Every modern PC user who at least once encountered the Microsoft Office software package, which is one of the most common today, knows that it requires MS Excel application. Now we will consider the basic concept of spreadsheets. Along the way, brief information will be given on the basic elements of the structure of table elements and data and some of their capabilities.
What is an Excel spreadsheet processor?
The first mention of the Excel program dates back to 1987, when Microsoft released its famous office suite of programs and applications, united under the common name MS Office.
In fact, the Excel spreadsheet processor is a universal tool for processing mathematical data of all varieties and difficulty levels. This includes mathematics, and algebra, and geometry, and trigonometry, and work with matrices, and mathematical analysis, and solving complex systems of equations, and much more. Almost everything that relates to the exact sciences of this plan is presented in the program itself. The functions of the spreadsheets are such that many users not only do not know about them, they do not even suspect how powerful this software product is. But first things first.
Getting started with spreadsheets
As soon as the user opens the Excel program, he sees a table in front of him, created from the so-called default template. The main workspace consists of columns and rows, the intersection of which forms cells. In the understanding of working with all types of data , the cell is the main element of the spreadsheet, because it is in it that they are entered.
Each cell has a numbering, consisting of the ordinal designation of the column and row, however, it may differ in different versions of the application. So, for example, in the 2003 version, the very first cell located at the intersection of column “A” and row “1” is designated as “A1”. In the 2010 version, this approach was changed. Here, the designation is presented in the form of ordinal digits and numbers, but in the description line the columns are indicated as “C”, and the lines as “R”. Many do not understand what this is connected with. But here everything is simple: “R” is the first letter of the English word row (row, row), and “C” is the first letter of the word column (column).
Data used
Speaking about the fact that the cell is the main element of the spreadsheet, you need to understand that this applies only to input data (values, text, formulas, functional dependencies, etc.). The data in the cells can have a different format. The function of changing the format of the cell can be called from the context menu when you click on it with the right mouse button.
Data can be presented in text, numerical, percentage, exponential, monetary (currency), fractional and temporary formats, as well as in the form of a date. In addition, you can specify additional parameters for the view or decimal places when using numbers.
Main window of the program: structure
If you look closely at the main application window, you will notice that in the standard version, the table may contain 256 columns and 65536 rows. At the bottom are sheet tabs. There are three in the new file, but you can specify more. If we consider that the main element of the spreadsheet is a sheet, this concept should be attributed to the content on different sheets of different data that can be used cross-sectionally when defining the corresponding formulas and functions.
Such operations are most applicable when creating pivot tables, reports, or complex computing systems. Separately, it is worth saying that if there is interconnected data on different sheets, the result when the dependent cells and sheets change is calculated automatically without re-introducing a formula or function that expresses one or another dependence of variables and constants.
At the top is a standard panel with several main menus, and just below the line of formulas. Speaking about the data contained in the cells, we can say that this element is also the main element of the spreadsheet, since the line itself displays either text or numerical data entered into the cells, or formulas and functional dependencies. In the sense of displaying information, the line of formulas and the cell are one and the same. True, formatting or setting a data type is not applicable to a string. This is an exclusive viewer and input tool.
Excel spreadsheet formulas
As for the formulas, there are a lot of them in the program. Some of them are generally unknown to many users. Of course, to deal with all of them, you can carefully read the same reference guide, but the program also provides a special opportunity to automate the process.
When you click on the button “ f x ” located on the left (or the “ = ” sign) a list will be shown from which you can select the necessary action, which will save the user from manually entering the formula.
There is another commonly used remedy. This is an auto-sum function, presented as a button on a toolbar. Here, too, the formula does not have to enter. It is enough to activate the cell in the row and column after the selected range, where it is supposed to perform the calculation, and click on the button. And this is not the only example.
Related Data, Sheets, Files, and Cross-References
As for the interlinked links, data from another place of this document, a third-party file, data of any Internet resource or an executable script can be attached to any cell and sheet. This even saves disk space and reduces the original size of the document itself. Naturally, how to create such relationships will have to be carefully considered. But, as they say, there would be a desire.
Add-ons, charts, and graphs
In terms of additional tools and features, MS Excel spreadsheets provide the user with a wide selection. Not to mention specific add-ons or executable Java or Visual Basic scripts, let us dwell on creating graphical visual means for viewing analysis results.
It is clear that not everyone wants to draw a chart or build a graph based on a huge amount of dependent data manually, and then insert such a graphic object into a table as a separate file or an attached image.
That is why their automatic creation is used with a preliminary choice of type and type. It is clear that they are built on the basis of a certain data area. Just when plotting graphs and diagrams, it can be argued that the main element of the spreadsheet is the selected area or several areas on different sheets or in different attached files, from which the values of variables and dependent results of calculations will be taken.
Applying filters
In some cases, it may be necessary to use special filters that are installed on one or more columns. In its simplest form, this helps to search for data, text, or value in the entire column. If they match, all the results found will be shown separately.
If there are dependencies, along with the filtered data of one column, the remaining values located in other columns and rows will be shown. But this is the simplest example, because each user filter has its own submenu with specific search criteria or a specific setting.
Conclusion
Of course, it is simply impossible to consider all the features of the MS Excel software package in one article. At least here you can understand what elements are the main ones in the tables, based on each specific case or situation, as well as at least a little understanding, so to speak, with the basics of work in this unique program. But for its full development will have to work hard. Often, the developers themselves do not always know what their brainchild is capable of.