Intro to Spreadsheets

Good afternoon!

Today we're starting our next unit, "Spreadsheets." What are practical ways that a consumer might use one? Here's a video clip demonstrating one idea: Wedding Budget Spreadsheet.

Spreadsheet software has evolved a lot since it was first created. Competitors like Excel, Lotus and Quatro have all tried to create user-friendly interfaces and are still trying to simplify the spreadsheet's most powerful tool- creating formulas.

We are going to use Google Docs throughout our unit so that you can access, through the internet, any work you complete at school on your computer at home. In order to use Google Docs, you need a Google Account. As members of this blog, you already have one. Your sign-in name and password will be the same. Click here to log in: Google Docs.

Click on "New" on the left-hand side of the screen and from the drop-down menu, select "Spreadsheet." Take a few moments to familiarize yourself with the interface.

Open this spreadsheet: Spreadsheet vocab

Create a new spreadsheet as follows: First Spreadsheet

Assignment: see handout "Intro to Spreadsheets." We'll correct this at the end of class!