Excel spreadsheets - a useful tool for data analysis

A tabular form is used to represent information in a generalized form, usually for subsequent data analysis. Excel spreadsheets allow you to automate the process of computing and data management, graphically present the results of analysis of information.

When you start the program, an empty workbook appears on the screen, which is a three-sheet set (by default), each containing a table. The rows of the table are numbered from 1, and the columns are denoted by Latin letters, starting with A. A total of more than 65,000 rows and more than 250 columns are placed on the sheet. Excel spreadsheets consist of cells designated by type A1, where A is the column designation, 1 is the row designation. You can also select a block of cells. For example, A1: C4 is the designation of a set of cells that fall into a rectangular area, with the corners of the cells A1 and C4.

Formatting symbols in cells is very similar to a text editor, only in Excel are there less parameters that can be changed. All cell manipulations can be performed using the "Format cells" dialog.

As a rule, after processing the data, it becomes necessary to present the results in a graphical form. To do this, Excel has ample opportunities. Histograms, graphs, dot and pie charts. Each of them is used in certain cases. If you want to graphically show the relationship of two series of data, then you can use a graph or a bitmap. If you want to show parts of something whole, you can build a circular or circular diagram. In the latter case, for the convenience of understanding the diagram, the number of values should be taken in the range of 5-6.

In cells, the original data can be placed in the form of text, numbers (integers, fractional, percentages, etc.), as well as formulas. Any formula starts with the "=" sign and contains table cell notations, arithmetic operations or standard functions. Microsoft Excel has 10 categories of functions: financial, date and time, mathematical, statistical and others. This is done for the convenience of using their list, in which all functions are arranged alphabetically (first in English, then in Russian).

Excel spreadsheets also have the ability to sort and filter data. If you add a long list to the table, you can easily work with it if you arrange the rows in ascending or descending order. And sorting can be done on any column or even a few. The filter allows you to select rows for a certain characteristic (condition). For example, it can display only those values that are greater than zero on the screen.

When printing, Excel spreadsheets can easily be adjusted to fit any size of the page, increasing or decreasing the scale. By default, the table borders are not visible when printing, so if necessary, you can display the grid in the "Format Cells" dialog (the "Border" tab).

The program Microsoft Excel 2010 is included in the package MicrosoftOffice 2010, which includes about a dozen other useful applications. All these programs have a similar interface, which makes it easier for the user to learn.