Microsoft Excel

 Formulas and FunctionsMicrosoft Excel can perform simple and complex mathematical calculations. Simple calculations are performed using numbers and cell references. Complex calculations are performed using built-in functions and ranges.

 Things to remember when doing calculations in Excel:

• All formulas in Excel begin with an "=" sign!
• There should be no spaces in formulas or functions.

Simple Formulas

 Formulas including addition, subtraction, multiplication and division may be used in conjunction with number or cell references. These operations and their symbols are listed below. Some sample formulas are:

=2+6 

=B5*G7 

=(H12-D6)/4

Although numbers and cell references can be used together, use cell references whenever possible.

Addition: + Plus sign 

Subtraction: - Minus sign 

Multiplication: * Asterisk 

Division: / Forward slash

Entering A Simple Formula

1. Make a cell active.
2. Type in the formula beginning with the equal sign.
3. Hit the return key or click the enter box.

Functions

 Functions are common calculations that are built into Microsoft Excel. All formulas have the same general form, which includes a name, and a range. The general form is given below.

 General Function Form: =Name(range)

 There are many different functions in Excel. The ones with which you should become familiar are:

Average: Averages the numbers in a range. 

Sum: Adds numbers in a range. 

Count: Counts the numbers in a range. Max: Displays the largest number in a range. Min: Displays the smallest number in a range. If: Works comparisons in a range.

 If Functions

"If" functions are a bit more complicated than the other functions. 

An "if" function uses the following general form:

 =if(Condition,true,false)

 To explain this form, notice there are no spaces in the function. Also, it is a mathematical function, so it does begin with an = sign. The formula works by making a comparison. If the comparison is true, then whatever is typed in the "true" section is printed or calculated. If the comparison is false, then whatever is in the "false" section is then printed or calculated. The different comparisons in Excel include: 

  

 

= equal to

<> not equal to

>= greater than or equal to

> greater than

< lesser than

<= less than or equal to

Here are a few examples of "if" statements:

=if(B6>=27"good","bad") 

=if(C33<>5,C2+C3,C2) 

=if(A1=C1,"great","wonderful")

---

A few more notes on spreadsheets.

A new file is like an empty workbook and is called Book1 or workbook. Inside the workbook are worksheets; each sheet appears on the tab sheet and is numbered up to 255 worksheets per workbook.

Each worksheet has 256 columns, 16,384 rows and 4,194,304 cells. Use scroll bars to move around in the sheet or click on a cell to select that position.

 A template will show the formulas if you press control and the Quote key next to the 1 key. 

---

Creating Charts

• Select to create a chart from the Insert Menu;
• Choose Chart
• Choose on this sheet or a separate sheet
• Select the data you want: Pie Charts use only one line of data; Graphs use multi-lines
• If you want labels on the chart, identify that range first; =A10:J10
• Separate labels and ranges by a comma: =A10:J10,A22:J22
• Select the type of chart and click on NEXT
• Select the layout, usually the one the Wizard selected (it has a box around it)
• Select rows or columns you wish to use for your labels and select NEXT
• Add a legend; Select yes if you wish and type in the graph’s Title
• Now click finish

The graph/chart has handle bars on it so you can size it or move it around.