Computer Class – Grade 4 & 5 - Spreadsheets Basics
A spreadsheet application or program allows users to enter data, such as numbers and formulas, into an electronic worksheet and do many calculations. select all cell name box formula bar column column heading active cell row heading row active cell : the cell currently selected in a spreadsheet cell : a rectangle in a spreadsheet that can contain text, numbers or a formula cell reference : a cell address column : a vertical line of cells in a spreadsheet, identified by a letter column heading : a letter at the top of a column formula : a mathematical equation that performs a calculation in a cell; formulas follow a specific structure beginning with an equal sign (=) followed by the elements to be calculated (the operands) and the calculation operators formula bar : the bar at the top of a spreadsheet that shows what is in the cell.
function : a ready-to-use formula – that such as averages and sums name box : the box in a spreadsheet that shows the column letter and row number of a cell ( A1 B7) range : a group of cells next to each other in a spreadsheet row : a horizontal line of cells in a spreadsheet, identified by a number row heading : a number at the far-left side of a row that can be clicked to select the entire row of cells worksheet : a spreadsheet containing cells in columns and rows
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Important symbols used in spreadsheet formulas:
= equal sign : used at the beginning of a formula (example = A2+B2-C2)
+ addition sign : adds values (e.g., =A1+A2)
- subtraction sign : subtracts values (e.g., =B3-B4)
* asterisk : multiplies values (e.g., =C2*C6)
/ slash : divides values (e.g., =D1/D3)
: colon : means through
(example =SUM(A2:A10), shows of the values in cells A2 through A10)
Autosum – Click on this to add or sum all the cells you highlighted .
Spreadsheets Charting Terms chart : a visual representation of data labels : words or numbers, often found along the X axis and Y axis, which identify information in a chart legend : the area in a chart in which the colors or patterns used in the chart are displayed with the items they represent values : numbers in a spreadsheet
X axis, or horizontal axis (across)
Y axis, or vertical axis (up + down)
Y
1. Bar chart : compares data or values horizontally
2. Column chart : compares data or values vertically
3. Line chart : shows changes in values over time
4. Pie chart : shows parts to a whole
X
Chart Wizard – to make a chart click this icon on the toolbar