tracking, Changes, Compare,
Protect.
viii. View: Views, Show/Hide, Zoom, Window, Macros.

2.4.3 Working with Document


Creating a New Document: - there are several ways to create new documents, open
existing documents, and save documents in Word;

 Click the File Tab and Click New or


 Press CTRL+N (Depress the CTRL key while pressing the ―N‖) on the
keyboard

60 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 2.1.5: creating new document window

If you wish to start from a blank document, click Blank. If you wish to start from a
template, you can browse through your choices on the left, see the choices on center
screen, and preview the selection on the right screen.

2.5- Opening an Existing Document, Saving a Document and Document View


2.5.1 Opening an Existing Document
 Click the File Tab and Click Open, or
 Press CTRL+O (Depress the CTRL key while pressing the ―O‖) on the
keyboard, or
 If you have recently used the document you can click the File Tab and click
the name of the document in the Recent Documents section of the window

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 61


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 2.1.6: opening an existing document window

2.5.2 Saving a Document


 Click the File Tab and Click Save or Save As (remember, if you are sending the
document to someone who does not have Office 2013, 2010 or 2007, you will
need to click the File Tab, click Save As, and Click Word 97-2003 Document),
or
 Press CTRL+S (Depress the CTRL key while pressing the ―S‖) on the
keyboard, or
 Click the Save icon on the Quick Access Toolbar.

Figure 2.1.7: Save icon on Quick Access Tool Bar

Using the Save Auto Recover Option


 While working on a document, sometimes you may forget to save your
document before a power failure
 This could mean losing the changes you have made to the document
 Word provides an automatic save feature that you can set to ensure that your
62 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

documents are saved after specified intervals of time


 This feature is called Save Auto Recover
 You can specify the time in minutes after which Word automatically saves the
file

Steps to specify the automatic saves time:


 Select File Options  Save (Options dialog box displayed)
 Select the Save tab
 Check Save Auto Recover info every: option box. Use the spin controls to
increase or decrease the minutes; Click the OK

Figure 2.1.8: Word option dialog box

2.5.3 Document View


There are many ways to view a document in Word:
 Print Layout: this is a view of the document, as it would appear when printed. It
includes all tables, text, graphics, and images.
Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 63
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

 Full Screen Reading: this is a full view length of a document. Good for viewing
two pages at a time.
 Web Layout: this is a view of the document, as it would appear in a web
browser.
 Outline: this is an outline form of the document in the form of bullets.
 Draft: this view does not display pictures or layouts, just text.
To view a document in different forms, click the document views shortcuts at the
bottom right of your Microsoft window screen.

Figure 2.1.9: document view shortcuts

OR
 Click the View Tab on the Ribbon
 Click on the appropriate document view.

Figure 2.1.10: document view on View tab on the ribbon

2.6- Using the Zoom Option, Close a Document and Editing a Document
2.6.1 Using the Zoom Option
You can use the Zoom option to increase or decrease the magnification level of your
document. In this way, you can enlarge or reduce the size of the document area in the
Word document.
Steps:
i. Click on View tab  Zoom command (Zoom dialog box displayed)
ii. Select the desired radio or Zoom level

64 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

iii. Click OK

Figure 2.1.11: Zoom dialog box

iv. You may also simply use the zoom slider or click the plus or minus buttons on the
zoom slider on the bottom right of your window screen.

Figure 2.1.12: Zoom slider

2.6.2 Close a Document


To close a document:
- Click the File Tab
- Click Close

2.6.3 Editing a Document


Typing and inserting Text
To enter text, just start typing, the text will appear where the blinking cursor is
located. Move the cursor by using the arrow buttons on the keyboard or positioning
the mouse and clicking the left button. The keyboard shortcuts listed in Table 2.1.1
are used when moving through the text of a document
Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 65
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Table 2.1.1: Keyboard shortcuts for moving through document


Move Action Keystroke

Beginning of the line HOME


End of the line END
Top of the document CTRL+HOME
End of the document CTRL+END

Selecting Text
To change any attributes of text it must be highlighted first. Select the text by
dragging the mouse over the desired text while keeping the left mouse button
depressed, or hold down the SHIFT key on the keyboard while using the arrow
buttons to highlight the text. Table 2.1.2 shows techniques for selecting a portion of
the text:
Table 2.1.2: Techniques for selecting a portion of a text
Selection Technique

Whole word double-click within the word


Whole triple-click within the paragraph
paragraph
Several words drag the mouse over the words, or hold down SHIFT while
or lines using the arrow keys
Entire choose Editing | Select | Select All from the Ribbon, or press
document CTRL+A

Deselect the text by clicking anywhere outside of the selection on the page or press
an arrow key on the keyboard.

66 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Inserting Additional Text


Text can be inserted in a document at any point using any of the following methods:
i. Type Text: Put your cursor where you want to add the text and begin typing
ii. Copy and Paste Text: Highlight the text you want to copy and right click and
click Copy, put your cursor where you want to put the text in the document
and right click and click Paste.
iii. Cut and Paste Text: Highlight the text you want to copy, right click, and
click Cut, put your cursor where you want the text in the document, right
click, and click Paste.

You will notice that you can also use the Clipboard group on the Ribbon, to copy, cut
and paste.

Figure 2.1.13: Clipboar


iv. Drag Text: Highlight the text you wish to move, click on it and drag it to the
place where you want the text in the document.

Rearranging Blocks of Text


To rearrange text within a document, you can utilize the Clipboard Group on the
Home Tab of the Ribbon.
 Move text: Cut and Paste in the desired location/position
 Copy Text: Copy and Paste to make a duplicate or use the Clipboard group on
Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 67
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

the Ribbon
 Paste Text: Ctrl + V (hold down the CTRL and the ―V‖ key at the same time) or
use the Clipboard group to Paste, Paste Special, or Paste as Hyperlink

Deleting Blocks of Text


Use the BACKSPACE and DELETE keys on the keyboard to delete text.

Question: what is the difference between Backspace and Delete?


Answer: Backspace will delete text to the left of the cursor and Delete will erase text to the right.

To delete a large selection of text, highlight it using any of the methods outlined
above and press the DELETE key.

Undo Changes
To undo changes:
- Click the Undo Button on the Quick Access Toolbar

Figure 2.1.14: Quick Access Toolbar

Search and Replace Text


To find a particular word or phrase in a document:
 Click Find on the Editing Group on the Ribbon
 To find and replace a word or phrase in the document, click Replace on the
Editing Group of the Ribbon.

68 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 2.1.15: Editing group and find and replace window

2.7- Formatting Text


Styles: A style is a format enhancing tool that includes font type-faces, font size,
effects (bold, italics, underline, etc.), colours and more. You will notice that on the
Home Tab of the Ribbon, you have several areas such as Font, Paragraph, and
Styles that will control the style of your document.

3. Change Font Typeface and Size

Figure 2.1.16: Formatting text groups


To change the font typeface:
 Click the arrow next to the font name and choose a font.

Figure 2.1.17: Font type drop down


 Remember that you can preview how the new font will look by highlighting the
text, and hovering over the new font typeface.

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 69


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 2.1.18: Font type hovering on selected text

 To change the font size:


- Click the arrow next to the font size and choose the appropriate size, or
- Click the increase or decrease font size buttons.

Figure 2.1.19: Font size and font grow and shrink font buttons

Font Styles and Effects


 Font styles are predefined formatting options that are used to emphasise
text. They include; Bold, Italic, and Underline. To add these to text:
- Select the text and click the Font Styles included on the Font Group of the
Ribbon, or Select the text and right click to display the font tools.

Changing Case
The case of the text defines the type of capitalisation used in the document. The
Capitalisation forms provided by Word include:
 Sentence case
70 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

- capitalises only the first letter in the selected text.


 Lower case
- converts all selected text to lowercase letters.
 Upper case
- converts all selected text to uppercase letters.
 Title case
- capitalises the first letter of each word of the selected text.
 Toggle case
- changes uppercase to lowercase and lowercase to uppercase for all the selected
text.

To change case of a text:


i. Select the text whose case is to be changed.
ii. Click Home Tab Click the Change Case icon to open the Change Case
menu Click the required case

Figure 2.1.20: Change case menu

Change Text Colour


 To change the text color:
i. Select the text and click the Colour button in the Font Group of the Ribbon
ii. Select the colour by clicking the down arrow next to the font colour button.

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 71


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 2.1.21: Font colour drop down


Or
iii. Highlight the text, right click and choose the colour tool.

Highlight Text
 Highlighting text allows you to use emphasise text as you would if you had a
marker. To highlight text:
- Select the text then, Click the Highlight Button on the Font Group of the
Ribbon, or
- Select the text and right click and select the highlight tool
- To change the colour of the highlighter, click on down arrow next to the
highlight button.

Figure 2.1.22: text highlight colour

Copy Formatting
 If you have already formatted text the way you want it and would like another
portion of the document to have the same formatting, you can copy the
formatting. To copy the formatting, do the following:
i. Select the text with the formatting you want to copy.
ii. Copy the format of the selected text by clicking the Format Painter button on
the Clipboard Group of the Home Tab

72 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

iii. Apply the copied format by selecting the text and clicking on it.

Figure 2.1.22:Format painter

Clear Formatting
To clear text formatting:
i. Select the text you wish to clear the formatting
ii. Click on the drop down arrow in the Styles Group on the Home Tab
iii. Click Clear All

Figure 2.1.23: Styles drop down menu

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 73


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Drop Cap
Question: what is a drop cap?
Answer: A drop cap is a large capital letter at the beginning of a paragraph or text block that has
the depth of two or more lines of normal text.

To apply a drop cap:


i. Select the Letter or the Word, you wish to apply drop cap to.
ii. Click on Text group from the Insert Tab.
iii. Click on the Drop Cap button in the text Group of the Insert Tab.
iv. Click on the Drop Cap options.
v. To view more options click on Drop Cap Options.

Figure 2.1.24: Drop cap menu


 Thesaurus
- Thesaurus gives the synonyms and antonyms of words.
- Click on the word and from the Review Tab Click on Thesaurus from the proofing
group.

Figure 2.1.25: Thesaurus search result


74 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Subscript and Superscript


 To change text to Subscript or Superscript,
i. Highlight the text.
ii. Click on the home tab and select the subscript or Superscript icon on font
group.

Figure 2.1.26: Subscript and Superscript

Underline Text
i. Select the Text.
ii. Click on the home tab and select the underline.
iii. Click on the drop down arrow to select more underline options.

Figure 2.1.27: Underline options

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 75


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

2.8 - Formatting Paragraphs


Formatting paragraphs allows you to change the look of the overall document. You
can access many of the tools of paragraph formatting by clicking the Page
Layout Tab of the Ribbon or the Paragraph Group on the Home Tab of the Ribbon.

Figure 2.1.28: Paragraph Group

Change Paragraph Alignment


The paragraph alignment allows you to set how you want the text to appear. To
change the alignment:
i. Click the Home Tab
ii. Choose the appropriate button for alignment on the Paragraph Group.
- Align Left: the text is aligned with your left margin
- Centre: The text is centered within your margins
- Align Right: Aligns text with the right margin
- Justify: Aligns text to both the left and right margins.

Figure 2.1.29: Text alignment buttons

Indent Paragraphs
Indenting paragraphs allows you to set text within a paragraph at different margins.
There are several options for indenting:
76 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

 First Line: Controls the left boundary for the first line of a paragraph
 Hanging: Controls the left boundary of every line in a paragraph except the
first one
 Left: Controls the left boundary for every line in a paragraph
 Right: Controls the right boundary for every line in a paragraph

To indent paragraphs, you can do the following:


i. Click the Indent buttons to control the indent.
ii. Click the Indent button repeated times to increase the size of the indent

Figure 2.1.30: Indent buttons

Add Borders and Shading


You can add borders and shading to paragraphs and entire pages. To create a border
around a paragraph or paragraphs:
i. Select the area of text where you want the border or shading.
ii. Click the Borders Button on the Paragraph Group on the Home Tab
iii. Choose the Border and Shading
iv. Choose the appropriate options

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 77


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 2.1.31: Outside borders button

Apply Styles
Styles are collection of formatting that you can apply to text. To utilise Quick Styles:
i. Select the text you wish to format.
ii. Click the dialog box next to the Styles Group on the Home Tab.
iii. Click the style you wish to apply.

Figure 2.1.32: Styles group

Change Spacing Between Paragraphs and Lines


You can change the space between lines and paragraphs by doing the following:
i. Select the paragraph or paragraphs you wish to change.
ii. On the Home Tab, Click the Paragraph Dialog Box
iii. Click the Indents and Spacing Tab
iv. In the Spacing section, adjust your spacing accordingly

78 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 2.1.33: Paragraph dialog box

2.9- Lists, Setting Tab Stops and Styles


2.9.1 Lists
Lists allow you to format and organise text with numbers, bullets, in an outline.

Bulleted and Numbered Lists


Bulleted lists have bullet points, numbered lists have numbers, and outline lists
combine numbers and letters depending on the organisation of the list.
To add a list to existing text:
i. Select the text you wish to make a list
ii. From the Paragraph Group on the Home Tab, Click the Bullets or
Numbering button

To create a new list:


i. Place your cursor where you want the list in the document
ii. Click the Bullets or Numbering button
iii. Begin typing.

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 79


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 2.1.34: Bullets and Numbering buttons

Multilevel or Nested Lists


A multilevel list is a list with several levels of indented text. You can select a
multilevel list style from the gallery and you can create a new multilevel list style
of your choice.

Choose a multilevel list style from the gallery


i. Click where you want to begin your list.
ii. On the Home tab, in the Paragraph group, click the arrow next to
Multilevel List.
iii. Click a multilevel list style in the gallery of styles.
iv. Type your list. Press the TAB key or SHIFT+TAB to change levels or Click
the Increase or Decrease Indent button.

Figure 2.1.34: Multilevel list

Create a new multilevel list style to add to the gallery


If the multilevel list styles in the gallery are not what you are looking for, you can
create and define a new multilevel list style.
 On the Home tab, in the Paragraph group, click the arrow next to Multilevel
List.
80 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

 Click Define New Multilevel List.

Beginning with level 1, enter your number format, font, and position choices.
Continue to define each level that you want to use in your multilevel list.
Note: When you define a multilevel list style, you can mix numbers and bullets in
the same list. For example, in the Number style for this level box, you can scroll
down and click a bullet style for a particular level.
 Click OK.
 The multilevel list style that you defined is automatically set as the current
multilevel list style.

Note To move a multilevel item to a different numbering level, select the item,
click the arrow next to Bullets or Numbering in the Paragraph group on the
Home tab, point to Change List Level, and then click the list level to which you
want to move the list item.

Formatting Lists
You can change the bullet image and numbering format by using the Bullets or
Numbering dialog box.
i. Select the entire list to change all the bullets or numbers, or
Place the cursor on one line within the list to change a single bullet
ii. Right click
iii. Click the arrow next to the bulleted or numbered list and choose a bullet or
numbering style

2.9.2 Setting Tab Stops


Question: What is tab stop?
Answer: Tab stops are locations along the horizontal ruler that indicate how far to indent text or to
begin a section of text.

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 81


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Tab stops allow you to arrange text on the left, right, centre, decimal character or bar
character.
 The available tab settings in Word are:
- Positioning the text to the left of the tab stop.
- Positioning the text at the centre of the tab stop.
- Positioning the text to the right of the tab stop.
- Aligning the numeric columns on the decimal point.
- Creating thin vertical lines to separate columns.
 Word also provides Tab Leaders that can be inserted before the tab
- A leader character is a row of dots or dashes that is inserted in the space
between the tab stop and the text elements.
- For example, in the Table of Contents in a book, the space between the chapter
name and the page number can be filled with a series of dots.
- These dots, called leader characters can be inserted in a Word document by using
Tab Leaders.

Table 2.1.3: Steps for inserting leader character


Action Task
Set the tab stops 1. On the Page Layout tab, click the Paragraph Dialog Box
and tab leaders Launcher
2. In the Paragraph dialog box, click Tabs (Tabs dialog box
is displayed)
3. Enter the required tab position in the Tab stop position
text box
4. Select the alignment option from the Alignment section.
5. Select the appropriate option for tab leader in the Leader
radio button section.
6. Click the OK button

82 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

2.9.3 Styles
The use of Styles in Word will allow you to quickly format a document with a
consistent and professional look. Styles can be saved for use in many documents.
There are many styles that are already in Word ready for you to use. To view the
available styles click the Styles dialog box on the Styles Group in the Home Tab.
To apply a style:
i. Select the text
ii. Click the Styles Dialog Box
iii. Click the Style you choose

Creating New Styles


You can create styles for formatting that you use regularly. There are two ways to
do this: New Styles or New Quick Styles.
 To create a new style:
i. Click the Styles Dialog Box
ii. Click on New Style Button
iii. Complete the New Style dialog box.
iv. At the bottom of that dialog box, you can choose to add this to the Quick
Style List or to make it available only in this document.

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 83


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 2.1.34: Create New Style dialog box


New Quick Style
 To create a style easily:
i. Insert your cursor anywhere in the chosen style
ii. Click the Styles dialog box
iii. Click Save Selection as New Quick Style

Figure 2.1.34: New Quick style


84 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

 Style Inspector
To determine the style of a particular section of a document:
 Insert cursor anywhere in the text that you want to explain the style
 Click the Styles Drop Down Menu
 Click the Style Inspector Button

Figure 2.1.35: Style inspector

3.0 LAB EXERCISE


Laboratory for Week 4: Text and Paragraph Formatting
Laboratory Objectives
The aims of this laboratory practical is to ensure students are able to create an MS
word document, type in text and apply text and paragraph formatting.

Instructions
 You will create an MS Word file named YourRegNo-cosc101-Lab01.doc,
where you will replace YourRegNo above with your university Registration

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 85


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Number. For example, if your Registration Number is U20CS1089, the file


name will be U20CS1089-cosc101-Lab01.doc.
 You will follow the steps outlined below and perform the exercise and save in
the file created in Step 1.
 You will create a directory LabMSWord and save the file in Step 1 inside this
directory.
 Keep repeating the save operation after few minutes to avoid losing data in
case of an abrupt power failure
 You will submit your completed exercises to your Lab instructor before you
leave the lab class. Your instructor will advise you how to submit completed
exercises.

Hands-on Guide
Task 1
1. On the Document window, type the text below as it is.
Introduction to Microsoft word
On the Insert tab, the galleries include items that are designed to coordinate with
the overall look of your document. You can use these galleries to insert tables,
headers, footers, lists, cover pages, and other document building blocks. When you
create pictures, charts, or diagrams, they also coordinate with your current
document look.

You can easily change the formatting of selected text in the document text by
choosing a look for the selected text from the Quick Styles gallery on the Home
tab. You can also format text directly by using the other controls on the Home tab.
Most controls offer a choice of using the look from the current theme or using a
format that you specify directly.
2. Triple click on the topic sentence of your document to select it
3. On the Font Group of the Home Ribbon Click the B icon to make the topic
sentence bold

86 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

4. Click the drop down arrow beside the number 12. Numbers will appear
vertically arranged, select 18.
5. Click the drop down arrow on the left hand side of the writing ‗Times New
Roman‘, a list of font styles will appear, select Georgia to apply.
6. Click on the drop down arrow on the left hand side of the icon that carries the
symbol ‗A’ with a thick red line under, a list of colours will appear, select the
blue colour on which is the fourth in the first row of the colour pallette
displayed.
7. Click on the dropdown arrow besides the icon that carries the symbol ‗Aa’,
select UPPER CASE to make the topic sentence appear in capital letters.
8. On the first paragraph of the text hold down CTRL key on your keyboard and
click on the second sentence to select it.
9. On the Font Group of the Home Ribbon Click on the symbol of I to italicize the
selected text.
10.Click on the drop down arrow besides the icon that has a thick yellow
underline. Colour pallette will be displayed, select red colour to apply on the
selected text.
11.Again select the topic sentence of your document. Move to Paragraph Group
next to the Font Group and run your mouse over the icons. A description of
what an icon does flips up immediately you put your mouse on it. Click on the
icon that shows the description, Centre (Ctrl + E). The topic sentence will be
centralised on your document page. Alternatively, after selecting the topic
sentence you can press CTRL key, hold it down and press the letter E, to
achieve the same effect.
12.Place your cursor before the first letter of your first paragraph.
13.Hold down SHIFT key on your Keyboard and press the DOWN ARROW key
to select the text till the end of the second paragraph.
14.Move to Paragraph Group next to the Font Group and do as in step 10 until the
icon description shows Line Spacing. Select 2.0 to have double lines space on
your document text.

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 87


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

15.Triple click on the first paragraph to select it and do as in step 10 until the icon
description shows Align Text Right (Ctrl + R). The paragraph will be aligned
right on your document page. Alternatively, after selecting the paragraph you
can press CTRL key, hold it down and press R on the key board.
16.Triple click on the second paragraph to select it and do as in step 10 until the
icon description shows Align Text Left (Ctrl + L). The paragraph will be
aligned right on your document page. Alternatively, after selecting the
paragraph you can press CTRL key, hold it down and press R on the keyboard.
17. Go back to select the first paragraph and do as in step 10 until the icon
description indicates anything border, then click on the drop down menu
besides the icon and select outside borders. The paragraph will be en-squared
in a border.
18.When you are done your document will look like this:

INTRODUCTION TO MICROSOFT WORD


On the Insert tab, the galleries include items that are designed to coordinate with
the overall look of your document. You can use these galleries to insert tables,
headers, footers, lists, cover pages, and other document building blocks. When you
create pictures, charts, or diagrams, they also coordinate with your current
document look.

You can easily change the formatting of selected text in the document text by
choosing a look for the selected text from the Quick Styles gallery on the Home
tab. You can also format text directly by using the other controls on the Home tab.
Most controls offer a choice of using the look from the current theme or using a
format that you specify directly.

Task 2
1. Type the following text as it is:
Components of Microsoft Window
Ribbons
88 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Title Bar
Document area
Task bar
Status Bar

Types of Computer
Mini Computer
Mainframe Computer
Personal Computer
2. Place your cursor at the beginning of ―Component of Microsoft Window”.
Hold down CTRL key and press left arrow key to the end of the second line. The
two items will be both highlighted.

3. Move to Paragraph Group next to the Font Group and do as in step 10 in the
previous exercise until the icon description shows Multilevel List. Click on the
drop down arrow attached to the icon a menu will appear as shown in Figure
2.1.36.

Figure 2.1.36: Multilevel list drop down menu


Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 89
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

4. Click on the second item under list library. The bolded items will appear in a
list of 1 and 2.
5. Select the next items after Component of Microsoft Window.
6. Do as in step 3 above and when the menu appears click on the current list.
All the 5 items will be numbered but not on the same level with the other
two items.
7. Do as in step 6 above for the items under Types of computer
8. Your output should look like this:

1) Components of Microsoft window


1. Ribbons
2. Title Bar
3. Document area
4. Task bar
5. Status Bar

2) Types of Computer
1. Mini Computer
2. Mainframe Computer
3. Personal Computer

Task 3
Take Home Assignment
1 Create a document of your own and save it in the format above but add take
home in the document name.
2. Type a three paragraphed text and apply text formatting from Font Group from
the icons that this lab covered and those it did not cover.
3. Similarly, study the Paragraph Formatting Group and do the same to your
created document.
4. Create a Multi-Level List of items up to 5 levels
5. Submit before the next lab.
90 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

4.0 Study Session Summary


In this session, we were able to discuss text and paragraph formatting, the
terminology relating to formatting, recognize different types of formatting commands
and how they are used to format text. We also discussed the different types of menu
and their specific uses and functions. The process in formatting multi-level lists were
also discussed. We are able to practice the Lab exercise.

5.0 Self-Assessment Questions and Answers


Questions
1. Portrait and Landscape are___________
A. Page orientation
B. Paper Size
C. Page Layout
D. All of the above

2. Which of the following is not a font style?


A. Bold
B. Italics
C. Regular
D. Superscript

3. Which of the following is not a type of page margin?


A. Left
B. Right
C. Centre
D. Top

4. Which of the following Case capitalises only the first letter of the selected text?
A. Upper case
B. Sentence case
C. Lower case
Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 91
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

D. Title case
5. What is a leader character?

6.0 Answers to Self Assessment Questions


1. A
2. C
3. C
4. B
5. A leader character is a row of dots or dashes that is inserted in the space between
the tab stop and the text elements.

7.0 References/Further Reading


S.B. Junaidu, A.F. Donfack-kana and A. Salisu, Fundamentals of information
technology ABU press (2013)
J.J. Parsons and D. Oja, Practical Computer Literacy, Thompson Learning, 2005
Curt Simmons, How to Do Everything with Windows XP, 2nd Edition McGraw-
Hill/Osborne, 2003, ISBN 0-07-223080-0
Peter Norton‘s, Introduction to Computers, 5th Edition McGraw-Hill/Glencoe,
2003, ISBN 0-07-826421-9

92 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Study Session 2
Table and Graphics

Section and Subsection Headings:


Introduction
1.0 Learning Outcome
2.0 Main Content
2.1 - Adding Tables
2.2 - Graphics
2.3 - Word Art and Short Cut Keys
2.4 - Proofreading a Document
2.5 - Page Formatting
3.0 Study Session Summary and Conclusion
4.0 Self-Assessment Questions and Answer
5.0 References/Further Reading

Introduction
Tables are used to display data in a table format. Tables help you present
information in a clear and organized way. There are three ways to add tables to
your documents in Microsoft Word, each taking only a few easy steps.

1.0 Study Session Learning Outcome


After studying this session, I expect you to be able to:
a) Start-up Microsoft Word
b) Add tables and Graphics.

