Introduction to

B2
and then select and paste into cell B3 the formula in that cell will be 
“
=SQRT(A3)
”. It will operate on the cell 
A3
instead of 
A2
. If you want to refer to the same 
cell after pasting the formula somewhere else, put “$” in front of the column and row number, 
e.g.,
 $A$2
, to prevent the program from indexing your cell reference.

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Unit 4: Software Applications
63
Figure 3- Spreadsheet Screenshot ( taken from
http://www.mech.
utah.edu/~rusmeeha/references/SpreadSheetBasic.pdf
)
Basic Commands
The following are basic commands that you need to know in order to work on spreadsheet 
environments. 
Menu
Command
Description
Edit 
Undo
Undo last command.
Paste Special... enables you paste just the formula, format, or 
value of a copied cell
Delete...
Delete a cell, range of cells, 
column, or row
in the middle of a 
spreadsheet. Be careful
when using Delete...
Fill
Copy and paste the same 
formula across
rows or down columns.
Insert
Chart...
Insert a graph based on 
selected range of
data.
Function...
Scrolling list of functions 
that can be used.

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Introduction To Computer Science
64
Format
Cell...
Change the format of 
numbers, fonts, etc,
displayed on the screen.
Data
Sort...
Sorting a range of cells
in ascending or
descending order.
There is also an online help available under 
Help 
menu.
Activity Conclusion
A spreadsheet consists of cells made of rows and columns. Each cell can hold a text, a number, 
or a mathematical formula. Before carrying out most commands, you must first select the part 
of the worksheet you want to work with. Spreadsheet software enables you to create a tabular 
data that can be analyzed and represented in charts or as a table.
Assessment: Reflective Activities
• List out the basic statistical operations that spreadsheet program support
• What is the difference between paste and paste special?
• What key combinations do you use to select cells placed adjacently?
• What key combinations do you use to select cells placed non-contiguosly?
Answers:
• Average, variance, regression, etc
• Using paste only enables you to paste a formula as formula, whereas paste 
special enables you to paste a formula as value 
• Shift + Click on the last cell
• Ctrl + Click on the cell you want to select 

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