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44221: Information Systems. Lecture 6 (Week 8) Introduction to Spreadsheets By Ian Perry http://itsy.co.uk/ac/0506/Sem1/44221_IS/. When to use a Spreadsheet?. Whenever NUMERICAL data requires: Calculation which may be complex, repetitive, or both. Analysis of complex situations.
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44221: Information Systems Lecture 6 (Week 8)Introduction to Spreadsheets By Ian Perry http://itsy.co.uk/ac/0506/Sem1/44221_IS/
When to use a Spreadsheet? • Whenever NUMERICAL data requires: • Calculation • which may be complex, repetitive, or both. • Analysis • of complex situations. • Exploration • of probable outcomes. • Presentation • in tabular and/or graphical format.
Cell Reference Formula Range B6: =SUM(B3:B5) Columns A B C D 1 R&D Cost 2000 2001 2002 2 3 2360 2460 2560 Rent Text 4 800 900 Travel 5 5000 6800 Personnel 6 8160 10160 TOTAL Numbers Cell Rows A simple Spreadsheet
A B C D E 1 1st Qtr 2nd Qtr 3rd Qtr 4th Qtr 2 East 20.4 27.4 90 20.4 3 West 30.6 38.6 34.6 31.6 4 North 45.9 46.9 45 43.9 5 East 90 West 80 North 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 1st Qtr 2nd Qtr 3rd Qtr 4th Qtr Data can easily be presented as a Chart
The Simplest Spreadsheet Formula? • Is a reference to another cell. • NB. all formulae begin with an = sign.
Simple Calculations • i.e. using a Spreadsheet like a Calculator.
Simple Spreadsheet Functions - 1 • Sum • =sum(range) OR =sum(cell, cell, …)
Simple Spreadsheet Functions - 2 • Average • =average(range) OR =average(cell, cell, …)
Simple Spreadsheet Functions - 3 • Standard Deviation (of population) • =stdevp(range) OR =stdevp(cell, cell, …)
Simple Spreadsheet Functions - 4 • Maximum • =max(range) OR = max(cell, cell, …) • Minimum • =min(range) OR = min(cell, cell, …) • Median • =median(range) OR = median(cell, cell, …) • Now (i.e. today’s Date & Time) • =now() • Count (of cells containing numeric data) • =count(range) OR = count(cell, cell, …)
The ‘CountIf’ Function • Counts the number of values in a range that match a given criteria. • =countif(range,criteria)
The ‘IF’ Function • Tests a condition in another cell, and decides what to display in this one. • =if(condition,true,false)
Nested ‘IF’ Functions • To test for more than one condition, you could use a series of nested If’s: • =if(condition1,true,if(condition2,true,false))
The ‘VLookUp’ Function • Much easier to use than nested If’s, when there are many conditions to test for: • =vlookup(value,range,offset)
Spreadsheet Development - 1 • Draft it out on paper first, considering: • Shape • does the problem suit a landscape or a portrait shaped solution? • Content • which parts of the spreadsheet content will be text, data, formulae? • Outputs • will the data be presented in tabular and/or graphical format? • is there a need to print the results or will they be viewed on screen?
Spreadsheet Development - 2 • Two types of data in a spreadsheet: • Input data - entered/altered often, e.g. • sales made, hours worked, money to change, etc. • Reference data - rarely changes, e.g. • vat rates, pay rates, currency conversion rates, etc. • Always separate these data types: • Keep input data areas together (and easily accessible) • data entry is the biggest source of errors. • Keep reference data together • and protect cells where data entry is not required.
Spreadsheet Development – 3 • Start simply: • Do not try to build a large complex spreadsheet model containing features/functions you have never used before. • Try out any new features/functions you want to use, by building a small controlled example. • Test each stage in the development of your spreadsheet model: • testing each new feature/function you add; • gradually incorporating all of the functionality required. • Don't get too clever, too soon!
Spreadsheet Development - 4 • Save a "Template" • i.e. a complete spreadsheet model without input data; • containing text, formulae and reference data only. • use a copy of this "Template" for testing. • Test Rigorously • use data which will produce known outputs; • e.g. 1,1,1, or 50,50,50, or 100,100,100, sequences. • use someone else to test ease of data entry; • you may find your design is not as easy for others. • Don't forget to amend the "Template"; • if (when!) changes are required.
Complete this fairly simple spreadsheet model; by adding the missing formulae. This Week’s Workshop • NB. • these Lecture notes contain examples of all of the spreadsheet formulae you will need in order to complete the Workshop tasks.