Understanding the

Fundamentals of
Spreadsheet Applications
By
ODUSOTE B.O

Week 4 ¡ Lecture Note

The CST121 Team @ 2022
 RECOMMENDED TEXT

§ Ayo C.K., Ikhu-Omoregbe N., Osamor V.C.,

Adebiyi M. O. (2011): Fundamentals of Computer
Application. Rehoboth Publications int’l Ltd.
Lagos. ISBN 978-978-917-275-7. 348 pages.

2
 Learning Objectives
§ To understand what is a SPREADSHEET
Application.
§ To identify the USES of SPREADSHEET
§ To understand the Elements of a SPREADSHEET
Application

3
 Outlines
1. Introduction – What is a Spreadsheet?
2. The Uses of Spreadsheet
3. The Elements of a Spreadsheet Application

4
 Introduction
What is a spreadsheet?

A computer program that

displays data (text & numbers)
in a table called a worksheet
5
 Uses of Spreadsheet
1. Prepare Budgets
2. Financial Statements
3. Inventory Management
4. Students Attendance/Staff Records
5. Data Analysis
6. Create Charts, etc.
 Elements of a
Spreadsheet Application
v The User Interface
v Worksheet
v A Cell
v Formula Bar
v Function
v Operation Symbols
v Operation Formula
v Charts, etc.
The User Interface
 Spreadsheet & Workbook
columns (A,B,C…) and
vA grid with
rows (1,2,3…); the term worksheet is
used interchangeably with spreadsheet

vA Workbook contains several

worksheets inside the spreadsheet.
 A CELL
vA CELL is the intersection of columns
(A,B,C,…) & rows (1,2,3,…) on a
worksheet. For Instance: Cell A1, B9, D35,
etc.
vA CELL holds the date (TEXT, NUMBERS
& FORMULA) which a user types/input
into it.
 What is a CELL ADDRESS?
vCELL ADDRESS:
§ This is the unique REFERENCE used to identify a
CELL.
§ It is the combination of the COLUMN LETTER and
ROW NUMBER. For Instance: Cell A1, B9, D35,
etc.
 CELL ADDRESS?
COLUMN
ROW
A1 B1 C1 D1 G1
A2 E2
A3 B3 G3
 What 3 things can you type into a
CELL?
COLUMN
ROW
JOE 150
MAY
§ Label = words or letters =A1+B1

§ Value = numbers
§ Formula – statement that performs a calculation.
 What is a CELL RANGE?
vA group of cells that are closely
together. E.g. A1:A3, C1:F1
A1 C1 D1 E1 F1
A2 B2
A3 G3
 What is a WORKSHEET TAB?
§ A TAB that identifies each open worksheet in
a spreadsheet program, located in the lower
left corner of the screen.
 What is an ACTIVE CELL?
§ An active CELL is the cell in which you are
currently working (normally the cell is
surrounded by a BLACK border)
 What is a NAME BOX?

§ A BOX that displays

the NAME of an
active CELL or
CELL RANGE.
 What is a FORMULA BAR?

§ A BAR that displays

the DATA &
FORMULA stored in
active CELL.
 What is a FUNCTION?
§ A built-in FORMULA that is a shortcut for
common calculations such as SUM,
PRODUCT, AVERAGE, Etc.
 OPERATION SYMBOLS?
§ Symbols that
§ Addition (+)
instruct the
computer as to § Subtraction (-)
what mathematical § Multiplication (*)
operations to § Division (/)
perform.
 How do you key a FORMULA into a
Cell?
vA FORMULA contains a combination of Numbers,
Operation symbols, and/or Functions.

vTo use a FORMULA, begin by inputing an EQUALITY

SYMBOL ‘=’ inside the CELL Addresses (references).
vThe input the appropriate FORMULA.
Ø Example: Cell A1=4 + 5; =B8 * B13
 Order of Operations
§ Completes formulas in this order:
1. Parentheses
2. Exponents
3. Multiplication Example:
4. Division Ø Formula: =5+2*7 Result: 19
5. Addition
Ø Formula: =(5+2)*7 Result: 49
6. Subtraction
 What is a Cell Fill Handle Tool?
vIt is used to copy/duplicate/replicate
DATA & FORMULAS from one Cell to another
Cell; and create a Number Series.

JOE 150 150 150

JOE
JOE
 What is a Cell Auto Sum Tool?
vIt helps to AUTOMATICALLY creat a FORMULA
to ADD a Number Series on a ROW or COLUMN.
S/N TEST1 TEST2 CA = T1+T2
1. 14 13 27
2. 9 12 21
3. 15 1O 25
4 14 8 22
 What is a Cell Sorting Tool?
vIt helps to ORGANIZE or REARRANGE cell DATA
in either ascending or descending order.
S/N TEST1 TEST2 CA = T1+T2
1. 14 13 27
2. 15 10 25
3. 14 8 22
4 9 12 21
 Sorting Cell Data?
vORGANIZING or REARRANGING cell DATA in
either ascending or descending order.

Ø Sort Ascending – arranges records from A to Z

or smallest to largest
Ø Sort Descending – arranges records from Z to A
or largest to smallest
 What is a Chart?
Charts are graphic representations used to
compare and contrast worksheet data
What is a column width tool?

Tool that changes the width

of the columns on a
spreadsheet
What is a row height tool?

Tool that changes the height of

rows on a spreadsheet