Introduction to Excel

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Introduction to Excel

• Just the Basics

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What is Excel?

• A spreadsheet program (series of cells)
• Columns Rows (know the difference)
• Data
• Formulas
• Charts

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What is Excel?

• Columns
• Vertical
• Identify fields of description
• Rows
• Horizontal
• Instances of data (additional observations)
• Data
• The information that fills the cells

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What is Excel?

• Formulas
• Math (add, average, multiply, etc.)
• Remembers calculations when data changes
• Charts
• Based on data!
• Graphical representation of data
• Data at a glance
• Easy to look at interpret

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Why would you use Excel?

• Organize Data
• Spreadsheets
• Illustrate Data
• Charts
• Automate Math for data
• Formulas

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Examples of why you would use Excel

• Tracking and calculating grades
• Price list
• Data collection (science)
• Illustrate trends in data
• Databases
• Music title, artist, album, songs, track info
• Items for sale car make, model, year, price
• Phone book name, number, address, notes

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How to get started...

• Plan what is the purpose of this spreadsheet?
• Plan what data will be in the columns? In the
  rows?
• ... only then ...
• Start / New Document / Blank Workbook
• Or
• Start / Programs / Excel

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How to use formulas...

• Click in the cell that should hold the answer
• ALWAYS start with the sign
• To get the total of cells C1, C2, C3 and C4
• sum(c1c4)
• Press enter
• To get the avereage of cells C1, C2, C3 and C4
• average(c1c4)
• Press enter

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How to create charts...

• Select ALL the data you want to be charted
• Press the Chart Wizard button at the top
• Follow the wizard and choose
• Type of chart
• Labels on chart
• Title of chart and axis (xhorizontal yvertical)
• Preview chart to be sure it makes sense
• Click finish

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Charts

• Bar charts often best
• Use when in doubt
• Remove empty rows/columns before selecting data
  for data wizard
• Always create appropriate
• Axis labels
• Chart titles
• Legends lables to make chart easy to read

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Assignment Excel 1

• Collect a unique set of data from ...
• a Science Fair project
• a class survey
• You may conduct a survey quietly and quickly
• Internet data
• Create a table of data
• Create a bar or column chart from that data

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Requirements

• Unique data in a well-organized table
• Appropriate labels
• Easy to read, good borders
• At least one formula for sum, average, or ...
• Bar or column chart illustrating the data
• Label x and y axis
• Very easy for others to understand
• Demonstrate this chart in class (next class)

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Example