Spreadsheet programmes
Markus (sign name) sees that in job ads
employers often require skills
in using spreadsheet programmes.
He has heard of them
but he’s never used them before.
He doesn’t know
what the functions of spreadsheet programmes are.
Don’t worry, Markus!
Let’s check it out together.
Spreadsheet programmes are software.
You use them to show and analyse data.
This means: they can be used for data administration
and data analyses.
An example of data administration is a customer contact list.
An example of data analysis is a chart that shows the results of a survey.
Examples of spreadsheet programmes include:
Excel (Microsoft), Numbers (Apple), Calc (Libre Office), Google Spreadsheets.
You can do many different things with spreadsheets.
Here are some of the most common examples:
Simple tables
Calculations with formulas and functions
Logical functions (for example: IF-function)
Here is an example of an IF-function:
There is a list with exam results.
In the first column, I enter the name of the person.
In the second column, I enter the points
that the person attained.
In the third column, I enter an IF-function:
If the person has score of more than 50 points,
the spreadsheet should show the word “passed”.
If the person has less than 50 points,
it should show the words “failed”.
Charts and other graphs
Sorting, grouping and filtering of results
Spreadsheet programmes can be used for the following tasks:
Creating an invoice
Calculating and showing statistics
Bookkeeping
Solving mathematical tasks
Administration of addresses
Financial planning
Sales overview
What does a spreadsheet programme look like?
The interface you see when opening a spreadsheet programme
is called a worksheet
Each sheet consists of many cells.
A cell looks like a rectangular field.
The cells are divided into:
Columns: go from left to right
and are named with continuous letters: A, B, C, ..
Lines: go from top to bottom
and are named with continuous numbers: 1, 2, 3, …
Each cell has a unique name
consisting of a letter and a number.
This means that every cell is unique and can be clearly identified.
You can enter data (text/numbers) or formulas in the cells.
A formula means that the programme calculates something.
For example the sum of several tagged cells.
You can also use functions.
These are ready-to-use formulas in the programme.
In order for a calculation or a function to be carried out,
you have to enter the following elements correctly into a cell:
An equal sign (=) at the beginning
Afterwards the name of the function in capital letters
for example SUM
Then in brackets the name of the cell (letter and number)
For example: If you want to calculate the sum of the fields B4 and A7 you enter:
=SUM(B4;A7)
The most important calculations and functions are:
Adding numbers
Counting contents
Determining the highest or lowest value
Calculating the average
Logical connectives
Creating statistical analyses:
There are several ways of showing the results of statistics
as graphics in a spreadsheet programme.
For example: bar charts or pie charts.
Through visualisation in the form of graphics, the data is easier to understand.
Spreadsheet programmes are also available online.
They are stored on a server.
This means that more than one person can work on the file at the same time.
Markus is surprised:
he didn’t know that spreadsheet programmes are so useful
and can be used for so many things!
He can’t wait to try them out!