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 93


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

2.0 Main Content


2.1 - Adding Tables
Tables are used to display data in a table format. To create a table:
 Place the cursor on the page where you want the new table
 Click the Insert Tab of the Ribbon
 Click the Tables Button on the Tables Group. You can create a table one of
four ways:
- Highlight the number of row and columns
- Click Insert Table and enter the number of rows and columns
- Click the Draw Table, create your table by clicking and entering the rows
and columns
- Click Quick Tables and choose a table

Figure 2.2.1: Quick tables

 Enter Data in a Table


Place the cursor in the cell where you wish to enter the information. Begin
typing. Modify the Table Structure and Format a Table. To modify the structure
of a table:
94 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

 Click the table and notice that you have two new tabs on the Ribbon: Design and
Layout. These pertain to the table design and layout.
 On the Design Tab, you can choose:
 Table Style Options
 Table Styles
 Draw Borders

Figure 2.2.2: Table design and layout

 To format a table, click the table and then click the Layout Tab on the Ribbon.
This Layout tab allows you to:
 View Gridlines and Properties (from the Table Group)
 Insert Rows and Columns (from the Rows & Columns Group)
 Delete the Table, Rows and/or Columns (from the Rows & Columns Group)
 Merge or Split Cells (from the Merge Group)
 Increase and Decrease cell size (Cell Size Group)
 Align text within the cells and change text directions (Alignment Group)

2.2 - Graphics
Word 2013 allows you to insert special characters, symbols, pictures, illustrations,
and watermarks.

Figure 2.2.3: Inert tab groups

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 95


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

 Symbols and Special Characters


Question: What are special characters?
Answer: Special characters are punctuation, spacing, or typographical characters that are not
generally available on the standard keyboard.

To insert symbols and special characters:


 Place your cursor in the document where you want the symbol
 Click the Insert Tab on the Ribbon
 Click the Symbol button on the Symbols Group. Choose the appropriate symbol,

Figure 2.2.4: insert symbols

 Illustrations (Shapes): Word 2013 allows you to insert illustrations and into a
document.
 To insert illustrations:
 Place your cursor in the document where you want the illustration/shapes
 Click the Insert Tab on the Ribbon
 Click the Shapes Button
 Click on the Shapes you want to insert.
 The mouse pointer would become a cross, then drag your mouse across the
Screen to form the shape.

96 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 2.2.5: insert shapes

 Pictures: To insert a picture:


 Place your cursor in the document where you want the illustration/picture
 Click the Insert Tab on the Ribbon
 Click the Picture Button, the insert Picture dialog box will open
 Double Click the Sample Picture folder
 Select a Picture
 Click Insert

Figure 2.2.6: Insert pictures windows


Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 97
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

 Smart Art is a collection of graphics you can utilize to organize information


within your document. It includes timelines, processes, or workflow. To insert
SmartArt:
 Place your cursor in the document where you want the illustration/picture
 Click the Insert Tab on the Ribbon
 Click the SmartArt button
 Click the SmartArt you wish to include in your document
 Click the arrow on the left side of the graphic to insert text or type the text in the
graphic.

Figure 2.2.7: Insert smart art

 Resize Graphics
All graphics can be resized by clicking the image and clicking one corner of the
image and dragging the cursor to the size you want the picture.

 Rotate Graphics
All graphics can be rotated by point and holding the mouse on the rotate button.

98 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 2.2.8: rotating a picture

 Watermarks:
 A watermark is a translucent image that appears behind the primary text in a
document. To insert a watermark:
 Click the Design t Tab in the Ribbon
 Click the Watermark Button in the Page Background Group
 Click the Watermark you want for the document or click Custom
Watermark and create your own watermark. To remove a watermark, follow
the steps above, but click Remove Watermark

Figure 2.2.9: Watermark window


Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 99
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

2.3 - Word Art and Short Cut Keys


2.3.1 Word Art: the WordArt tool makes it surprisingly simple to create decorative
text.
 Click to position the insertion point where you want to insert the WordArt.
 Click the Insert tab, and then click the Insert WordArt button in the Text
group. Word presents you with the WordArt Style gallery watermark.

Figure 2.2.10: Word arts

 Click a style in the gallery. Word applies the style to the placeholder phrase
 Type your text.
 (Optional) Select the text in the object and apply additional formatting as
desired. This step is optional because you also can reselect the WordArt later
to change its formatting.
 Click Outside the WordArt object to finish it.

100 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

2.3.1 Short Cut Keys

Figure 2.2.11: Short cut keys

2.4 - Proofreading a Document


There are many features to help you proofread your document. These
include: Spelling and Grammar, Thesaurus, AutoCorrect, Default Dictionary, and
Word Count. Spelling and Grammar. To check the spelling and grammar of a
document
 Place the cursor at the beginning of the document or the beginning of the section
that you want to check
 Click the Review Tab on the Ribbon
 Click Spelling & Grammar on the Proofing Group.

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 101


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 2.2.12: Spelling and Grammar

 Any errors will display a dialog box to the right hand side of the screen that
allows you to choose a more appropriate spelling or phrasing.

Figure 2.2.13: Spelling error checking

 Word Count –this displays the total number of words in a document or


document segment.
 Select the paragraph or document you wish to count.
 From the Proofing group on the Review tab, Click Word Count.

102 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 2.2.14: word count window

 If you wish to check the spelling of an individual word, you can right click any
word that has been underlined by Word and choose a substitution.

Figure 2.2.15: individual word spelling check

 Thesaurus
The Thesaurus allows you to view synonyms. To use the thesaurus:
 Click the Review Tab of the Ribbon
 Click the Thesaurus Button on the Proofing Group.
 The thesaurus tool will appear on the right side of the screen and you can view
word options.
Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 103
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 2.2.16: Thesaurus


 You can also access the thesaurus by right-clicking any word and
choosing Synonyms on the menu.
 Customize AutoCorrect
You can set up the AutoCorrect tool in Word to retain certain text the way it
is. To customize AutoCorrect:
 Click the Microsoft Office button
 Click the Word Options Button
 Click the Proofing tab
 Click AutoCorrect Options button.

Figure 2.2.17: Word option window

 On the Auto Correct Tab, you can specify words you want to replace as you
type

104 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 2.2.18: Auto correct window

 Create a New Default Dictionary


Often you will have business or educational jargon that may not be recognized by the
spelling and/or grammar check in Word. You can customize the dictionary to
recognize these words.
 Click the File Tab
 Click the Word Options Button
 Click the Proofing tab
 Click the When Correcting Spelling tab
 Click Custom Dictionaries.
 Click Edit Word List
 Type in any words that you may use that are not recognized by the current
dictionary.

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 105


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 2.2.19: custom dictionaries

 Check Word Count


To check the word count in Word 2013 look at the bottom left corner of the
screen. It will give you the number of pages, a total word count or if you have text
highlighted it will tell you how many words are highlighted out of the total.

Figure 2.2.20: Status bar showing the word count

2.5- Page Formatting


Modify Page Margins.The page margins can be modified through the following

106 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

steps:
 Click the Page Layout Tab on the Ribbon
 On the Page Setup Group, Click Margins
 Click a Default Margin, or
 Click Custom Margins and complete the dialog box.

Figure 2.2.21: page margin

 Modify Page Orientations


To change the Orientation, Size of the Page, or Columns:
 Click the Page Layout Tab on the Ribbon
 On the Page Setup Group, Click the Orientation, Size, or Columns drop down
menus
 Click the appropriate choice.

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 107


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 2.2.22: page orientation

 Apply a Page Border and Colour


To apply a page colour:
 Click the Design Tab on the Ribbon
 On the Page Background Group, click the Page Colour drop down menu
 Then click a colour of your choice.

Figure 2.2.23: page colour

 Apply a Page Border


 To apply a page border:
 Click the Page Layout Tab on the Ribbon
 On the Page Background Group, click Page Borders
108 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

 Then select Border Type, style, colour, width or use predesigned Art work.

Figure 2.2.24: page borders and shading

 Header and Footer


To insert Header and Footer such as page numbers, date, or title, first, decide if you
want it in the header (at the top of the page) or in the Footer (at the bottom of the
page), then:
 Click the Insert Tab on the Ribbon
 Click Header or Footer
 Choose a style
 The Header/Footer Design Tab will display on the Ribbon
 Choose the information that you would like to have in the header or footer (date,
time, page numbers, etc.) or type in the information you would like to have in
the header or footer.

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 109


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

 Click the close Header and Footer button when you are done

Figure 2.2.25: Header and footer

 Columns: A Document Page can be split into two or more columns.


 From the Page Layout Tab Click on Column button, select the number of
columns
 To add more Columns features click on the More Column button.

Figure 2.2.26: page columns

 Create a Page Break


To insert a page break:
 Click the Page Layout Tab on the Ribbon
 On the Page Setup Group, click the Breaks Drop Down Menu
 Click Page Break

110 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 2.2.27: page break

 Insert a Cover Page


 To insert a cover page:
 Click the Insert Tab on the Ribbon
 Click the Cover Page Button on the Pages Group
 Choose a style for the cover page

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 111


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 2.2.28: Cover page

 Insert a Blank Page


 To insert a blank page:
 Click the Insert Tab on the Ribbon
 Click the Blank Page Button on the Page Group
 A Blank Page will be inserted at the insertion point (i.e. where you placed
your cursor).

112 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 2.2.29: blank page

3.0 EXERCISE
Laboratory for Week 5: Tables and Graphics
Laboratory Objectives
The aims of this laboratory practical are to ensure students are able to create tables
and insert graphics in an MS word document.
Instructions
1. Open the document you have created in your last week‘s lab and save it afresh
with this format YourRegNo-cosc101-Lab02.doc with reference to the
instructions given earlier. Note the change on Lab01 to Lab02.
2. You will follow the steps outlined below and perform the exercise and save in
the file created in Step 1.
3. You will save in the same directory LabMSWord you created earlier.
4. Keep repeating the save operation after few minutes to avoid losing data in
case of an abrupt power failure
5. You will submit your completed exercises to your Lab instructor before you
leave the lab class. Your instructor will advise you how to submit completed
exercises.

Task 1: Create and format Table


1. Insert a table after your last week‘s take home exercise. Locate the insert tab
on the menu bar and click it. The Insert Ribbon will appear:
Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 113
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

2. Click the Table Group and select from the drop down menu an 8 rows by 4
columns table Enter the following labels (column headings) into the first row
of the table:

NAMES STATE AGE DATE OF BIRTH


3. Enter text to correspond to the column headings.
4. Align the text of each column to the centre.
5. Bold the title in each column of the table and use 12 font sizes.
6. Make the background of the first row Dark blue.

Your final table should look like this:


Table 2.2.1: Task 2
Names State Age Date of Birth
Abacha Kano 105 12-03-1935
Obasanjo Osun 15 02-05-1995
Yar‘dua Katsina 20 06-09-1990
Goodluck Bayelsa 87 01-01-1993
Babangida Niger 25 15-05-1890
Buhari Katsina 10 05-10-1940
Murtala Kano 5 02-05-1840

Task 2: Insert Graphics


1. Go to the next blank page in your document and place your cursor on the
Editing window.
2. Click the Insert tab.
3. Click the Shapes button. Choose a shape (e.g. a box) and insert it in the
editing window. Stretch out the shape to the size you desire. Drawing Tools
will appear (above the Format tab on the Ribbon) when you finish drawing
your shape. Using the drawing tools, you can format your shape and design it
nicely.

114 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 2.2.30: Drawing tools

4. Right click on the shape and choose ‗Add text‘. Type ―The recipe to success‖ in
the text box.

Figure 2.2.31: Formatting a shape

5. Now, create four more boxes (containing the word: Self Motivations, Positive
Attitude, Hardworking, and Perseverance). To make the outline of the box
disappear, right click the text box, select Format Auto Shape. Under the Colours
and Lines tab, choose No Line option.

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 115


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Yours should look like this:

Figure 2.2.32: Expected result

6. Now, from the drawing toolbar, click on the AutoShapes button -> Block
Arrows and choose your desired arrow style.
7. Place the arrow (vertically) between the first and the second box.
8. Repeat the steps until you have the following diagram (tips: you could just copy
and paste the arrow):

116 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Task 3: Group the Objects

Figure 2.2.32: Grouping objects

1. One of the concern issues is that if you want to position or reposition the
diagram, you need to move each of the objects one by one, which could be
quite time consuming. What you can do is to group all the objects in the
diagram. In order to do this, hold the SHIFT key and click on each of the
objects.
2. Once you are done, point your cursor to the selection until a cross symbol
appear. Right click. From the pull down menu, choose Grouping -> Group.
(You could ungroup or regroup using the similar steps).

Figure 2.2.33: Regrouping or ungrouping

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 117


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

3. Now if you move one object, the rest of the objects will follow

Task 4
Insert Header and Footer and Page Number
1. Go to Header and Footer on the Insert Ribbon. Select the header, click on first
option and type your Matric Number.
2. Click on the footer area on the same page and type your full name.
3. Go to Page Number on the Header and Footer group of the Insert ribbon
4. Click on bottom page number and select the first option.

4.0 Study Session Summary


In this session, we were able to discuss tables, the terminology relating to graphics,
recognize different ways of manipulating tables and how they are used to present
data/information. We also discussed the different ways of presenting graphics. The
process in formatting these graphics objects were also discussed. We are able to
practice the Lab exercise.

5.0 Self-Assessment Questions and Answer


Questions:
1) Bullets and Numbering are located in which of the following Home tab groups
A. clipboard
B. Font
C. Styles
D. Paragraph

2) The keyboard shortcut means of opening a document is to press____


A. Ctrl + O
B. Shift + O
C. Alt + O
D. Ctrl+ Alt + O

118 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

3) To Redo the last work, press_______


A. Ctrl+U
B. Ctrl+Z
C. Ctrl+W
D. Ctrl+Y

4) Which key is used to select all the text in the document


A. Ctrl+T
B. Ctrl+A
C. Ctrl+F
D. Ctrl+N

5) In which of the following tabs, Header & footer can be found?


A. Home
B. Insert
C. Page layout
D. References

6.0 Answers to Self Assessment Questions


1. D
2. A
3. D
4. B
5. B

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 119


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

7.0 References/Further Reading


S.B. Junaidu, A.F. Donfack-kana and A. Salisu, Fundamentals of information
technology ABU press (2013)
J.J. Parsons and D. Oja, Practical Computer Literacy, Thompson Learning, 2005
Curt Simmons, How to Do Everything with Windows XP, 2nd Edition McGraw-
Hill/Osborne, 2003, ISBN 0-07-223080-0
Peter Norton‘s, Introduction to Computers, 5th Edition McGraw-Hill/Glencoe,
2003, ISBN 0-07-826421-9

120 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Study Session 1
Table of Contents, References and Citations, Mail Merge

Section and Subsection Headings:


Introduction
1.0 Learning Outcome
2.0 Main Content
2.1 - Table of Contents
2.2 - References and Citations
2.3 - Track Changes
2.4 - Using Mail Merge
2.5 - Managing Page Layout and Printing Document
3.0 Lab Exercise
4.0 Study Session Summary and Conclusion
5.0 Self-Assessment Questions and Answer
6.0 References/Further Reading

Introduction
The easiest way to create a Table of Contents is to utilize the Heading Styles that
you want to include in the Table of Contents. For example: Heading 1, Heading 2,
etc. based on the content of your document. When you add or delete headings from
your document, Word updates your Table of Contents. Word also updates the
page number in the table of contents when information in the document is added or
deleted.

1.0 Study Session Learning Outcome


After studying this session, I expect you to be able to:
a) Create Table of Contents and word updates
b) Print Document from Microsoft words

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 121


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

2.0 Main Content


2.1 - Table of Contents
When you create a Table of Contents, the first thing you want to do is mark the
entries in your document. The Table of Contents is formatted based on levels of
headings.

 Mark Table of Contents Entries


You can mark the Table of Contents entries in one of two ways: by using built-in
heading styles or by marking individual text entries.

To Use Built-In Heading Styles


 Select the text that you wish to be the heading
 Click the Home Tab
 In the Styles Group, click Heading 1 (or the appropriate heading)
 If you don‘t see the style you want, click the arrow to expand the Quick Styles
Gallery
 If the style you want does not appear click ‗Create a Style’, Type in the Style
Name and click OK.

Figure 2.3.1: Quick Styles Gallery

 To Mark Individual Entries:


 Select the text you wish to make a heading
 Click the References Tab
 Click Add Text in the Table of Contents Group
122 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

 Click the Level that you want to label your selection

Figure 2.3.2: Heading levels

 Create a Table of Contents


To create the table of contents:
 Put your cursor in the document where you want the Table of Contents
 Click the References Tab
 Click the Table of Contents button

Figure 2.3.3: Table of contents

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 123


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

2.1.1 Table of Index


To Add a Table of Index
Question: what is an index?
Answer: An index is a list of Words and their associated page numbers in a
document.

To add an Index, do the following


 Click on the References Tab.
 Click on the Insert Mark Entry Button on the Index group.
 Double Click on the Words that form part of the Index
 Click Mark or Mark All.
 Repeat this process for other words.
 Click on Insert Index

Figure 2.3.4: Mark index entry

2.2 - References and Citations


Word 2007 offers great tools for citing sources, creating a bibliography, and
managing the sources. The first step to creating a reference list and citations in a
document is to choose the appropriate style that you will be using for formatting the
citations and references.

Style
 To choose a publishing style:
124 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

 Click the References Tab on the Ribbon


 Click the drop down box next to Style in the Citations & Bibliography Group
 Choose the appropriate style.

Figure 2.3.4: References group

 Citations
To insert a citation in the text portion of your document:
 Click the References Tab on the Ribbon
 Click the Insert Citation Button on the Citations & Bibliography Group
 If this is a new source, click New Source
 If you have already created this source, it will appear in the drop down list and
you can click on it.

Figure 2.3.5: insert citation


Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 125
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

 If you are creating a New Source, choose the type of source (book, article, etc.)
 Complete the Create Source Form
 If you need additional fields, be sure to click the Show All Bibliography
Fields check box, Click OK.

Figure 2.3.6: Create source dialog box

 Placeholders
Placeholders can be utilised when there is a reference to be cited, but you do not
have all of the information on the source. To insert a Placeholder:
 Click Insert Citation
 Click Add New Placeholder.

Figure 2.3.7: Add new placeholder option


126 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

 Manage Sources
Once you have completed a document you may need to add or delete sources, modify
existing sources, or complete the information for the placeholders.

To Manage Sources:
 Click the References Tab on the Ribbon
 Click the Manage Sources Button on the Citations & Bibliography Group
 From this menu you can Add, Delete, and Edit Sources (note, you can preview
the source in the bottom pane of the window).

Figure 2.3.8: Source Manager

 Bibliography
To add a Bibliography to the document:
 Place the cursor in the document where you want the bibliography
 Click the References Tab on the Ribbon
 Click the Bibliography Button on the Citations & Bibliography Group
 Choose Insert Built-in Bibliography/Works Cited or Insert Bibliography.

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 127


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

 Footnotes and Endnotes


Question: What is footnote and Endnote?
Answer: A footnote is a reference tool that appears at the bottom of a page, while an endnote
appears at the end of a section, chapter or end of the document.

Place the cursor where the foot/endnote will be;


 From the References Tab Click on Insert Footnote/Insert Endnote

Figure 2.3.9: Footnotes Group of reference tab


 The footnote/endnote marker would appear at the bottom of page.
 Type in the footnote/endnote.

Figure 2.3.10: Footnote example

2.3 - Track Changes


Track Changes is a great feature of Word that allows you to see what changes have
been made to a document. The tools for track changes are found on the Review tab
of the Ribbon.

128 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 2.3.11: Track changes icon

 Begin Track Changes


To keep track of the changes you‘ll be making to a document, you must click
on Track Changes icon. To start Tracking Changes:
 Click Review Tab on the Ribbon
 Click Track Changes
 Make the changes to your document and you will see any changes you have
made.

 Document Views
There are four ways to view a document after you have tracked changes:
 Simple Markup: indicates where changes are with a red line in the margin.
 All Markup: shows all edits with different colors of text and strikethrough.
 No Markup: Hides markup to show what the incorporated changes will look
like.
 Original: Shows the document in its original form. To change the view, click
Show Markup under the Tracking Group of the Review Tab on the Ribbon.

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 129


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 2.3.12: Document view options

 Accept or Reject Changes


When you view the changes in a document you can either choose to accept or reject
the changes. This allows you to review the document by each change to accept or
reject each change.

Figure 2.3.12: accept and reject Changes icons

 Comments
The New Comments icon also lets you add comments to the document. To add a
new comment, put your cursor where you would like to add the comment and click
on New Comment.

130 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 2.3.13: New comments icon of a review tab

2.4 - Using Mail Merge


Consider a scenario where you are required to send yearly appraisal of all students to
their respective guardians
 These appraisal letters would contain some text that will remain same for all
recipients, while the information about each student, like the guardian name,
address, and grades, will change
 One way of doing this would be to print the letters, each time going back to the
document and changing the address. This would require a lot of time and effort.
 Another way is to use The Mail Merge feature of Word as a solution to this
problem.
 The Mail Merge process involves taking information from one document,
known as the Data Source, and combining it with another document, known as
the Main Document.
 The Data Source can be a Word file, or it can be any other file created in another
application, which contains the personalised or customised information that
changes in the main document
 The main document can contain text that does not change, and also the Merge
Fields
 Merge Field Code is a special instruction or a pointer in the main document
where you want information from the data source to be displayed in your merged
document.

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 131


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

 Data Source can be created in external applications like Microsoft Access,


Excel, or Outlook.


Merge Fields
Standard Information

Figure 2.3.14: Sample document with Mail Merge; showing merge fields.

Question: What are basic steps of performing mail merge?


Answer:
1) Creating a data source that contains the data for the merge fields
2) Creating the main document that contains the text of the letter/document
3) Merging the data source and the main document

Mail Merge Wizard can be used to create different types of documents, such as
Letters, Labels, etc.
 Creating Letters Using Mail Merge Wizard
 Open a Word document.
 Click the Mailings tab
- Click Start Mail Merge
- Step by Step Mail Merge Wizard (Mail Merge task pane will be displayed)
 The Select document
type (step 1)
132 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

- Letters:
- E-mail messages:
- Envelopes:
- Labels:
- Directory:

 Click Next: Starting document

Figure 2.3.15: Start Mail Merge icon

 In the Select starting document section, choose the appropriate option such as
 Use the current document: Enables you to add information that you want to
write to a recipient in the current document
 Start from a template: Enables you to use a predefined mail merge template
 Start from existing document: Enables you to modify the contents of an
existing document using Mail Merge wizard.
 Select the Use the current document radio button.
 Click the Next: Select recipients link under Step 2 of 6.

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 133


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 2.3.16: Mail merge wizard step 2 of 6

 Select the Type a new list radio button.


 Click the Create link in the Type a new list section to display the New Address
List dialog box.

Figure 2.3.17: Address list dialog box:

134 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

 Using the New Address List dialog box, create the data source as per your
requirements. Click the New Entry button to enter information for the next
recipient.
 When all the required records are in place, click the OK button to close the New
Address List dialog box
 This displays the Save Address List dialog box
 Type the name of the file in the File name text box and click the Save button to
save the address list.
 All the information that you have added to the data source is displayed in the
Mail Merge Recipients dialog box
 Click OK button to close the Mail Merge Recipients dialog
 At this point, your data source is ready and you can proceed to create the text for
your letter and also specify the placeholders for merge fields.
 Click the Next: Write your letter under Step 3 of 6 to display the next screen of
the Mail Merge task pane.

Figure 2.3.18: Mail merge recipients


 You can create the text for your letter and also specify the placeholders for merge
fields

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 135


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

 The wizard helps you by providing various predefined options like, Address
block, Greeting line and Electronic postage.

Figure 2.3.19: Mail merge wizard step 4 of 6

 Click the Address block link in the Write your letter section to display the
Insert Address Block dialog box.
 Specify the format for the recipient name and check the Insert company name
and Insert postal address check boxes.
 Click the OK button to insert the recipient name, company name, and postal
address from the address list to your document.

136 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 2.3.20: Insert address block window

 Go to the next line by pressing Enter key. Click the Greeting line link in the
Write your letter section to display the Greeting Line dialog box
 Select a format for the greeting line from the Greeting line format drop-down
list.
 Click the OK button to view the greeting line in the document.
 Click the Next: Preview your letters link in the Step 4 of 6 section to display
the next screen of the Mail Merge task pane.
 Click the Next: Complete the merge link in the Step 5 of 6 section to display
the next screen of the Mail Merge task pane
 In the Merge section, select one of the following option links: Print or Edit
individual letters.

2.5 - Managing Page Layout and Printing Documents


2.5.1 - Managing Page Layout
Word provides various page setup options such as alignment, margins, and
orientation to adjust the layout of the document on a paper. Page setup options
include:
 Margins: allows you to change the default page margins
 You can set custom margins for a document
 In general, margins affect all the pages of a document. Also, headers and footers
Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 137
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

are contained in the top and bottom margins, so make sure you do not decrease
the margins too much or the header and footer information might not print
completely
 It‘s always a good practice to preview the entire document before printing if you
have adjusted the margins.
 Page orientation: allows you to adjust objects that do not fit the page width-wise
 Sometimes, you can choose to print the document in landscape orientation rather
than the default portrait orientation.
 Paper size: allows you to change the current page size for printing purposes
 For certain documents, you might need to change the paper size for printing.
 Columns: allows you to format your page like newspapers, newsletters,
magazines and brochures.
 Page break: allows you to create a new page when there is more text on a page
than the margins can accommodate.
 When there is more text on a page than the margins, Word creates a new page by
inserting a page break. Word‘s page breaks do not always fall where you want
them to in a document, so when you have completed a long document, you will
often need to paginate it manually by adding page breaks.

2.5.2 Printing Documents


To print a document
 Click the File Menu Under Print, Click Print (Print dialog box displayed)
 Select the name of the printer
 Select the number of copies.
 Select the applicable properties
 Click the Print button to Print & close the Print dialog box,

138 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 2.3.21: print setup

3.0 LAB EXERCISE


Laboratory for Week 6: Table of Contents, References and Citations, Mail Merge
Laboratory Objectives
The aim of this laboratory practical is to ensure students are able to use a given
document to create Table of Contents, generate table of references and citations
and also experiment with Mail Merge.

Instructions
1. Download from the link www.abu.edu.ng/iacc the required document for this
lab and save it as YourRegNo-cosc101-Lab03.doc with reference to the
instructions given earlier. Note the change on Lab01 to Lab03.
2. You will follow the steps outlined below and perform the exercise and save in
the file created in Step 1.
3. You will save in the same directory LabMSWord you created earlier.
4. Keep repeating the save operation after few minutes to avoid losing data in
case of an abrupt power failure.

