Task 04 - Spreadsheets

Task - format spreadsheets to take advantage of the underlying tools

  • you are to download and modify several existing worksheets to make them a more useful product. The task will require you to construct a workbook that can be used both as an electronic spreadsheet and as a paper product, capable of being easily used by a busy executive. The final workbook will include:
    • seven worksheets, each containing statistical data (numerical and/or textual) about selected current topics
    • you are to modify all worksheets in some fashion to make them more useful both as an electronic and as a paper product
      • some worksheets will be modified specifically to make the data in them more visible
        • this may include converting data already in the worksheet to different kinds of data
        • may include using one or more of the tools to manipulate the data, or
        • may include using your formatting skills to tidy up some spreadsheet inefficiencies
  • you will also create several charts based on the worksheets and add these charts to the workbook
  • you will be called upon to demonstrate specific spreadsheet skills on one or more of the worksheets
    • these skills will be laid out as subtasks on the gradesheet
  • everything in this task is something we will have demonstrated and/or tried in class

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Condition

  • program to use
    • though there are several different commercial spreadsheet software applications, we will use Microsoft Excel (either 2003 or 2007) for this purpose
  • save the formatted workbook as a .xlsx file and place it in your password protected directory
  • place a hyperlink to it on an object on your Task 04 page on your web site
  • when it's ready for me to download and grade, send me a note telling me to retrieve it from your Task 04 web page

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Standard

  • it should meet the standards laid out on the task 04 gradesheet
  • tasks 03, 04, 05, and 06 should have standard file names that follow this structure:
    • yyyymmdd.LastnameFirstname.TaskNN.file_extension
    • as in, for example, 20080101.JohnsonPat.Task04.xlsx
  • I have posted an example that should provide some visual guidance for the task
    • you do not have to follow the design of this example, but you would do well to follow the guidance in it

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