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DO YOU EXCEL IN ELECTRONICS?

Part 1: Learning the Basics of Excel
by Aubrey Kagan

Start ı Data Acquisition and Analysis ı Autofill ı Copying Formulas ı Relative and Absolute ı Naming Cells ı Determining the Cost ı Sorting ı Using Look Up ı Figuring the Total ı Sources and PDF

Most of us have a spreadsheet application on our PCs, but in conversations with colleagues over the years, it seems that a fair number of them have not harnessed the computing power available to them. The books that I have seen on spreadsheets try to appeal to the widest segment of potential users, and as a result, the applications are oriented towards business or home economics. As a result, I believe they fail to inspire possible application ideas for the powerful tools hidden behind many layers of toolbars and menus. I donıt believe that anyone would dispute that the market leader is Excel, so I will base this article on using it. I developed these applications in Excel 97, but I donıt think they will vary much for later versions.

Iıll assume that you have a basic understanding of Excel. I am not going to discuss formatting and tricks for moving around the spreadsheet or any of the topics that are covered well in many texts. I would just like to cover the features that help make our approach to electronics easier and improve the design process.

Documenting each formula on a printed page is not always easy. I have included all the files, and I have tried to make some calculations in stages so that the intention is not lost in a long and incomprehensible formula. Most of the time, the spreadsheet displays the results of the calculations, but it is possible to display the formulas by going to the menu Tools/Options and checking the Formulas option on the View tab. It probably would be helpful for you to have the relevant worksheet open while following the text.

This month, Iıd like to take you through some basic Excel techniques. Included is the method of naming cells, which makes maintenance of spreadsheets significantly easier. One of the unsung features of most spreadsheets is the look-up table. The software programmers among you will know the flexibility of a look-up table because it allows for simplification of nonlinear functions. I will present an application that uses this feature to cost a product using volume price breaks.

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