Spreadsheets

To start Microsoft Excel on a Windows 10 computer (using Microsoft Office 2016):

1. Click the Start Menu.
2. Select Microsoft Office.
3. Click Microsoft Excel.

The Excel interface will display a grid of cells where data can be entered. Each cell is identified by its column letter and row number, such as A1 for column A, row 1. The name of the selected cell appears in the Name Box.

Entering data in Excel

To enter data:

• Click on a cell (e.g., A1).
• Type the value you want to enter.
• Use arrow keys or your mouse to move to other cells.

Follow the steps below to input and analyze scores:

1. Enter the following scores into a column in Excel: 30, 50, 60, 70, 25, 80, 20, 50, 40, 90, 30, 70.
2. Sort the data in descending order.
3. Calculate the following:
   • Sum of all scores
   • Average score
   • Maximum score
   • Minimum score
4. Document the steps used to insert, sort, and analyze the data.
5. Discuss and share your findings with other students for comparison.

Note: For easy manipulation, enter the data in a single column (e.g., cells A1 to A12).

To sort data:

1. Select the range of data you want to sort.
2. Go to the Home tab.
3. Click on the Sort button.
4. Select either Sort Ascending or Sort Descending.

To calculate the Sum or Average of your data:

1. Select the range of numeric cells.
2. Click on the AutoSum button (Σ) from the toolbar.
3. Choose Sum or Average from the dropdown list.
4. The result will appear in the cell immediately below (or next to) your data range.

Before creating any formula in Excel, it is important for the user to understand the basic symbols used in formulas. These symbols represent fundamental arithmetic operations and are essential for defining correct formulas.

Table Basic operation symbols in Excel

Symbol	Meaning
+	Addition
− or -	Subtraction
∗ or × or *	Multiplication
÷ or /	Division
^	Exponent (Power)

To perform addition in Excel, the formula must begin with an equal sign (=). This signals to Excel that a formula is being entered. The general syntax for addition is:

$= \text{term}_1 + \text{term}_2 + \ldots$

For example, to add the values in cells A1 and B1, follow these steps:

1. Click on the cell where you want the result to appear.
2. Type the equal sign (=).
3. Click on the cell A1 (the first number).
4. Type the addition sign (+).
5. Click on the cell B1 (the second number).
6. Press the Enter key to calculate and display the sum.

As you follow these steps, Excel creates the formula and displays it in the formula bar (also called the fx area). The formula will look like this:

=A1+B1

Figure 1.11: Cell selection and formula display in the formula bar.

The cell where you type the formula acts as a reference point. If you want to apply the same formula to adjacent cells or rows, you can use the AutoFill feature:

• Select the cell containing the formula.
• Move the cursor to the bottom-right corner of the selected cell until a small + symbol appears.
• Click, hold, and drag the cursor down over the cells where you want to apply the formula.
• Release the mouse button; Excel will automatically adjust the cell references and apply the formula to the selected cells.

Figure 1.12: Using AutoFill to apply the sum formula from A1 and B1 to multiple rows.

Use Excel to evaluate the following expressions:

1. $(12 + 6) \times 4$
2. $\frac{(40 - 35) \times (4 \times 250)}{3 \times 5}$

Solution:

a. Evaluating $(12 + 6) \times 4$ in Excel

1. Enter the numbers 12, 6, and 4 in three consecutive cells, for example A1, B1, and C1.
2. In the desired result cell, enter the formula: = (A1 + B1) * C1
3. Press Enter to calculate the value.

Figure 1.13(a): Entering the formula =(A1+B1)*C1 in Excel.

Figure 1.13(b): The result obtained in Excel is 72.

Note: The result of the calculation $(12 + 6) \times 4 = 72$.

b. Evaluating $\frac{(40 - 35) \times (4 \times 250)}{3 \times 5}$ in Excel

1. Enter the numbers 40, 35, 3, 4, 5, and 250 into six cells, for example A2 through F2.
2. Write the formula representing the expression as follows: = ((A2 - B2) * (D2 * F2)) / (C2 * E2)
3. Press Enter to get the result.

Figure 1.14(a): Entering the formula in Excel for part (b).

Figure 1.14(b): The result obtained in Excel for part (b) is 333.33.

Note: Using the values given, the calculated result is approximately 333.33.

Important: The symbols +, −, ∗, ÷, and ^ must be correctly used in Excel formulas to ensure accurate results.