Scribd
Upload
15 views11 pages

Lecture 5-Introductory Concepts of Spread Sheet Applications

Notes

Uploaded by

marynzioki004
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
15 views11 pages

Lecture 5-Introductory Concepts of Spread Sheet Applications

Notes

Uploaded by

marynzioki004
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 11

SPREADSHEETS

D.G Mwathi
Definition

 A spreadsheet, manual or electronic is a ledger sheet that enables the user to enter,
edit and manipulate numeric data.

 An electronic spreadsheet is an automated version of the accountant’s ledger. It


eliminates the paper, pencil and eraser.

 Usually, data is organized into rows and columns.


•Examples of Spreadsheet Applications

 Microsoft Excel

 Quattro Pro

 Lotus 1-2-3

 VisiCalc
Introduction to Microsoft Excel

Starting Microsoft Excel

Steps:

a) Click the Start button

b) Select Programs/All Programs

c) Select Microsoft Office

d) Click Microsoft Excel

NB: The MS Excel window is displayed i.e. a workbook with a number of


sheets which can be used to enter data. See diagram below;
Excel application window
MS EXCEL APPLICATION WINDOW FEATURES
a) Title bar: Name of the application and the current workbook
b) Menu bar: A list of menu options containing various commands to work with.

c) Toolbars – provide shortcut commands in form of icons. Examples of toolbars


include the Standard, formatting, drawing toolbars etc.

d) Formula bar: Displays the contents of the active cell including formulas and
functions. Also used to enter data into a cell.

e) Name box: Displays the active cell, I.e. cell with a dark outline that indicates
where data in the formula bar will be inserted. Used to name/label cells.

f) Worksheet: Blank area made up of rows and columns. Several worksheets form
a workbook. Workbook refers to the user file that holds related information
organized in a good manner.
 Columns are the vertical division of the worksheet. Are labeled using letters
of alphabet form A to IV

 Rows are the horizontal divisions of the worksheet. Are labeled using
numbers from 1 – 65536.

 Cell:Intersection between a column and a row. Are referenced using column


letter and the row number e.g. A1, B2 etc.

g) Status bar: The communication channel between the user and the program
indicates messages such us Ready, Saving etc

h) Worksheet tabs – used to select the worksheets. Labeled as sheet1,


sheet2, sheet3, sheet4 etc. there are 3 worksheets at default.

i) Cell selector – Dark outline round a cell. Shows the active cell.

j) Scroll bars and arrows – used for scrolling the worksheet.]

k) Worksheet browsers – used for navigating through worksheets


Creating a Workbook
Entering data
 A cell can hold any of the following:
a) Label: Alphanumeric data that has no numeric significance and can only provide
descriptive information e.g. name of a place, person etc.

b) Value: A numeric value (number) that may be used to perform numeric


computations

c) Formula and Functions: A formula is user defined mathematical expression that


evaluates into a value while a functions is an in-built formula.

 Note the following when entering data:

1) Type numbers as you press enter or tab or an arrow key to move to the next cell

2) Precede a negative number with a minus sign

3) To type a fraction, type the whole number followed by space then the fraction,
otherwise, type zero(0), space and then the fraction.
Entering Data

NB: a cell filled with #### means that the number is too large to fit in the cell.

4) To type text, click the cell where to type the text, type the text from the
keyboard and press enter or tab or an arrow key

5) To type number as text, precede the number with an apostrophe(‘)

6) To enter a new line within a cell, press ALT + ENTER.

7) To type date and time, type using any of the format valid date and time
format.

8) To enter data in series e.g. 1,2,3….., type the first two data in the series in
two adjacent cells, select the data, point at the handle at the right bottom end
of the cell selector and drag outward to fill the series or inwards to clear. This
uses the auto fill feature.

NB: Long text data appear truncated meaning it can not fit within the cell, hence
need to increase the size of the cell/column.

Activity: Enter the data below in to Ms Excel worksheet:


Entering Data
Blue-chip Communication Ltd
Summary of Year 2006 Sales Report
Nairobi Kisumu Mombasa Total Sales Average Sales

January
February 78000.00 23000.00 67000.00
March 90000.00 28000.00 56000.00
April 67000.00 45000.00 56000.00
May 67000.00 28000.00 45000.00
June 89000.00 31000.00 45000.00
July 50000.00 45000.00 78000.00
August 45000.00 42000.00 54000.00
September 67500.00 43000.00 56700.00
October 79000.00 28000.00 65000.00
November 78000.00 56000.00 45000.00
December 120000.00 87000.00 97000.00

Yearly Sales
Minimum Sale
Average Sales

You might also like