Graphing with Excel

Graphing with Excel

What is Excel? • Computer program that organizes, analyzes, and communicates information in a variety of ways • Helpful for organizing data and performing calculations. • Excel is an important program for science and math!!!

A spreadsheet looks like a grid of rows and columns. The grid allows you to organize data

Excel worksheets • most people refer to a spreadsheet as a worksheet. • A workbook is a collection of worksheets. Each worksheet may contain data and/or charts

Entering data • The most straightforward method of entering data into the worksheet is by typing it in the appropriate cells. • Remember that the tab key, the enter key, and the arrow keys assist in moving around in the worksheet to enter data. • Columns and Rows can be added anywhere in the worksheet by choosing Insert/Row or Insert/Column.

Example of entered data

Using AutoFill • AutoFill is an easy way to automatically fill a cell once a pattern has been established. Here is how it works: • select the cell • it will have a border around the cell and a square in the bottom right corner. • Move the cursor over the square until the cursor turns into a black crosshair. • Click the mouse and drag to fill consecutive cells. • When the mouse is released the cells will be filled with the data (words or functions)

Formatting the Worksheet • When the worksheet is created, formatting the contents can make it more readable. • Options include changing the font attributes, adding color, adding borders, changing the alignment of cell contents, varying the way numbers are shown.

The following image displays several format changes that can be made.

How can I use a spreadsheet to calculate data? Enter a formula into the cell Here is an example: All formulas begin with an = sign

Using AutoFill • AutoFill is an easy way to automatically fill a cell once a pattern has been established. Here is how it works: • select the cell • it will have a border around the cell and a square in the bottom right corner. • Move the cursor over the square until the cursor turns into a black crosshair. • Click the mouse and drag to fill consecutive cells. • When the mouse is released the cells will be filled with the data (words or functions)

"A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words" • When the model is complete and the data is acquired, there is often too much numerical data to analyze easily. • Graphs organize the data into a picture

How Do I Create a Graph? • Step 1: Create your worksheet and acquire the data to be charted • Step 2: Decide which data to graph and the type of graph to use. • Step 3: Start the Chart Wizard • Step 4: Continue through the chart wizard, making selections that will enhance the chart

Lets Create a Real Spreadsheet! • Open spreadsheet • enter a title in cell A1 • enter the column name in cell A2 “Contents in Dialysis Tube (M)” • Enter the concentration data in cells A4 through A9 • Adjust column width using autofit from the menu • Enter the next column name in B3 “Initial Mass (g)” • Enter the data in cells B4 through B9 • Enter the next column name in C3 “Final Mass (g)” • Enter the data in cells C4 through C9

Creating a spreadsheet (continued) • Next, you will need to calculate the change in mass • Enter the next column name in cell D3 “Change in Mass (g)” • Enter a formula in D4: =(c4-b4)/b4 • Copy the formula from D4 to cells D5 through D9

Creating a spreadsheet (continued) • Next, you need to calculate the percent change in mass during the experiment • Enter the title in E3 “percent change” • Enter the formula into E4: =d4*100 • Copy the formula in cells E5 through E9

Lets create a graph that will illustrate the percent change • Click on the chart wizard icon • Click on column; click next • Enter E4:E9 or highlight the cells from the spreadsheet;click next • Click on titles • Title your graph and the x and y axes; click next

Creating a graph continued • Click on category for x-axis; finish • Next, go to chart from the menu • Cick on source data, then series • Find the are near the bottom of the screen that says “category x-axis labels” highlight the cells A4 through A9 from the spreadsheet • You are finished!! Save your work!

Analysis Questions: • What does the graph illustrate about the process of osmosis? • Does the graph show a pattern? How is this helpful in making inferences? • What would be the percent change if the solution in the beaker is 1.4 M?

Graphing with Excel