Q1. What is use of OpenOffice Calc?

Ans1: Calc is a spreadsheet software package by OpenOffice. Calc is widely used spreadsheet software to store data in rows and and columns, perform calculations using formulas and functions, represent data in form of chart for better analysis etc.

Q2. How can you insert multiple rows or columns in OpenOffice Calc?

Ans2: Use following steps to insert multiple rows or columns in your worksheet:

1. Select as many rows or columns as you want to insert.
2. Click on Insert menu and choose Rows or Columns option from drop down menu.
3. Same number of rows or columns will be added to your sheet as many you had selected.

Q3. What is used of AutoFill feature?

Ans.3: AutoFill is a useful feature of any spreadsheet software which is used to complete or fill a series automatically such as week days, months of year or any number series. We can use this feature using the fill handle that appears when we point our mouse over the bottom right corner of a cell.

Q4. Write the use of following tools in Calc?

Ans.4:

1. Merge cell: Merge cell option is used to combine or join two or more cells into a single cell.
2. Warp text: This option displays that part of text on the next line of same cell that couldn’t fit in cell due to its limited column width.
3. Split cell: This option breaks or divides a cell into multiple cells.

Q5. What do you understand by Filter feature in Calc? Explain the Advanced filter.

Ans.5: Filter feature is used to display only desired records out of large bunch of records while hiding the rest of records. Thus it saves our time and efforts as we don’t need to search the records mannually. Instead we can use Filter feature which will automatically show us only those required records quickly.
Advanced filter uses a criteria (condition) to select the records to be displayed to user. Thus all the records that meet the specified condition (criteria) only are displayed and rest of the records are hidden.

Q6. What do you understand by term Cell reference? Explain the different types of cell referencing in Calc?

Ans.6: Cell address used in formulas or functions to refer to a cell is called Cell reference. There are three types of cell referencing:

1. Relative Cell reference: In relative cell reference, the cell addresses automatically changes whenever we copy the formula anywhere else in the worksheet. This is default type of cell referencing.
2. Absolute Cell reference: In absolute cell reference, the cell addresses remain fixed and do not change even if we copy the formula anywhere in worksheet. We can make a cell address absoute by using $ (dollar) sign before its column letter and row number.
3. Mixed Cell reference: In mixed cell reference, one part of cell address remains fixed while other part changes when a formula is copied down to other cells.

Q7. What do you understand by Macro? How is it useful?

Ans.7: A macro is a useful feature of OpenOffice Calc which is used to automate the repetitive tasks. A macro records all the actions that we perform in our worksheet and stores them. If the same operations needs to be performed again on other set of data then we do not need to perform all those actions all over again. Instead we can use macro feature and run the last recorded macro and all those recorded actions will be automatically performed on the current data instantly. Thus it helps to save our time and efforts.

Q8. What is a Chart? How is it useful?

Ans.8: A chart is a pictorial representation of numerical or statistical data. A chart helps to analyse a large set of numerical data easily and quickly. A chart also helps to make comparative analysis of data and see the trends in data too.

Q9. Write the use of Functions in openoffice calc? Write the rules of writing a function.

Ans.9: A function is a ready-made or pre-defined formula used to perform simple as well as complex calculations easily and quickly. Unlike formula, in a function we don’t need to tell how to perform a calculations. Instead we just need to tell which operation to perform and the values on which we want to perform that operation.
Following are the rules of writing a function in OpenOffice Calc:

1. A function must always begin with an equal to (=) sign.
2. Function name must be typed after = sign followed by opening parenthesis and closing parenthesis.
3. Parameters must appear within parenthesis and must be separated by ; (semicolon) in case of multiple parameters.

Q10. Write the use of following functions in Calc?

Ans.10:

1. sqrt(): This function returns the square root of a number. For example =SQRT(25) will display 5 as result.
2. product(): This function multiplies the given parameters and displays their product as a result. For exmaple = PRODUCT(3;7;5) will return 105.
3. round(): This function rounds a decimal number to the specified decimal places. For example =ROUND(1.375;1) will give 1.4 as result

Notes by Mr. Mithun Adhikari (Lecturer in Computer Science)