Transcript 6.01 SPREADSHEETS

Understanding Spreadsheets
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Cell Data
Formulas
Operations
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Cell Data -- is classified according to its
intended purpose.
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Cell Data Classifications

Labels — the classification used for cells that contain text or for
numbers that will not be used in calculations
Examples:
John Jones (text)
Dates, such as 1/03/2009 (considered as text)
Social Security #
Phone #
ZIP Code (a number, but will not be calculated)
Using an apostrophe ‘
Type an apostrophe (‘) before a number to make that entry
recognized as a label (the ‘ does not show when you press
enter). Example: ‘27613
(Put ‘ so the ZIP Code is recognized as a label or text,
not a value, by the computer)
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Cell Data Classifications

Values — the classification indicating that the data has
the potential to be used in calculations
Example: 150
Cell Alignment for these classifications:
 Labels align at the left side of the cell

Values align at the right side of the cell
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Data Types Examples
Formula Bar
Value
Label
Formula
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Basic Spreadsheet Formulas
Formulas instruct the software to perform a calculation.
All Formulas begin with an equal sign =
When the equal sign [or in some cases a plus
sign(+)] is keyed in a cell, the software
“knows” that the data will be used in a
calculation.
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Basic Spreadsheet Formulas
Formulas use the following:
Addition
 Division
 Multiplication
 Subtraction
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These Math Operators are used in formulas
(performing Math Operations):
+ for Addition
for Subtraction
* for Multiplication
/
for Division
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Basic Spreadsheet Formulas
Examples of basic formulas:
if using Cells B7 and C7:
Addition
Subtraction
Multiplication
Division
=B7+C7
=B7-C7
=B7*C7
=B7/C7
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Order of Operations
Calculations are performed according to the
Order of Operations.
(which means, they calculate in a specific order)
To remember the Order Of Operations:
remember PEMDAS—Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally
P
parentheses
performs operations on the items
enclosed in (parentheses) first
E
M
D
A
S
exponentiation
multiplication
division
addition
subtraction
^
*
/
+
-
(from left to right)
(from left to right)
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Order of Operation Example
=(A8+C9)/(H8-L9)
The parentheses around the first part of the
formula force Excel to calculate (A8+C9) first.
then calculate (H8-L9),
then divide the 2 results.
A8 = 10
C9 = 2
H8 = 7
L9 = 1
SOLVE!!
=(10+2)/(7-1)
=12/6
=2
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You can see this screen containing formulas by holding the Ctrl key
and tapping the ` (tilde/accent) key.
Repeat Ctrl + ` to return to the normal Excel screen view.
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