HOW TO USE EXCEL (FROM SCIOLY WIKI)

So, say we have two cells, A1 and A2. A1 contains the number 45, and A2 the number 5.32. I want to do something with them, so I select an empty cell, C3. To signal to Excel that I want to create a formula, I begin by typing an equals sign. Then, if I want to add the two together, I enter A1+A2. In the cell now should be “=A1+A2”. I hit enter, and Excel takes the values from A1 and A2 and adds them together. I can do the same for any other basic math operation; be warned, multiplication is not “x”. Multiplication is *, division is /. I could also just do “=45+5.32”, but the other way allows me change the original numbers without changing the formula.
But what if I want to take the average of the two numbers? I could write a cell “=(A1+A2)/2”, but that’s extra work, and if I want to add another number, I have to change both parts of the formula. Instead, I can use a function. In this case, the average function. Functions have a given syntax, or the required way that you need to enter the data into it. Once I type in “=Average(A1, A2)”, it will calculate the average. If I have another number in A3, I can simply do “=Average(A1, A2, A3)”.
The Excel help file lists the syntax as AVERAGE(number1, [number2], …). First, it gives me what I need to type before I open the parenthesis to signal the proper function (in this case AVERAGE). After I open the parenthesis, I enter at least one number. Any items within brackets [ ] are optional. So I could take the average of one number, but why would I do that? Probably I’ll want even more than two. Thus, the ellipsis. It means that I can continue to add terms ad infinitum in the same way to get the average of all those terms. I then close the parenthesis when I have completed the function. Once you understand the logic behind the syntax, you can figure out any of the functions listed in the Excel help file. It is even possible to create formulas of multiple functions at once and formulas with functions within functions. But remember, you only ever need to put the opening equals sign at the beginning of the formula, not at the beginning of each separate function.

Tough Stuff in Excel

Sometimes you will find a test that says “line on two axis” and ask yourself, “What the heck is that???” Follow this simple guide (with pictures!!) to learn. NOTES: In this example, I use Office 2007, but older versions shouldn’t be too different. I made a simple graph of the 4 inner planets, their rotation period, and distance from the sun. We want the distance from the sun to be a bar graph, and the rotation period to be a line graph.

1.Make your graph. First you need data to input, right? In this case we have the four inner planets, their rotation period, and distance from the sun.

2.Turn it into a chart. Highlight your chart, then click on insert–>column to make your chart.

3.Separate the second data set Click on the chart, and something new appears: cart tools. Click on layout, and over to the far left, you will see “cart area”. Change this to the data set you want to change; in this case, distance. After you have done this, click on “Format Selection” and a new window will appear. Just select “secondary axis”, and click ok.

4.Change appearance You’re almost done! Now click on “Design”, and then “Change Chart Type”. Select the data type you want, in this case Line, and click o.k. You’re done!