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 139


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

5. You will submit your completed exercises to your Lab instructor before you
leave the lab class. Your instructor will advise you how to submit completed
exercises.

Task 1: Create Table of Contents


Step 1: Set up your document
You need to use hierarchical heading styles for your headings and subheadings.
1. Start a new document.
2. Press Enter a few times to create some space for the TOC.
3. Add some headings and some text.
4. Apply Word‘s default Heading 1, 2, and 3 styles to the headings.

Figure 2.3.22: Word headings

Step 2: Insert a default Table of Contents


a. Click in the empty space you created at the beginning of the document.
b. Go to the References tab > Table of Contents group.
c. Click the Table of Contents button.

140 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 2.3.23: Table of contents icon

d. Select one of Word‘s built-in TOCs from the list.

Figure 2.3.23:Table of contents options

Your Table of Contents should looks like this.

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 141


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 2.3.24: Expected Table of contents

Task 1b
Create a Table of Contents for your own document, the document you have
downloaded
The headings in your project file were not formatted as a heading, so you must
mark individual text entries for the Table of Content.
1. Open your document
2. Click at the top of the first page, press Enter twice (to make space for the table
of contents).
3. Highlight the heading
4. On the References tab, in the Table of Contents group, click ‗Add Text‘
5. Click a heading level e.g Level 1 for a main level display in the table of
contents
6. Repeat steps 3 through 5 until you have labelled all of the text that you want to
appear in the table of contents
7. On the table of contents group, click ‗Insert Table of Contents‘

Step 3: Update the Table of Content


If you add more content to the document or shift content around, you will need to
update the table of content to reflect the revised page numbering and the new or

142 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

deleted headings. There are several methods you can use to update the table of
contents — choose the one that best suits the way you work:

 Click anywhere in the table of contents, then press F9.


 Go to the References tab > Table of Contents group, then click Update
Table.
 Click in the built-in table of contents, then click Update Table (this only
works for built-in table of contents, not a table of content you create yourself).

No matter which method you use, you will be asked if you want to update just the
page numbers only or the entire table. The safest option is Entire Table — this
updates both the page numbers AND adds or removes headings to reflect the
current headings used.

Figure 2.3.25: Update Table of contents dialog box

Task 2: References and Citations (Bibliography)


A bibliography is a list of sources, (usually placed at the end of a document) that
you consulted or cited during the research of a project. When you create a
bibliography, you can choose a standard style, which is widely used by universities
and businesses. You then create a citation and enter the source information or
insert a placeholder and fill in the source information later. After adding sources to
a document, use the Manage Source dialog box to choose which ones to use before
creating the bibliography.

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 143


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Task 2a: Add a Citation and Source to a Document


Steps:
1. Click the References tab.
2. Click the Style list arrow, and then click the style you want.(Tip: Search the
Internet to know the style to use)
3. Place the insertion point where you want to place the citation.
4. Click the Insert Citation button ->Add New Source
5. Click the Type of source list arrow and select a source type, e.g. APA
6. Enter the bibliography information for the source and click Ok.
Now, here is your task!

Type the text: ―A bibliography provides information about the source of your
research‖ (Johnson, 2007)
Follow the steps outlined above and add the citation (Johnson, 2007) and source to
the statement you just typed. The citation and source information could be:
Johnson, Steve (2007). Excellent Word 2007. New York: Princeton inc.
Below are details of the steps.

Step 1: To choose a publishing style:


 Click the References Tab on the Ribbon
 Click the drop down box next to Style in the Citations & Bibliography Group
 Choose the appropriate style.

Figure 2.3.26: Bibliography style


144 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Step 2: Citations
To insert a citation in the text portion of your document:
 Click the References Tab on the Ribbon
 Click the Insert Citation Button on the Citations & Bibliography Group
 If this is a new source, click New Source
 If you have already created this source, it will in the drop down list and you
can click on it.

 If you are creating a New Source, choose the type of source (book, article,
etc.)
 Complete the Create Source Form
 If you need additional fields, be sure to click the Show All Bibliography
Fields check box
 Click OK.

Figure 2.3.27: Create Source dialog box

Step 3: Placeholders
Placeholders can be utilised when there is a reference to be cited, but you do not
have all of the information on the source. To insert a Placeholder:
 Click Insert Citation
 Click Add New Placeholder

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 145


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Step 4: Manage Sources


Once you have completed a document you may need to add or delete sources,
modify existing sources, or complete the information for the placeholders. To
Manage Sources:
 Click the References Tab on the Ribbon
 Click the Manage Sources Button on the Citations & Bibliography Group
 From this menu you can Add, Delete, and Edit Sources. Note, you can
preview the source in the bottom pane of the window

Figure 2.3.28: Source manager

Step 5: Bibliography
To add a Bibliography to the document:
 Place the cursor in the document where you want the bibliography
 Click the References Tab on the Ribbon
 Click the Bibliography Button on the Citations & Bibliography Group
 Choose Insert Built-in Bibliography/Works Cited or Insert Bibliography

146 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 2.3.29: Bibliography options

Step 6: Insert Footnote


Some types of academic writing utilise footnotes. To insert a footnote:
 Click the References Tab on the Ribbon
 Click Insert Footnote (or Insert Endnote depending on your needs)
 Begin typing the footnote

Figure 2.3.30: Insert footnote

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 147


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Task 4: Track Changes


Track Changes is a great feature of Word that allows you to see what changes have
been made to a document. The tools for track changes are found on the Review
tab of the Ribbon.

Figure 2.3.31: Track changes


Begin Track Changes
To keep track of the changes you will be making to a document, you must click on
Track Changes icon.
To start Tracking Changes:
 Open your document
 Click Review Tab on the Ribbon
 Click Track Changes
 Make the following changes to your document and you will see any changes
you have made:
a. Delete the text ‗Components‘ of Computer and replace with the text
‗Constituents‘
b. Cut the last line of text and paste it at the beginning of the second paragraph.
Task 5: Create Mail Merge
Hands on Guide: Mail Merge
1. Open Microsoft Word
2. Type the letter with all needed text and formatting leaving areas for the data
source data blank (eg. name, address…)
3. Click the Mailings tab
148 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

4. Click Start Mail Merge


5. Click Step by Step Mail Merge Wizard

Figure 2.3.32: Mail merge options

The Mail Merge task pane appears on the right of your screen. Note there are 6
steps
Step 1
 Click Letters for the document type
 Click Next: Starting document
Step 2
 Click Use the current document under Select starting document
 Click Next: Select recipients
Step 3
The recipients can come from either an existing Excel file, or Access table or you
can create a new list.
If Using an Existing List:
 Click Use an existing list under Select recipients
 Click Browse
 Select the file
Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 149
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

 Click Open
Mail Merge Recipients opens showing the names and addresses from your file
 Click OK

Figure 2.3.33: Mail merge recipients dialog box

 Click Next: Write your letter


Note: use the following table to create a list

150 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Table 2.3.1: List of Recipients


Title First Name Last Name Address
Mal. Auwalu ABDULLAHI No. 2. Sultan Road, GRA, Kaduna
Mrs. Lidia Caleb No. 4. Layin Zomo, Basawa, Zaria
Miss. Hauwa Isa No 24. Kwarabai Zaria City
Mr. Christopher Ekwe No. 7. Aminu Street, Sabongari, Zaria
Mal. Umar Usman No. 5. Kofar Doka Zaria City, Zaria
Mal. Khalilurrahman Umar No. 28. Abuja Road, GRA, Kaduna
Mr. Ojo Isma‘ila No. 5. Danraka Estate, Samaru, Zaria
Mr. Istifanus Timothy No. 7. Area BZ, ABU Main Campus,
Zaria

To Type a New List:


o Click Type a new list under Select recipients
o Click Create
o Click Customize Columns to modify the list of fields.

Figure 2.3.34: New address List dialog box:

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 151


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 2.3.35: Customise Address list dialog box

Delete any unnecessary field names and/or add new ones


 Click OK
 Type records here hitting TAB to advance to the next field and to continue
adding new records
 Click OK
 Click Save

The recipients list will be saved as a separate file as a Microsoft Access file type. It
is saved in the My Data Sources folder. It is recommended to save the file in this
folder.
 Click Next: Write your letter

Step 4
 Click the location in your document where the data from the mail merge
fields need to be inserted
152 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

 Click Address block…


 Select the address elements you want included
 Click OK

Figure 2.3.36: Insert Address Block dialog box


 The field name will look like this: <<AddressBlock>>
 The Address block will insert the following fields including any necessary
punctuation: First Name, Last Name, Company, Address 1, Address 2, City,
State, Postal Code.
 If your fields do not match the ones listed above or you have additional fields,
 click More items…

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 153


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 2.3.37: Insert merge field dialog box


 Click on the field from the list
 Click Insert
 Click Close
The field name will look like this - «First_Name»
 Repeat this step until all fields have been inserted.
Remember to put spaces and punctuation where needed.
 Click Next: Preview your letters

Step 5
Here is where you can preview the first page with the fields filled in.
Click Next: Complete the merge

Step 6
To Complete the Merge:
 Click Edit individual letters to create a new file
Remember to save your document as you go. The next time you open your
document and click on Step by Step Mail Merge, the data file will be attached.

Now your task!

154 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Follow the steps above and produce a mail-merged document inviting five of your
friends to your graduation party.

Save the document and submit to your Instructor in whatever form required.

Congratulations!!

Main Content
2.1 - Table of Contents
2.2 - References and Citations
2.3 - Track Changes
2.4 - Using Mail Merge
2.5 - Managing Page Layout and Printing Document

3.0 Lab Exercise

4.0 Study Session Summary and Conclusion


In this session, we looked at how table of contents are inserted into a document.
We also discussed on how to manage References and citations, how to track
changes and how to use Mail Merge for sending letters. Finally, we looked at how
to change the layout of your document and to print your document

5.0 Self-Assessment Questions and Answer


Questions
1) Which of the following can be used for quick access to commonly used
commands and tools
A. Status bar
B. Toolbar
C. Menu bar
D. Title bar
Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 155
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

2) The ability to combine name and addresses with a standard document is


called______
A. Document formatting
B. Database management
C. Mail merge
D. Form letters

3) To run/execute selected command, key used is ________


A. Ctrl key
B. Alt key
C. Enter key
D. Shift key

4) Which of the following is used to confirm changes when you are tracking
changes in a document?
A. Show markup
B. Accept
C. Reject
D. Track Changes

5) All the following are used for setting up a page in a document except
A. Margins
B. Size
C. Orientation
D. Header and footer

156 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

6.0 Answers to Self Assessment Questions


1. B
2. C
3. C
4. B
5. D

7.0 References/Further Reading


S.B. Junaidu, A.F. Donfack-kana and A. Salisu, Fundamentals of information
technology ABU press (2013).
J.J. Parsons and D. Oja, Practical Computer Literacy, Thompson Learning, 2005.
Curt Simmons, How to Do Everything with Windows XP, 2nd Edition McGraw-
Hill/Osborne, 2003, ISBN 0-07-223080-0.
Peter Norton‘s, Introduction to Computers, 5th Edition McGraw-Hill/Glencoe, 2003,
ISBN 0-07-826421-9.

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 157


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Modules 3
Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint
Content
Study session 1: Microsoft Excel: Part I
Study session 2: Microsoft Excel: Part II
Study session 3: Microsoft Power Point: Part I
Study session 4: Microsoft Power Point: Part II

Study Session 1
Microsoft Excel: Part I

Section and Subsection Headings:


Introduction
1.0 Learning Outcome
2.0 Main Content
2.1- What is Excel and Excel Screen Layout?
2.2- File Tab, Ribbon, Ribbon Tabs and Quick Access and Mini Toolbars
2.3- Working with Workbook and Selecting Cells
2.4- Manipulating Data and Modifying a Worksheet
2.5- Performing Calculations
2.6- Working with Dates, Sorting & Filtering and Subtotal,
158 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

2.7- Data Validation, and Conditional Formatting


3.0 Lab Exercise
4.0 Study Session Summary and Conclusion
4.0 Self-Assessment Questions and Answer
5.0 References/Further Reading

Introduction
Microsoft Excel is a spreadsheet program that is used to record and analyze
numerical data.
Question: What are spreadsheets?
Answer: Spreadsheets are a collection of columns and rows that form a table.

Alphabetically, letters are usually assigned to columns and numbers are usually
assigned to rows. MS Excel include various components such as: Performing
Calculation, Manipulating data, Sorting and Filtering, Customization of Ribbon,
Customizing the Layout, etc.

1.0 Study Session Learning Outcome


After studying this session, I expect you to be able to:
a) Identify the main parts of the Excel window
b) Identify the purpose of the commands on the menu bar
c) Work with the buttons on the toolbar.
d) Enter and format text and numbers into cells
e) Perform basic mathematical operations in a spreadsheet

2.0 Main Content


2.1 - What Is Excel And Excel Screen Layout?
2.1.1 - What Is Excel?
Excel is a spreadsheet program with various components. Rows are referenced by
the row number. 1 is the reference to the first row. Columns are referenced by
the column name such as ―A‖. Cell-is an intersection of a row and a column. A cell
Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 159
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

is referenced by the combination of a column and row name. E.g., first cell A1 is
in column A and row 1.

A spreadsheet is a software that manipulates number and string data in rows and
columns. The Main advantage of using a spreadsheet program is that it enables you
to perform simple row-and-column arithmetic.
2.1.2 Excel Screen Layout

Figure 3.1.1: Excel screen Layout

 The Microsoft Excel 2013 Window includes the following components:


 Rows: Rows are referenced by the numbers. (Total = 1,048,576)
 Columns: Columns are referenced by the alphabets. (A – XFD)
 Cell: A cell is an intersection of a row and a column. Cells can contain various
types of data. A cell is referenced by the name of the column and row. For
example, the first cell A1 is in column A and row 1.
 Worksheet: A worksheet contains rows and columns and their intersection
160 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

forms the cells. A worksheet consists of 65,536 rows and 256 columns.
 Workbook: A workbook consists of worksheets. It is also referred to as an
Excel file. A workbook can be defined as a set of worksheets.
 Formula bar: A formula bar contains tools for creating and editing formulas.
 Name box: A name box displays the name of a selected cell and a range of
cells.
 Sheet Tab: A sheet tab helps to navigate between worksheets in a workbook.

2.2 - File Tab, Ribbon, Ribbon Tabs and Quick Access & Mini Toolbars
2.2.1 File Tab
The File Tab performs many of the functions that were located in the File menu of
older versions of Excel. This button allows you to create a new workbook, Open an
existing workbook, save and save as, print, send, or close.

2.2.2 RIBBON
The ribbon is the panel at the top portion of the document. It has seven tabs: Home,
Insert, Page Layouts, Formulas, Data, Review and View. Each tab is divided into
groups. The groups are logical collections of features designed to perform function
that you will utilise in developing or editing your Excel spreadsheets.

Figure 3.1.2: Home Tab Ribbon

 Commonly utilized features are displayed on the Ribbon. To view additional


features within each group, click the arrow at the bottom right corner of each
group.

2.2.3 Tabs and their Ribbon


 Home: Clipboard, Fonts, Alignment, Number, Styles, Cells, Editing
Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 161
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

 Insert: Tables, Illustrations, Charts, Links, Text


 Page Layouts: Themes, Page Setup, Scale to Fit, Sheet Options, Arrange
 Formulas: Function Library, Defined Names, Formula Auditing, Calculation
 Data: Get External Data, Connections, Sort & Filter, Data Tools, Outline
 Review: Proofing, Comments, Changes
 View: Workbook Views, Show/Hide, Zoom, Window, Macros.
2.2.4 Quick Access & Mini Toolbars
The quick access toolbar is a customizable toolbar that contains commands that you
may want to use.

Figure 3.1.3: Quick Access tool bar

Mini Toolbar
Question: What is mini tool bar?
Answer: This is a floating toolbar, displayed when you select text or right-click
text. It displays common formatting tools, such as Bold, Italics, Fonts, Font Size and
Font Colour.

162 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 3.1.4: Mini tool bar

2.3-Working With Workbook and Selecting Cells


2.3.1 Working With Workbook
To create a new Workbook:
 Click the File Tab
 Click New
 Choose Blank Workbook

Figure 3.1.5: Creating new workbook

 If you want to create a new workbook from a template, explore the templates
and choose one that fits your needs.
 Save a Workbook
When you save a workbook, you have two choices: Save or Save As: To save a
document:
 Click the File Tab
Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 163
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

 Click Save or Save As.


 Choose the folder/location you wish to save to.
 Type in the File Name and select the

File type. Click Save.

Figure 3.1.6: Saving a new workbook


 Open a Workbook
To open an existing workbook:
 Click the File Tab
 Click Open
164 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

 Browse to the workbook


 Click the title of the workbook
 Click Open
 If the Workbook is a recent file it will be shown under Recent Workbooks. Then
click on it.

 Entering Data
There are different ways to enter data in Excel: in an active cell or in the
formula bar.

To enter data in an active cell:


 Click in the cell where you want the data
 Begin typing

To enter data into the formula bar


 Click the cell where you would like the data
 Place the cursor in the Formula Bar and Type in the data
 If you want to edit the data of the cell, double-click on the cell or press the F2
key.

Figure 3.1.7: Entering data into an active cell

Entering Date and Time


 To enter date and time in a cell, perform the following steps:
i. Select the cell where the date and time is to be entered and type the
Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 165
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

required date and time.


ii. There are many formats to enter the date, the most common are date with
hyphen or slashes, for example, 08-10-2006 or 08/10/2006.
 To enter the current date, select the required cell and hold down the Ctrl key
and press the; key.
 To enter the current time, select the required cell and hold down the
combination of Ctrl and Shift keys and then press the: key.
2.3.2 Selecting Cells
Click the row or column header to select a single row or column.
 To select multiple adjacent rows or columns, drag over the row or column
header.
 To select multiple (nonadjacent) rows or columns, press Ctrl while you click the
row or column headers that you want.
 Press Ctrl + Spacebar to select a column. The column of the active cell (or
columns of the selected cells) is highlighted.
 Press Shift + Spacebar to select a row. The row of the active cell (or rows of the
selected cells) is highlighted.

Select Special Cells


 Select a range, and choose; Home Tab ➪ Editing ➪ Find & Select ➪ Go to
Special to display the Go to Special dialog box.
 Click on the type of cell to select.
 Click OK.

166 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 3.1.7: Go to Special dialog box


 Select the first range (or cell). Then press and hold Ctrl as you drag the mouse to
highlight additional cells or ranges.
 From the keyboard, select a range as described previously (using F8 or the Shift
key). Then press Shift+F8 to select another range without cancelling the previous
range selections.

Figure 3.1.8: select special cells


Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 167
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

 Enter the range (or cell) address in the Name box and press Enter. Separate
each range address with a comma.

2.4-Manipulating Data and Modifying a Worksheet


2.4.1 Manipulating Data
Excel allows you to move, copy, and paste cells and cell content through cutting and
pasting and copying and pasting. Select Data
 To select a cell or data to be copied or cut:
- Click the cell

Figure 3.1.9: Excel file


 Click and drag the cursor to select many cells in a range

Figure 3.1.10: Excel file with all cells selected

Select a Row or Column


 To select a row or column click on the row
 or column header.

168 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 3.1.11: Excel file with a selected column

Figure 3.1.12: Excel file with a selected row

Copy and Paste


To copy and paste data:
 Select the cell(s) you wish to copy
 On the Clipboard group of the Home tab, click Copy
 Select the cell(s) where you would like to copy the data
 On the Clipboard group of the Home tab, click Paste

Cut and Paste


To cut and paste data:
 Select the cell(s) that you wish to copy
 On the Clipboard group of the Home tab, click Cut
 Select the cell(s) where you would like to copy the data
 On the Clipboard group of the Home tab, click Paste
Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 169
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Undo and Redo


To undo or redo your most recent actions:
 On the Quick Access Toolbar
 Click Undo or Redo

Auto Fill
Question: What is auto fill?
Answer: The Auto Fill feature fills cell data or series of data in a worksheet into a selected range of
cells.
If you want the same data copied into the other cells, you only need to complete one
cell. If you want to have a series of data (for example, days of the week) fill in the
first two cells in the series and then use the auto fill feature. To use the Auto Fill
feature:
 Click the Fill Handle
 Drag the Fill Handle

Figure 3.1.13: Fill handle

2.4.2 Modifying a Worksheet


Insert Cells, Rows, and Columns
To insert cells, rows, and columns in Excel:
 Place the cursor in the row below where you want the new row, or in the column
to the left of where you want the new column

170 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

 Click the Insert button on the Cells group of the Home tab
 Click the appropriate choice: Cell, Row, or Column

Figure 3.1.14: Insert cell, row or column options


Delete Cells, Rows and Columns
To delete cells, rows, and columns:
 Place the cursor in the cell, row, or column that you want to delete
 Click the Delete button on the Cells group of the Home tab
 Click the appropriate choice: Cell, Row, or Column

Figure 3.1.15: Delete cells, rows, column or sheet options

Find and Replace


To find data or find and replace data:
 Click the Find & Select button on the Editing group of the Home tab

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 171


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

 Choose Find or Replace


 Complete the Find What text box
 Click on Options for more search options

Figure 3.1.16: Excel find and replace


Go To Command
The Go To command takes you to a specific cell either by cell reference (the Column
Letter and the Row Number) or cell name.
 Click the Find & Select button on the Editing group of the Home tab
 Click Go To

Spell Check
 To check the spelling:
 On the Review tab click the Spelling button

2.5-Performing Calculations
Excel Formulas
A formula is a set of mathematical instructions that can be used in Excel to perform
calculations. Formals are started in the formula box with an = sign. There are many
elements of excel formula.
 References: The cell or range of cells that you want to use in your calculation
 Operators: Symbols (+, -, *, /, etc.) that specify the calculation to be performed
 Constants: Numbers or text values that do not change
 Functions: Predefined formulas in Excel

172 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 3.1.17: Example of excel formula

To create a basic formula in Excel:


- Select the cell for the formula
- Type = (the equal sign) and the formula
- Click Enter

Figure 3.1.18: Creating Excel formula

Calculate with Functions


Question: what is a function in excel?
Answer: A function is a built in formula in Excel. A function has a name and arguments (the
mathematical function) in parentheses.

Common functions in Excel:


 Sum: Adds all cells in the argument
 Average: Calculates the average of the cells in the argument
 Min: Finds the minimum value
 Max: Finds the maximum value
 Count: Finds the number of cells that contain a numerical value within a range
Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 173
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

of the argument.

Figure 3.1.19: Insert Function

To calculate a function:
- Click the cell where you want the function applied
- Click the Insert Function button
- Choose the function & Click OK Complete the Number boxes with the cells in
the range that you want to calculated
 A formula consists of a set special code entered into a cell. It performs a
calculation of some type and returns a value which is displayed in the cell.
 The values and text used in formulas can be located in other cells, which makes
changing data easy and gives worksheets their dynamic nature.
 Mathematical operators, such as + (for addition) and * (for multiplication) Cell
references (including named cells and ranges), Values or text, Worksheet
functions (such as SUM or AVERAGE)

Table 3.1.1: Excel Mathematical Operators


OPERATOR FUNCTION
+ Addition
- Subtraction

? Division

174 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

* Multiplication
^ Exponentiation
& Concatenation
= Logical comparison (equal to)

Table 3.1.2: Operator Precedence

Function Library
The function library is a large group of functions on the Formula Tab of the
Ribbon. These functions include:
 AutoSum: Easily calculates the sum of a range
 Recently Used: All recently used functions
 Financial: Accrued interest, cash flow return rates and additional financial
functions
 Logical: And, If, True, False, etc.
 Text: Text based functions
 Date & Time: Functions calculated on date and time
 Math & Trig: Mathematical Functions.

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 175


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 3.1.20: Function Library

Table 3.1.3: Excel logical operators

Relative, Absolute and Mixed References


 Cell reference is simply the name of a cell (column letter and row number)
 Calling cells by just their column and row labels (such as "A1") is called relative
referencing. When a formula contains relative referencing and it is copied from
one cell to another, Excel does not create an exact copy of the formula. It will
change cell addresses relative to the row and column they are moved to. For
example, if a simple addition formula in cell C1 "=(A1+B1)" is copied to cell C2,
the formula would change to "=(A2+B2)" to reflect the new row.
 To prevent this change, cells must be called by absolute referencing and this is
accomplished by placing dollar signs "$" within the cell addresses in the formula.
Continuing the previous example, the formula in cell C1 would read
"=($A$1+$B$1)" if the value of cell C2 should be the sum of cells A1 and B1.
Both the column and row of both cells are absolute and will not change when
176 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

copied.
 Mixed referencing can also be used where only the row OR column fixed. For
example, in the formula "=(A$1+$B2)", the row of cell A1 is fixed and the
column of cell B2 is fixed.
Linking Worksheets
You may want to use the value from a cell in another worksheet within the same
workbook in a formula.
 For example, the value of cell A1 in the current worksheet and cell A2 in the
second worksheet can be added using the format "sheetname!celladdress".
 The formula for this example would be "=A1+Sheet2!A2" where the value of
cell A1 in the current worksheet is added to the value of cell A2 in the worksheet
named "Sheet2".

2.6 - Working With Dates, Sorting & Filtering and Subtotal


2.6.1 Working with Dates
Excel Date Formats
Table 3.1.4: Excel date format
Date Entry Excel Interpretation
20-09-2015 September 20th 2015
20-9-15 September 20th 2015
20/9/15 September 20th 2015
20/09/2015 September 20th 2015
20-09/2015 September 20th 2015
Sept. 20, 2015 September 20th 2015

Sept. 20 September 20th 2015

Displaying Today’s Date


Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 177
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

 The following formula uses the TODAY function to display the current date in a
cell: =TODAY()
 You can also display the date combined with text. The formula that follows, for
example, displays text, such as Today is Tuesday, April 9, 2013: ="Today is
"&TEXT(TODAY(),"dddd, mmmm d, yyyy")

2.6.2 Sorting & Filtering


Sorting and Filtering allow you to manipulate data in a worksheet based on given set
of criteria.

