1. ME 142Engineering Computation I Excel Basics

2. Active Cell • Each rectangle of the spreadsheet grid is called a cell • Each cell is identified by its cell address, made up of a column letter and row number • The active cell is identified by: • A heavy border • Row/column headings highlighted • Cell address shown in the name box • Information is entered through the active cell

3. Text, Numbers, & Formula • The most common types of data used in a spreadsheet are • Text • Numbers • Formulas

4. Text, Numbers, & Formula • Numbers – numeric value • May be integer or real numbers • Text – character, word, label • By default Text is left justified • Formula – equation • Begin with equal sign (=) • Formula shown in formula bar • Results of calculation shown in the cell

5. Entering/Editing Data & Formulas • Entering data similar to word processor • Mouse, arrow keys, enter, tab, … • May use the mouse to select appropriate cells while entering formula • May edit in formula bar

6. Moving/Copying Data & Formulas • Many methods to move/copy data • Cut, copy, and paste to clipboard • Move by dragging • Copy/move single or multiple cells • Try [Shift] and [End] keys • Fill handles

7. Relative & Absolute Addressing • Relative Addressing refers to the automatic incrementing of a cell address during the copying process • It is an extremely important feature of spreadsheets • Copying down increments row numbers • Copying across increments column numbers • Absolute Addresses are constant and do not change or increment when copied • A dollar sign “$” in front of a row or column number denotes an absolute address

8. Relative & Absolute Addressing • Relative Addressing is the default: (example D5) • Copying down increments row numbers (example: D6) • Copying across increments column letters (example: E5) • Use $ to change from relative to absolute • Example $D$5 • May use in combination • Example $D5or D$5 • Use [F4] key to toggle

9. Named Cells • Using named cells in your formulas can make them easier to comprehend • Enter a cell name in the Name box • Individual cells or ranges may be named • A cell name acts as an absolute address is not modified when a formula is copied • To remove a name use Ribbon commands Formulas/Name Manager

10. Conditional Formatting • With conditional formatting, particular format attributes are applied only if a certain condition is met • Makes it easy to spot extreme data values

11. Built-in Functions • Hundreds of built-in functions available • See formula ribbon • Formulas contain arguments in parenthesis • We’ll cover a number of those useful to engineers throughout the semester

12. Error Messages • Understanding excel error messages can be useful in finding spreadsheet errors: • #DIV/0 divide by zero • #N/A result is not available • #NAME? Function name not recognized • #NUM! Not a valid number (too large…) • #REF! Invalid cell referenced • #VALUE! Wrong type of argument

13. Formatting Numbers • Variety of formats available within Excel, including Custom Formats

14. Formatting Numbers • Engineering typically requires specific number of decimal places or significant digits • General, Number and Scientific formats common • Engineering notation available as Custom format

15. Row & Column Manipulation • Entire Rows and Columns may be moved, copied, inserted (added), hidden, and deleted • Columns/Row width/height may be resized