Spreadsheet Basics:

You create a spreadsheet by opening up AppleWorks and choosing "Spreadsheets." Spreadsheets are made up of vertical columns and horizontal rows. As they intersect, they create a box called a "Cell." Each cell has an address specified by the intersection on the row and column. Rows are numbered 1,2,3. Columns are lettered A,B,C. Therefore, the cell address at the intersection of column C and row 5 would be C5.

Column and Row Adjustment:

You can adjust the width of a column or a row by clicking right on the line between the letters or numbers and dragging it in the direction you wish to adjust. Or, if you want to change the width or height of a number of column/rows; first highlight the columns/rows you wish to adjust, then pull down the "format" menu and choose "Column width" or "Row Height" and type in a number larger or smaller.

Entering Data:

To enter data into the cells;

1. Click in the cell you which you wish the data to appear.
2. Type in the data (you will see it appear in the "Entry Bar" not in the cell).
3. Once you have typed it;
   • Press "return" to enter it and move to the cell below.
   • or press "tab" to enter it and move to the cell to the right. (then you will see it appear in the cell.

To alter data already in a cell, click on the cell and make the adjustment up in the "Entry Bar."

You can format cells to show different styles, fonts, size, colors, etc

Styles: If you want to make the column headings bold, italic, centered, red, etc. you would select the cells you want bold (note; if you click on the row number or the column letter, it will highlight or select the entire row/column). Pull down the "Format" menu and choose font, style, text color, size, alignment, etc and make your selection. The data in those cells will take on those characteristics.

Number Formatting:

You can also format the cells to accept and show different kinds of numbers, such as currency, percentages, various decimals, dates, and times.

1. Select the cells you want formatted.
2. Pull down the "Format" menu and choose "Number."
3. Select how you want your numbers, dates, times to appear. ie; if your date is money such as a budget, choose "currency." If you want your decimals carried out 2 places, make sure you select a "precision of 2."

By using formulas, you can have your spreadsheet add, subtract, multiply, find averages, percentages, etc. This makes it a great tool for keeping track of numerical data and as a tool to ask "if...then" questions and get immediate results.

All formulas start with an "=" sign. That's how the computer knows it's a formula.

Entering Formulas:

Type in the correct formula indicating the cells or cell range that you wish to calculate,then press enter. Be very exact in your cell range. Remember; computers don't understand close, they understand exact. You will see the formula in the entry bar, not in the cell. The calculated outcome will appear in the cell once you begin entering data.

For example: If we want to add a column of numbers, we need to type in a formula using "sum" and the range of cells to be added. In the example below, the range would be cells B2 through B8. You would type the formula in cell B10. As you see, the formula would be =SUM(B2..B8)

It is easy to take the information in a spreadsheet and convert it into a colored, three demensional chart or graph. You can make pie charts, bar charts, line graphs, plus many more. Click on Charts for directions.

Examples: