Working with Spreadsheets
Computers in Communication
Boston University College of Communication
Copyright © 1996 by Professor Jim Lengel
To enter a formula:
Place the cursor in the cell where you want the results of the calculation
to appear. Type an equal sign (=), then enter your formula. Or use Paste
Function from the Edit menu, to choose from a list of formulae.
To add up a column of numbers:
Select the cell below the bottom of the column. Enter =SUM(, then
click and drag over the column, from its top cell to its bottom cell. Then
type ). Your formula should look like this: =SUM(A1..A5).
When it does, press the return key on the keyboard to see the results.
To copy a formula across several columns:
Select the cell with the formula in it, then drag across the cells you want
to copy it to. When they are selected, choose Fill Right or Fill Down from
the Calculate menu. This will fill in the selected cells with the formula
from the first cell.
To make a graph:
Select the rows and columns you want to make a graph from, by clicking and
dragging over them. Under the Options menu, choose Make Chart. Then choose
the type of graph you want.
To modify the format of a graph:
Double click on the graph window. This will open the chart dialog box. Use
the icons and buttons to change the format of the chart.
To change the width of a column:
Put your cursor on the line between the column headings. Click and drag
until the column gets to the width you want.
To get rid of the lines between the cells:
Use Display... from the Options menu. Uncheck the Cell Grid button.
To get rid of the column and row headings:
Use Display... from the Options menu. Uncheck the Column Headings and Row
Headings buttons.