5.8 Data analysis: Spreadsheet modelling skills

Spreadsheets

Spreadsheets is an electronic document in which data is arranged in the rows and columns of a grid and can be manipulated and used in calculations. It is possible to develop mathematical models that do not use computer programs such as spreadsheets, but there are advantage in using them to create models:

  • Changes can be made easily.
  • Calculations are carried out automatically.
  • Results of well developed and tested models are accurate.
  • The results can be seen very quickly.

Formatting for currency

If you want to format your cell you can drag all of the cell you want to format and then right click. Go down where there is format cells and click on what you are formatting. For example for this case click on currency and then you can choose which currency you want.

capture

Validation

One way to increase the accuracy of data entry is to provide validation routines.

A validation routine can be set up so that if someone enters a value that is not within this range an error message will be displayed. This will ensure