Chapter One - A Primer on Using Spreadsheets

Abstract

This chapter explores the use of Excel spreadsheets, beginning at the most primary concepts of handling a mouse—pointing and clicking—and opening a spreadsheet with it, and goes on to illustrate all valuable information about Excel. All the functions and tools of the subject are explained with diagrams, menu items are focused upon, and every action that can be performed is discussed in a step-by-step approach for beginners. Creating and opening files, basic handling, using dialog boxes, cell formatting, use of charts, and formulating equations are discussed in detail. Use of pivot tables as a powerful option available in Excel to easily manipulate large amounts of tabulated data into organized forms for quick analysis is explained. Apart from these elementary aspects, procedures, such as using macros and data analysis in calculation are discussed with diagrams. Macros are programs that automate a number of steps involved in calculations into a single or a few steps. When worksheets involve a number of repetitive steps, macros are extremely useful in saving time.