EXCEL is a spreadsheet program. It provides the user with a 2 dimensional grid of elements call ROWS and COLUMS. The Cols are usually labeled A, B, C etc and the rows numbered 1, 2, 3, etc. So one refers to a cell as B2, C4 etc. B2, C4 are relative addresses. If you insert a row in row 1 the contents of B2, C4 would appear now in B3, C5. To use absolute addressing the cells are denoted by $B$2, $C$4, etc.

In each cell one can insert text, numbers, equations, or references to functions and subroutines that can perform calculations or actions on objects (such as a range of cells).

EXCEL uses the concept of workbooks to store information. In each workbook there can be many sheets with each sheet devoted to a particular set of calculations. One can also store user-defined functions and subroutines in a workbook.

In this exercise we will;

1. Launch EXCEL and open a new workbook.

2. On sheet 1 of the workbook we will enter a sample procedure that will require us to use many of EXCELS basic capabilities.

3. After we have finished the procedure (or before if you want) we will save the workbook and its contents to a disk which you will keep with you. You will probably store future exercises on sheet2, sheet3, etc of this workbook

The suggested procedure involves calculating what we would have in a bank savings account if we deposited a fixed amount of money each month and the bank gave us a fixed annual interest rate. I suggest doing the calculation for 10 years. Once the calculations are correct then make a graph of the balance in the savings account as a function of time.

In the classroom I will demonstrate how to do this exercise and then you will do it, first in small groups, then individually.

4. On sheet 2 of your workbook we will now try a similar exercise, but one that uses functions.

In this exercise we want to generate a sine wave and plot it, allowing the frequency of the sin wave to be a variable. Start by generating a time scale in column 1. It could be in increments of 1 sec and last for say 30 seconds. The equation for the sine wave would be cos(2*pi*f*t), where t is the time scale and f is the frequency. Allow f to be variable. The new aspect of this exercise is the use of functions. In EXCEL 97 this is made very easy by having a function toolbar readily available.

So after you have generated the data and plotted it save the workbook onto your 3 1/2 in disk.

If you have time left over try experimenting with the various functions that are available in EXCEL.