This tutorial covers the steps to creating a basic spreadsheet in Open Office Calc.
Tutorial Topics
Some topics that will be covered:
Adding data to a spreadsheetWidening ColumnsAdding a Date Function and a Range NameAdding formulasChanging data alignment in cellsNumber formatting - percent and currencyChanging cell background colorChanging the font color
Entering Data into Open Office Calc
Entering data into a spreadsheet is always a three-step process. These steps are:
For This Tutorial
To follow this tutorial, enter the data exactly as shown above into a blank spreadsheet using the following steps:
Widening Columns
After entering the data you will probably find that several words, such as Deduction, are too wide for a cell. To correct this so that the entire word is visible in the column:
Adding the Date and a Range Name
It is normal to add the date to a spreadsheet. Built into Open Office Calc are a number of DATE functions that can be used to do this. In this tutorial, we will use the TODAY function.
Adding a Range Name in Open Office Calc
To add a range name in Open Office Calc, do the following:
Adding Formulas
Calculating Net Salary
Additional formula information: Open Office Calc Formulas Tutorial
Copying the Formulas in Cells C9 and D9 to Other Cells
Changing Data Alignment
Adding Number Formatting
Number formatting refers to the addition of currency symbols, decimal markers, percent signs, and other symbols that help to identify the type of data present in a cell and to make it easier to read. In this step, we add percent signs and currency symbols to our data.
Adding the Percent Sign
Adding the Currency Symbol
Changing Cell Background Color
Changing Font Color
At this point, if you have followed all the steps of this tutorial correctly, your spreadsheet should resemble the one pictured below.
