CSCI N207 Data Analysis Using Spreadsheet
Lingma Acheson linglu@iupui.edu
Department of Computer and Information Science, IUPUI

 Spreadsheet use columns and rows, just like in database tables
1
2
3
4
A
A1
A2
A3
A4
B
B1
B2
B3
B4
C
C1
C2
C3
C4
D
D1
D2
D3
D4


Data can be imported from a database table
Each cell has a unique address – identified by its row and column location as in a matrix.
 A range of cells is any rectangular block of contiguous cells.
 A1:D2 references the first two rows of cells in the above table.
(columns A-D, rows 1-2)
 How many cells are referenced with B3:C4 ?

 Similar layout as other Microsoft products, such as Word, PowerPoint
 Can create multiple pages (sheets) and name each sheet
 Exercise: Import a table from a database and format the layout

 A cell can store result of a computation
 Results are entered directly in the cell of interest. Displayed in cell and formula bar.
 Must begin with ‘=‘.
 May contain combination of numbers, mathematical operators, functions, and worksheet ranges (named or not).
 May be designed such that they can be copied to other cells and still yield desired result.
 E.g.:
= 5*A2
= $F$2*A2 + $G$2
= A2^2
= 20%
= “Text “ &A2
= A2 < B2
Relative cell reference
Absolute and relative references
Exponents
Percentage
String concatenation
Logical comparison

/
^
-
*
Operator
+
Description
Plus sign performs addition.
Minus sign performs subtraction.
Asterisk performs multiplication.
Forward slash performs division.
Caret sign raises a value to its exponent.

 Divide by zero (#DIV/0!)
 Circular reference (including a reference to the cell containing the formula within the formula.)
 Insufficient column width (#####)
 Using text when Excel expected numbers (#VALUE)
 Using wrong/misspelled named range (#NAME)


By default, cell references are relative.
 We can copy one formula to a different cell, cell numbers are changed yet relationship is preserved.
 In the formula in cell C2 , Excel doesn’t see it as A2 * B2 . Excel sees it as the cell two columns to the left on the same row is multiplied times the cell one column to the left on the same row.

 Sometimes you want to always reference the same cell. If this is the case, you need to use absolute referencing.
 To use absolute referencing in Excel, two $ signs are used in the formula.
 E.g. this time, when you copy the formula from cell B3 to cells
B4 through B7 , the reference to cell C1 stays the same.
 Notice also that A3 was still a relative reference, so it changed automatically as the formula was copied from one cell to the next.

 You can include a reference in formulas to cells in other worksheets.
 References to the worksheet are added to the left of the cell reference.
 For example:
= Sheet2!$A$2 (reference to another worksheet within the same workbook)

 Excel comes with numerous functions that allow you to simplify your formulas and spreadsheets.
 Most functions need arguments, values that are passed into functions to be used by functions
 Examples: SUM() AVERAGE() MIN() MAX()
 A list of most available functions can be viewed with the function wizard.
 For Example:
=A1+A2+A3+A4+A5+A6+A7+A8+A9+A10 is equivalent to
=SUM(A1 : A10)
In this example , Sum is the name of the function and A1:A10 are called arguments.
=A1+A10 is equivalent to
=SUM(A1 , A10)

 Most functions require you to pass at least one value (argument).
 Some functions may require values to be passed in a specific order.
 Parentheses are required with all functions and are used to enclose values to be passed.
 Values may be passed as numbers, text, or cell references.
 Functions usually return ONE value.
 Functions can be embedded in any formula.
(e.g. =AVERAGE(A1:A10)+1.2*STDEVP(A1:A10)
 Use function wizard or on-line help for syntax requirements.