Chapter 11 Working with Spreadsheets Getting Started FAQs

Chapter 11 Working with Spreadsheets

Getting Started • FAQs: – What’s a spreadsheet? – How do I create a worksheet? – What if I don’t know the right formula? – How do I know whether worksheet results are accurate? – How do I create graphs? Practical PC 6 th Edition Chapter 11 2

What’s a spreadsheet? • A spreadsheet is a tool for working with numbers – Arranged in a grid of columns and rows forming cells – Cells hold labels, numbers, and formulas • Spreadsheet software allows you to create electronic spreadsheets – Easy to edit, print, save, and post on Web – Often referred to as a worksheet – Formulas are used to perform calculations – You can use the worksheet to examine “what-if” scenarios Practical PC 6 th Edition Chapter 11 3

What’s a spreadsheet? Practical PC 6 th Edition Chapter 11 4

How do I create a worksheet? • To create a worksheet: – Begin by entering a title and labels – Then enter the numbers, or values – Finally, enter formulas • Formulas specify how to calculate worksheet cells • A cell reference is the column and row location of a cell, such as B 2 • You can format your worksheet to make it more attractive with different fonts, cell colors, and data alignment Practical PC 6 th Edition Chapter 11 5

How do I create a worksheet? Practical PC 6 th Edition Chapter 11 6

What if I don’t know the right formula? • Spreadsheet software includes built-in functions – Functions are predefined formulas – Handy functions include AVERAGE and SUM – To use a function, select it from the function list and select the cells that contain arguments • An argument is a value or cell reference that a function uses as a basis for a calculation Practical PC 6 th Edition Chapter 11 7

What if I don’t know the right formula? Practical PC 6 th Edition Chapter 11 8

How do I know whether worksheet results are accurate? • The worksheet author is responsible for its accuracy – Test and verify the results using a handheld calculator • Common errors: – Typographical error – Incorrect formula – Order for the calculations in a formula is wrong – Cell range specified is incorrect – Wrong cells are specified as arguments in a function Practical PC 6 th Edition Chapter 11 9

How do I know whether worksheet results are accurate? Practical PC 6 th Edition Chapter 11 10

How do I create graphs? • A graph is based on the data in a worksheet – Graphs automatically reflect the change you make in the worksheet – Data is contained in ranges, which are a series of cells • You can create many types of graphs including bar, line, pie, column, scatter, area, doughnut, and high-low-close • Creating a chart: – Plan your chart by identifying your data and chart type – Activate the Chart Wizard for step-by-step directions – Use menu options to change the chart’s appearance Practical PC 6 th Edition Chapter 11 11

How do I create graphs? Practical PC 6 th Edition Chapter 11 12

Hardware: Display devices • A computer display device is usually classified as an output device – An LCD (liquid crystal display) produces on-screen images by manipulating light within a layer of liquid crystal cells • Compact in size and lightweight – LED (light emitting diode) technology is used commonly as backlighting for LCD panels • Also can be used to form screen images Practical PC 6 th Edition Chapter 11 13

Hardware: Display devices Practical PC 6 th Edition Chapter 11 14

Hardware: Display devices • A graphics card typically contains a graphics processing unit, which executes graphics commands • Monitors connect to computers using VGA, DVI, or HDMI ports Practical PC 6 th Edition Chapter 11 15

Hardware: Display devices • Each dot of light on a computer screen is called a pixel • The number of pixels is referred to as screen resolution Practical PC 6 th Edition Chapter 11 16

Hardware: Display devices • Ergonomics is the science of configuring jobs, equipment, and workplaces with regard to worker health and safety • Check the following factors that contribute to ergonomic viewing: – Brightness and contrast – Viewing angle – Response time Practical PC 6 th Edition Chapter 11 17

Hardware: Display devices Practical PC 6 th Edition Chapter 11 18

Who’s to blame for faulty software? • What do you think? – Do you usually read the EULA that’s supplied with your software? – Should software publishers be held responsible for errors that result from errors, or bugs, in the software code? – Should software publishers be held responsible if user errors result in business or personal losses? Practical PC 6 th Edition Chapter 11 19