139 E1.02: Section 2 Part 1
Section 2: Basics
Example 1. Entering data.
When you put data into the worksheet, it is important to include labels and explanations.
Often we will want to graph data. In that case the columns of numbers should be next to each other. If there are more than two columns of numbers, it is must useful if they are all together. That is, if there are other things to include, such as explanations, or other constant values, etc., those should be completely separated from the columns of data by at least one blank column.
| A | B | C | D | E | F | G | |
| 1 | G | L | |||||
| 2 | Goat | 151 | 12 | ||||
| 3 | Lion | 108 | 10 | ||||
| 4 | Pig | 115 | 10 | ||||
| 5 | Cat | 63 | 11 | G = Gestation period (days) | |||
| 6 | Dog | 63 | 11 | L = Life Expectancy (years) | |||
| 7 | Squirrel | 44 | 9 | ||||
| 8 | Rabbit | 31 | 7 | ||||
| 9 | Duck | 28 | 10 | ||||
| 10 | Chicken | 22 | 7.5 | ||||
| 11 | Parakeet | 18 | 8 |
When you enter data into the spreadsheet, if you will use it later, it is a good idea to include some explanations, as indicated here. Notice that, when you are typing the names of the variables, they are typed into one cell each, but since they are longer, they show spread over several cells.
Example 2. Enter a patterned set of numbers efficiently.
In graphing, we often need a long sequence of x-values and it is tedious to type them in one by one. They can be entered more quickly.
Label the first column as the x variable, and then we will enter the numbers 0, 1, 2, 3, …, 20 quickly.
Start by typing in the x and then entering the first two numbers in the next two cells. (This sets up the pattern.)
| A | B | |
| 1 | x | |
| 2 | 0 | |
| 3 | 1 | |
| 4 |
Next, select those TWO CELLS at the same time by clicking on the first cell, holding down the left mouse button and then moving to the second cell, and then letting up the left mouse button. There will be a small rectangle at the bottom left corner of the bottom cell. Move your mouse on top of that and see a + symbol appear. Left-click on that small rectangle and drag it down several cells. Then let up on the left mouse button and the cells will fill in with the next numbers in the sequence.
Continue by selecting the bottom two cells and extending it further, until you have completed the task.
Spend about 2 minutes practicing this. If you can’t make it work, ask for help.
Example 3. Notice the cell locations.
Notice that, in the worksheet, all the cells are labeled. Along the top is a letter and along the side is a number. Can you find the cell A2? Can you find the cell D15? In other spreadsheet programs, they might be labeled differently, but they will still have labels. This is a very important aspect of spreadsheets.