Spreadsheet Software Functions and Disk Partitioning Concepts

Software Applications and Data Handling

Spreadsheet Applications

Leaf is a software application that allows mathematical operations, working with numerical data, making complex calculations with formulas and functions, and generating graphs. In this unit, we will use the spreadsheet applications Excel and Calc.

Spreadsheet Errors

Spreadsheet errors do not tell us whether we made an error in an entry or operation. In Calc, error messages are available as codes. In Excel, the error messages are:

• #####: The cell width cannot display content, or you have used a negative date or time.
• #VALUE!: You have used an incorrect argument type or operation.
• #NAME?: The text of the formula is not recognized.
• #REF!: The cell reference is invalid.
• #N/A: Not available value for a function or a formula.
• #NUM!: Invalid numeric values are written in a formula or function.
• #DIV/0!: Division by zero occurs.

Cell References

References are so called because in the formula they refer to a relative value from/to a cell (or range) when amending, copying, or dragging formulas or functions.

• Absolute References: These are constant references to the row and column when copying formulas. They are denoted by placing a $ before the column and row (e.g., $A$1).
• Mixed References: These fix one coordinate (either the row or the column) when copying functions. This is achieved by placing a $ before the fixed coordinate (e.g., $A1 or A$1).

Operating System Software

Operating system software is the primary, basic, and necessary computer operation pair. It consists of a set of programs and functions that control the operation of the hardware and on which the rest of the software rests, creating an integrated work environment for the user.

Disk Partitions

Primary Partitions

There can only be four primary partitions, which are major. Of these four, you may use none, or use one, two, three, or four. A primary partition automatically generates a logical drive. For a computer to boot properly and find the operating system, it should be directed to the active partition; there can only be one active partition; the others cannot be.

Extended Partitions

This is a special kind of primary partition that can contain within it an unlimited number of logical drives. You can create an extended partition when you need to generate more than four logical drives on a disk. There can be only one extended partition per disk.

Text Processing

Word Processors

A word processor is a program for the creation and processing of documents. Current word processors also allow us to import and edit images, spreadsheets, databases, etc.

Paragraph Indentation

Indents determine the width of the paragraphs; they are like temporary margins. Paragraph indents are used to highlight text and make it easier to read; they are also present in numbered or bulleted lists.

Types of Indents

• First Line Indent: The first line of the paragraph begins more internally than the other lines.
• Left Indent: All lines of the paragraph start at the innermost position, displaced from the left margin.
• Right Indent: All lines of the paragraph end in a more interior position, advanced from the right margin.
• Hanging Indent: The first line of the paragraph begins more externally than the other lines.