Computer Basics

2 - Applications: Spreadsheet

A spreadsheet is the application of choice for most documents that organize numbers, like budgets, financial statements, grade sheets, and sales records. A spreadsheet can perform simple or complex calculations on the numbers you enter in rows and columns.

Some popular spreadsheets include MS Excel, Lotus 1-2-3, and Quattro Pro.

Features/Terms:

rows &  columns	Creates a grid
cell	Intersection of row and column. Can contain text or numbers.
formula	Calculates value to put in cell, like a total, an average, interest, etc.		=SUM(C21:C45)       =Average(B3:W394)       =.095*LoanTotal
chart	Graphical representation of the data

Do It!

Would you like to see a spreadsheet at work?

You can open an actual spreadsheet by clicking one of the icons in the first row below. Depending on your software, you will either get an Excel window or the spreadsheet will open in a new browser window which will have new toolbars and menu commands.

If you do not have the software to actually open the spreadsheet, use the second set of links to open images that show how a spreadsheet looks. The images also open in a new window.

Excel spreadsheet:
Image of Excel spreadsheet:

Look for the spreadsheet features listed above. [rows, columns, cells, formulas, and charts]

For a full set of lessons on spreadsheets, go to the section:  Working with Numbers

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Last updated: 08 Sep 2005