• Module title :.
Develop and complex
spreadsheet
• Introduction to Spreadsheets
Software
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Learning objectives
Understand the advantages of using spread-
sheets.
Understand the basic formatting functions that
can be used with spreadsheets.
Know how to use basic functions and the ad-
vantages of displaying data in charts.
Icons key: For more detailed instructions, see the Getting Started presentation
Flash activity. These activities are not editable. Teacher’s notes included in the Notes Page
Web addresses
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What is a spreadsheet ?
Spreadsheet = computer software program
User enter numbers and text into a table
Table has rows and columns
Can maintain and manipulate those numbers
Spreadsheets = computerized grid consisting
of rows and columns = cells
• A program that displays data (text & num-
bers) in a table called a worksheet
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What does the software do?
Spreadsheets can:
do all sorts of calculations, both simple and complex,
using formula
recalculate things quickly when the numbers change
use functions to help you set up complex formula
act as simple databases so that you can sort or search
your data
plot charts and graphs
change the appearance of fonts, cell backgrounds
and borders
control how many decimal places are shown.
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Tracking marks – on computer
The teacher makes a table of names and assignments.
What formatting
changes could you
make to this table so
that the information is
better presented?
Labels Bold font Merged cells Shaded
backgrounds
Centred
text
Cell Borders Table border
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Tracking marks
The teacher enters the marks, leaving a blank cell if the stu-
dent was absent, but putting a 0 if the student did not hand in
their work.
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Using and replicating formulae
The teacher can use a formula to work out the average
mark for each student…
and then replicate it for the other students.
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Using a function
But there’s a problem – can you see what it is?
Bethany was absent for one assignment, so her results
need to be divided by 4 not 5. The Average function does
this automatically.
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What else can it do?
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What else can it do?
Functions can help the user to:
look up data from lists
do specialized calculations in subjects like finance,
statistics
experiment with questions, such as “What if the interest
rate went up by 1%?”
use logic such as IF, AND and OR
change the format of a cell depending on what is in it
(conditional formatting)
use pivot tables to summarize data
reduce the number of input errors by setting rules (vali-
dation).
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Limitations of tables
If we look at the data in a table, it’s quite hard to understand
exactly what is happening.
The average tells us who is generally getting the best marks,
but not who is getting better or worse.
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Using charts
Charts give us a picture of our data, and that can help us to
see patterns.
This chart shows us that Michael is quite consistent (he usu-
ally gets about the same mark), and Danny was improving
until his last test.
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Choosing the right chart
It is very important to choose the right type of chart if we want
to see the patterns in the data clearly.
The second chart is plotted from the same data, but doesn’t
tell us very much about what is happening.
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Choosing the right chart
We don’t always have to show all the information. If we
choose only what we want to show, the patterns we see
should become clearer.
This… is clearer than this
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Who would use it?
Spreadsheets are used by:
business managers to model their fi-
nances
Organization to manage inventory
teachers to calculate marks and grades.
Business organization to manage
theirs business statement
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Summary
Spreadsheet software is mostly used for simple and
complex calculations using formula.
Spreadsheets are also very useful for plotting charts.
They can be used to sort and search data.
Functions make it easier to set up complicated calcu-
lations.
Spreadsheet simulations can model situations so
that you can ask “What if” questions.
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