Back to: Jss3 Computer Science – ICT (BST)

Features of Spreadsheet Packages

1. The system should be functional, serving its intended purpose efficiently and effectively.
2. The system should allow the use of formulas to perform calculations and manipulate data.
3. The system has a wide range of built-in functions, including all Javascript functions, for ease of use and increased functionality.
4. The system allows the creation of custom functions and macros using pure Javascript.
5. The system allows the creation of a variety of charts, such as line graphs, bar graphs, pie graphs, line step graphs, and scatter graphs.
6. The system allows for full CSS-based cell formatting, ensuring a high level of customization and visual appeal.
7. The system supports various cell formats, including numbers, strings, currencies, dates, and times.
8. The system allows for the merging of cells in both rows and columns.
9. The system allows for the locking of cells to prevent accidental changes to critical data.
10. The system supports the cut/copy/paste functionality for single cells or ranges of cells, enabling easy manipulation of data.
11. The system allows for the creation of custom column groups to aid in the organization of data.
12. The system allows the assignment of custom names for columns and rows, improving data readability and accessibility.
13. The system allows the application of custom styles to columns, rows, and column groups, further enhancing the visual appeal of the data.
14. The system allows for the integration of images from the web, providing additional visual aids and context for the data.
15. The system support operations such as deleting and inserting columns/rows, allowing for easy modification and maintenance of the data.
16. The system utilizes Javascript as a common data format, enabling easier integration with other systems and applications.

Usability

1. Streamlined Navigation: Efficient keyboard navigation using cursor keys can greatly enhance usability in spreadsheet applications, allowing users to quickly move between cells and access essential features with ease.
2. Real-Time Calculations: A live preview of calculated results while typing can help users verify data entry and ensure the accuracy of their work. This can improve the overall usability of spreadsheet applications by reducing errors and minimizing the need for manual validation.
3. Shortcut Efficiency: Common keyboard shortcuts for frequently used functions such as cut/copy/paste and delete can significantly enhance usability by saving users time and streamlining their workflow.
4. Improved Visibility: Automatic highlighting of links can help users quickly identify and access relevant information within a spreadsheet. This feature can enhance the usability of spreadsheet applications by reducing the time and effort required to locate important data.
5. Simplified Data Handling: The use of Javascript as a human-readable data format can enhance usability by simplifying the process of managing and manipulating data within a spreadsheet. This can help users better understand and work with their data, improving the overall usability and effectiveness of spreadsheet applications.

Loading and Exiting Spreadsheet Packages

Microsoft Office Excel 2010 offers various options for launching and closing the program. To open Excel, users can either use the Start menu or a desktop shortcut. Once the program is launched, a new, blank workbook is displayed and ready for data entry.

To exit Excel, there are several methods available. Firstly, users can choose to exit the program by clicking on the “File” tab and selecting “Exit”. Alternatively, they can use the keyboard shortcut “Alt+F4” to close the program. Users can also click on the “Close” button (the X) located at the upper-right corner of the Excel 2010 program window.

It is important to note that when closing Excel after working on a workbook, the latest changes must be saved. Otherwise, an alert box will be displayed, asking whether the changes should be saved. To save any changes made before exiting Excel, users can click on the “Save” button. If the user does not wish to save their changes, they can click on “Don’t Save”.

Week 10 Practical Work

The student should be able to perform practicals on how to create and open a spreadsheet