Basic Sorts
To execute a basic descending or ascending sort based on one column:
 Highlight the cells that you want to sort
 Click the Sort & Filter button on the Data tab
 Click the Sort Ascending (A-Z) button or Sort Descending (Z-A) button

Figure 3.1.21: Excel sort

Custom Sorts
To sort on the basis of more than one column:
 Click the Sort & Filter button on the Home tab
178 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

 Choose which column you want to sort by first


 Click Add Level
 Choose the next column you want to sort
 Click OK

Figure 3.1.22: Excel sort dialog box

Filtering
Filtering allows you to display only data that meets certain criteria. To filter:
 Click the column or columns that contain the data you wish to filter
 On the Data tab, click on Filter button
 Click the Arrow at the bottom of the first cell you want to use for the Filter
 Click the Text Filter
 Click the Words you wish to Filter. To clear the filter click the Filter button.

Figure 3.1.23: Excel sort and filter


Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 179
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 3.1.24: Excel sort example

2.6.3 Subtotal
 You can automatically calculate subtotals and grand totals in a list for a column
by using the Subtotal command in the Outline group on the Data tab.
 Subtotals are calculated with a summary function such as Sum, Count or
Average, by using the SUBTOTAL function. You can display more than one
type of summary function for each column.
 To add SUBTOTAL in a list, follow the following steps:
- Make sure that each column has a label in the first row, contains similar facts in
each column, and that the range has no blank rows or columns.
- Sort the field for which you want to have subtotal summary.
- Select a cell in the range
- Select Data -> Subtotal (in Outline Group)
 Select the field for which the subtotals are to be calculated in the ‗At Each
Change‘ in drop-down list.
 Specify the type of totals you want to insert in the Use Function drop-down list.
 When you use the Subtotals feature, you aren‘t restricted to having the values in
the designated field added together with the SUM function. You can instead have
Excel return the number of entries with the COUNT function, the average of the
entries with the AVERAGE function, the highest entry with the MAX function,
the lowest entry with the MIN function, or even the product of the entries with
the PRODUCT function.
180 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

 Select the check boxes for the field(s) you want to total in the Add Subtotal To
list box.
 Click OK.

.
Figure 3.1.25: Subtotal dialog box

2.7 Data Validation, And Conditional Formatting


2.7.1 Data Validation
The Excel 2013 data validation: - because formulas are only as accurate as the data
they receive, it‘s important that your spreadsheet contains only valid data. Examples
of invalid data might be a negative number (such as –9) for a price or a decimal
number (such as 4.39) for the number of items a customer bought.
 To keep your spreadsheet from accepting invalid data, you can define a cell to
accept only certain types of data, such as numbers that fall between 30 and 100.
 The moment someone tries to type invalid data into a cell, Excel immediately
warns you.

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 181


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

 To define valid types of data for a cell, follow these steps:


- Click a cell that contains data used by a formula.
- Click the Data tab.
- Click the Data Validation icon in the Data Tools group.
 The Data Validation dialog box appears.

Figure 3.1.26: Excel data validation

 Click the Allow list box and choose one of the following:
- Any Value: The default value accepts anything the user types
- Whole Number: Accepts only whole numbers, such as 47 and 903
- Decimal: Accepts whole and decimal numbers, such as 48.01 or 1.00
- List: Allows you to define a list of valid data
- Date: Accepts only dates
- Time: Accepts only times
- Text length: Defines a minimum and maximum length for text
- Custom: Allows you to define a formula to specify valid data Depending on
the option you choose, you may need to define Minimum and Maximum
values and whether you want the data to be equal to, less than, or greater than a
defined limit.
 Click the Input Message tab in the Data Validation dialog box
182 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

 Click in the Title text box and type a title.


 Click in the Input Message text box and type a message you want to display
when someone selects this particular cell.
 Click the Error Alert Tab in the Data Validation dialog box
 Click the Style list box and choose an alert icon, such as Stop or Warning.
 Click in the Title text box and type a title for your error message.

Figure 3.1.27: Data validation dialog box

 Click in the Error Message text box and type the message to appear if the user
types invalid data into the cell.
 Click OK. After you define data validation for a cell, you can always remove it
later. To remove validation for a cell, follow these steps:
- Click in the cell that contains data validation.
- Click the Data tab.
- Click the Data Validation icon in the Data Tools group.
 The Data Validation dialog box
appears
- Click Clear All and then click OK.
Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 183
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

 Excel clears all your data validation rules for your chosen cell.

2.7.2 Conditional Formatting


Question: What is conditional formatting?
Answer: Conditional formatting is a technique used to format cells based on one or more rules.

Conditional Formatting helps you visually explore and analyze data collected in an
Excel worksheet, detect critical issues, and identify trends, patterns and exceptions.
Conditional Formatting in Excel 2013 allows you to automatically apply
formatting such as colours, icons, and data bars to one or more cells based on
the cell value.

Figure 3.1.28: Conditional formatting

 Apply Conditional Formatting


To apply a Conditional Formatting:
 Select the cell or the relevant range of cells to be formatted
 On the Home tab Click ‗Conditional Formatting’.
 Choose Highlight Cells rules, select the appropriate rule and specify the
condition for formatting the chosen cell or range of cells. For e.g. to format the
cells that are greater than a specified value, choose Greater Than, specify the
value and the fill colour.

184 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 3.1.29: Conditional formatting

 To specify a custom rule,


- Select the cell or the relevant range of cells to be formatted
- On the Home tab Click ‗Conditional Formatting‘.
- Choose New Rule, select a rule type and edit the rule description.

 To specify another rule for the same range of cells, repeat the above steps.

Figure 3.1.30: New formatting rule dialog box

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 185


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

 Manage conditional formatting


One can create, edit, delete, and view all conditional formatting rules in the
workbook by using the Conditional Formatting Rules Manager dialog box. On
the Home tab, in the Styles group, click the arrow next to Conditional
Formatting, and then click Manage Rules. Against Show Formatting rule for,
choose the worksheet whose rules you want to manipulate. All relevant rules for
the worksheet are lists. These rules are evaluated in order of precedence by how
they are listed in this dialog box.

Figure 3.1.31: Conditional formatting rules manager

3.0 LAB EXERCISE


Laboratory for Week 7: Microsoft Excel I
Lab Objective
The aim of this laboratory practical is to ensure that students are able to create a
worksheet, use functions, differentiate between absolute and relative cell
references and format their worksheets.

186 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Requirements
This project requires Microsoft Excel.

Lab File
No file is required for this project.

Task 1: Creating a Worksheet


1. Start Microsoft Excel
2. Enter the labels and values shown below:

Figure 3.1.32: Entering data into excel


3. In cell C12, use the AutoSum button to calculate the sum of the cells in
column C. Use a similar procedure to calculate the long distance call totals for
Aisha, John, and Grace in cells D12, E12 and F12.
4. In cell C13, create a formula to calculate Musa's share of the ₦20.44 basic
monthly service rate by dividing the contents of cell D2 by 4. Create a similar
formula for each roommate in cells D13, E13, and F13.
5. In cell C14, create a formula to calculate Musa's share of the total phone bill
by adding the contents of cell C12 to the contents of cell C13. Create a similar
formula for each roommate in cells D14, E14, and F14.

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 187


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

6. Change the contents of Cell A1 to Feb Phone.


7. Use the Undo button to change the label in cell A1 back to the original
wording.
8. Compare your worksheet to the one shown in the figure on the next page.

Figure 3.1.33: Expected output

9. Save your worksheet in your project folder using the file name YourRegNo-
cosc101-Lab07-EX 1, where YourRegNo is your University Reg. Number
10. Copy the file to your flash and submit to your instructor.

Task 2
USING FUNCTIONS
In this project, you will apply what you have learned about AutoSum plus the
MAX, MIN, AVERAGE, and IF functions to complete a Microsoft Excel
worksheet.

188 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Requirements
This project requires Microsoft Excel.
Lab File: Lab7EX-2.xlsx

1. Copy the file Lab7EX-2.xlsx from Excel Lab Files folder on the desktop to
your Project folder. The file should look like the figure below;

Figure 3.1.34: Task 2 lab file

2. Start Microsoft Excel


3. Open the file Lab7EX-2.xlsx from your Project Folder.
4. Use the AutoSum button to display the total number of flights in cells
B11 and C11.
5. In cell B12, use the MIN function to display the lowest number of
ABUJA Air flights from the list that begins in cell B4 and ends in cell
Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 189
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

B10. Enter a similar function in cell C12 for KANO Air flights.
6. In cell B13, use the MAX function to display the highest number of
ABUJA Air flights from the list that begins in cell B4 and ends in cell
B10. Enter a similar function in cell C13 for KANO Air flights.
7. In cell B14, use a function to display the average number of ABUJA Air
flights from the list that begins in cell B4 and ends in cell B10. Enter a
similar function in cell C14 for KANO Air flights.
8. In cell D3, enter the label Most Flights and adjust the column width so
the label fits in a single cell.
9. In cell D4, use the Logical button in the Function Library group on the
Formulas tab to create an IF function that compares the number of flights
for ABUJA Air and KANO Air. The IF function should display KANO
Air in cell D4 if that airline has the most flights for Lagos It should
display ABUJA Air in cell D4 if that airline has the most flights. (Hint;
Place quotation marks around "KANO Air" and "ABUJA Air" when you
create the function, and remember that the Insert Function dialog box
provides help and examples.)
10. Use the Fill option in the Editing group on the Home tab to copy the IF
function from cell D4 down to cells D5 through D10.
11. In cell B16, use the Count function to display the number of destination
countries for ABUJA Air flights from the list that begins in cell B4 and
ends in cell B10. Enter a similar function in cell C16 for KANO Air
flights.
12. Enter your name in cell E1.
13. Compare your worksheet to the one shown in the figure on the next page,
but don't save it yet. You have one change to make in Step 14.

190 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 3.1.35: Task2 expected output


14. Change the number in cell C9 to 85
11. Save your worksheet in your project folder using the file name YourRegNo-
cosc101-Lab07-EX 2, where YourRegNo is your University Reg. Number.
15. Use one of the following options to submit your project on a USB flash drive
or as a printout, or as an e-mail attachment, according to your instructor‘s
directions.

Task3
Using Absolute and Relative References
In this project, you‘ll apply what you have learned about absolute and relative
references to complete a sales commission worksheet.
Lab File: Lab7EX-3.xlsx
2. Copy the file Lab7EX-3.xlsx to your project folder on this page.
Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 191
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 3.1.36: Task 3 lab file

3. Start Microsoft excel.


4. Open the file Lab07 EX-3.xlsx from your project folder.
5. Notice that cell B2 contains a sales commission rate. Each salesperson
receives a commission equal to his her total sales multiplied by the
commission rate. The commission rate changes periodically. The
worksheet is set up so that if the sales manager changes the rate in cell B2
all the sale commissions will be recalculated.
6. Create a formula in cell B10 to calculate the sale commission for column B
by multiplying the total sales in cell B9 by the commission rate in cell B2
by the commission rate in cell B2. (Hint: you must use an absolute
reference for the commission rate in the formula).

192 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

7. Copy the formula from cell B10 to cells C10 through E10.
8. Check the results of the copied formulas to make sure that they show the
correct results. If cell C10 through E10 contain zeros, you did not use the
correct absolute reference for the formula that you entered in step 5. If
necessary, modify the formula in B10, then recopy it to cells C10 through
E10
9. Compare your worksheet to the worksheet shown in the figure on the next
page, but do not save it until you complete step 9 and 10.

Figure 3.1.37: Task 3 expected output

9. Change the contents of the cell B2 to 0.03


10. Enter your name in cell B3

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 193


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

11. Save your worksheet in your project folder using the file name YourRegNo-
cosc101-Lab07-EX 3, where YourRegNo is your University Reg. Number.
12. Use one of the following options to submit your project on a USB flash drive,
as a printout, as an e-mail attachment, according to your instructor‘s directions.

TAKE HOME EXERCISE


Task 4: - Formatting a Worksheet
In this exercise, you will apply what you have learned about Microsoft Excel
to complete and format a worksheet.

Requirements
This project requires Microsoft Excel.
Lab File: Lab07 EX-4.xlsx
1. Copy the file Lab07 EX-4.xlsx to your Project Folder on this page.

Figure 3.1.38: Task 4 lab file


194 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

2. Start Microsoft Excel.


3. Open the file Lab07 EX-4.xlsx from your Project Folder.
4. Click the empty block between the "A" and "1" labels in the upper-left
corner of the worksheet to select the entire worksheet.
5. Change the font size of the entire worksheet to 12 point.
6. Copy the formula from cell C6 to cells 06 and E6.
7. Copy the formula from cell C15 to cells 015 and E15.
8. Copy the formula from cell F4 to cells F5 through F6, and cells F9 through
F15.
9. Insert a new, empty row before row 15.
10.Change the colour of the text in cell A1 to dark blue.
11.Change the font in cell A1 to Times New Roman, size 14, bold.
12. Merge the contents of cells A1 through F1 so that the title is centered
across those columns.
13. In cell A2, enter today's date.
14. Use the Dialog Box Launcher in the Number group to open the Format
Cells dialog box. Select a date format that displays dates in the format
Wednesday. March 14, 2010.
15.Merge the contents of cells A2 through F2 so that the date is centered.
16. Format cells A3 through F3 as bold text. Format cells AS and A16 as bold
text.
17. Format the numbers in cells C4 through E16 as currency.
18. Format the numbers in cells F4 through F16 as percentages (no decimal
places).
19. Right-align the labels in cells C3 through F3.
20. Add both inside and outline borders to two cell ranges: B4 through F5
and B9 through F13.
21. Adjust the width of all columns so that all labels and values fit within the
cells.
22. Now, explore what happens when you align some of the worksheet labels
at a 90° angle. Select cells C3 through F3. Click the Orientation button in the
Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 195
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Alignment group, and then click Angle Counterclockwise.


23. Aligning column headings at a 900 angle is useful for worksheets that have
many narrow columns. On this worksheet, however, the labels looked better at
the normal angle, so use the undo button to the quick access toolbar to undo the
900 angle.
24. Compare your worksheet to the one shown below

Figure 3.1.39: Task 4 expected output


25.Save your worksheet in your project folder using the file name YourRegNo-
cosc101-Lab07-EX.4, where YourRegNo is your University Reg. Number.
26. Use one of the following options to submit your project on a USB flash
drive or floppy disk, as a printout, or as an e-mail attachment, according to
your instructor‘s directions.

196 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

4.0 Study Session Summary and Conclusion


In this study session, we have learned that, Microsoft Excel is a powerful
spreadsheet program used to record, manipulate, store numeric data and it can be
customized to match your preferences. The ribbon, by now we all know that it is
used to access various commands in Excel. It also performs mathematical
operations.

5.0 Self-Assessment Questions and Answer


Questions
1) A function in another function is called____________
A. Nested function
B. Round function
C. Sum function
D. Text function

2) The software which contains rows and column is called _________


A. Database
B. Drawing
C. Spreadsheet
D. Word processing
3) $A$1 is an example of
A. Absolute Cell reference
B. Relative Cell reference
C. Active Cell reference
D. Mixed referencing
4) Write an excel formula that will display the current date in cell A1
A. A1 =TODAY()
B. A1 =Today
C. =TODAY()
D. =TODAY
5) Write a formula that will calculate the sum of numbers in cell A1 to cell A5
Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 197
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

in cell A6
A. A6=Sum(A1,A5)
B. =Sum(A1:A5)
C. =Sum(A1,A5)
D. A6=Sum(A1:A5)

6.0 Answers to Self Assessment Questions


1. A
2. C
3. A
4. C
5. B

7.0 References/Further Reading


S.B. Junaidu, A.F. Donfack-kana and A. Salisu, Fundamentals of Information
Technology ABU press (2013)
J.J. Parsons and D. Oja, Practical Computer Literacy, Thompson Learning, 2005
Curt Simmons, How to Do Everything with Windows XP, 2nd Edition McGraw-
Hill/Osborne, 2003, ISBN 0-07-223080-0
Peter Norton‘s, Introduction to Computers, 5th Edition McGraw-Hill/Glencoe, 2003,
ISBN 0-07-826421-9

198 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Study Session 2
Microsoft Excel: Part II

Section and Subsection Headings:


Introduction
1.0 Learning Outcome
2.0 Main Content
2.1 - Charts
2.2 - Formatting a Worksheet
2.3 - Developing a Workbook and Page Properties and Printing
2.4 - Customizing the Layout, Pivot Table, Pivot Chart and Printing a
Worksheet
3.0 Lab Exercise
4.0 Study Session Summary and Conclusion
5.0 Self-Assessment Questions and Answer
6.0 References/Further Reading

Introduction
Microsoft Excel is a spreadsheet program that is used to record and analyze
numerical data, as we have discussed above. Some of the various components to be
discussed in this study session are; Charts, Formatting a Worksheet, Developing a
Workbook, Page Properties and Printing, and Customizing the layout. Charts allow
you to present information contained in the worksheet in a graphic format. Excel
offers many types of charts including: Column, Line, Pie, Bar, Area, Scatter and
many more.

1.0 Study Session Learning Outcomes


After studying this session, I expect you to be able to:
1. Explain the purpose of options available for printing a spreadsheet
Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 199
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

2. Copy, cut and paste text and formulas.


3. Present information contained in the worksheet using different charts
4. Create dynamic tables and charts to analyze data

2.0 Main Content


2.1 - Charts
Charts allow you to present information contained in the worksheet in a graphic
format. Excel offers many types of charts including: Column, Line, Pie, Bar, Area,
Scatter and more. To view the charts available click the Insert Tab on the Ribbon.

To create a chart
 Select the cells that contain the data you want to use in the chart
 Click the Insert tab on the Ribbon
 Click the type of Chart you want to create

Figure 3.2.1: Excel charts

 Modify a Chart
Once you have created a chart you can do several things to modify the chart.

To move the chart


 Click the Chart and Drag it to another location on the same worksheet, or
 Click the Move Chart button on the Design tab
 Choose the desired location (either a new sheet or a current sheet in the
workbook).

200 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 3.2.2: Excel chart tools

 To change the data included in the chart


 Click the Chart
 Click the Select Data button on the Design tab

Figure 3.2.3: select data dialog box

 To reverse which data are displayed in the rows and columns


 Click the Chart
 Click the Switch Row/Column button on the Design tab.

 To modify the labels and titles


 Click the Chart
 On the Design Tab, click Add Chart Element
 Select the Chart Element you want to Add.

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 201


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 3.2.4: Add charts element menu

 Chart Tools
The Chart Tools appear on the Ribbon when you click on the chart. The tools are
located on three tabs: Design and Layout. Within the Design tab you can control the
chart type, layout, styles, and within the Format tab you can control inserting shapes,
change shapes and add text boxes, labels, axes, background and word art.

Figure 3.2.5: chart styles

 Copy a Chart to Word


 Select the chart
 Click Copy on the Home tab
 Go to the Word document where you want the chart located
202 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

 Click Paste on the Home tab

2.2 - Formatting a Worksheet


Convert Text to Columns
Sometimes you will want to split data in one cell into two or more cells. You can do
this easily by utilizing the Convert Text to Columns Wizard.
 Highlight the column in which you wish to split the data
 Click the Text to Columns button on the Data tab
 Click Delimited if you have a comma or tab separating the data, or click fixed
width to set the data separation at a specific size.

Figure 3.2.6: Convert Text to column wizard


 Modify Fonts
Modifying fonts in Excel will allow you to emphasize titles and headings.

To modify a font
 Select the cell or cells that you would like the font applied
Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 203
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

 On the Font group on the Home tab, choose the font type, size, bold, italics,
underline, or colour.

Figure 3.2.7: Cell formatting

 Format Cells Dialog Box


In Excel, you can also apply specific formatting to a cell. To apply formatting to a
cell or group of cells:
 Select the cell or cells that will have the formatting
 Click the Dialog Box arrow on the Alignment group of the Home tab.

There are several tabs on this dialog box that allow you to modify properties of the
cell or cells.
 Number: Allows for the display of different number types and decimal places
 Alignment: Allows for the horizontal and vertical alignment of text, wrap text,
shrink text, merge cells and the direction of the text.
 Font: Allows for control of font, font style, size, colour, and additional features
 Border: Border styles and colours
 Fill: Cell fill colours and styles.

 Add Borders and Colours to Cells


Borders and colours can be added to cells manually or through the use of styles.
204 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

To add borders manually


 Click the Borders drop down menu on the Font group of the Home tab
 Choose the appropriate border

Figure 3.2.8: Adding borders

 To apply colours manually


 Click the Fill drop down menu on the Font group of the Home tab
 Choose the appropriate colour

Figure 3.2.9: Adding colours to excel sheet

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 205


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

 To apply borders and colours using styles


 Click Cell Styles on the Styles group of the Home tab
 Choose a style or click New Cell Style

Figure 3.2.10: adding styles to cells


 Change Column Width and Row Height
To change the width of a column or the height of a row
 Click the Format button on the Cells group of the Home tab
 Manually adjust the height and width by clicking Row Height or Column
Width
 To use AutoFit click AutoFit Row Height or AutoFit Column Width

206 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 3.2.11: Formatting cells in excel

 Hide or Unhide Rows or Columns


To hide or unhide rows or columns:
 Select the row or column you wish to hide or unhide
 Click the Format button on the Cells group of the Home tab
 Click Hide & Unhide

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 207


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 3.2.12: Hide and unhide cells

 Merge Cells
To merge cells, select the cells you want to merge and click the Merge &
Center button on the Alignment group of the Home tab. The four choices for
merging cells are:
 Merge & Center: Combines the cells and centers the contents in the new, larger
cell
 Merge Across: Combines the cells across columns without centering data
 Merge Cells: Combines the cells in a range without centering
 Unmerge Cells: Splits the cell that has been merged

208 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 3.2.13: Merging cells in excel

 Align Cell Contents


To align cell contents, click the cell or cells you want to align and click on the
options within the Alignment group on the Home tab. There are several options for
alignment of cell contents:
 Top Align: Aligns text to the top of the cell
 Middle Align: Aligns text between the top and bottom of the cell
 Bottom Align: Aligns text to the bottom of the cell
 Align Text Left: Aligns text to the left of the cell
 Centre: Centres the text from left to right in the cell
 Align Text Right: Aligns text to the right of the cell
 Decrease Indent: Decreases the indent between the left border and the text
 Increase Indent: Increase the indent between the left border and the text
 Orientation: Rotate the text diagonally or vertically

Figure 3.2.14: Excel cell alignment

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 209


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

2.3 - Developing a Workbook and Page Properties and Printing


2.3.1 Developing a Workbook
Format Worksheet Tab
You can rename a worksheet or change the colour of the tabs to meet your needs.

To rename a worksheet
 Open the sheet to be renamed
 Click the Format button on the Home tab
 Click Rename sheet
 Type in a new name
 Press Enter

Figure 3.2.15: format menu of the home tab

 To change the colour of a worksheet tab


 Open the sheet, whose colour you want to change.
 Click the Format button on the Home tab
 Click Tab colour

210 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

 Click the colour

Figure 3.2.16: Tab colour in the format menu

Reposition Worksheets in a Workbook


To move worksheets in a workbook
 Open the workbook that contains the sheets you want to rearrange
 Click and hold the worksheet tab that will be moved until an arrow appears in
the left corner of the sheet
 Drag the worksheet to the desired location

Figure 3.2.17: Moving a worksheet

 Insert and Delete Worksheets


To insert a worksheet
 Open the workbook
 Click the Insert button on the Cells group of the Home tab
Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 211
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

 Click Insert Sheet

Figure 3.2.18: Insert sheet in Insert menu

 To delete a worksheet
 Open the workbook
 Click the Delete button on the Cells group of the Home tab
 Click Delete Sheet

Figure 3.2.19: Delete sheet in delete menu

 Copy and Paste Worksheets


 To copy and paste a worksheet:
 Click the tab of the worksheet to be copied
 Right click and choose Move or Copy
 Choose the desired position of the sheet
 Click the check box next to Create a Copy
 Click OK

212 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 3.2.20: Move or copy a worksheet

2.3.2 Page Properties and Printing


Set Print Titles: The print titles function allows you to repeat the column and row
headings at the beginning of each new page to make reading a multiple page sheet
easier to read when printed.

To Print Titles
 Click the Page Layout tab on the Ribbon
 Click the Print Titles button
 In the Print Titles section, click the box to select the rows/columns to be repeated
 Select the row or column
 Click the Select Row/Column Button
 Click OK

Figure 3.2.21: Print Titles

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 213


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 3.2.22: Page setup dialog box of the print titles

 Create a Header or Footer


To create a header or footer
 Click the Header & Footer button on the Insert tab
 This will display the Header & Footer Design Tools Tab

To switch between the Header and Footer, click the Go to Header or Go to


Footer button

Figure 3.2.23: Header and footer

 To insert text, enter the text in the header or footer


 To enter preprogrammed data such as page numbers, date, time, file name or sheet
name, click the appropriate button
 To change the location of data, click the desired cell

214 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

 Set Page Margins


 To set the page margins:
 Click the Margins button on the Page Layout tab
 Select one of the give choices, or
 Click Custom Margins
 Complete the boxes to set margins
 Click Ok

Figure 3.2.24: Page margins setup

 Change Page Orientation


To change the page orientation from portrait to landscape
 Click the Orientation button on the Page Layout tab
Choose Portrait or Landscape.

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 215


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 3.2.25: Page Orientation

 Set Page Breaks


You can manually set up page breaks in a worksheet for ease of reading when the
sheet is printed. To set a page break:
 Click the Breaks button on the Page Layout tab
 Click Insert Page Break.

Figure 3.2.26: Page break

 Print a Range
There may be times when you only want to print a portion of a worksheet. This
is easily done through the Print Range function. To print a range:
 Select the area to be printed
 Click the Print Area button on the Page Layout tab

216 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

 Click Select Print Area

Figure 3.2.27: Setting printing area

2.4 - Customizing the Layout, Pivot Table, Pivot Chart and Printing a
Worksheet
2.4.1 Customizing the Layout
You can split a worksheet into multiple resizable panes for easier viewing of parts of
a worksheet.
To split a worksheet
 Select any cell in center of the worksheet you want to split
 Click the Split button on the View tab
 Notice the split in the screen, you can manipulate each part separately

Figure 3.2.28: Split worksheet

 Freeze Rows and Columns


You can select a particular portion of a worksheet to stay static while you work on
Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 217
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

other parts of the sheet. This is accomplished through the Freeze Rows and
Columns Function.

