Lesson 1

SPREADSHEETS.

Definition of a Spreadsheet.

A Spreadsheet is a ledger sheet that lets the user enter, edit, and manipulate numerical data.A Spreadsheet usually consists of a series of rows & columns in which data entries can be made.

Types of Spreadsheets:

There are 2 types of spreadsheets:

• Manual spreadsheet:

A Manual spreadsheet is ledger book with many sheets of papers divided into rows and columns for entering/writing data.

The data is entered manually using a pen or pencil.

• Electronic Spreadsheet:

A computer program that looks like the manual ledger sheet with rows & columns for entering data that can be manipulated mathematically using of formulae.

Advantages of Electronic Spreadsheets over Manual Worksheets.

An electronic spreadsheet:

9. Has a large worksheet for data entry & manipulation as compared to manual worksheet.
10. Has inbuilt formulae called Functions that are non-existent in manual worksheets. These functions enable the user to quickly manipulate mathematical data.
11. Uses the power of the computer to quickly carry out operations.
12. Has better formatting & editing qualities than the manual worksheet.
13. Utilizes the large storage space available on computer storage devices to save & retrieve documents.
14. Can easily be modified in its form, while a manual spreadsheet involves a lot of manual calculations & are very difficult to amend.
15. The user can very quickly & efficiently perform complicated computations using the information stored in an electronic spreadsheet.
16. It is accurate in its calculations & allows automatic recalculation on formulae.I.e., when one value/figure is changed, the result of the formula is automatically adjusted by the computer so as to correspond with the different input.  For a manual spreadsheet, changing one value means rubbing the result & writing the correct one again.
17. It offers graphical representation of data leading to comprehensive decisions.
18. Replaces the pencil & paper approach of the manual operations of the worksheet. I.e., it enables the user to produce neat work because; all the work is edited on the screen and a final copy is printed.  With a manual spreadsheet, neatness & legibility of the work depends on the writer’s hand-writing skills.
19. It improves on the capabilities & speed of the Calculator.

Examples of the commonly used Spreadsheet packages

• VisiCalc – this was the 1^st type of spreadsheet to be developed for PCs.
• Lotus 123 – this is an integrated software with spreadsheet module, graphs, and database.
• Microsoft Excel.
• Corel Quattro-Pro
• Microsoft Works Excel
• Super calculators.
• Vp-Planner.