A spreadsheet is a grid of rows and columns used to organize numeric and text data. It allows complex calculations through the use of formulas in cells. Key components include worksheets, cells addressed by row and column labels, and two types of formulas - equation formulas using math operators and function formulas using predefined functions. Functions like SUM, AVERAGE, MIN, and MAX allow calculations on cell ranges.

1. Introduction to Spreadsheets
Microsoft Excel
A program which allows you to perform
complex mathematical operations in an
organized manner.
What is a spreadsheet?
A spreadsheet is a grid of rows and
columns containing numbers and text.

2. Terms you need to know
Rows
Columns
Range
Cells
Active Cell
Cell Address
Workbook
Worksheet
Labels
Numeric Labels
Values
Mathematical
Operators
Orders of Operation
Equation Formula
Function Formula

3. Some Terms
Workbook
- An excel file that
contains single or
multiple
worksheets.
Worksheet
- One page in an
Excel workbook

4. Rows vs. Columns
Rows
-Identified by 1,2,3,
etc. and goes across
the spreadsheet
horizontally
Columns
-Identified by A,B,C
and goes across the
spreadsheet
vertically.

5. The Size of the Spreadsheet
Number of Rows
- 65536
Number of Columns
- 256

6. Cell
This is where a row and column meet. Each
cell has a cell location. Examples of this are
A1, C5, Z34.
Label-alphanumeric data that describes the
values that follow and cannot be used in a
calculation.
Value-Numeric data that can be used in
calculations.
Range-A rectangular group of adjacent cells.

7. Columns
R
O
W
s
Active Cell
Range
Range

8. Cell Address Edit Cell
Label
Numeric
Label

9. Numeric Label
Label Value

10. Mathematical Operators
Addition +
Subtraction –
Multiplication *
Division /
+ X
-

11. Two Types of Formulas
A formula in an instruction to calculate
a number.
All formulas begin with an equal sign =
Equation Formulas
 Use mathematical operators
Function Formulas
 Use function names (no math operators)

12. Equation Formulas
To add
= cell+cell+cell
To subtract
=cell-cell
To multiply
=cell*cell
To divide
= cell/cell
Or any combination of math
operators:
Example = A1*10
Example = (A1+B3)*B7+10
A1 = 10
B3 = 2
B7= 5

13. Function Formulas
= function name (cell:cell)
Function Names
 SUM – adds a range of cells
 AVERAGE – finds the average of a range of cells
 MIN – lowest value in a range
 MAX – highest value in a range
 COUNT – number of cells filled with a value
 COUNTA number of cells filled with a label

14. Function Formulas
The first step to using formulas is to think about
what mathematical operation you want to
accomplish. It helps sometimes to write the math
problem on paper first.
Next click on the cell where you want the answer to
the formula to appear.
Choose the formula you want from the drop down
menu next to the SUM icon.
Select the cells you want to include in the operation.
If EXCEL guesses the cells for you, MAKE SURE TO
VERIFY THAT THOSE ARE THE CELLS YOU WANT!
EXCEL IS NOT ALWAYS RIGHT!!

15. Formulas and Functions
Formulas always begin with the “=“
sign. This symbol tells Excel that a
calculation is required. Formulas
do not include spaces, and can
include values and/or references to
other cells.

16. Formulas
To Add: =cell+cell+cell or =sum(Range)
To Subtract: =cell-cell
To Multiply: =cell*cell
To Divide: =cell/cell
To Average: =average(range)
Lowest #: =min(range)
Highest#: =max(range)
Count#s: =count(range)
Count Labels: =counta(range)
Conditional Statement: =if(condition, then x, else y)

17. Checklist (for each spreadsheet)
Headings Centered Over Columns
Title Centered over the Spreadsheet
Correct Formulas
Decimals aligned in numeric columns
Commas and Dollar Signs where appropriate
Centered Vertically and Horizontally on page
Name, Period, and Name of Spreadsheet in
the Header