To Freeze a row or column


 Click the Freeze Panes button on the View tab
 Either select a section to be frozen or click the defaults of top row or left
column
 To unfreeze, click the Freeze Panes button
 Click Unfreeze

Figure 3.2.29: Freeze Panes

 Hide Worksheets
To hide a worksheet
 Select the tab of the sheet you wish to hide
 Right-click on the tab
 Click Hide

 To unhide a worksheet
 Right-click on any worksheet tab
 Click Unhide
 Choose the worksheet to unhide
218 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 3.2.30: Hide and Unhide

2.4.2 Pivot Table


Question: What is a pivot table?
Answer: A pivot table is an interactive worksheet table that quickly summarises large amounts of
data using calculation methods you choose.
It is called a pivot table because you can rotate its row and column headings around the core
data area to give you different views of the source data.
 As the source data changes, you can update a pivot table.
 If you change data in the source list or table, by adding new rows (records) or
columns (fields), there are ways to update (or refresh) the pivot table.
 There is no limit, other than available memory, to the number of pivot tables
that can be defined in the same workbook or even on the same worksheet.

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 219


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 3.2.31: Pivot Table

 Add a Pivot table


 Select the Table; Click on the table from the Insert tab, click on the Pivot
Table Button under Table group.
 Select the field that would form part of the Pivot Table.

220 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 3.2.32: Creating a pivot table

2.4.3 Pivot Chart


Add a Pivot Chart
Chart can be created from selected data in a Pivot Table.
To Add a Pivot Chart
 Click within the Chart and Click on Pivot chart on the Insert Tab.
 Adjust and format the Pivot table by using the Pivot Table Properties

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 221


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 3.2.33: Creating a pivot chart

2.4.4 Printing a Worksheet


To Print a Worksheet
 From the Home Tab Click on Print
 Select the Print parameters (printer type, no. of copies, range)
 Click Print.

222 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

PRINT PREVIEW

COPIES

SELECT PRINTER

PAGE RANGE

Figure 3.2.34: Printing a worksheet

3.0 LAB EXERCISE


Laboratory for Week 8: Microsoft Excel II
Laboratory Objective
The aim of this laboratory practical is to ensure that students are able to prepare
their worksheets for final printing and create charts.
Lab File: Lab08 EX-5.xlsx
Task 5: Finalising a Worksheet
Copy the file Lab08 EX-5.xlsx to Project Folder.

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 223


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 3.2.35: Task 5 project file

1. Start Microsoft Excel and open the file Lab08 EX-5.xlsx from your Project
Folder.
2. Notice that when you scroll the worksheet, the title and column headings are
no longer visible. To freeze the titles at the top of the screen, click cell A3.
You have clicked this cell because you want the titles above row 3 to remain
fixed in place when you scroll.
3. Click the View tab, click Freeze Panes in the Window group, and then
select Freeze Panes. Now scroll the worksheet and make sure that rows 1 and
2 remain in view.
4. Scroll down the worksheet and notice that data for Miniature collections is
not complete. Select cell B43 and use the Fill option and then Series option to
consecutively number the products. For example, The Miniature Hammer

224 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

should have a product number of 359 and the Miniature War Horse should be
381.
5. All of the miniatures are the same size, weight, price, and shipping cost. Use
the Fill command to duplicate the information from cells C43 through F43 for
all miniature Collections
6. Select cell B2. Use the Wrap Text button in the alignment group to wrap the
text.
7. Adjust the width of column B so that Product Number fits on two lines.
8. Right-justify the data in columns B through F, then center the titles of those
columns.
9. Sort the data in cells A3 through F68 in A to Z order by Description.
10.Check the spelling of the worksheet and correct misspellings as needed.
11.Unfreeze the panes so that you can scroll the entire worksheet.
12.Add a right-justified header to the worksheet that includes your name,
YourRegNo-cosc101-Lab08-EX.5, where YourRegNo is your University
Reg. Number and today’s date.
13.Add a centered footer to the worksheet that includes the word page followed
by the page number. Hint: If you can‘t see header and footer elements such
as Page Number, select the Design tab.
14.Switch back to Normal view and check the Print Preview to see how this
worksheet is set up to print. Does it print all the Miniature Collections?
What‘s printed on the second page?
15.Close the Print preview and look at the current print area, A1: I43. Part of the
sheet is not included. Clear the print area so that the entire sheet will be
printed.
16.Use the options on the Page Layout tab to adjust the Width and Height
settings to print the worksheet on a single piece of paper. Print your
worksheet.
17.The text on the single-page printout is quite small and let‘s supposes that you
don‘t want to print the Discount Schedule. On the Page Layout tab, change the
width and height to Automatic, and the scale to 100%.
Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 225
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

18.Select cells A1 through F68 and designate this range as the print area, so that
the Discount Schedule is not printed.
19.Use the Print Titles button to designate cells A1 through F2 as the title to print
on every page.
20.Using Sheet Options, designate that you want to print gridlines and headings so
that you can see the row numbers and column letters on the printout.
21.Set a page break at row 33. Hint: Select cell G33 before you click breaks
button.
22.Look at a print preview of your worksheet. It should be similar to the two
pages below

226 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 3.2.36: Expected output

23.Save your worksheet in your project folder using the file name YourRegNo-
cosc101-Lab08-EX.5, where YourRegNo is your University Reg. Number.
24.Submit your project on a USB flash drive, as a printout, as an e-mail
attachment, according to your instructor‘s directions.

Task 6
Creating Charts
In this project, you will apply what you have learned about Microsoft Excel to
create a column chart and pie chart for e-commerce worksheet.
Lab File: Lab08 EX-6.xlsx
1. Copy the file Lab08 EX-6.xlsx to Project Folder.

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 227


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 3.2.37: Task 6 lab file

2. Start Microsoft Excel


3. Open the file Lab08 EX-6.xlsx from your Project Folder.
4. Select the data in cells B3 through C6. Use the Insert tab to create a 3D pie
chart. Add the chart title above the chart. Use the Data labels button to show
percentages on the pie slices. Place the chart on a new sheet and name the
sheet Comparison Chart.

5. Change the style of the chart to style 12 in the Chart Styles group on the
Design contextual tab.
6. Change the chart background colour to Subtle Effect, Accent 2 in the Shape
Styles group on the Format contextual tab.

228 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

7. Select the data in cells H4 through H9. Use the Insert tab to create a
Clustered Column chart. Click the Select Data button in the Data group on
the Design contextual tab. Click the Edit button for the Horizontal (Category)
Axis Labels, then select cells G4 through G9, click the Ok button to close the
Axis Labels dialog box, then click the Ok button to close the Select Data
Source dialog box. Add the chart title, Nig. Projections, above the chart. Add
a vertical Y-axis title, ₦ Billions. Remove the legend from the chart. Place
the chart on a new sheet and name the sheet Growth Chart.
8. Change the chart type to Line with markers in the Type group on the Design
contextual tab. Click the Ok button to apply the chart type.
9. Examine the charts to ensure that the spreadsheet data is accurately
represented. One easy verification technique is to identify a data trend and see
if the trend is shown both in the data and on the chart. A trend in this data is
the trend for projected growth to increase from one year to the next. Verify that
the line chart corresponds to this trend by making sure the line moves to the
right.
Use care when identifying trend; make sure the conclusions you draw are
accurate. Be aware of what you can and can‘t conclude from data. For
example, although this data shows that 52% of e-commerce business activity is
from business to consumer, it would be incorrect to assume that 52% monetary
transactions on a given day are from consumers to businesses.
10.Copy both charts to E-Commerce tab.
11.Size and Position the pie chart so that the top-left corner of the chart is in cell
A10 and the bottom-right corner is in cell E23.
12.Size and position the line chart so that the top-left corner of the chart is in cell
G11 and the bottom-right corner is in cell L23.
13.Click a blank cell in the worksheet, and then open the Print Preview. Use Page
Setup options to change the page orientation to Landscape and fit the
worksheet on one page. The worksheet preview should look like the one shown
in the figure below.

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 229


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 3.2.38: Expected output

14. Save your worksheet in your project folder using the file name YourRegNo-
cosc101-Lab08-EX.6, where YourRegNo is your University Reg. Number.
15. Submit your project on a USB flash drive, as a printout, as an e-mail
attachment, according to your instructor‘s directions.

4.0 Study Session Summary


We all know that, Microsoft Excel is a powerful spreadsheet program used to
record, manipulate, store numeric data and it can be customized to match your
preferences. You can represent Information in worksheet using different types of
charts.

230 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

5.0 Self-Assessment Questions and Answer


Questions
1) You accidently erased a record in the sheet, what command will you use to
restore it immediately?
A. Insert
B. Copy
C. Undo
D. Replace

2) Give me an example of a cell address


A. 11B25
B. 9A1
C. 41A
D. A21
3) Which of the following is an example of a formula?
A. = A1 + A2
B. = add(A1:A2)
C. A1 + A2
D. SUM(A1:A2)
4) Write one example of a function
A. = add(A1:A2)
B. A1 + A2
C. SUM(A1:A2)
D. = A1 + A2
5) Which of the following functions allow you to repeat the column and row
headings at the beginning of each page.
A. Print Titles
B. Freeze Rows and Columns
C. Header and footer
D. Pivot table
6.0 Answers to Self Assessment Questions
Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 231
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

1. C
2. D
3. A
4. C
5. A

7.0 References/Further Reading


S.B. Junaidu, A.F. Donfack-kana and A. Salisu, Fundamentals of information
technology ABU press (2013).
J.J. Parsons and D. Oja, Practical Computer Literacy, Thompson Learning, 2005
Curt Simmons, How to Do Everything with Windows XP, 2nd Edition McGraw-
Hill/Osborne, 2003, ISBN 0-07-223080-0.
Peter Norton‘s, Introduction to Computers, 5th Edition McGraw-Hill/Glencoe,
2003, ISBN 0-07-826421-9.

232 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Study Session 3
Microsoft Power Point Part I

Section and Subsection Headings:


Introduction
1.0 Learning Outcome
2.0 Main Content
2.1 - Basic Concepts and Definition
2.2 - Starting Power Point, Screen Layout and Slide View and Zoom
2.3 - Creating a Presentation
2.4 -Working with Content
2.5 - Formatting Text
2.6 - Adding Content and Graphics
3.0 Lab Exercise
4.0 Study Session Summary and Conclusion
4.0 Self-Assessment Questions and Answer
5.0 References/Further Reading

Introduction
Microsoft PowerPoint is a professional presentation program that allows the user to
create ―presentation slides‖ that can be displayed on the computer screen or
through a projector that is plugged into a computer. A Power Point is a good way
to convey pieces of information, usually in the form of outline, to a large audience.
The aim of a presentation is to educate, inform, report and instruct the audience on
the topic under discussion. Power point allows you to include formatted text,
graphics, pictures, sound, and animations in the presentations.

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 233


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

1.0 Study Session Learning Outcome


After studying this session, I expect you to be able to:
a) Identify the names and functions of the PowerPoint interface
b) Add a graphic to a presentation
c) Create and manipulate simple slide shows with outlines and notes
d) Format presentations.

2.0 Main Content


2.1 - Basic Concepts and Definition
Question: what is Power Point (PPT)?
Answer: Power point is a presentation software that enables a user to create
powerful presentations.
A Presentation is a discussion, explanation of a discussion on a subject matter or
topic usually delivered to an audience. Presentations created with PPT can have
audio and visual effects making them look professional or jazzy as per the
requirement.

The aim of a presentation is to educate, inform, report and instruct the audience on
the topic under discussion. PowerPoint allows you to include formatted text,
graphics, pictures, sound, and animations in the presentations.

Question: What is a Presentation?


Answer: A PowerPoint presentation is a collection of slides. A slide is like a frame in
a presentation that represents data.
During a presentation, the slides are displayed one after the other and the contents of
the presentation are displayed through these slides on screen.
 Presentations are designed for delivering information to an audience
 Presentations can contain text to display information or have multi-media effects
such as sound videos and animations to make them impressive and interactive
 Presentations are saved as files with a ―.pptx‖ extension.

234 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

2.2- Starting Power Point, Screen Layout and Slide View and Zoom
To start Microsoft PowerPoint 2013 from Windows 7, select the Start  All
Programs  Microsoft Office Microsoft PowerPoint command. This displays
the Microsoft PowerPoint window.

Figure 3.3.1: Microsoft power point window


 Screen Layout

Figure 3.3.2: Microsoft power point screen layout


Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 235
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

 Slide pane/Editing pane: this is the workspace that is used to create slides.
 Notes pane: used to enter notes or detail explanation to slides.
 Slides tab: it enables you to display a miniature image of the presentation slides.
Click the image to view the corresponding slide in the slide pane.
 Outline tab: it enables you to display an outline of the slide content.
 Navigation pane: allows you to scroll through the slides with ease
 View button: used to switch between views (normal, slide sorter and slide show
views).

 Slide View And Zoom


Slides can be resized to give better views.
 To resize a slide click on Zoom from the View tab
 To resize the current slide so that it is as large as possible while still fitting
completely in the Slides pane, from the View Tab click the Zoom button and fit
button or
 Click on the fit to windows button on the Zoom Slider
 To zoom slider can also be used to increase the size of the slide.

Figure 3.3.3: Zoom Icon and Zoom slider

2.3 - Creating a Presentation


New Presentation
You can start a new presentation from a blank slide, a template, existing
236 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

presentations, or a Word outline.


To create a new presentation from a blank slide
 Click the File Tab
 Click New
 Click Blank Presentation.

Figure 3.3.4: Creating new presentation

 To create a new presentation from a template


 Click the Microsoft Office Button
 Click New
 Click Installed Templates or Browse through Microsoft Office Online
Templates
 Click the template you choose and Click Create

 To create a new presentation from existing online themes


 Click the Microsoft Office Button
 Click New
 Click New from Existing
 Browse to and click the presentation
Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 237
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

 To create a new presentation from a Word Outline


 Click the slide where you would like the outline to begin
 Click New Slide on the Home tab
 Click Slides from Outline
 Browse and click the Word Document that contains the outline

Figure 3.3.5: Creating new presentation from outline

 Save a Presentation
When you save a presentation, you have two choices: Save or Save As.
To save a document:
 Click the File Tab
 Click Save
 Click the Folder to which you want to save the Presentation.
 Type in the Filename.
 Click Save.

238 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 3.3.6: Saving a presentation

 Saving in a Different Format.


 PowerPoint 2013 files are saved by default in pptx format.
 To save in another file type Click Save as Type.
 Choose the file format you wish to save
 Click Save.

Figure 3.3.7: Saving power point in different format


Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 239
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

 You may need to use the Save As feature when you need to save a presentation
under a different name or to save it for earlier versions of PowerPoint. Remember
that, older version 2003 and below of PowerPoint will not be able to open
PowerPoint 2013 presentation unless you save it as a PowerPoint 97-2003
Format.

To use the Save as feature


 Click the Microsoft Office Button
 Click Save As
 Type in the name for the Presentation
 In the Save as Type box, choose Excel 97-2003 Presentation.

 Add Slides
There are several choices when you want to add a new slide to the presentation:
Office Themes, Duplicate Selected Slide, or Reuse Slides.

To create a new slide from Office Themes


 Select the slide immediately BEFORE where you want the new slide
 Click the New Slide button on the Home tab
 Click the slide choice that fits your material

240 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 3.3.8: Adding new Slides to the presentation

 To create a slide as a duplicate of a slide in the presentation


 Select the slide to duplicate
 Click the New Slide button on the Home tab
 Click Duplicate Selected Slides.

 To create a new slide from another presentation


 Select the slide immediately BEFORE where you want the new slide
 Click the New Slide button on the Home tab
 Click Reuse Slides
 Click Browse
 Click Browse File
 Locate the slide show and click on the slide to import

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 241


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 3.3.9: Duplicating slides

 Themes
Themes are design templates that can be applied to an entire presentation that allows
for consistency throughout the presentation.

To add a theme to a presentation


 Click the Design tab
 Choose one of the displayed Themes or click the Galleries button.

To apply new colours to a theme


 Click the Colours drop down arrow
 Choose a colour set or click Create New Theme Colours.

242 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 3.3.10: Applying colour to the theme

 Background Styles
To change the background style of a theme
 Click the Background Styles button on the Design tab
 Choose a style.
You can also click Format Background
 Select a solid fill, Gradient fill, picture or texture fill.
 Click the close button when you are done or
 Click the Apply to All to button to apply your formatting to all slides.

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 243


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 3.3.11: Changing background

2.4 - Working With Content


To enter text
 Select the slide where you want the text
 Click in a Textbox to add text

Figure 3.3.12: Adding content to the slides

244 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

 To add a text box


 Select the slide where you want to place the text box
 On the Insert tab, click Text Box
 Click on the slide and drag the cursor to expand the text box
 Type in the text
To select the text
 Highlight the text Positioning a Text Box
To move a textbox, drag it by any part of its border other than a selection
handle
 Select the object, and then position the mouse pointer over a border so that the
pointer turns into a four-headed arrow

Figure 3.3.13: Text box

 Copy and Paste


To copy and paste data
 Select the item(s) that you wish to copy
 On the Clipboard Group of the Home Tab, click Copy
 Select the item(s) where you would like to copy the data
 On the Clipboard Group of the Home Tab, click Paste

 Cut and Paste


To cut and paste data
 Select the item(s) that you wish to copy
 On the Clipboard Group of the Home Tab, click Cut
Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 245
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

 Select the items(s) where you would like to copy the data
 On the Clipboard Group of the Home Tab, click Paste

 Undo and Redo


To undo or redo your most recent actions
 On the Quick Access Toolbar
 Click Undo or Redo

 Spell Check
To check the spelling in a presentation
 Click the Review tab
 Click the Spelling button

Figure 3.3.14: Spelling

2.5 Formatting Text


Change Font Typeface and Size
To change the font typeface
 Click the arrow next to the font name and choose a font.
 Remember that you can preview how the new font will look by highlighting the
text, and hovering over the new font typeface.

246 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 3.3.15: Text Formatting

To change the font size


 Click the arrow next to the font size and choose the appropriate size, or
 Click the increase or decrease font size buttons.

 Font Styles and Effects


Font styles are predefined formatting options that are used to emphasize text. They
include: Bold, Italic, and Underline.

To add these to text


 Select the text and click the Font Styles included on the Font group of the Home
tab or
 Select the text and right click to display the font tools

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 247


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 3.3.16: Font tools


 Change Text Colour
To change the text colour
 Select the text and click the Colours button included on the Font Group of the
Ribbon, or
 Highlight the text and right click and choose the colours tool.
 Select the colour by clicking the down arrow next to the font colour button.

Figure 3.3.17: Theme Colurs

 WordArt are styles that can be applied to text to create a visual effect.
To apply Word Art
 Select the text
 Click the Insert tab
 Click the WordArt button
 Choose the WordArt

248 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 3.3.18: Word art styles

To modify the styles of WordArt


 Select the WordArt
 Click the Format tab for the Drawing Tools
 Click the WordArt Fill button, the WordArt Outline button, or the Text
Effects button
 Change Paragraph Alignment
The paragraph alignment allows you to set how you want text to appear.
To change the alignment
 Click the Home Tab
 Choose the appropriate button for alignment on the Paragraph Group.
- Align Left: the text is aligned with your left margin
- Centre: The text is centered within your margins
- Align Right: Aligns text with the right margin
- Justify: Aligns text to both the left and right margins.

 Indent Paragraphs
To indent paragraphs, you can do the following
 Click the Indent buttons to control the indent.
 Click the Indent button repeated times to increase the size of the indent.

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 249


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 3.3.19: Indent Paragraph and Text Direction

Text Direction
To change the text direction
 Select the text
 Click the Text Direction button on the Home tab
 Click the selection

2.6- Adding Content and Graphics


 Resize a Textbox
To resize a textbox
 Click on the textbox
 Click the corner of the box and drag the cursor to the desired size

Figure 3.3.20: Resizing a Text box

 Bulleted and Numbered Lists


Bulleted lists have bullet points, numbered lists have numbers, and outline lists
combine numbers and letters depending on the organization of the list.

250 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

To add a list to existing text


 Select the text you wish to make a list
 Click the Bulleted or Numbered Lists button
To create a new list
 Place your cursor where you want the list in the document
 Click the Bulleted or Numbered Lists button
 Begin typing

 Nested Lists
A nested list is list with several levels of indented text.

To create a nested list


 Create your list following the directions above
 Click the Increase or Decrease Indent button

 Formatting Lists
The bullet image and numbering format can be changed by using the Bullets
or Numbering dialog box.
 Select the entire list to change all the bullets or numbers, or Place the cursor on
one line within the list to change a single bullet.
 Click the arrow next to the bulleted or numbered list and choose a bullet or
numbering style.

Figure 3.3.21: Bullets


Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 251
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

 Adding Video
Video clips can be added to the presentation.

To add a video clip


 Click the Movie button on the Insert tab
 Choose Movie from File or Movie from Clip Organizer

Figure 3.3.22: Video clip icon

To edit the video options


 Click the movie icon
 Click the Format tab

Figure 3.3.22: Format video

 Adding Audio
Audio clips can be added to the presentation.

To add an audio clip


 Click the Audio button on the Insert tab
 Choose Sound from File, Sound from Clip Organizer, Play CD Audio
Track, or Record Sound

252 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 3.3.23: Add audio

To edit the audio options


 Click the audio icon
 Click the Format tab

Figure 3.3.24: Format audio tab

GRAPHICS
Adding Picture
To add a picture
 Click the Insert Tab
 Click the Picture Button
 Browse to the picture from Picture Folder
 Click the name of the picture
 Click insert
 To move the graphic, click it and drag it to where you want it

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 253


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 3.3.25: Insert Graphics

 Adding Online Pictures


To add Online Pictures (from the Internet)
 Click the Insert Tab
 Click the Online Pictures Button
 PowerPoint then use the Bing Search Engine to look for the picture type you
specify.
 Select your preferred picture from the list displayed. Click insert.

254 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 3.3.26: Insert Pictures

 Editing Pictures
When you add a graphic to the presentation, an additional Tab appears on the
Ribbon. The Format Tab allows you to format the pictures and graphics. This tab
has four groups:
 Adjust: Controls the picture brightness, contrast, and colours
 Picture Style: Allows you to place a frame or border around the picture and
add effects
 Arrange: Controls the alignment and rotation of the picture

 Adding a Shape
To add Shapes
 Click the Insert Tab
 Click the Shapes Button
 Click the shape you choose
 Click the Slide
 Drag the cursor to expand the Shape

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 255


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 3.3.27: Insert Shapes

To format the shapes


 Click the Shape
 Click the Format tab

Figure 3.3.28: Shape formatting

 Adding SmartArt
SmartArt is a feature in Office 2013 that allows you to choose from a variety of
graphics, including flow charts, lists, cycles, and processes.

To add SmartArt
 Click the Insert Tab
 Click the SmartArt Button
 Click the SmartArt you choose
256 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

 Click the SmartArt


 Drag it to the desired location in the slide

Figure 3.3.29: Add smart art graphics

To format the SmartArt


 Click the SmartArt
 Click either the Design or the Format tab
 Click the SmartArt to add text and pictures.

Figure 3.3.30: Format smart art graphics

 Adding a Photo Album


The photo album feature is in PowerPoint 2013 allows you to easily create a photo
album to share pictures.

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 257


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

To create a photo album


 Click the Photo Album button on the Insert tab
 Click New Photo Album
 Click File/Disk to add pictures to the photo album
 Move the pictures up and down in the order of the album but clicking the
up/down arrow.

Figure 3.3.31: add photo album

258 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

3.0 LAB EXERCISE


Laboratory for Week 9: PowerPoint
Laboratory Objectives
The aim of this laboratory practical is to enable you create high quality PowerPoint
presentations for viewing using overheads, on-screen or printing with a
presentation graphics program.

Instruction
 You will submit your completed exercises to your Lab instructor before you
leave the lab class. Your instructor will advise you how to submit completed
exercises.

Laboratory Exercise
Starting PowerPoint 2013
1. Start Microsoft PowerPoint 2013
This displays the Microsoft PowerPoint window

Figure 3.3.32: power point window

Creating a New Presentation


2. Create a new presentation from a blank slide. This displays the Microsoft
PowerPoint window as the previous.

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 259


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Saving a Presentation
3. Save the new presentation with the name YourRegNo-COCS101-Lab09-10,
where Your Reg No. will be your registration number e.g “U12MT1212-
COCS101-Lab09-10" in your Personal folder at My Documents folder. Save
the presentation in the default format PowerPoint Presentation.
4. Click into the predefined text areas (placeholders). Type the text ―Ahmadu
Bello University Zaria at a Glance” in the Click to add title area. Similarly, you
can insert your name in the Click to add subtitle placeholder.

Figure 3.3.33: expected output

Adding New Slide to the Presentation


5. Add nine more slides to your presentation using the mouse for the first four, and
keyboard the remaining five slides. Choose appropriate slide layouts for each
slide.

260 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 3.3.34: A presentation with nine slides

Working with Content


6. On the slide #two, type ―Background‖ in the slide title placeholder.
7. Copy and paste text1 from file xxx.doc contained in the folder yyy at the
desktop, into the placeholder for content.

Figure 3.3.34: A presentation slide with content 1

Working with Content (2)


8. Similarly, on slide #three, type ―Background (2)‖ in the slide title placeholder.
9. Copy and paste text2 from the same file xxx.doc into the content placeholder.

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 261


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 3.3.35: A presentation slide with content 2

Working with Content (3)


10.On slide #four, type ―Background(4)‖ in the title placeholder.
11.Copy and paste text3 in the content placeholder from same file.

Figure 3.3.36: A presentation slide with content 3

Working with Content (4)


12.On slide #five, type ―Background(5)‖ in the title placeholder
13.Copy and paste text4 in the content placeholder from same file.
262 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 3.3.37: A presentation slide with content 4

Working with Content (5)


14.On slide #six, type the text ―Physical structure at inception‖ in the slide title
place holder.
15.Type also the text5 exactly as it is. (Do not copy and paste as in the previous
slides).

Figure 3.3.38: A presentation slide with content 5

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 263


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Working with content (6)


16. Insert the Audio clip title ―yori yori‖ in slide #one. The clip is in the folder yyy.
Format the audio clip such that it plays across all the slides, automatically.

