Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet

Practical No: 1

Related Lecture Notes:

  1. C.S. French, Computer Studies, Chapter 2 - Spreadsheets
  2. MS Works - Spreadsheets

Exercise No. 1a

  1. Start the Microsoft Excel spreadsheet program (Click on the Start button, then click on Programs, then click on Microsoft Excel)
  2. Save the blank spreadsheet on your drive h: as ex01a
  3. Enter the following in the appropriate cells (boxes):
  4. Save the spreadsheet again.
  5. Change the number for Length in cell B1 and for Width in cell B2 to check if will automatically recalculate a value for Area.
  6. In cell A6, write the reason you think that the computer knows how to change the value of the Area automatically.
  7. Save the spreadsheet again.

Assignment No.1a

Create and complete the following spreadsheet for calculating current in a conductor. The relevant mathematical formula is: i=V/R , however as you will see from the above exercise, a formula in a spreadsheet is not written in the same manner as a formula in mathematics. In a spreadsheet you use cell references (eg. B1, B2 etc) instead of mathematical variables (eg. i, V, R). Check that it can automatically carry out the calculations by changing the values for Voltage and Resistance. (The symbol for division is / )Save it on drive h: as as01a

Voltage: 240
Resistance: 30
Current(i):  

Assignment No. 1b

Set up your own spreadsheet to calculate the final velocity of a body which is accelerated for a given time. The relevant formula is v=u+at where v is the final velocity, u is the initial velocity, a is the applied acceleration and t is the time given for the acceleration. (Note * is the sign used for multiplication and must always be used if you want to multiply 2 numbers) Think up your own numbers for u, a and t to be placed in cells; B1, B2 and B3. You will need to enter a formula in cell B5. Check that it will automatically recalculate when you change any of the numbers in B1, B2 and B3.

Save the spreadsheet on drive h: under the name as01b

The spreadsheet should be laid out as follows (note that you don't have to write in A,B,C, 1,2,3etc as these are the labels along the top and side of the spreadsheet):

  A B
1 u  
2 a  
3 t  
4    
5 v  

Exercise 1c

Create a new spreadsheet and enter in the text and numbers below. Save it on drive H: as ex1c

Wages 200      
Tax 75.23      
         
Cash paid   Percentage tax paid    
  1. In the cell to the right of "Percentage tax paid" enter a formula that will calculate the Tax divided by the wages (a percentage is really a fraction written in another way).
  2. Now format this cell as a percentage. Look along the toolbar to see if you can find the appropriate button. (You may have to select the "More buttons" button to find the % button.
  3. In the cell to the right of "Cash paid" subtract the Tax from the Wages.
  4. Now format this column as currency. (Look for the currency button in the same way - if it formats with a $sign you can fix this by going through the menu system as follows: Format Cells Currency then select the Euro symbol from the symbol dropdown list.)

Don't forget to save it again before you close it.

Assignment 1c

The table below is for calculating costs involved in running a business. Set it up as a new spreadsheet. Save it on drive h: as as01c (The Total is the sum of all the expenses above it and the next column is a set of percentages of the total.)

  Amounts Percentage
Wages    
Electricity    
Stationary    
Rent    
     
Total:    
  1. Enter in figures for the various "amounts" and enter in a formula to calculate the total.
  2. Format the figures in this column as currency.
  3. Enter in formula in each "percentage" cell to calculate that cost as a fraction of the total cost.
  4. Format the figures in this column as percentages (%)
  5. Change everything in the bottom row to bold print. (Select it all then click on the B - bold button)

Don't forget to save it before closing it down.