The strength in spreadsheets is the ability to use vectors
to cause one cell to affect another cell or cells

Dilbert cartoon, 20070808, by Scott Adams

Numeric values in a worksheet can be added, subtracted, multiplied or divided by creating formulas

[image of a formula with descriptive labels]

Use this example for formula demonstrations. All formulas start with the "=" sign, and are followed by cell addresses and mathematical operators.

= begins a formula. If the = sign is not present, formula entries are treated as text

(parentheses) are to establish precedent. The result is held as a subtotal for further calculations. Where parentheses are enclosed within parentheses, they are calculated from the inside set to the outside set.

cell reference is a location on the sheet containing a value to work with. Unless fixed by user input, all locations are vectors, relative to the location of the cell that contains the formula.

if you need to lock a formula reference to a specific location (or, said another way, to an absolute - not relative - cell reference), use the F4 key to append the $ sign to a cell reference to lock in a specific location

example:

  • $A1 refers ab$olutely to row A but only relatively to column 1
    [column will vary]
  • $A$1 refers ab$olutely to row A and ab$olutely to column 1
    [there is nothing relative about this reference]

arithmetic operators

  • + addition
  • - subtraction
  • * multiplication
  • / division
  • ^ exponentiation

a numeric constant is a number that will remain the same until the value is changed in the future

functions

are terms that describe built in formulas that perform specialized arithmetic

range reference is the starting and ending cells of a group of cells and enclosed in parentheses. they are separated by colons if the cells are contiguous, or with a comma if they are non-contiguous

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Entering a Formula

To enter a formula in a cell, click on the cell, then transfer your attention to the formula bar

[MSExcel 2013 formulas can be entered in two locations]

Click or type the = character, and then enter the formula. Remember to start all formulas and functions with the = sign.

Normally, formulas use cell references rather than numbers

  • place the cell address of the cell that contains the number you want into the formula. That way, if the number changes, the formula remains correct.
  • for example, =A1+B1 would add the numbers in cells A1 and B1 and put the answer wherever you entered this formula
  • if you use cell addresses, you can change data later (e.g., data in B4), and then the number calculated by a formula will change automatically

However, you can use numbers in formulas

= D8*1.06
means
this formula equals
the contents of D8 multiplied by 1.06

When using the formula bar

  • you can point to the cell you want
  • type an operator
  • point to the next cell
  • OR enter the formula using the cell reference addresses

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Order of Precedence & Operations

(parentheses)
the result is held as a subtotal for further calculations. Where parentheses are enclosed within parentheses, they are calculated from the inside set to the outside set.

^ exponentiation,
/ division or
* multiplication
are calculated in the sequence entered from left to right

formulas are calculated left to right and parentheses are used to distinguish order

using 15/3+2 for example:

  • 15/3+2 = 7
  • 15 divided by three = five, and five plus two = seven
  • or (15/3) + 2 = (5)+2 = 7

but

  • fifteen divided by the result of three plus two = fifteen divided by five = three
  • or 15/ (3+2) = 15/ 5 = 3

+ addition or
- subtraction
are calculated in the sequence entered from left to right

functions are calculated separately and included in the result depending on the adjacent arithmetic operators

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Edit Formulas

click in cell with formula or in the formula box

[MSExcel 2013 places to enter formulas]

The same is true in Excel for Mac

[MSExcel 2013 formulas can be entered in two locations]

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Formatting is used to identify numbers as currency, percentages, decimals

select cell(s) and use Standard Toolbar for fast formatting of currency/percentage & increased/decreased decimal. For additional formatting, select cell or cells & right click.

[MSExcel 2013 formatting cells]

The same is true in Excel for Mac

[MSExcel 2013 formatting cells]

select Number tab. Modify category, decimal places, symbol, etc.

[MSExcel 2007+ format cells dialog box]

You can also change the appearance of a date number
Oct-13-2016 or 10/13/16
or, my favorites
13-Oct-2016 or 20161013

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Group/Move Worksheets using the name tabs

  • hold the CTRL key down while selecting worksheet by clicking on the name tab
  • to ungroup, right click sheet tab and select Ungroup Sheets or click on a sheet that has not been grouped
  • to move the order of worksheets, click & drag
  • to copy a worksheet, click, hold CTRL key while dragging
  • to insert, delete, or select all worksheets, right-click on a worksheet tab

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Adding Comments

select the cell where where the comment will be added and right click

  • select Insert Comment
  • click inside the comment box and type
[MSExcel 2007+ adding a comment to a cell]

The same is true in Excel for Mac

[MSExcel 2013 adding a comment to a cell]

Though Excel 2016 for Mac has less funtionality in terms of formatting comments than did earlier versions and than do Windows versions

delete or format the comment

  • right click the comment (the "red" comment marker)
  • select the desired option

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Techniques to Help Correct Errors in Data

Error Codes

  • #### data is too wide for cell
  • #N/A omitted a required argument in a function
  • #REF the formula cannot find the cell included in the argument
  • #VALUE the formula calls for a number or a value and the cell contains text

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Let the program work for you

to check for source of errors, use the Auditing Toolbar

[MSExcel 2007+ formula auditing tools]

The same is true in Excel for Mac

[MSExcel 2013 formulas auditing tools]

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