CEP211L: Computer Fundamentals and Programming 2 (Laboratory)

MODULE 2
Introduction to
Construction Estimates
(Microsoft Excel Programming)
MICROSOFT EXCEL PROGRAMMING

Programming is the process of writing instructions that get executed by computers. These
instructions are written in a programming language in which the computer can comprehend and
use to perform a certain task or even solve a problem.

EXCEL FUNCTIONS AND FORMULAS

➢ FORMULA
A formula is an expression that works on values in a range of cell/s.

Example:
=A1+A2+A3+A4+A5, which finds the total sum of the selected range of values from cell
A1 to cell A5.

➢ FUNCTIONS
A function is a predefined formula to eliminate lengthy manual entry of formulas.

Example:

=SUM(A1:A5). This results with the same answer from formula which gives the total sum
on the values from cell A1 to A5.

Note: Formula/Function always starts with equal sign (=). In function, it is followed by
the function’s name, open parenthesis, arguments, and close parenthesis. Any
information/input you give to a function is called an argument.

BASIC MICROSOFT EXCEL FUNCTIONS

➢ =SUM() - gives the total of the selected range of cell values.
➢ =AVERAGE() - focuses on calculating the average of the selected range of cell values.

By: Engr. Veronica Joy V. David

Civil Engineering Department, College of Engineering & Technology
Tarlac State University
Page 1 of 4
 CEP211L: Computer Fundamentals and Programming 2 (Laboratory)

➢ =COUNT() - counts the total number of cells in a range that contains a number. It does not
include the cell, which is blank, and the ones that hold data in any other format apart from
numeric.
➢ =POWER() - returns the result of a number raised to a certain power.
➢ =CONCATENATE() - merges or joins several text strings into one text string. (cell 1,“ “,cell 2)
➢ =NOW() - gives the current system date and time. Its result will change based on your
system date and time.
➢ =TODAY() - provides the current system date.
➢ =ROUND() - calculates the round number of a given number with the number of digits to
be provided as an argument.
➢ =IF() - checks a given condition and returns a particular value if it is TRUE. It will return
another value if the condition is FALSE.
➢ =COUNTIF() - counts the number of cells specified by a given set of conditions.

USEFUL EXCEL COMMANDS

➢ ORIENTATION
Home > Alignment > Orientation

➢ WRAP TEXT
Home > Alignment > Wrap Text

By: Engr. Veronica Joy V. David

Civil Engineering Department, College of Engineering & Technology
Tarlac State University
Page 2 of 4
 CEP211L: Computer Fundamentals and Programming 2 (Laboratory)

➢ FREEZE PANES
View > Window > Freeze Panes

➢ GROUP/ UNGROUP DATA

Data > Outline > Group/ Ungroup

➢ DATA VALIDATION
Data > Data Tools > Data Validation

List > Source: Criteria for dropdown list (i.e. Passed, Failed) > Ok

By: Engr. Veronica Joy V. David

Civil Engineering Department, College of Engineering & Technology
Tarlac State University
Page 3 of 4
 CEP211L: Computer Fundamentals and Programming 2 (Laboratory)

➢ CONDITIONAL FORMATTING
Home > Styles > Conditional Formatting

Home > Styles > Conditional Formatting > Manage Rules > New Rule

“Use a formula to determine which cells to format” > “Edit the rule description:” Input cell
and condition (note: format of cell should be =$An where A is the column and n is the row)
(i.e. =$An=”Passed”) > Format > Ok > Select the range where you want it to be applied >
Apply > Ok

By: Engr. Veronica Joy V. David

Civil Engineering Department, College of Engineering & Technology
Tarlac State University
Page 4 of 4