Student Resources—746

Technology Skill Handbook
Technology Skill Handbook
Use a Spreadsheet
A spreadsheet, shown in Figure 18, can
perform mathematical functions with any
data arranged in columns and rows. By entering
a simple equation into a cell, the program
can perform operations in specific cells, rows,
or columns.
Learn the Skill Each column (vertical) is
assigned a letter, and each row (horizontal) is
assigned a number. Each point where a row
and column intersect is called a cell, and is
labeled according to where it is located—
Column A, Row 1 (A1).
■ Decide how to organize the data, and
enter it in the correct row or column.
■ Spreadsheets can use standard formulas
or formulas can be customized to calculate
cells.
■ To make a change, click on a cell to make
it activate, and enter the edited data or
formula.
■ Spreadsheets also can display your results
in graphs. Choose the style of graph that
best represents the data.
Figure 18 A spreadsheet allows you to perform
mathematical operations on your data.
774 STUDENT RESOURCES
Use Graphics Software
Adding pictures, called graphics, to your
documents is one way to make your documents
more meaningful and exciting. This
software adds, edits, and even constructs
graphics. There is a variety of graphics software
programs. The tools used for drawing
can be a mouse, keyboard, or other specialized
devices. Some graphics programs are
simple. Others are complicated, called
computer-aided design (CAD) software.
Learn the Skill It is important to have an
understanding of the graphics software
being used before starting. The better the
software is understood, the better the
results. The graphics can be placed in a
word-processing document.
■ Clip art can be found on a variety of
internet sites, and on CDs. These images
can be copied and pasted into your document.
■ When beginning, try editing existing drawings,
then work up to creating drawings.
■ The images are made of tiny rectangles
of color called pixels. Each pixel can be
altered.
■ Digital photography is another way to
add images. The photographs in the
memory of a digital camera can be downloaded
into a computer, then edited and
added to the document.
■ Graphics software also can allow animation.
The software allows drawings to
have the appearance of movement by
connecting basic drawings automatically.
This is called in-betweening, or tweening.
■ Remember to save often.