= a Formula Must Start with an Equal Sign

Excel:

Cell Management- every block is a cell, and the detail bar at the top will tell you what is currently in the cell you are working on.

Cells are noted by a letter (column) and a number (row) so cell A1 is above A2 and to the left of B1.

You can merge cells together (if you want to make a title for example) by using the merge button

Formulas

= A formula must start with an equal sign.

You highlight the cell you want the answer in, then type the formula in, and when you hit enter the answer to the formula is displayed in the cell you highlighted. To see the formula that is used in any cell just look at the detail bar at the top of the sheet

If you have a formula that you want to calculate for an entire group of numbers, like a sum or average , then there are often formula shortcuts. To calculate a sum of numbers in the first column, you would type in =SUM(B2:B4). The semicolon tells Excel to use ALL the cells between B2 and B4. You can also type =SUM(and then use your mouse to highlight the cells that have numbers you want summed and close parentheses).

A list of formulas and their codes is under the formula tab.

Separate calculations within one formula need to be kept within parentheses: ie if you want 12.2-12.5/13*15, you use parentheses to show excel if it is =((12.2-12.5)/(13*15)) or =((12.2-12.5/13)*15). Excel automatically colors the matching parentheses so you can see if the calculation is separated correctly.

Since you usually have the data already in the excel spread sheet, the cells are placed in the formula instead of typing in the numbers. If you put in = ((B2-C2/B3)*C3) and excel will use the #s in those cells to calculate the formula.

Dragging formulas:

One of the most useful tools in excel is the ability to “grab” a formula in one cell and drag it to an adjoining cell.

If you want to “lock” in a cell within a dragged formula you need to use a $ between the letter and number of the cell:

Additional Notes:

Graphs (Charts):

Graphing is a powerful tool in excel, your instructor will go over most of the items you need with each graph you will be making. But here are some important points to help in this class:

Highlight the data you want to graph, then go to the insert tab to insert a chart (usually we use line, column, or scatter plots in this class)

To make any changes to your graph you need to select it first (click it) then the chart tool tab will appear, you will not use the Format tab in this class

Design Tab:

Also under the DESIGN tab, you can change chart type, change the symbols/colors of your graph, pick a premade layout for axes, and select data. You use the SELECT DATA button to override the default selections that excel pulls when constructing the graph. This can happen a lot where the data your chart is using is on the wrong axis or makes no sense. The select data window will let you highlight exactly the numbers that should make up the X and Y axis. You can also label your data here.

Excel automatically inserts graphs into your worksheet, but if you put it on to its own sheet it is easier to add descriptions and print it on its own sheet for your papers. To do this go to the far right and click move chart location, and select new sheet.

Layout Tab:

Here is where you can layout your axis labels, and add your figure descriptions (Insert text box).

Under the axis tab, you can set the beginning and ending numbers on your axis, the scale, and where the axes cross each other.

Additional Notes: