Spreadsheet Basics

Letters are used for columns
 Numbers are used for rows
 Cells are identified by a combination of
letters and numbers ex. B4

There are 3 main types of values that can be
entered into a cell
Numbers
Text
Formulas

Information can be put in a cell by clicking on the
cell and entering the value in the formula bar or by
double clicking on a cell and entering the
information directly into the cell.

If you are entering the same value many
times you can automatically fill in that value.
Use your mouse to grab the bottom left hand
corner of the cell and drag down or across.

If a formula is copied using AutoFill the formula will
automatically adjust.
Formula Basics

Cell references are
often used in
formulas
 The value in A3 will
be calculated by
adding 1 to the
value in A2
 The result will be
stored as a number
in A3

A combination of
multiple cell
references and
mathematical
operations can be
used
All spreadsheet programs
contain many frequently
used and complex
functions
A menu of these functions
can be found under the
Insert menu
The functions are grouped by application and then
alphabetically
Once you have selected the appropriate function a window will
appear the will guide through the rest of the process
As you fill in the necessary information you will get a preview
of the function at work
Once you have inserted the function the
calculated value will appear in the
actual cell. The formula will show in
the formula bar.