Formatting Text
17. Select the text in the content placeholder of the slide #two
18. Change the font typeface to Harlow solid italic
19. The font size to 36 points
20. The font colour to dark blue

Figure 3.3.39: A presentation slide with formatted content

Formatting Text (2)


21. Select the text in the title slide (slide #one) i.e the title of the presentation.
22.Change the text to WordArt
23.Format the WordArt further to look like the one on the image

264 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 3.3.40: A presentation slide with word art content

Graphics
24.Change the slide layout of slide #two, #three and #four to two content layout.
25.Insert images of senate Building in the other placeholder of slide #two, Kashim
Ibrahim in that of slide #three, Sir Ahmadu Bello in slide #four and Prof
Alexander in slide #five from folder yyy at desktop.

Figure 3.3.41: A presentation slide with Graphic object 1


Graphics (2)
26.Give each image inserted on slide #two, #three, #four and five appropriate
frames as shown in the image.
Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 265
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 3.3.42: A presentation slide with Graphic object 2

Graphics (3)
27.On slide #seven, use SmartArt Graphics to list the names of the last two Vice
Chancellors and the current Vice Chancellor along with their photograph shown
in the image.

Figure 3.3.43: A presentation slide with Smart art Graphics

266 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Adding a text box


28.Add text boxes under the images on slides #two, #three, #four and #five.
29.In each text box type the name of the person whose image is displayed as
shown.

Figure 3.3.44: A presentation slide with Text box

Headers and Footers


30.Insert a date on all the slides such that it updates automatically.
31.Insert slide numbers on all the slides.
32.Insert the footer ―© Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria‖ on all the slides.

Applying a Theme
33.Apply Solstice theme to the presentation
34.Try any other two different theme from the collection and decide on which best
fit your presentation.
35.Apply also different themes to different slides.

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 267


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 3.3.45: A presentation slide with themes

4.0 Study Session Summary


In this study session, we have looked at Microsoft PowerPoint as a computer
application program written by Microsoft. It is mainly used to Design for
Presentations. We looked at the access toolbar, mini toolbar, themes, slide,
placeholder, save presentation, change the background of themes, insert picture,
edit picture in the next study session we shall look at table format, inserting chart,
animation effects, and more.

5.0 Self-Assessment Questions and Answer


Questions
1) Which file format can be added to a PowerPoint slide show?
A. .jpg
B. .gif
C. .wav
D. All of above
2) Presentations are saved as files with a ………..extension
A. .pptx
B. .doc

268 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

C. .xls
D. .docX
3) ………… is the workspace that is used to create slides.
A. Slide tab
B. Outline tab
C. Slide pane
D. Notes pane
4) Which PowerPoint view works best for adding slide transitions?
A. Slide view
B. Slide show view
C. Notes view
D. Slide sorter view
5) Which of the following is not a slide Layout
A. Title only
B. Title and content
C. blank
D. Slide view

6.0 Answers to Self Assessment Questions


1. D
2. A
3. C
4. B
5. D

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 269


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

7.0 References/Further Reading


S.B. Junaidu, A.F. Donfack-kana and A. Salisu, Fundamentals of information
technology ABU press (2013)
J.J. Parsons and D. Oja, Practical Computer Literacy, Thompson Learning, 2005
Curt Simmons, How to Do Everything with Windows XP, 2nd Edition McGraw-
Hill/Osborne, 2003, ISBN 0-07-223080-0
Peter Norton‘s, Introduction to Computers, 5th Edition McGraw-Hill/Glencoe, 2003,
ISBN 0-07-826421-9

270 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Study Session 4
Microsoft PowerPoint: Part II

Section and Subsection Headings:


Introduction
1.0 Learning Outcome
2.0 Main Content
2.1 - Tables
2.2 - Charts
2.3 - Slide Effects
2.4 - Delivering a Presentation
2.5 - Slide Master and Printing
2.6 - PowerPoint Tips
3.0 Lab Exercise
4.0 Study Session Summary and Conclusion
5.0 Self-Assessment Questions and Answer
6.0 References/Further Reading

Introduction
As has been defined earlier, Microsoft PowerPoint is a professional presentation
program that allows the user to create ―presentation slides‖ that can be displayed
on the computer screen or through a projector that is plugged into a computer. In
this study session, we are will learn Tables, Charts, Slide Effects, Printing,
Delivering a Presentation and PowerPoint Tips.

1.0 Study Session Learning Outcome


After studying this session, I expect you to be able to:
a) Create slide presentations that include text, graphics, animation and transitions.
b) Create, edit, save, and print presentations.
Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 271
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

c) Create and manipulate simple slide shows with outlines and notes.

2.0 Main Content


2.1 - Tables
Tables are used to display data in a table format. Tables are one of those essential
ways for organizing and presenting data. And Microsoft PowerPoint allows us to
style them to make sure they're looking great.

To create a table
 Place the cursor on the page where you want the new table
 Click the Insert Tab of the Ribbon
 Click the Tables Button on the Tables Group. You can create a table in one of
the four ways:
- Highlight the number of row and columns
- Click Insert Table and enter the number of rows and columns
- Click the Draw Table, create your table by clicking and entering the rows and
columns
- Click Excel Spreadsheet and enter data.

Figure 3.4.1: Inserting table in slide


272 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

 Enter Data in a Table


Place the cursor in the cell where you wish to enter the information and begin to type.

Figure 3.4.2: Entering data into a table in a slide

Modify the Table Structure and Format a Table


To modify the structure of a table
- Click the table and notice that you have two new tabs on the Ribbon: Design and
Layout. These pertain to the table design and layout.
 On the Design Tab, you can choose:
- Table Style Options, Table Styles, and Draw Borders

Figure 3.4.3: Modifying a table in a slide


To format a table
 Click the table and then click the Layout Tab on the Ribbon.
This Layout tab allows you to:
 View Gridlines and Properties (from the Table Group)
 Insert Rows and Columns (from the Rows & Columns Group)
 Delete the Table, Rows and/or Columns (from the Rows & Columns Group)
 Merge or Split Cells (from the Merge Group)
 Increase and decrease cell size (Cell Size Group)
 Align text within the cells and change text directions (Alignment Group)

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 273


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 3.4.4: Format table

 Insert a Table from Word or Excel


 Open the Word document or Excel worksheet
 Select the chart
 Click Copy on the Home tab
 Go to the PowerPoint document where you want the chart located
 Click Paste on the Home tab

2.2- Charts
Charts allows you to present information contained in the worksheet in a graphic
format. PowerPoint offers many types of charts including: Column, Line, Pie, Bar,
Area, Scatter and more. To view the charts available
 Click the Insert Tab on the Ribbon.

Figure 3.4.5: Inserting charts

 Create a Chart
To create a chart
 Click the Insert tab on the ribbon
 Click the type of Chart you want to create
 Insert the Data and Labels

274 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 3.4.6: Charts

 Edit Chart Data


To edit chart data
 Click on the chart
 Click Edit Data on the Design tab
 Edit data in the spreadsheet

Figure 3.4.7: Editing chart data

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 275


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

 Modify a Chart
Once you have created a chart you can do several things to modify the chart.

To move the chart


 Click the Chart and Drag it another location on the same slide, or
 Copy it to another slide
 Choose the desired location and click Paste

 To modify the chart size


 Click the Chart
 Click on any of the corners and drop and drag to resize

Figure 3.4.8: Modifying chart size

 Chart Filter
 Chart Filters feature is used to quickly exclude certain rows or columns from the
chart.
 Click the Chart and from the filter icon shown by the side of the chart select the
field to add/remove.
 Click Apply

276 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 3.4.9: Chart filter

To modify the labels and titles:


 Click the Chart
 Click the Design tab
 Choose the appropriate label or Chart Element you wish to add or change.

Figure 3.4.10: Chart Elements

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 277


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

 Chart Tools
The Chart Tools appear on the Ribbon when you click on the chart. The tools are
located on two tabs: Design and Format.
 Within the Design tab you can control the chart type, edit chart data, layout,
styles, and location.

Figure 3.4.11: Chart Tools

 Within the Format tab you can control the insertion of pictures, textboxes, and
shapes, labels, backgrounds, and shape effects.
 Within the Format tab you can also adjust the Fill Colours and Chart Area
Elements

Figure 3.4.12: Chart area and theme colours

278 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

 Paste a Chart from Excel


 Open the Excel worksheet
 Select the chart
 Click Copy on the Home tab
 Go to the PowerPoint document where you want the chart located
 Click Paste on the Home tab

2.3 - SLIDE EFFECTS


Question: what is slide Transition?
Answer: Slide Transitions are effects that are in place when you switch from one
slide to the next.

To add slide transitions


 Select the slide that you want to apply the transition to it
 Click the Transition tab
 Choose the appropriate transition effect or click the Transition dialog box
More Transition
Effects

Slide Transition Effects

Figure 3.4.13: Slide Transitions

To adjust slide transitions


 Add sound by clicking the arrow next to Sound.
 Adjust the duration the slide would be on display by adjust the time after

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 279


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

duration.

Figure 3.4.14: Adjusting slide transition

 Modify the transition entry style by clicking on the speed by clicking on Effect
Options Button.

Figure 3.4.15: Sound effect option

To apply the transition to all slides


- Click the Apply to All button on the Transition tab
280 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

To select how to advance a slide:


- Choose to On Mouse Click, or
- Automatically after a set number of seconds

 Slide Animation
Slide animation effects are predefined special effects that you can add to objects
on a slide.
To apply an animation effect
 Select the object you wish to add animations to.
 Click the Animations tab on the Ribbon
 Click Add animation
 Click choose any of the available Effect
 Select Entry, Emphasis and Exit Style.

Figure 3.4.16: Slides animation

 Record Slide Show


When you want to record narration for the slides:
 Click the Record Slide Show button
 Click Start Recording on the box that is displayed.
Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 281
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 3.4.17: Record Slide show

 Rehearse Timings
Use Rehearsed Timings to rehearse the timings of slide with audio.
 Click the Rehearse Timings button
 Practice speaking and advance the slides as you would in the presentation
 When you have completed this click through the end of the slide
 Choose whether or not to keep this timing or to retry

Figure 3.4.18: Rehearse Timings setting

2.4 - Delivering a Presentation


Animation Preview:
To preview the animation on a slide:
- Click the Preview button on the Animations tab

282 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 3.4.19: Preview button

Slide Show Options


The Slide Show tab of the ribbon contains many options for the slide show. These
options include:
 Preview the slide show from the beginning
 Preview the slide show from the current slide
 Set up Slide Show

Figure 3.4.20: Slide show group

 Set Up Slide Show


This option allows you to set preferences for how the slide show will be
presented. The options include:
 Whether the show will run automatically or will be presented by a speaker
 The looping options
 Narration options
 Monitor resolutions/options.

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 283


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 3.4.21: Setting up a slide show

 On-Screen Show Controls


When you display a slide show, the mouse pointer and show controls are hidden.
 Back: The leftmost button, takes you back to the previous slide.
 Forward: Moves you to the next slide.
 Pointers: Opens a menu for controlling the appearance of the pen or pointer.
 See All Slides: Opens a slide-sorter-like view within Slide Show view, from
which you can quickly select the slide you want to jump to by looking at
thumbnails.
 Zoom: Enables you to zoom in on a portion of a slide and then zoom back out
again.
 Options: Opens the menu shown. It contains a variety of commands
 for controlling the presentation, including setting arrow options and controlling
display settings and Presenter view.

284 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 3.4.22: On-Screen show control

 Blanking a Screen
During a Presentation, if there is a pause for discussions you may need to blank
the screen to avoid distractions.
 To turn the screen into a blank expanse (White) type W or Comma (,)
 To turn the screen into a blank expanse (Black) type B or Period (.)
 To return to the presentation, you can press the same key or press any key on the
keyboard.
 When the screen is completely black or white, you can draw on it for it to serve as
a scratch pad.
 Anything done on the blank screen is not saved or added as part of the
presentation.

Figure 3.4.23: Blanking screen


 On Screen Pen and Pointer

Question: What are on-screen pen used for?


Answer: The on-screen pen can be used to lay emphasis on areas and objects in a slide during
presentation.

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 285


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

• Move the mouse to make the on screen buttons appear.


• Click the Pointers button (the one that looks like a pen). A menu appears or right-
click and then choose Pointer Options.
• Select the Ink Colour command for access to the ink colour swatches).
• Click the colour you want to use.
• Move to the main Slide and use the Pen as you wish.

Figure 3.4.24: On-screen pen and painter

 Hiding and Unhiding Slides


Hiding a slide is used to keep a slide in reserve, without making it a part of the
main slide.

To hide a slide:
 Switch to Slide Sorter view.
 Select the slide or slides that you want to hide.
 Click the Hide Slide button in the Set Up group of the Slide Show tab of the
ribbon, or right-click one of the selected slides and choose Hide Slide from the
shortcut menu.
 A diagonal line crosses through the slide indicating that it is hidden. The slide‘s
content also appears dimmed.
 To unhide a slide, select the slide and click Hide Slide again. The slide‘s number
286 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

returns to normal. You can also right-click a slide and choose Hide Slide again to
toggle the hidden attribute off.
 To show hidden slide during a presentation; In Slide Show view, click the See
All Slides button in the bottom-left corner of the screen.

 Custom Shows
 Many slide shows have a linear flow, however, when the situation becomes more
complex, a single-path slide show may not suffice.
 On the Slide Show tab, click Custom Slide Show in the Start Slide Show group,
and then click Custom Shows. The Custom Shows dialog box opens.
 Click New. The Define Custom Show dialog box opens.
 Type a name for your custom show in the Slide show name text box, replacing
the default name.
 In the Slides in presentation list, click the check box for the first slide that you
want to appear in the custom show and click add.
 Click Ok and Close.

Figure 3.4.25: Custom slide show

 Delivering a Presentation Online


 From the Slide Show Tab, click Present Online If desired, mark the enable
remote viewers to download the presentation check box. Click Connect. You are
connected to the broadcast server.
Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 287
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

 For your sign-in information; sign in if prompted. A link appears for participants
to use to see the broadcast.
 Copy this link to the Clipboard (click Copy Link, or select it and press Ctrl + C)
and then paste it into an e-mail, instant message, or other medium through which
you want to share it with others. You can click Send in E-Mail to automatically
start a new e-mail containing the link.
 Click Start Presentation. The show begins in Slide Show view on your PC.
 Show the presentation as you would normally. When you are finished, Normal
view reappears.
 On the Present Online tab on the Ribbon, click End Online Presentation. At the
confirmation box, click End Online Presentation.

Figure 3.4.26: Present online

2.5 - Slide Master and Printing


2.5.1 Slide Master

Question: what is a slide master?


Answer: A slide master is a set of specifications that govern overall formatting and appearance.
PowerPoint actually has three masters: the slide master (for slides), the handout master (for
handouts), and the notes master (for speaker notes).

288 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 3.4.27: Slide Master View

 The slide master holds the settings from a theme and applies them to one or more
slides in your presentation.
 A slide master is the representation of a particular theme applied to a particular
presentation.
 Any text, object, graphic or feature placed on the master slide would appear in all
slide of the presentation.

 To work with Slide Master


 Click on the View Tab, Click on the Slide Master Button.
 While you are working in Slide Master view, you can use the commands on the
other tabs in the following ways:
 Home Format a text placeholder on a master by selecting it and then clicking
buttons in the Font and Paragraph groups.
 Insert Add objects such as graphics and WordArt text to a master by clicking
buttons.
 Click on the Close Slide Master View to close Slide Master.

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 289


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 3.4.28: working with slide master

2.5.2 Printing
Create Speaker Notes
Speaker Notes can be added to allow you to create notes for each slide. To add
speaker notes:
 Select the slide
 Click View
 Click Note Pages
 Click the Click to add Notes section of the screen
 Type in the Notes for that slide

Figure 3.4.29: Adding speaker notes


290 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

 Print a Presentation
There are many options for printing a presentation. They are:
 Slides: These are slides that you would see if you were showing the presentation,
one slide per page
 Handouts: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 or 9 per page, this option allows for more slides per page
 Notes Page: This includes the slides and the speaker notes
 Outline View: This will print the outline of the presentation

To access the print options


 Click the File Tab
 Click Print
 In the Print select the print options you want to use. Click the Print button

Figure 3.4.30: Printing slides

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 291


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

To print preview
- Click the File Tab
- Click Print.
- The Preview Window is show to the right of the print Dialog Box.

Figure 3.4.31: Print Preview


 Package a Presentation
There are times when you want to package a presentation with all of the additional
files attached as well. To package a presentation for CD:
 Click the File Tab.
 Click Export
 Click Package for CD
 Type a name for the CD
 Click Copy to CD or Copy to Folder

292 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 3.4.32: presentation packaging

2.6 - PowerPoint Tips


Design Tips
i. Slides should be of a consistent design throughout the presentation
ii. Use graphics and pictures when possible
iii. Remove unnecessary information and graphics
iv. Use contrasting background and text colours
v. Keep the number of fonts used in the presentation to 3
vi. Keep the fonts consistent throughout the presentation.
vii. All visuals (photos, data displays, symbols, icons, etc.) should clarify and
enhance the message or topic.
viii. Animations and/or transitions should deepen meaning and essence of the
presentation rather than distract.

 Presentation Tips
i. Identify the critical information for your presentation
ii. Use no more than 6 bullets per page
iii. Bullets should be short ideas, not complete sentences (these should be your
Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 293
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

talking points).
iv. To start the Slide Show, Click Slide Show on the Presentation
Views group on the View tab
v. Use the arrow keys to move forward or backward in a presentation
vi. Press the Escape (Esc) key to end the slide show
vii. A pen tool is available for drawing on the screen with the mouse.
Press CTRL+P or Click the right mouse button at any time and a popup
window will appear. Choose Pen and the pointer will change to a pen
that allows you to draw freehand on the screen using the mouse. Press
the E key to erase all pen strokes. Press CTRL+A to disable the pen feature
and revert the pen back to a pointer arrow.
viii. If you would like to use the pen to draw on a blank screen during a
presentation, press the B or W keys, or select Screen/Black Screen from
the popup menu and the screen will turn black. Press B or W again or
choose Next from the popup menu to return to the presentation when you
are finished drawing.
ix. To hide the pointer and button from the screen press the A key.
x. Be sure to preview the slide show using a projector if one will be used
during the presentation. Words or graphics that are close to the edge of the
screen may be cut off by the projector.

 Spell Check
To check the spelling throughout a presentation:
 Click the Spelling button in the Proofing group on the Review tab

3.0 LAB EXERCISE


Laboratory for Week 10: Inserting Tables and Charts, Inserting Clip Art,
Grouping objects on the slide, Adding Transition and Animation Effects, Running
a Slide Show.
Tables

294 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

1. On slide #eight type ―A.B.U. Zaria student admission 2006-2010‖ as the slide
title.
2. Insert a table with the following hypothetical data representing the number of
admitted students in ABU between 2006-2010
Table 3.3.1: Input data
YEAR MALE FEMALE

2006 2500 3500


2007 3500 4800
2008 4300 6500
2009 4660 7500
2010 4800 6500

 Charts
3. On slide #nine, insert a column chart representing the data on the table of slide
#eight.
4. Format the chart as shown in the image.

Figure 3.4.33: Expected Chart

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 295


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

 Grouping Clip Art, Picture and Text Box


5. On slide #ten, insert the ABU logo from the yyy folder, the Ribbon from
Clip Art gallery and a text box.
6. Type ―Centre of excellence‖ in the text box
7. Format and arrange the three objects as shown in the image and hence group
them.

Figure 3.4.34: Clip Art

 Slide transition effects


8. Apply transition effect to all the slides, try different effects to different
slides.
9. Apply transition time of say 5 seconds to all the slides.

 Slide animation effects


10.Apply custom animation to both text and other objects.
11.Run the slide show

4.0 Study Session Summary


In this study session, we have looked at table format, insert chart, animation effect
and how to add effects to a slideshow. In the next study session, we shall be
looking at internet tools and technologies, afterwards we would look at working
296 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

with Email.

5.0 Self-Assessment Questions and Answer


Questions
1) Which of the following will not advance the slides in a slide show view?
A. The mouse button
B. The space bar
C. The enter key
D. The esc key
2) To hide a slide, you switch to ……… view?
A. Slide sorter
B. Normal
C. Outline
D. Slide show
3) PowerPoint slides can have?
A. drawn objects, shapes
B. title, text, graphs
C. clipart, drawn art, visual
D. any of the above
4) Which tab is not available on left panel when you open a presentation?
A. Outline
B. Slides
C. Notes
D. All of above are available

5) Which of the following is not an option for printing presentation?


A. Slides
B. Handouts
C. Outline view
D. Sorter view

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 297


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

6.0 Answers to Self Assessment Questions


1. A
2. B
3. D
4. C
5. D

7.0 References/Further Reading


S.B. Junaidu, A.F. Donfack-kana and A. Salisu, Fundamentals of information
technology ABU press (2013).
J.J. Parsons and D. Oja, Practical Computer Literacy, Thompson Learning, 2005
Curt Simmons, How to Do Everything with Windows XP, 2nd Edition McGraw-
Hill/Osborne, 2003, ISBN 0-07-223080-0.
Peter Norton‘s, Introduction to Computers, 5th Edition McGraw-Hill/Glencoe, 2003,
ISBN 0-07-826421-9.

298 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

MODULE 4
Introduction to Internet and its Related Technologies

Content
Study Session 1: Internet Tools & Technologies I
Study Session 2: Internet Tools & Technologies II
Study Session 3: Working with Email

Study Session 1
Internet Tools & Technologies I

Section and Subsection Headings:


Introduction
1.0 Learning Outcome
2.0 Main Content
2.1 - Internet and WWW, and Application of the Internet
2.2 - Web Terminology, Web Browsers, and Connecting a Computer to the
Internet
2.3 - Search Engines, Searching for information and Navigating the Web
Sites
2.4 - Web Addressing Scheme and Working with the Internet Explorer
2.5 - Deleting Browser History, Setting the Home Page for a Web Browser
and Controlling the Display of Images in Web Pages
2.6 - Saving Web Pages as Files, Saving Web Pages as Favourites and
Downloading a File from a Web Page
2.7 - Copying Content from a Web Page to a Document, Previewing Web
Pages, Modifying Page Setup Options, and Printing
Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 299
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

3.0 Lab Exercise


4.0 Study Session Summary and Conclusion
5.0 Self-Assessment Questions and Answer
6.0 References/Further Reading

Introduction
In this session, we introduce the Concept of Internet. Internet is a worldwide
telecommunication system that provides connectivity for millions of other, smaller
networks. Some of the Application of Internet include; Electronic mail, Online
Social network, Business and commerce, Health and Fitness, News and
Broadcasting e.t.c,

1.0 Study Session Learning Outcome


After studying this session, I expect you to be able to:
a) Describe how computers communicate across the internet and describe the
technologies that enable internetworking.
b) Describe the various aspects of internet communication services.
c) Examine various security issues related to the internet.

2.0 Main Content


2.1 - Internet and WWW, and Application of the Internet
The Internet is a worldwide system of computer networks.
 Users can obtain information about any subject or topic by connecting to the
Internet
 The Internet was first known as ARPANET and was started by the U.S.
government in 1969 - Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA)
 The original aim of ARPANET was to create a network that would allow
researchers working on computers at one university to connect to computers at
other universities.
The World Wide Web (WWW) also called the Web is a subset of the Internet
 The Web is a series of interconnected servers that support specially formatted
300 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

documents.
 Today, the Internet has become an important part of our day-to-day life
 The Internet is used today in diverse field - business, entertainment, education,
communication, medicine, defence, engineering, and sports.
 The WWW also called the Web is a subset of the Internet
The Internet and the World Wide Web are often used synonymously but they
are different.
 The Web is a series of interconnected servers that support specially formatted
documents
 This means you can switch from one document to another just by clicking on
marked text.

Question: What is a saver?


Answer: A server is a program or a computer that responds to requests from other
programs and delivers the requested resource.

 Application Of The Internet


The Internet provides various types of services, which include:
 Electronic mail (e-mail)
- Exchange of messages between two computers by telecommunication is known
as e-mail.
- E-mail was one of the first services that were used for communicating over the
Internet.
- E-mail messages can contain text, graphics, or a combination of both.
- There are a number of Web sites on the Internet that provide free e-mail services
- Gmail, Hotmail and Yahoo.
- The user is asked to register at the site and an e-mail account is created for the
user
- An e-mail address is also allocated to the user
- Using the e-mail account you can access your e-mail from anywhere in the world

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 301


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

 Online Social Network


- Video Sharing (Youtube.com)
- Instant Messaging (WhatsApp, Viber)
- Professional Networking (LinkedIn)
- Media Sharing (Facebook, Instagram, MySpace, flickr)
- Communication and Discussion (Twitter)
- Online Dating and Friendship (Badoo, Twoo, Hi5)
- Personal news Reporting.
- Internet Forums.

Figure 4.1.1: Examples of Online Social Networks

 Business and Commerce


- Internet Banking
- Mobile Banking
- Instant Money Transfer
- E-Commerce/Mobile Commerce
- Online Shops
- Online Markets
- Business to Business Interaction
- Business to Customer Interaction
- Online Retails and Auctions

 Location Based Services (Maps, Travels and Weather)


 Career and Employment
 Health and Fitness
302 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

 Education & Education Support Services.


- Online Lecture Delivery
- Open Courseware
- Online Degree/Certification Programmes
- Online Testing
- Online & Virtual Libraries
- Educational Portals
- Educational Collaboration

 Entertainment
 News and Broadcasting
 File Transfer Services
- You can transfer files from one computer to another using the Internet
- File transfer means uploading a file to a server or downloading a file from a
server
- File transfer services use the File Transfer Protocol (FTP), which is an Internet
protocol that helps to upload and download files`
- FTP is commonly used to download files to a personal computer from other
servers on the Internet
- Uploading refers to sending a file from a personal computer to another computer
on the network, and downloading refers to receiving a file from another
computer on the network to a personal computer
- Protocol is a set of rules used for communication between computers.

