Introduction to Spreadsheets

The ‘Quick’ and ‘Easy’ guide to using Microsoft

Excel

“I know what a spreadsheet is, I can enter simple data into a spreadsheet, and I can use simple formula to perform calculations.”

By the end of the lesson, I want you to be able to say…

Starting at the Beginning

What is a Spreadsheet?

What are they for?

What can they do?

A spreadsheet is a powerful tool for organizing information.

They are used to carry out lots of calculations quickly and to store large amounts of information for a range of purposes.

Once you know how to do it – they can do almost any math that you need!

So then, how do they work?

Rows(Side to Side)[Numbered]

Columns (Up and Down)

[Letters]Cell(Every one on these boxes

is a cell)

Every cell has a name to help you find the right one. It’s name starts with the column letter and then the row number.So, this cell is called what?

F22

Task ONE – Harry IS LOST!You enter data into spreadsheets by clicking onthe cell and typing it in as normal.

Open Microsoft Excel

Harry is lost!Put the words into the correct cells

on the spreadsheetto get some clues.Solve the clues and you will find out

where Harry is!

C8 50 smaller

A11 and has states

A3 areas

B3 called

B4 clues to

A1 Dear Friends,

C16 Harry

A3 I am lost!

D3 I am

B3 I don't know

B8 into

B10 is

C7 is a bush

A8 it is split

C6 letters

B16 love

B6 place has 3

A13 PLEASE HELP

C10 red, white, and blue

C4 release me

A4 solve these

C9 states

A10 The flag

B7 The leader

A6 The name of the

C3 where

B11 and stripes on it.

Can you solve the mystery of Harry is Lost?

Using FormulaOk then, so that’s the basic stuff.We now know how to enter data in spreadsheets – it is really easy!

Let’s do something more difficult then!Let’s use some formulas (that means sums!)In Numeracy, when we write a number sentence we write the ‘=’ sign just before the answer, in a spreadsheet we write it first, before the sum.So when you want a spreadsheet to work out a sum: PUT THE = FIRST! If you don’t it won’t

work.

Using A FormulaThere is one more thing that you need to knowAbout using a spreadsheetto perform calculations.The symbols for the operations are not all the same.

So to calculate 3x4

You would enter =3*4

And the spreadsheet would

show “12”. (That’s the answer!)

Maths Symbol

Spreadsheet Symbol

+ +- -X *

÷ /

Task TWOOpen a new page in Microsoft Excel.

1. Enter this data as shown in the right cells.

2. We are going to make up some Multiplication tables. Click on cell B2.

3. Enter the number 74. Highlight the column from B2 to B135. On the Menu bar. Select: Edit – Fill –

Down. The whole column will fill with 7’s.

6. Click on cell C2. We are going to enter the calculation.

What do we need to enter first?

Task TWO=a2*b2

This is because these are the cells with

the numbers we want to multiply.

Note what happens when you enter the

formula.Now use the same method that

you used to FILL column B with 7’s to

repeat the formula in column C.

Can you remember how?

Task TWOIf you have done it right, which

you will have done!Your spreadsheet should look

like this.

Task Three:In a new spreadsheet, can you

create the 8x table and the 12x table using the techniques we have learned so far.

Congratulations!Did you manage it?

Of course you did!

Can you say it then?“I know what a spreadsheet is, I can enter simple data into a spreadsheet, andI can use simple formula to perform calculations.”