
Chapter 4: Spreadsheets in Calc
A new spreadsheets is opened with the command File > New > Spreadsheet. Initially it is
named “Untitled1” and remains with that name until saved under a different name. Look
at the new, still empty document for the several typical elements, that are discussed in the
following sections.
Rows and Columns
On a spreadsheet, rows are numbered from 1 to 32000 and the columns are designated with
the letters A through Z, AA through AZ, and so on; the last column is labelled with the letters
IV. Each cell on the sheet can be uniquely referenced by row and column. For example, cell
A1 is the first cell in the upper left corner of the sheet.
These numbers and letters appear along the edge of the window. The row header contains the
row numbers, and the column header names the columns. Clicking on one of these areas,
selects the entire row or column. To select the entire sheet, click on the unlabelled button at
the intersection of the row and column headers at the top left.
Enter some text in cell A1. As text is typed, notice that the text appears both in the cell and in
the input line of the formula bar. Continue typing to see that more text can be added than
appears to fit in the cell.
In fact, any cell can accommodate text longer than a cell. The whole length of the text is
displayed and printed, provided the adjacent cells to the right are empty. If the cell to the
right is not empty, a small triangle on the right hand edge of the first cell appears, indicating
that the cell contains more text than can be displayed.
Note: Turn off these triangles by choosing Tools > Options > OpenOffice.org Calc > View and unchecking the Text
overflow box.
When a number cannot be displayed in a cell because it is too long, or due to the formatting,
e.g., currency format,###” is displayed. In this case, increase the column width. Set the
width to optimal” by simply double-clicking the right divider in the column header.
Use all the usual functions to edit text. Notice, however, that the right and left arrow keys will
replace the cell cursor if Entry mode (by clicking in a cell and entering characters) is
enabled. Double-clicking or pressing the F2 key or clicking in the entry row, enters the Edit
mode. The left and right arrow keys now replace the text cursor. Upon pressing the Enter
key, the text in cell A1 is finished and the cursor automatically moves to cell A2. The active
cell is always the one with the cell cursor and that is where entries and changes are made.
OpenOffice.org User Guide for 2.x 206
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