Chapter S1: Introduction to Spreadsheet Design
S2: Simplicity
All Sections
Today’s Topic
Security
Hardware &
Software
IS Basics
Information
Quality
Types of IS
Systems
Development
PowerPoint
Spreadsheet
Design
Database
Processing
& Design
Telecommu
-nications
Functional,
Crossfunctional &
Interorganizational
E-commerce
Excel
Access
Business
Intelligence
Spreadsheet
Design
Simplicity
Layout
Choices
Efficiency
includes
Clarity
Accuracy
Formulas
Functions
Macros
Verifiability
Basic Formatting
Conditional Formatting
Freeze Panes
Page Setup
Sorting
Charts
implemented with
Documentation
Data Validation
Protection
Formulas
Functions

Explain the distinction between spreadsheet
design and implementation skills.

Explain the importance of spreadsheet design
skills.

List the five spreadsheet design goals.

Define the simplicity goal.

Apply the spreadsheet design goal of
simplicity.
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Open, Close, Save
Workbook
Insert & Delete
Worksheet
Move & Copy Worksheet
Rename Worksheet
Insert & Delete Rows
Column Width & Row
Height
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Entering Data
Change Fonts
Number Formats
Border
Theme
Printing
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Cell Shading
Wrap Text
Rename Worksheet
Comment
Freeze Panes
Conditional Format
Header & Footer
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Page Break
Print Titles
Sort
Group
Data Validation
Worksheet Protection
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Over 50% of all spreadsheets created by
professionals contain major errors
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Throw-away

Reusable

Development
◦ Design
◦ Implementation

Use

Simple

Clear
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Verifiable
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Accurate

Efficient

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Include only one idea per row and one idea
per column.
Data that will be analyzed as a unit should be
placed in columns rather than rows.
Planning Your Pathways. VT. 2011. <http://www.uaac.vt.edu/planner/ExcelTemplate.xls>
VT Football. VT. 2011. <http://www.hokiesports.com/football/stats/2010/?gbg
VT Football. VT. 2011. <http://www.hokiesports.com/football/stats/2010/?gbg
Detail Report: Salaries Reported. VT Career Services. 2011.
<http://www.career.vt.edu/PostGraduationReport/DetailReportSalaries
.asp?College=00&Majors=N&Cohort=2009-2010>
Detail Report: Salaries Reported. VT Career Services. 2011.
<http://www.career.vt.edu/PostGraduationReport/DetailReportSalaries
.asp?College=00&Majors=N&Cohort=2009-2010>
Detail Report: Bonuses Reported. VT Career Services. 2011.
<http://www.career.vt.edu/PostGrad2006/DetailReportBonuses.asp?C
ollege=00&Majors=Y&Cohort=2008-2009>
Detail Report: Employment related to career goals & major. VT
Career Services. 2011.
<http://www.career.vt.edu/PostGraduationReport/DetailReportEmpl
oymentRelated.asp?College=00&Majors=Y&Cohort=2009-2010>
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


Design a spreadsheet that could be used to track
the performance of each stock in your portfolio.
You want to record each stock’s NYSE ID,
purchase price and quarterly closing price for
one year. (That means four closing prices.)
At the completion of the year, you want to
calculate the change in price for each stock.
You want to identify the highest priced stock in
your portfolio as well as the stock that performed
the best over the year.
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STEP 1: What are the data items you will need
to include in your spreadsheet?
STEP 2: Should each stock be a row or a
column?
STEP 3: Where do the calculated items fit in?

What are the data items you will need to
include in your spreadsheet?

Should each stock be listed as a row or a
column?

Where do the calculated items fit in your
previous layout?

Design a workbook that could help you
calculate your overall GPA for the current
semester.
◦ Try to achieve the Simplicity goal.

Each letter grade is assigned a weight
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
A is weighted with a 4
B is weighted with a 3
C is weighted with a 2
D is weighted with a 1
F is weighted with a 0

That weight is multiplied by the credit hours
for the course
◦ A three credit course in which you earn an A is
weighted 12 (3 credits x weight of 4)
◦ A three credit course in which you earn a D is
weighted 3 (3 credits x weight of 1)
◦ A two credit course in which you earn an A is
weighted 8 (2 credits x weight of 4)



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These weighted credits are divided by Total
number of credits completed to determine
GPA
BIS course is worth 3 credits earned A = 12
weighted credit hours
LIT course is worth 3 credits earned C = 6
weighted credit hours
Total weighted credit hours = 18 divided by
Total number of credits completed = 6 yields
a GPA of 3.0



STEP 1: What are the data items you will need
to include in your spreadsheet?
STEP 2: Should each class be a row or a
column?
STEP 3: Where do the calculated items fit in?

What are the data items you will need to
include in your spreadsheet?
Should each class be listed as a row or a column?

Where do the calculated items fit into your
prevous layout?