The
Appearance of a Spreadsheet
The
spreadsheet consists of a number of boxes called cells. Each cell
has its own unique identity, depending upon which row and column
it is situated within.
Letters
depicts columns in a spreadsheet, and numbers depicts rows. The
cell reference will consist of the column it is in; followed by
the row it is in. For example a cell that is in column D and row
6 has the cell reference D6.
When
using a spreadsheet it is important that users refer to the identity
of a cell when creating formula. The use of cell references enable
the user to alter figures without reconstructing formula. This
is the major difference between a calculator and a spreadsheet,
a calculator requires you to re-enter formula when figures change,
whereas, a spreadsheet automatically recalculates, once numbers
change. For one-off calculations a calculator is probably easier
to use, a spreadsheet is much easier to use for repetitive calculations.
Consider
the example below: if the user wished to change the number of
hours worked by Jones in column C, the formula in cell C5 would
need to be entered again, whereas, in column D, the answer in
cell D5 would automatically update.
- Enter
the figures and formula as shown above.
- Change
the hours worked by Jones to 45, in cells C4 and D4.
- Compare
the effect on cells C5 and D5.
 Contents:
Spreadsheets
Skill
Check: Spreadsheets
|