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 303


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

2.2 - Web Terminology, Web Browsers, and Connecting a Computer to the


Internet
2.2.1 Web Terminology
Some of the most commonly used terms in the Web are:
 Browser:
Question: what is a browser?
Answer: browser is a client software that allows user to display and interact with a hypertext
document.
 Web Server: this is a program that responds to requests from Web browsers to
retrieve resources. It is also used to refer to the computer that runs the server
program.
 Web Site: this is a collection of related files. Each Web site contains a home
page, which is the first document that is displayed on the browser. A site might
also contain additional documents and files. A site is owned and managed by an
individual, company or organization.
 Home Page: this is the first hypertext document (in HTML) that is displayed
when the user opens a Web site. It contains links to other pages or other sites.
 HTML (Hypertext Markup Language): this is the formatting language used to
present a Web document.
 HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol): this is the protocol used on the Web to
transfer hypertext documents.
 URL (Uniform Resource Locator): this is a Web addressing scheme that spells
out the exact location of a net resource on the Internet. Most URLs take the form:
protocol://host.domain/directory/filename
 Summarized list of the common services and when to use them:

304 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Table 4.1.1 shows the list of common web services and they are used
Table 4.1.1: Common web services and their usage
To Use

Get a file from another computer on the Internet FTP

Send a file to another computer on the Internet FTP

View files in a directory in a computer on another network Telnet

Correspond with a particular person on the Internet E-mail

Correspond with a group of people interested in a similar Newsgroups


topic
View documents on the Internet World Wide Web

Search for information on the Internet Search Engine

2.2.2 Web Browsers


 Internet Browsers
- A browser is an application that helps you display and interact with the
information on the Internet
- A browser uses HTTP to display information from the Web server
- Mosaic was the first commercially used Web browser
- Today, Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and Opera are
the most popular Web browsers
Table 4.1.2 shows the list of browsers and their icons

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 305


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Table 4.1.2: List of some browsers

2.2.3 Connecting a Computer to the Internet


Before loading a Web site, you first need to connect to the Internet. To connect to the
Internet, you need the following:
 Access to a phone line or telecommunication network
 A modem:
- A modem is a device that helps the computers to communicate using phone
lines or telecommunication network.
- Computers can interpret digital signals, and phone lines can interpret analog
signals.
- Modems convert the outgoing digital signals from a computer to analog signals
that can be transmitted via telephone cables.
- Modems also convert the analog signals from a phone line to digital signals for a
computer.
- The speed of a modem at which the data transfer is done is measured in Kilo bits
per second (Kbps).
- The most common modems today for internet connection are USB modems.

306 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 4.1.2: USB Modem

 Internet Service Provider (ISP)


- An Internet account is provided by an Internet Service Provider (ISP)
- An ISP is an organisation that provides users access to the Internet and other
related services, such as hosting a Web site and providing space on the Web
server to launch a Web site on the Internet
- ISP provides users with usernames and passwords, which are required to connect
to the Internet
- Connecting to the Internet enables you to perform operations, such as accessing a
Web site, reading your email, navigating between Web sites, and printing Web
pages.
- In Nigeria the major telecommunication service providers are also internet
providers.
- Internet services can be provided either through the use of USB Modems, MiFi
or WiFi devices Fibre Over Radio or VSAT.

Figure 4.1.3: Modem

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 307


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

2.3- Search Engines, Searching For Information and Navigating the Web
Sites
2.3.1 Search Engines

Question: What is a search engine?


Answer: A search engine is a website that allows you to search for a particular set of words
specified by you, on the Internet.

A user interface is provided where a user can enter the word or the phrase that has to
be searched. The search engine tries to locate the keyword in a large data source and
returns the result of the search.

Table 4.1.2: Search tools and their web address

SEARCH TOOL WEB ADDRESS


Google www.google.com

Alltheweb www.alltheweb.com

Ask www.ask.com

Lycos www.lycos.com

Bing www.bing.com

Excite www.excite.com

MSN www.msn.com

Yahoo! www.yahoo.com

AOL search www.search.aol.com

A9 www.a9.com

Dogpile www.dogpile.com

WebCrawler www.webcrawler.com
308 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

 You can use the Internet to search for information on any topic, such as
education, computer, medicine, and sports.
A search engine comprises a set of programs that include:
- A program that searches Web sites on the internet and uses the hypertext links on
each page to discover and read other pages on the site. This program is called a
spider.
- A program that creates an index of the pages, which have already been read by
the users.
- A program that receives the search request, compares the search entries with the
entries in the index, and returns the results to the Web browser for display.
 Popular search engines in the Internet include Google, AltaVista, and Lycos
 Different search engines use different mechanisms to search for information
 For example, using AltaVista search engine and Google, we get the following:

Figure 4.1.4: Altavista Search engine interface

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 309


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 4.1.5: Google search engine interface

2.3.2 Searching For Information


To search for information, use keywords that indicate the topic for which you want
further information. E.g., for information about routing protocols, you can use the
keyword Routing Protocol
1. Open Internet Explorer
2. Type www.altavista.com or other search engine in the Address bar
3. Click Go button to display the home page of the AltaVista search site
4. Specify Routing Protocol in the text box and click the Find button to display the
search results on a Web page, as shown
5. To locate pages that contain the specific keywords only, specify Routing +
Protocol in the text box
6. The search results appear, as shown below

310 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 4.1.6: Altavista Search engine result

- Note that the search results show links on all protocols and not just routing
protocols
- The search engine searches for Web pages that contain either the word
―Protocol‖ or ―Routing‖ or ―Routing Protocol‖ in the content.
7. You can also search for Web pages that contain the exact phrase. To do this;
- specify ―Routing Protocol‖ in the text box with opening and closing quotes.
- After the search results appear, you can click the hyperlink to access the
corresponding Web site or page. For example, you click the Interior Gateway
Routing Protocol (IGRP) link to display the Web page containing the required
information.

2.3.2 Navigating the Web Sites


To open a web site you required the web site address. A web site address uniquely
identifies the web site. E.g, the address of Microsoft site is www.microsoft.com.

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 311


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Question: What are the parts of web address?


Answer: web address consists of three or four parts:
1. The 1st part depicts the type of service or protocol that you are using on the Internet such as
http or ftp.
2. The 2nd part is the name of the network, the company, or the individual, such as Microsoft.
3. The 3rd part depicts the type of organisation, such as commercial (com), educational (edu),
government (gov), and net (network).

 To view information on the Internet, you need to first open a Web site
 When you load a Web site, the home page is loaded first. E.g., the home page
address for Microsoft is http://www.microsoft.com.
 Some Web addresses may contain the fourth part, which depicts the country
name, such as uk (United Kingdom)
 The address of a Web site is called its URL (Uniform Resource Locator)
 A hyperlink enables you to navigate to:
- Different location in the same page
- Different page within the same Web site
- Page of a different Web site
 You can navigate to the other pages on the site through links on the home page,
which are also known as hyperlinks
 A hyperlink is a synonym for both link and hypertext link
 These are graphics, words, or phrases on Web pages that you click to navigate
from one Web page to another or one site to another
 Text hyperlinks are underlined and usually appear in blue colour.
 When you click a hyperlink, you can navigate to:
- Different location in the same page
- Different page within the same Web site
- Page of a different Web site
 In addition, a hyperlink enables you to download a file located in a server on the
internet, launch an application, view a video file, or listen to an audio file

312 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 4.1.7: Internet

2.4 - Web Addressing Scheme and Working with the Internet Explorer
2.4.1 Web Addressing Scheme

Figure 4.1.7: parts of website address

1. Protocol Type
2. World Wide Web
3. Domain Name
4. Top Level Domain (TLD)
a. edu -Educational (Tertiary)
b. .com -Company/Commercial
c. .org -not for profit organisation
d. .net -providing network services
e. .mil -military installation (reserved/restricted)
f. .gov -governmental organisation (reserved/restricted)
g. .pro -certified professional (e.g Doctors, Lawyers etc)
h. .sch -Secondary Schools and below
i. .info -Restricted to organisations established by international treaties
Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 313
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

j. .mobi -Available for sites that cater to mobile devices such as smartphones
k. .biz -usually for commercial businesses.
l. .info - Business organisations or individuals providing general information.

5. Country Code Top Level Domain (ccTLD – optional)

2.4.4 Working with the Internet Explorer


To open the Internet Explorer, perform the following steps:
1. Select the Programs  Internet Explorer command. The Internet Explorer
window is displayed
2. In the Address bar, specify the address or URL of the Web site that you want to
visit
- When specifying the Web address, you don‘t need to specify the protocol, such
as http or ftp. The protocol appears automatically
3. Click the Go button or press the Enter key. The home page of the Web site
appears.
- The figure in the next slide is displays (the home page of the MSN site)

314 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Web Site URL

Image Hyperlink

Text
Hyperlink

Figure 4.1.7: MSN Internet Explorer web page

Notice that the mouse pointer changes to a hand when it is moved on a hyperlink.
You can click on a text hyperlink or image hyperlink to display the linked URLs.
 Displaying and Hiding Toolbars
 To display a toolbar, click View on the menu bar. Select the Toolbars command
and then, the toolbar name, such as Standards Buttons and Address Bar, to
display the toolbar.
 To display the Web page in a new window, select the File  New  Window
command to open a new window.
 To stop a Web page from loading, click View on the menu bar. Select the Stop
command.
 To refresh the contents of a Web page, click View on the menu bar. Select the
Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 315
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Refresh command to refresh the contents of the Web page.


 To view the visited URLs, click the drop-down button of the Address bar
 You can click on the Forward button to go back to the site you were viewing
before using the Back button

 Displaying web page in new window


 To display web page in new window select File New  Window command
to open new window
 You can also open a new window by right-clicking a link and selecting the open
new window option from the shortcut menu.

 Stopping Web Pages from Loading


 To stop a Web page from loading, click View on the menu bar. Select the Stop
command. The Web page stops from loading further
 You can also press the Esc key to stop Web page from loading.

 Refreshing Web Pages


 There are Web pages on the Internet that are dynamic and the data displayed on
the site might be changing after a specific time period
 To view latest data you will need to fetch the latest copy of the Web page
 Refreshing a Web page means that you can get a new copy of the current page
from the server.
 To refresh the contents of a Web page, click View on the menu bar. Select the
Refresh command to refresh the contents of the Web page.
 You can also press the F5 key to refresh the contents of a Web page.

 Displaying Visited URLs Using the Browser Address Bar


 You can view the URLs you visited earlier using the browser address bar
 Click the drop-down button of the Address bar, as shown

316 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

 Navigating Previously Visited Web Pages


 You can view the recently visited Web pages using the Back button on the
toolbar
 The Forward button is enabled only if you have used the Back button
 You can click on the Forward button to go back to the site you were viewing
before using the Back button.
Address Bar

Figure 4.1.9: Navigating through previous page

You can also view the list of the web pages that you have visited by clicking the
drop-down against the Back or Forward button as displayed in the following:

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 317


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 4.1.10: Navigating Previously Visited Web Pages

Navigating Previously Visited Web Pages


 You can view the recently visited Web pages using the Back button on the toolbar
 The Forward button is enabled only if you have used the Back button
 You can click on the Forward button to go back to the site you were viewing
before using the Back button.

2.5 - Deleting Browser History, Setting the Home Page for a Web Browser,
and Controlling the Display of Images in Web Pages
2.5.1 Deleting Browser History
You can customize the browser for viewing the Web sites using the Internet
Options dialog box.
Deleting Browser History:
You can delete the history of the Web sites that you visited earlier by:
1. Select the Tools  Internet Options command to display the Internet Options
dialog box
318 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

2. In the General tab, under the History section, click the Clear History button.
This displays the Internet Options message box
3. Click Yes button to delete the URL history
4. Click OK button to close the Internet Options dialog box.

Figure 4.1.11: Deleting browser history

2.5.2 Setting The Home Page For A Web Browser


To set a home page for a Web browser, perform the following steps:
1. Select the Tools  Internet Options command. The General tab of the
Internet Options dialog box is displayed.
2. The Home page section of the General tab allows you to:
 Current button: Set the currently displayed page as the hope page
 Default button: Microsoft starting page as the default page
 Blank button: Set a blank page as Home page
 Or you specify a URL of your choice in the Address text box, E.g.,
http://www.google.com
3. Click the OK button to close the Internet Options dialog box.

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 319


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

2.5.3 Controlling the Display of Images in Web Pages


Some Web sites take time to load on the Web browser. This delay is due to the fact
that images in a Web page take more time to display than text. To prevent this delay
in loading a Web page, you can stop images from loading. By default, Internet
Explorer displays images within a Web page. To stop loading the images, perform
the following steps:
1. Select Tools  Internet Options command to display the Internet Options.
2. The Advanced tab
3. Under Settings section, scroll to Show pictures check box under Multimedia
category.
4. Deselect the Show pictures check box to ensure that the browser loads Web
pages without images or pictures within the Web pages. If the Show pictures
check box is selected, the browser displays the images along with the content of
the Web pages.
5. Click OK button to close the Internet Options dialog box. You can Refresh the
page or load a different Web page to see the changes.

320 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 4.1.12: Internet option dialog box


2.6 - Saving Web Pages as Files, Saving Web Pages as Favorites, and
Downloading a File from a Web Page
Saving Web Pages as Files
You can save a Web page for viewing it later without connecting to the Internet. To
save the current Web page, perform the following steps:
1. Select File  Save As command to display the Save Web Page dialog box
2. In File name box, use the default file name provided or specify a name
3. Select Save as type drop-down list and the required file type. You can save the
file as a hypertext file using the default file name extension .htm or .html, or you
can save it as a text file with the .txt extension
When you save a Web page as an HTML file, the graphics, sounds and videos are
also saved. However, when a Web page is saved as a TXT file, only the text in the
Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 321
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Web page is saved.

Figure 4.1.13: Saving a web page

Saving Web Pages as Favourites


You can save Web pages or Web sites as your favourite sites in the Favourites
folder. This folder stores the URL of the Web page and enables you to access the
Web page quickly. In Netscape Navigator, the feature of saving Web pages as
favourites is known as saving Web pages as Bookmarks.
1. To save a Web page as a favorite, click Favourites on the menu bar. Select the
Add to Favourites command to display the Add Favourite dialog box
2. To save the current Web page in the Favourites folder, click the OK button
3. You can organise the Web pages in your Favourites folder under different
categories for easy accessibility.
4. Select the Favourites  Organise Favourites command to display the Organise
Favourites dialog box.

322 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 4.1.13: Adding a web page in fovorite folder

Downloading a File from a Web Page


You can download a file from a Web page. Downloading enables you to save a
program, an audio or video file, or a document from the Web to your computer. The
following figure displays a download link:

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 323


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Download Link

Download Link

Figure 4.1.14: Downloading a file


 To download and save a file from the Web page, do as follows:
1. Right-click on the link of the file
2. Select the Save Target As command to display the Save As dialog box
3. Select the location from the Save in drop down list
4. In the File name box, you can use the default file name provided or specify a
name of your choice and click the Save button.
5. Click the Close button or you can choose to Open Folder to view the file or
execute a program

324 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 4.1.15: saving a download

2.6 - Copying Content from a Web Page to a Document, Previewing Web


Pages, Modifying Page Setup Options, and Printing

Copying Content from Web Page to a Document


To copy the content of a Web page to a Word document, perform the following
steps:
1. Open the Web page and select the Edit  Select All command to select the
contents of the page
2. Select the Edit  Copy command menu to copy the contents on the clipboard
3. Open a new Microsoft Word document
4. Select the Edit  Paste command to paste the selected content of the Web
page including text, image, and URLs

Previewing Web Pages,


Previewing in Internet Explorer uses the WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You
Get) mechanism.
- You can preview a Web page by selecting File  Print Preview option
- If the information does not appear correctly on the printed page, you can
Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 325
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

modify the settings of the page setup.

Figure 4.1.16: Web page print preview

Modifying Page Setup Options


In Internet Explorer, you can modify the page orientation, set new margins, add
information on the header and footer, and change the size of the paper
 To modify the settings of a Web page, perform the following steps:
1. Click File  Page Setup command to display Page Setup dialog box
2. In the Page Setup dialog box, you can:
3. Use the Size drop-down list to change the size of the paper, such as Letter,
A4, or Executive.
4. Use the Source drop-down list to change the source of the paper.
5. Use the Header text box to specify the header information and the Footer text
box to specify the footer information.
6. Use the Portrait or Landscape radio button under the Orientation section to
set the orientation of the page.
326 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

7. Use the Left, Top, Right, and Bottom text boxes under the Margins (inches)
section to set different margins for the page.

Figure 4.1.17: web page Setup

Printing
To print a Web page:
1. Click File  Print command to display the Print dialog box
 The tabs in the Printer window will display depending on the printer driver
being used
2. In the Print dialog box, you can:
 Specify the printer, page range, and number of copies
 Specify the page setup information using the Page Setup tab
 Click the Options tab to display the following dialog box:
 Select the required options to print frames and linked documents.
Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 327
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

3. Click the Print button to print the Web page.

Figure 4.1.19: Printing a web page document

3.0 LAB EXERCISE


Laboratory for Week 11: Internet tools and Technologies
This section provides the basic concepts of Internet.
Objective: The students will able to:
1. Use different browsers to search for information on the Internet.
2. Use different Search techniques.
3. Use the browser‘s menu and navigation bars.

Lab. Exercise 1
1. Start your browser and have writing materials ready to write down answer to
questions posed in the steps. What is the URL of your Home page?
2. If your browser opens to site other than Google, type www.google.com in the
address bar and press the Enter key to connect to the Google search engine.

328 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

3. Enter ―Friday Yakubu + correlation analysis of data rate and buffer size on
TCP performance using OPNET simulator‖ in the search text box.
4. Click on ―Google Search‖ button.
5. On the page displayed, identify the link: IJCA - Correlation Analysis of Data
Rate and Router Buffer Size on ... and click on the link
a. What is the URL of your Home page?
b. What is the title of the page?
c. Who are the authors of the journal paper?
d. Identify the year, article number and article volume number.
e. Select and copy the Abstract of the journal paper.
6. Open your Microsoft Word application and paste what was copied. Save the
file as: Friday‘s journal.
7. Submit your script for assessment.

Lab. Exercise 2
1. Start your browser and have writing materials ready to write down answer to
questions posed in the steps. What is the URL of your Home page?
2. If your browser opens to site other than Yahoo, type www.yahoo.com in the
address bar and press the Enter key to connect to the search engine.
3. Enter ―Friday Yakubu + correlation analysis of data rate and buffer size on
TCP performance using OPNET simulator‖ in the search text box.
4. Click on ―Search‖ button.
5. On the page displayed, identify the link: Correlation Analysis of Data Rate
and Router Buffer Size on ... and click on the link. What can you say about the
information displayed through Google and Yahoo?
6. Add this page to your favourites or Bookmarks. How many sites are listed in
your favourites or Bookmarks?
7. Select favourites or Bookmarks on the menu bar and click on organise
favourites or Bookmarks menu. On the displayed library dialogue window,

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 329


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

right-click on favourites or Bookmarks menu and create a new folder called


My sites.
8. Double-click on the favourites or Bookmarks menu; drag the site you
bookmarked onto the folder: my sites.
9. Use the Back button to return to the results of your yahoo search, then select
any of the links that shows: performance analysis of TCP in a reliable ….. and
click on it. Bookmarked the visited page into the created folder: My sites.
10.Call the Lab. Lecturer for assessment and submit your script.

Lab. Exercise 3
1. Use any of the browser and search engine to search for information on ―Basic
search Tips ‖.
2. Type: Basic search Tips in the search text box and search click on search
button.
3. Observe the result of the search.
4. Repeat the search by Typing: PDF + Basic search Tips.
5. Write down what you observe on the results of the two search techniques
6. Search for information on Impact of ETP on education using the following
methods
a. Type: Impact of ETP on education in the search text box and search click on
search button.
b. Repeat search by Typing: “impact of ETP on education” in the search text
box and search click on search button.
c. Repeat another search by Typing: impact + ETP + education in the search
text box and search click on search button.
d. Search again by Typing: PDF + “impact of ETP on education” in the search
text box and search click on search button.
7. Write down your observation on the search techniques.
8. Submit your script for assessment

330 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Lab. Exercise 4
1. Start your browser and have writing materials ready to write down answer to
questions posed in the steps.
2. Connect to the site www.ross-simons.com. Click the stop button. Did the
entire page load?
3. Can you access the site www.yahoo.com or www.google.com from your
History list? Explain why or why not.
4. Connect to www.e-course.com/mgh/reservations.htm. Fill in the newsletter
form. Click the submit button to submit the form.
5. Go back to the site www.ross-simons.com.
6. Use the file menu to access the page Setup dialog box.
a. Change the paper orientation to landscape.
b. Change the top and bottom margins to ―1‖.
c. Change the left and right margins to ―2‖
d. Click the OK button to save settings.
7. Use the file menu to display a print preview.
8. Make sure that the information fits on two pages, then save on your flash disk.
9. Print out the information that was saved in a flash.
10.Submit a copy of the print out for assessment

4.0 Study Session Summary


In this study session, we have looked at search engines, searching for information
and navigating web sites using hyperlinks, web addressing schemes and working
with the internet explorer, we ended the study session by going over saving and
printing of web-documents.

5.0 Self-Assessment Questions and Answer


Questions
1) All the following are top-level computer domains EXCEPT
A. .edu
B. .org
Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 331
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

C. .gov
D. .army

2) Computer can be linked with internet through the____


A. Phone-line modem
B. DSL
C. Cable
D. All of these

3) When you save a Web page as a TXT file only ……… in the web page is/are
saved.
A. Sound
B. Videos
C. Graphics
D. None of the above

4) When you search for ―Routing protocol‖, all the pages that contain the word(s)
will be searched
A. Routing
B. Protocol
C. Routing protocol
D. All of the above
5) To search for web pages that contain the phrase Routing protocol only, you type
A. Routing protocol
B. Protocol
C. ―Routing protocol‖
D. All of the above
6.0 Answers to Self Assessment Questions
1. D
2. D
3. A
332 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

4. D
5. C

7.0 References/Further Reading


S.B. Junaidu, A.F. Donfack-kana and A. Salisu, Fundamentals of information
technology ABU press (2013)
J.J. Parsons and D. Oja, Practical Computer Literacy, Thompson Learning, 2005
Curt Simmons, How to Do Everything with Windows XP, 2nd Edition McGraw-
Hill/Osborne, 2003, ISBN 0-07-223080-0
Peter Norton‘s, Introduction to Computers, 5th Edition McGraw-Hill/Glencoe, 2003,
ISBN 0-07-826421-9

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 333


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Study Session 2
Internet Tools & Technologies II

Section and Subsection Headings:


Introduction
1.0 Learning Outcome
2.0 Main Content
2.1 - Implementing Security and Setting Security in a Browser
2.2 - ICT Tools for Education; Introduction
2.3 - Creating a Yahoo Group
2.4 - Using Yahoo Groups
2.5 - Creating a Google Group
2.6 - Using Google Groups
3.0 Lab Exercise
4.0 Study Session Summary and Conclusion
5.0 Self-Assessment Questions and Answer
6.0 References/Further Reading

Introduction
In this session, we will discuss Implementing Security on the web; that is, ensuring
that data in transit is safe from unauthorized access. Also we will learn how to use
Yahoo and Google group to interact with friends and family wherever in the world.

1.0 Study Session Learning Outcome


After studying this session, I expect you to be able to:
a) How to create a Yahoo and Google Group for his or her class or co-worker
b) How to use Yahoo and Google Group to communicate
c) Examine various security issues related to the internet.

334 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

2.0 Main Content


2.1 - Implementing Security and Setting Security in a Browser
Once you start using the Internet for accessing information, you connect to different
computers on the network. Security on the Web refers to techniques for ensuring that
data in transit is safe from unauthorized access. Security measures involve:
 Data encryption: involves the translation of data into a form that is illegible
without a deciphering mechanism
 Passwords: is a secret word or phrase that gives authorized users access to a
particular program or system
 A digital certificate is used to identify the person sending the message over the
network.
- A Certificate Authority (CA) issues the digital certificate.
- The digital certificate contains the applicant's public key and a variety of other
identification information
- The applicant uses the public key to encrypt the message
- Recipient of an encrypted message uses the CA's public key to decode the digital
certificate attached to the message, and verifies it as issued by the CA.

 Password Rules
 Use passwords that are at least eight characters long. The longer a password, the
tougher it is to crack or guess.
 Use a combination of letters, numbers and special characters such as (@,#,$, ?
etc)
 Use a combination of upper and lowercase letters.
 Do not use password that are based on information commonly associated with
you. E.g. your name, date of birth, phone number etc.
 Avoid Password that contains your entire User ID.
 Don‘t store your password in your phone. Also don‘t write down your password.
If you must write it down, don‘t leave it in an open place.
 If you think that your password have been compromised change it immediately.
 Your password should be simple enough for you to remember and complex
Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 335
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

enough not to be easily guessed.

 Malwares

Effects of Computer Virus Infection


 Loss of Data
 Damage to Files
 Computer down time

How do Computer Virus Spread.


 Copying files from an infected Computer
 Downloaded infected email to Computer System
 Through wired or wireless network connection

Preventing Computer Virus Infection


 Get/Install genuine copies of Antivirus on your Computer
 Update your Antivirus constantly.
 Do not open unexpected emails.
 Beware of Spoofing Email or Phishing.
 Scan external storage devices e.g Flash disk that are inserted into your Computer
before use.

Understanding Phishing
Question: What is phish?
Answer: Phish means tricking somebody into providing bank, credit/debit card and transaction
instrument information by sending a fraudulent email purported to be from the bank or service
provider.

