Electronic spreadsheet (computer science) A type of computer software for performing mathematical computations on numbers arranged in rows and

columns, in which the numbers can depend on the values in other rows and columns, allowing large numbers of calculations to be carried out simultaneously. http://www.answers.com/topic/electronic-spreadsheet A spreadsheet is a computer application that simulates a paper, accounting worksheet. It displays multiple cells that together make up a grid consisting of rows and columns, each cell containing alphanumeric text, numeric values or formulas. A formula defines how the content of that cell is to be calculated from the contents of any other cell (or combination of cells) each time any cell is updated. Spreadsheets are frequently used for financial information because of their ability to re-calculate the entire sheet automatically after a change to a single cell is made. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spreadsheet A worksheet is a sheet of paper, or on a computer, on which problems are worked out or solved and answers recorded. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Worksheet

Cells
A "cell" can be thought of as a box for holding a datum. A single cell is usually referenced by its column and row (A2 would represent the cell below containing the value 10). Usually rows are referenced in decimal notation starting from 1, while columns use 26-adic bijective numeration using the letters A-Z as numerals. Its physical size can usually be tailored for its content by dragging its height or width at box intersections (or for entire columns or rows by dragging the column or rows headers). My Spreadsheet A B C D 01 value1 value2 added multiplied 02 10 20 30 200 An array of cells is called a "sheet" or "worksheet". It is analogous to an array of variables in a conventional computer program (although certain unchanging values, once entered, could be considered, by the same analogy, constants). In most implementations, many worksheets may be located within a single spreadsheet. A worksheet is simply a subset of the spreadsheet divided for the sake of clarity. Functionally, the spreadsheet operates as a whole and all cells operate as global variables within the spreadsheet ('read' access only except its own containing cell).

A cell may contain a value or a formula, or it may simply be left empty. By convention, formulas usually begin with = sign. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spreadsheet

Formulas
A formula identifies the calculation needed to place the result in the cell it is contained within. A cell containing a formula therefore has two display components; the formula itself and the resulting value. The formula is normally only shown when the cell is selected by "clicking" the mouse over a particular cell; otherwise it contains the result of the calculation. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spreadsheet

1. Introduction
Excel is an electronic spreadsheet that enables you to create worksheets for data entry, to make calculations and to manage a database. Excel is also a useful tool when preparing graphs detailing the results of your calculations. With Excel, you can perform many types of financial, statistical or logical calculations. Excel is easy to use; it has helpful tools that effectively and quickly perform calculations that may have seemed impossible.

2. MS-Excel Environment
Whenever you start MS-Excel, a window will appear. From now on, we will refer to this window as the main EXCEL screen. Notice the many similarities between WORD and EXCEL - things like buttons, scroll bars and menus. It is important to know each part of the main EXCEL screen. In the following section, we will explain each of these parts.

1. The active worksheet window:

In this part of the main EXCEL screen, you can perform calculations, insert graphs, enter your data etc. The active worksheet can be maximized by clicking the button. When working with a minimized screen, each window has its own title. This way, you can open as many windows as you like and still be able to identify them easily. 2. The title bar: The title bar indicates the title of the program you are using and the file that is currently open. If the file has not yet been saved, the title bar will display the words Book 1. Whenever you minimize your worksheet, a title bar will appear. This bar will display the name of your file or the words Book 1 if you have not yet saved the file. 3. The menu bar: All available EXCEL options are found here. Clicking any one of these menus reveals a list of options, called a "drop-down menu." 4.The tool bar: This bar, which contains what we call Quick buttons, allows you to access certain options found in the menu bars. It may be faster to choose options and execute tasks with the tools on this bar, but not all of the options are available. You will still have to use the menus to access commands that are not available through the tool bar. When you position and hold the pointer over a button on the tool bar, an indicator pops up to specify that button's function.

5. Column and row:

A worksheet is composed of 256 columns and 16,384 rows of data. Each column is identified by a letter (A=1, B=2...Z=26, AA=27, AB=28 etc.) and rows are identified by numbers. A column's identifier is above it; the row's identifier is to its left. The dimensions of columns and rows can be adjusted to suit the needs of your worksheet. 6. Cells: A cell is an intersection of a column and a row. Each cell in a worksheet has its own address. For example, the intersection of the first column and the first row has the address A1. The address of a cell is always expressed using this syntax: the column followed by the row (AA789, BC6789 etc.). 7. The formula This bar contains two distinct sections: the address zone and the data bar: entry zone. The address zone indicates the location of the cursor on your worksheet (the cell address). The data entry zone is where you input the information that is to appear in a cell. 8. The scroll bar: There are two of scroll bars. This first is vertical and it is used to scroll up and down across the rows, while the second is horizontal and is used to scroll back and forth across the columns. You can use the scroll bars by clicking the arrows that point up, down, left or right, or by dragging the square in the scroll bar to move up or down. 9. Status bar: This bar displays information on the selected function, the status of the program, and certain keys on the keyboard. For example, if you are modifying text, the word EDIT is displayed. 10. Page These indicate which worksheet is active. They allow you to switch identifiers: from one page to another, since you can have up to 256 pages in one folder of directory. http://web.squ.edu.om/agr/depts/do/courses/comp2001/module4.html In Excel different mouse pointers perform different tasks.

Cross Pointer

Used for selecting ranges of cells Used to copy cell contents to adjacent cells Used to move cell contents

Fill Handle

Arrow Pointer

Resizing Arrows

Used to change column widths

Resizing Arrows Cursor

Used to change row heights Used to edit cell contents in Formula Bar

http://computergaga.com/excel/2007/foundation/creating_a_workbook/mouse_pointers.ht ml