Lecture 6: Spreadsheets - 1/25

Question 1

History of spreadsheets

Answer 1

Created to replace ledgers. Eventually had more functions and capabilities added

Question 2

The first spreadsheet software

Answer 2

VisiCalc in 1979

Question 3

What is a spreadsheet?

Answer 3

A document that deals with manipulating data in tabular format. Allows you to input, format, and perform calculations in a tabular format

Question 4

Cell referencing

Answer 4

Relative referencing: will continue making an equation based on a pattern
Absolute cell referencing: used to lock in cells for equations
Mixed cell referencing: only the row or column is absolute

Question 5

What-if analysis

Answer 5

Data, What-if analysis, Goal seek
Set cell: Choose which cell you want changed to a specific number. It needs to have a formula.
To value: input the number you want it changed to
By changing cell: choose a different cell you want goal seek to change so your original cell becomes the right thing

Question 6

Pros and cons of Microsoft Excel

Answer 6

Pros:
Almost everyone has it
Has collaboration

Cons:
Aesthetics could be better

Question 7

Pros and cons of Apple Numbers

Answer 7

Pros:
Free
Good aesthetics
Compatible with Excel file format

Cons:
Not widely used
Missing advanced features

Question 8

Pros and cons of Google Sheets

Answer 8

Pros:
Entirely cloud-based
Mostly free

Cons:
Less robust than Excel

Question 9

Pros and cons of LibreOffice Calc

Answer 9

Pros:
Open source
Good copy of Excel and compatible with .xlsx format
Scripting capability in four languages including Javascript, Python, BeanShell, and LibreOffice Basic

Cons:
Buggy
Little customer support

Question 10

Pros and cons of FreeOffice PlanMaker

Answer 10

Pros:
Free
Almost perfect clone of Excel

Cons:
No cloud/collaboration
Missing a few features
Not good customer support