Phishing is one of the most commonly used internet fraud techniques used to by
fraudsters to steal information from unsuspecting users. Phishing emails attempts to
lure you into divulging personal and financial information. They pretend to be well
known legitimate mails.
336 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Ways to recognize Phishing


 Generic greetings
 Sense of urgency
 May include an urgent warning requiring immediate action
 Account Status threat: May include a warning that your account will be
blocked or terminated unless you reply
 Forged email address: The senders email address may be forged even if it looks
legitimate.
 Forged links to Web sites: There is often a link to a Website to fix a problem.
Usually such links are fraudulent or fake.
 Request for Personal Information: Phishing email usually ask for Login and
Password details, either via email or via the link

2.1.1 Setting Security in a Browser


You can implement different levels of security for downloading content from a Web
site on your computer by configuring protection settings for Web sites in your
browser. When you open a site in your Web browser, the content on the site may be
unsafe for downloading and might contain a virus program. You can implement
different levels of security for downloading content from a Web site on your
computer by configuring protection settings for Web sites in your browser. To
implement security in Internet Explorer, perform the following steps:
1. Click the Tools  Internet Options command to display the Internet Options
dialog box
2. Click the Security tab, as shown in the following figure:

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 337


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 4.2.1: Setting security using internet option

 These four zones are:


 Internet: this zone contains sites that are not assigned to any other zone
 Local intranet: contains sites on the local network of an organisation. E.g., the
Web sites specified in the Connections tab and the local intranet sites.
 Trusted sites: this zone enables you to add sites that are safe and do not carry
any virus programs that might infect your computer
 Restricted sites: this zone enables you to add sites that are unsafe and can carry
virus

2.2 - Ict Tools For Education


Groups are free online communities consisting of a forum for sharing ideas and
information online or via a mailing list. Each Group has its own web site and URL,
and optional services determined by the Group owner such as file and photo sharing,
lists of links to information relevant to the Group, etc. Groups also provide an online
message archive that members can search for information or conversations posted in
the past. Groups are usually used for online discussions but can also be set up only to
send out announcements or files via email. Groups can be set up for professional use,
338 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

for family members to communicate, an informative community or just for fun


interaction with others who share similar interest.

In this sub module, you will learn how to use Yahoo and (or) Google Groups to
interact with your class, students or co-workers.

Objectives
 How to create a Group for your class or co-worker
 How to build membership for the Group
 How to use the Group to send:
- Lecture notes
- Handouts/files
- Assignments
- Announcements
 How to post topics for discussion

2.3 - Creating a Yahoo Group


 To create a Yahoo Group, click on the link “create your Group”
 If you do not have a Yahoo ID click the link sign up to create a Yahoo account
before you proceed.
 You will be required to log into your Yahoo account before you can continue.
 This would take you to a page where you can browse for a category to place your
Group.

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 339


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 4.2.2: Yahoo group creation


 Browse or search for the category that best describe your Group. For example,
you can select Schools & Education. You should continue search or browse for
the sub classification.

340 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 4.2.3: Select the group category step 1

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 341


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

 When you find a suitable category, click the Place my Group here button.
 Enter the Group name and Group Email address.
 Type the text that describes your Group.

Figure 4.2.4: Select the group category step 2

342 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

 Then click the Continue button.

Figure 4.2.5: Select the group category step

 Select your Email address and identify your profile. You can click the link
Create new profile to edit a new profile.
 Then input the code.
 Next click the Continue button.

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 343


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 4.2.6: Select the group category step 3

 Yahoo! will give you a clue that your Group has been created

Figure 4.2.7: Group created successfully


344 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

 You can proceed to customize your Group or invite people to join.


 Lets go to the Group home.
 Group home page!

Figure 4.2.8: Customise group

2.4 - Using Yahoo Groups


To start using your new Yahoo Group, the first thing you have to do is to build
membership.
 You can do this in three ways:
- By invitation
- By subscription and registration
 To invite people, simply click on the invite link and enter the email addresses
of the people you want to invite
 Then click submit invite

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 345


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 4.2.9: Sending group invitation

 Another way to build your membership is by giving the subscription email


address to people you want to invite

Figure 4.2.10: Membership by subscription

- That way they can subscribe by sending a mail to the subscription email
address!
 Users can also go to the Group site and register!
346 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

 Members can unsubscribe by sending email to the unsubscribe email address.


 You can also delete members
 Sending notes and files;
- To send notes or file to the members of your Group, simply send email, with
the necessary attachments, to the Group email address (i.e.
[email protected])
- You can also login to the Group site to send a post, upload a file (i.e. Lecture
notes), etc.

Figure 4.11.: Sending notes to the group

 To upload a file directly to Group site, simply:


- Click the files link on the left. The files page would open.
- The click add files
- Click choose file Select the file you want to upload and click upload file

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 347


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 4.2.12: Adding a file to the group

 After clicking the upload file button, you will see that your file have been added
to the files list.
 Follow the same process to upload more files.
 You can also use Yahoo Group to post a message or start a discussion. To do so,
click the post link on the left side of your page.
 Enter the subject, the message and then click send. Your post would be sent to
all members and will also appear on the Group page.

Figure 4.2.13: Post message window


348 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

 You can also use your Yahoo Group to:


- Post links to relevant resources
- Create a database of people
- Collect information using the polls feature
- Publish a calendar of activities (i.e. Class time table)
- Upload photos of interest
- And more...
 Click on the help link on any page in Yahoo Group to learn more.

2.5 - Creating a Google Group


 Go to http://groups.google.com
 Click the create a group button

Figure 4.2.14: Creating a google group

 You will be required to sign In with your account


 If you do not have a Google account click the create an account button to create
a Google account.

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 349


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 4.2.15: Google group sign in

 Name your Group


 Create a Group email address
 Enter a brief description of the Group
 Specify the access level of you Group
 Click the create my Group button

350 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 4.2.16: Create google group page

Then enter the verification code and click on create my Group button again.

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 351


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

 If all goes well your Group will be created and you will be redirected to the home
page.
 Your Group home page would look like this!

Group home

Figure 4.2.17 : Google group home page

2.6 - USING GOOGLE GROUPS


You can now invite members or add members directly
To do so, click the invite or add members link on the Group home. If you invite
members, they will have to accept it; if you add them directly, they will
automatically become members of your group.

352 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 4.2.18: Google group invitation

 Sending notes and files;


- To send notes or file to the members of your Group, simply send email, with
the necessary attachments, to the Group email address (i.e.
[email protected])
- You can also login to the Group site to send a post, upload a file (i.e. Lecture
notes), etc.

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 353


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 4.2.18: Sending file in google group


 You can also upload file directly on the Group page.
To do so:
- Click the files link on the right, the files page will open
- On the files page, click the upload file button

Figure 4.2.19: Sending file in google group (continue)

- The button changes to choose file. Click on it to browse for the file you want
to upload!
- When you select the file, Google will automatically attach/upload the file.

Figure 4.2.20: Sending file in google group (continue)


354 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

 Another way you can use Google Group is to post discussions and
announcements.
- To make a post, simply click on the new post button

Figure 4.2.21: Post discussion and announcement


- The new post page would open!

 Enter your subject and message and then click the post message button. You
may want to copy non-members; if so enter their email addresses in the CC
field.

Figure 4.2.22: Post discussion and announcement (continue)

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 355


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

 You can also use your Google Group to:


 Post links to relevant resources
 Publish a calendar of activities (i.e. Class time table)
 Schedule meetings and announce it to members
 Create and save presentations, spreadsheets and word documents online. etc..
 Click on the help link on any page in your Google Group to learn more.

TIPS:
You can use any email address to subscribe/unsubscribe to any Group.
 Subscribers can send an email to:
[email protected] or
[email protected] with any email address to
subscribe.
 Or send email to:
[email protected] or
[email protected] to unsubscribe!
 Note: for restricted-membership Groups, the Group owner will need to approve
your subscription request before you can join.
 Any mail sent to: [email protected] or
[email protected] will automatically be sent to all members:

3.0 LAB EXERCISE


Laboratory for Week 12: Internet tools and Technologies II
Lab. Exercise 1
1. Create a yahoo group for discussion. Hint: use the manual as guide, and follow
the instructions and steps to create a group.
2. Build membership for the yahoo group created in (1).
3. Send the file: ―Fuel subsidy‖ as note to the members of the group created in
(1).
4. Post a topic: ―benefits of having a yahoo group‖ to the members of the group
created in (1) for discussion.
356 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Lab. Exercise 2
1. Create a Google group for discussion. Hint: use the manual as guide, and
follow the instructions and steps to create a group.
2. Build membership for the yahoo group created in (1).
3. Send the file: ―Fuel subsidy‖ as note to the members of the group created in
(1).
4. Post a topic: ―benefits of having a yahoo group‖ to the members of the group
created in (1) for discussion.

4.0 Study Session Summary


In this session, we were able to discuss the following:
a) Implementing Security on the web in order to prevent unauthorized access to
the data
b) How to use Yahoo and Google to communicate

5.0 Self-Assessment Questions and Answer


Questions
1) A piece of icon or image on a web page associated with another webpage is
called __
A. url
B. hyperlink
C. plugin
D. none of the mentioned

2) What is a web browser?


A. A program that can display a web page
B. A program used to view html documents
C. It enables user to access the resources of internet
D. All of the mentioned

3) URL stands for______


Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 357
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

A. Unique reference label


B. Uniform reference label
C. Uniform resource locator
D. Unique resource locator
4) Computer Virus can spread through.
A. Copying files from an infected Computer
B. Downloaded infected email to Computer System
C. Wired or wireless network connection
D. All of the above
5) Computer Virus Infection can be prevented by
A. Installing genuine copies of Antivirus on your Computer
B. Updating your anti-virus constantly
C. Not opening of unexpected emails
D. All of the above

6.0 Answers to Self Assessment Questions


1. B
2. D
3. C
4. D
5. E

7.0 References/Further Reading


S.B. Junaidu, A.F. Donfack-kana and A. Salisu, Fundamentals of information
technology ABU press (2013)
J.J. Parsons and D. Oja, Practical Computer Literacy, Thompson Learning, 2005
Curt Simmons, How to Do Everything with Windows XP, 2nd Edition McGraw-
Hill/Osborne, 2003, ISBN 0-07-223080-0
Peter Norton‘s, Introduction to Computers, 5th Edition McGraw-Hill/Glencoe, 2003,
ISBN 0-07-826421-9

358 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Study Session 3
Working with E-Mail

Section and Subsection Headings:


Introduction
1.0 Learning Outcome
2.0 - Main Content
2.1 - Email Protocols
2.2 - Email Working and Operations
3.0 Lab Exercise
4.0 Study Session Summary and Conclusion
5.0 Self-Assessment Questions and Answer
5.0 References/Further Reading

Introduction
In this session, we will discuss Email (electronic mail) lets you type and send a
message to anyone, anywhere in the world who has an Internet connection and an
email account. Once sent, the message usually arrives within seconds. However,
before sending mail you have to learn how to compose your messages. Also, we
will learn how to use the popular email services Yahoo mail and Google mail or G
mail to send messages to friends and family anywhere in the world.

1.0 Study Session Learning Outcome


After studying this session, I expect you to be able to:
1. Create a Yahoo and Google mail for his or her class or co-worker
2. Use Yahoo and Google Group to communicate.
3. Explain basic Email Protocols.

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 359


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

2.0 Main Content


Email is a service which allows us to send messages in electronic mode over the
internet. It offers an efficient, inexpensive and real time mean of distributing
information among people.

E-Mail Address
Each user of email is assigned a unique name for his email account. This name is
known as E-mail address. Different users can send and receive messages according
to the e-mail address.
E-mail is generally of the form username@domainname. For example,
[email protected] is an e-mail address where webmaster is username and
abudlc.edu.ng is domain name.
 The username and the domain name are separated by @ (at) symbol.
 E-mail addresses are not case sensitive.
 Spaces are not allowed in e-mail address.

E-mail Message Components


E-mail message comprises of different components: E-mail Header, Greeting,
Text, and Signature. These components are described in the following diagram:

360 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

E-mail Header
The first five lines of an E-mail message is called E-mail header. The header part
comprises of following fields:
 From
 Date
 To
 Subject
 CC
 BCC
From: The From field indicates the sender‘s address i.e. who sent the e-mail.
Date: The Date field indicates the date when the e-mail was sent.
To: The To field indicates the recipient‘s address i.e. to whom the e-mail is sent.
Subject: The Subject field indicates the purpose of e-mail. It should be precise and
to the point.
CC: CC stands for Carbon copy. It includes those recipient addresses whom we
want to keep informed but not exactly the intended recipient.

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 361


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

BCC: BCC stands for Black Carbon Copy. It is used when we do not want one or
more of the recipients to know that someone else was copied on the message.

Greeting
Greeting is the opening of the actual message. Eg. Hi Sir or Hi Guys etc.
Text
It represents the actual content of the message.
Signature
This is the final part of an e-mail message. It includes Name of Sender, Address,
and Contact Number.

Advantages of Email
E-mail has proved to be powerful and reliable medium of communication. Here are
the benefits of E-mail:
 Reliable
 Convenience
 Speed
 Inexpensive
 Printable
 Global
 Generality
Reliable
Many of the mail systems notify the sender if e-mail message was undeliverable.
Convenience
There is no requirement of stationary and stamps. One does not have to go to post
office. But all these things are not required for sending or receiving an mail.

Speed
E-mail is very fast. However, the speed also depends upon the underlying network.
Inexpensive
The cost of sending e-mail is very low.
362 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Printable
It is easy to obtain a hardcopy of an e-mail. Also an electronic copy of an e-mail
can also be saved for records.
Global
E-mail can be sent and received by a person sitting across the globe.
Generality
It is also possible to send graphics, programs and sounds with an e-mail.

Disadvantages of Email
Apart from several benefits of E-mail, there also exists some disadvantages as
discussed below:
 Forgery
 Overload
 Misdirection
 Junk
 No response
Forgery
E-mail doesn‘t prevent from forgery, that is, someone impersonating the sender,
since sender is usually not authenticated in any way.
Overload
Convenience of E-mail may result in a flood of mail.
Misdirection
It is possible that you may send e-mail to an unintended recipient.

Junk
Junk emails are undesirable and inappropriate emails. Junk emails are sometimes
referred to as spam.
No Response
It may be frustrating when the recipient does not read the e-mail and respond on a
regular basis.

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 363


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

2.1 Email Protocols


Question: What are email protocols?
Answer: E-mail Protocols are set of rules that help the client to properly transmit the
information to or from the mail server.
Here in this tutorial, we will discuss various protocols such as SMTP, POP, and
IMAP.

SMPTP
SMTP stands for Simple Mail Transfer Protocol. It was first proposed in 1982. It is
a standard protocol used for sending e-mail efficiently and reliably over the
internet.

Key Facts
SMTP is application level protocol.
SMTP is connection oriented protocol.
SMTP is text based protocol.
It handles exchange of messages between e-mail servers over TCP/IP network.
Apart from transferring e-mail, SMPT also provides notification regarding
incoming mail.

When you send e-mail, your e-mail client sends it to your e-mail server which
further contacts the recipient mail server using SMTP client.

These SMTP commands specify the sender‘s and receiver‘s e-mail address, along
with the message to be send.

The exchange of commands between servers is carried out without intervention of


any user.

In case, message cannot be delivered, an error report is sent to the sender which
makes SMTP a reliable protocol.

364 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

IMAP
IMAP stands for Internet Mail Access Protocol. It was first proposed in 1986.
There exist five versions of IMAP as follows:
Original IMAP
IMAP2
IMAP3
IMAP2bis
IMAP4

Key Facts:
IMAP allows the client program to manipulate the e-mail message on the server
without downloading them on the local computer.
The e-mail is hold and maintained by the remote server.
It enables us to take any action such as downloading, delete the mail without
reading the mail. It enables us to create, manipulate and delete remote message
folders called mail boxes.
IMAP enables the users to search the e-mails.
It allows concurrent access to multiple mailboxes on multiple mail servers.

POP
POP stands for Post Office Protocol. It is generally used to support a single client.
There are several versions of POP but the POP 3 is the current standard.

Key Facts
POP is an application layer internet standard protocol.
Since POP supports offline access to the messages, thus requires less internet
usage time.
POP does not allow search facility.
In order to access the messaged, it is necessary to download them.
It allows only one mailbox to be created on server.
It is not suitable for accessing non mail data.
Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 365
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

POP commands are generally abbreviated into codes of three or four letters.
Eg. STAT.

2.2 Email Working and Operations


E-mail System
E-mail system comprises of the following three components:
 Mailer
 Mail Server
 Mailbox

Mailer
It is also called mail program, mail application or mail client. It allows us to
manage, read and compose e-mail.

Mail Server
The function of mail server is to receive, store and deliver the email. It is must for
mail servers to be Running all the time because if it crashes or is down, email can
be lost.

Mailboxes
Mailbox is generally a folder that contains emails and information about them.

Working of E-mail
Email working follows the client server approach. In this, client is the mailer i.e.
the mail application or mail program and server is a device that manages emails.
Following example will take you through the basic steps involved in sending and
receiving emails and will give you a better understanding of working of email
system:
 Suppose person A wants to send an email message to person B.
 Person A composes the messages using a mailer program i.e. mail client and
then select Send option.
366 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

 The message is routed to Simple Mail Transfer Protocol to person B‘s mail
server.
 The mail server stores the email message on disk in an area designated for
person B.
The disk space area on mail server is called mail spool.
 Now, suppose person B is running a POP client and knows how to
communicate with B‘s mail server.
 It will periodically poll the POP server to check if any new email has arrived for
B.As in this case, person B has sent an email for person B, so email is
forwarded over the network to B‘s PC. This is message is now stored on person
B‘s PC.

The following diagram gives pictorial representation of the steps discussed above:

Figure 4.2.1: Email system

Creating Email Account


There are various email service provider available such as Gmail, hotmail, ymail,
rediff mail etc. Here we will learn how to create an account using Gmail.
 Open gmail.com and click create an account.

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 367


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

 Now a form will appear. Fill your details here and click Next Step.

Figure 4.2.2: Form for creating Gmail Account


 This step allows you to add your picture. If you don‘t want to upload now, you
can do it later. Click Next Step.
 Now a welcome window appears. Click Continue to Gmail.
 Wow!! You are done with creating your email account with Gmail. It‘s that
easy. Isn‘t it?
 Now you will see your Gmail account as shown in the following image:

368 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Figure 4.2.3: Mail inbox

Key Points:
 Gmail manages the mail into three categories namely Primary, Social and
Promotions.
 Compose option is given at the right to compose an email message.
 Inbox, Starred, Sent mail, Drafts options are available on the left pane which
allows you to keep track of your emails.

Composing and Sending Email


Before sending an email, we need to compose a message. When we are composing
an email message, we specify the following things:
 Sender‘s address in To field
 Cc (if required)
 Bcc (if required)

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 369


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

 Subject of email message


 Text
 Signature

You should specify the correct email address; otherwise it will send an error back
to the sender.

Once you have specified all the above parameters, It‘s time to send the email. The
mailer program provides a Send button to send email, when you click Send, it is
sent to the mail server and a message mail sent successfully is shown at the above.

Reading Email
Every email program offers you an interface to access email messages. Like in
Gmail, emails are stored under different tabs such as primary, social, and
promotion. When you click one of tab, it displays a list of emails under that tab.
In order to read an email, you just have to click on that email. Once you click a
particular email, it gets opened.

The opened email may have some file attached with it. The attachments are shown
at the bottom of the opened email with an option called download attachment.

Replying Email
After reading an email, you may have to reply that email. To reply an email, click
Reply option shown at the bottom of the opened email.

Once you click on Reply, it will automatically copy the sender‘s address in to the
To field. Below the To field, there is a text box where you can type the message.
Once you are done with entering message, click Send button. It‘s that easy. Your
email is sent.

370 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Forwarding Email
It is also possible to send a copy of the message that you have received along with
your own comments if you want. This can be done using forward button available
in mail client software.

The difference between replying and forwarding an email is that when you reply a
message to a person who has send the mail but while forwarding you can send it to
anyone.

When you receive a forwarded message, the message is marked with a > character
in front of each line and Subject: field is prefixed with Fw.

Deleting Email
If you don‘t want to keep email into your inbox, you can delete it by simply
selecting the message from the message list and clicking delete or pressing the
appropriate command.

Some mail clients offers the deleted mails to be stored in a folder called deleted
items or trash from where you can recover a deleted email.

3.0 LAB EXERCISE


Laboratory for Week 13: Working with E-mail
This session provides the basic concepts of E-mail and yahoo/Google grouping for
discussion on the Internet.

Objective: The students should understand and be able to create an e-mail account
and use to send messages with attachment, and to create a group for discussion.

Lab. Exercise 1
1. If you don‘t have an email address, Create a new email address
a. Start your browser
Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 371
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

b. Type: www.yahoomail.com in the address bar


c. On the displayed page, click on the button title: Create New Account
d. A form page will be display. Fill the form and send it.
Note: if you did not provide the correct information, the page will be
displayed again for correction.
2. If you have an email address, start your browser and access your email
account.
3. Create a new message to [email protected].
4. Enter ―email_assignment‖ in the subject line and in the message area use your
own words to write a short message about the course.
5. At the end of the message, type your Reg. No. and names as a closing
6. Send the message.

Lab. Exercise 2
1. Access your email account, open the message sent from
[email protected] and read it.
2. Add the sent message email address to your address box by right-clicking the
“From” box area and selecting add to contacts from the pop-up menu.
3. Compose a reply to the sent message, but don‘t send off the reply just yet.
Look at your inbox and open a second message. Highlight the most important
sentence, click Edit on the menu bar and then click Copy. Switch back to the
message you‘re sending and paste the sentence from the other e-mail message.
4. Create a document from Microsoft Word application and save the file as:
email attachment. You are free to type any script.
5. Insert the file email attachment as an attachment.
6. Send and close your email box.
Exercise 3
1. Use any of the search engines available and find information on “Fuel
subsidy in Nigeria”.
2. Summarize your point, not more than one page of a document. Use Microsoft
Word to save your summary, and name the file as: Fuel subsidy
372 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

3. Compose a new email message attaching the file: Fuel subsidy, and sent to
[email protected].

4.0 Study Session Summary and Conclusion


In this session, we were able to discuss working with emails; We started with an
Email Overview of what Emails are we then looked at email protocols finally we
looked at Email Working and Operations using google mail. With this we have come
to the end of this study session and course.

5.0 Self-Assessment Questions and Answer


Questions
1. SMTP is a simple
A. TCP protocol
B. TCP/IP protocol
C. IP protocol
D. None of the above

2. A simple protocol used for fetching e-mail from a mailbox is


A. POP2
B. POP3
C. IMAP
D. None of the above

3. E-mail address is made up of


A. Single part
B. Two parts
C. Three parts
D. Four parts
4. SMTP stands for
A. Short Mail Transmission Protocol
B. Small Mail Transmission Protocol
Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 373
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

C. Server Mail Transfer Protocol


D. Simple Mail Transfer Protocol

6. Protocol in URL "http://www.Microsoft.com" is


A. www
B. http
C. microsoft
D. .com
6.0 Answers to Self Assessment Questions
1. D
2. B
3. B
4. D
5. B

374 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

6.0 References/Further Reading


S.B. Junaidu, A.F. Donfack-kana and A. Salisu, Fundamentals of information
technology ABU press (2013)
J.J. Parsons and D. Oja, Practical Computer Literacy, Thompson Learning, 2005
Curt Simmons, How to Do Everything with Windows XP, 2nd Edition McGraw-
Hill/Osborne, 2003, ISBN 0-07-223080-0
Peter Norton‘s, Introduction to Computers, 5th Edition McGraw-Hill/Glencoe, 2003,
ISBN 0-07-826421-9
https://www.tutorialspoint.com/internet_technologies/

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 375


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

GLOSSARY
Term Definition
A
Active Cell An active cell refers to the currently selected cell in a spreadsheet

APA American Psychological Association is a scientific and professional


organization that represents psychologists in the United States.
ARPANET Advanced Research Projects Agency Network was the first wide-
area packet-switching network with distributed control and one of
the first networks to implement the TCP/IP protocol suite
B
BIOS Basic input/output system is the program a personal computer's
microprocessor uses to get the computer system started after you
turn it on.

C
CD A compact disc is a portable storage medium that can be used to
record, store and play back audio, video and other data
in digital form.
COM Ports COM port also known as a serial port transmits data bit by bit.

CPU The central processing unit or processor, is the unit which performs
most of the processing inside a computer
D
Disk drive is a device that reads and/or writes data to a disk
DVD Digital Versatile Disc is a type of optical media used for
storing digital data. It is the same size as a CD, but has a
376 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material
COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

larger storage capacity.


I
IDE Integrated Drive Electronics, is a standard type of connection for
storage devices in a computer
Information An information society is a society where the usage, creation,
society distribution, manipulation and integration of information is a
significant activity.
Internet The Internet is a global wide area network that connects computer
systems across the world.
L
LPT Port Line printer also known as Parallel Port transmits multiple bits of
data simultaneously at a time. The LPT port or parallel port is found
on the back of the computer and is part of the motherboard.
M
Mail Merge Mail merge lets you create a batch of documents that are
personalized for each recipient.

MiFi A MiFi device, also commonly known as a mobile WiFi router


enables you to connect to the internet while you are on the go
P
PC Personal Computer

PCI Slot A PCI slot is a built-in slot on a device that allows for the
attachment of various hardware components such as network cards,
modems, sound cards, disk controllers and other peripherals
PS2 Port PS/2 (Personal System/2) port, also referred to as the mouse
port or keyboard port. It is used to connect a
computer mouse or keyboard to an IBM compatible computer

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 377


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

Q
Quick lunch Quick Launch is a section of the Microsoft Windows taskbar that
enables a user the launch programs without having to locate them
using the Start menu.

R
RAM Random Access Memory is the internal memory of the CPU for
storing data, program, and program result. It is a read/write memory
which stores data until the machine is working.

S
SATA Serial Advanced Technology Attachment, or Serial ATA is an
interface used to connect ATA hard drives to a computer's
motherboard.

SVGA Super video graphics array is a high-resolution standard used to


channel video data to a compatible visual output device - usually a
computer monitor.
U

USB Universal Serial Bus is an industry standard that establishes


specifications for cables and connectors and protocols for
connection, communication and power supply (interfacing) between
computers, peripherals and other computers
V
VDU Visual Display Unit displays images that are generated by a
computer. The term VDU is used synonymously with the monitor,
but it can also refer to other different kinds of display including a

378 Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material


COSC 101: Introduction to Computing

digital projector.

VGA Video Graphics Array is an analog interface between a PC and


monitor that was widely used prior to DVI, HDMI and Display Port.
W

WiFi WiFi is the name of a wireless networking technology that uses


radio waves to provide wireless high-speed Internet and network
connections.
Word A word processor is a program designed for creating and editing
processor business and personal documents that are primarily text-based

Distance Learning Centre ABU, Course Material 379

You might also like