Since the release of the very first Microsoft software products as a complete office suite in the modern world, one of the most interesting and necessary tools has been spreadsheets. The spreadsheet itself is designed to solve many problems, and not only to perform simple mathematical operations, as some users who work, for example, with Excel, consider. It serves many other purposes, for example, to create and organize databases. Agree, Access is also a spreadsheet application. But now, for ease of understanding, we will consider Excel tables, since they are the most common.
What is a spreadsheet designed for? general description
According to respected Internet sources, a spreadsheet or office application that allows you to create or work with it is an application program that is designed to perform mathematical and other calculations based on two-dimensional data arrays.
The main directions in the application of such functionality can be identified quite a lot. However, in the most general case, we can say that the spreadsheet is designed for such purposes:
- mathematical, algebraic and other calculations;
- automation of computing processes;
- creation of financial statements;
- mathematical and structural analysis;
- mathematical modeling;
- calculation of scenarios, etc.
It is easy to see that at its core it all comes down to mathematics and its derivatives. But in most cases, programs that work with tabular data are of interest to users primarily because they can use automation of calculations. In other words, there is no need to set a formula every time, relatively speaking, to get the necessary result in similar processes. Thanks to this approach, the use of spreadsheets is greatly simplified.
Table in Excel or any similar program: structural organization
Now let's see what any spreadsheet is based on the Excel application, which is included in any office suite. We do not take into account all other programs, since their organization is almost the same.
So why is the table in Excel a two-dimensional array of data? Only because it initially uses two coordinates, as it were, if you approach its organization from the point of view of geometry. There are two main elements: spreadsheet rows and columns, each of which is indicated by numbers and letters (in some versions of Excel, only numbers).
Thus, a cell with a unique address is formed (for example, the first is designated A1). Such an organization is a necessity when using formulas that are introduced not in the usual way, but with the indication of cell numbers and actions that apply to them.
However, it can be noted that the spreadsheet is not only designed to work with two-dimensional arrays. Quite simply, you can add a third coordinate in the form of a sheet number when cross-links are created, that is, three links are indicated in a formula or in a statistical study. This is useful if cells contain different types of data.
Finally, one can justifiably declare the possibility of organizing a four-dimensional array when another link, another external program or separate files with reference to the data of cells or the processes performed for them are used to establish links.
Applicable Data Types
The information entered into each cell can have a completely different character. It all depends on what actions need to be done with it.
So, for example, for ordinary mathematics, a numerical type is set, for algebraic calculations, you can additionally use a fractional, percentage or exponential format. It is also easy to apply date and time formats, sometimes monetary or financial types can come in handy. At the same time, when data is entered, their format is automatically transformed into the desired one.
Finally, in any field, you can set the text format in which any information will be displayed in the form in which it was entered from the keyboard.
Using the simplest formulas
Computer science initially considers spreadsheets as a purely mathematical tool. And every user who is just starting to work with such programs should learn to use at least the simplest formulas.
As already mentioned, they are presented in a specific form. For example, in any field for setting the formula for the product of numbers from different cells, you can’t just write 2 x 2. For this, you need to specify the same address that was mentioned above. Suppose we have two numbers that are located in cells with coordinates A1 and B1 (A and B are columns, 1 and 2 are rows of a spreadsheet). To enter the formula, a special field is used under the toolbars, where initially to indicate the program of the action, an equal sign is put and the necessary addresses are indicated. Thus, the primitive multiplication formula looks like this: = A1 * B1, and what numbers will be entered in the cells is not so important. But the formula itself is also written in a certain field, which should differ from the previous two (otherwise the program will simply give an error).
The sum looks interesting. You can simply register addition (= A1 + B1), but when using ranges, entering all the data will take too much time. Therefore, it is easier to specify it in its entirety, and even using a special command.
For example, for a range from A1 to A10, when entering a formula, say in field A11, you can use this option: = SUM (A1: A10) or simply click on the auto-sum button on the panel, setting the formula cell under the last of the entered range.
Naturally, the matter is not limited to such formulas, and it is better to study all the calculations yourself in practice.
Relations and graphical representation of data
No less interesting are some aspects related to cross-referencing and data presentation. Let's start with the second one.
If anyone does not know, on the basis of the table it is possible to generate whole reports, for example, in the form of diagrams, perform modeling of different situations, or even make short and long-term forecasts, although graphs and diagrams are only a small part of what such programs are capable of.
Cross references have already been partially mentioned. They represent the binding of simultaneously participating in the process of processing data from various sources (cells, sheets, other applications, files, links on the Internet, etc.). Here the field of activity is practically unlimited. By the way, many users do not even realize that in the same Excel you can easily create simple games. A vivid example of this is “Snake”.
Conclusion
It remains to add that the spreadsheet is intended not only for all of the above. The possibilities of the programs that use them are much wider, but to describe all this, even in the shortest form, with all desire, will not work out purely physically. Therefore, if you want to learn how to work with tables and use the functionality to the fullest, it will be necessary, as they say, to study the technical documentation (since the help information in Excel is presented at the highest level).