NCDesk Spreadsheet Basics

Getting to Know the NCDesk Spreadsheet

A Spreadsheet performance test question on the online NC Computer Skills Test will
look very similar to the one pictured below. You will be presented with a question or
task that may involve selecting a function or formula, sorting, entering data, and
graphing.

Restore • Flag
Returns data to its original
state • flags question to
come back to

Test Question
or Directions
Menu • Toolbar

Spreadsheet

Previous • Next
Moves backward or
forward in the test

As with Microsoft Works or Excel, the key to doing well on Spreadsheet questions is
knowing basic formulas, when to “guess and check,” and how to graph data.

Wake County Public School System • NC Test of Computer Skills Training • Fall 2005
Working with the NCDesk Spreadsheet
The majority of tasks can be performed using the toolbar below the menu. By
clicking on the icons, you can perform the majority of the tasks needed to answer test
questions.

Charting Tools
Sort Pie • Vertical Bar
Ascending • Descending Horizontal Bar • Line

Sum
Adds a series of values
Functions
Select a formula here

Inserting Rows and Columns

Inserting rows and columns in the NCDesk Spreadsheet is very easy. To insert a
new row, simply click below the row where you want the new row to appear. Go to
Insert->New Row on the main menu. To insert a new column, click on the column
that is left of where you want the new column and go to Insert->New Column on
the main menu.

Adding a Row
Highlight the row below where
the new row will be located.

The spreadsheet now has additional cells available to enter values (numbers), labels
(words) and formulas (equations).

Wake County Public School System • NC Test of Computer Skills Training • Fall 2005
Sorting Data

We may associate sorting data with database programs, but it can also be
performed in a spreadsheet. To sort data, click on the column that is to be sorted,
then click the appropriate button to sort.

Question: You have developed a spreadsheet displaying

years of planetary transit across the sun for Venus and
Mercury. Using this spreadsheet, sort the years in the
“VENUS TRANSIT” column in ascending order.

Sort Ascending
(a to z; 1-10…)

or

Sort Descending
Descen (z to a; …10-1)

Formulas & Functions

You may be asked to write a formula or insert a function to perform mathematical

calculations. Functions are prewritten formulas that can be inserted once they are
selected. Formulas in spreadsheets always start with an equal (=) sign.
Specific cells or ranges (blocks of cells) are included in a formula by entering the
cells’ location, not the data in each cell. If the data in a cell changes, the formula
automatically recalculates the answer because the formula contains the location of
the data. An example of a simple addition formula would be:

=sum(A2:A11)

The term, sum, is the answer of an addition problem. Cells A2 to A11 are highlighted
in the spreadsheet illustrated above-- the formula would add up all the values
(numbers) from and including cell A2 through cell A11.

Wake County Public School System • NC Test of Computer Skills Training • Fall 2005
Below is a sample question from the NCDesk Test Simulation.

Question: You are using the spreadsheet shown below to

help calculate the cost of a friend’s birthday party. Use the
correct function to calculate the total cost of all the items
needed for the party.

After reading the question, you should be able to determine that cell D7 would be the
best place for the Total Cost calculation. The correct function can be selected from
a list by clicking on the function button on the toolbar or by going to
Insert->Function on the main menu. The range of cells to be added will appear in
the Functions dialog box, or they can be keyed in.

Wake County Public School System • NC Test of Computer Skills Training • Fall 2005
Creating a Chart in NCDesk Spreadsheet
One of the most important features of a spreadsheet is the ability to create charts or
graphs to illustrate data. This task can be easily accomplished in the NCDesk
Spreadsheet. Below is a sample problem that requires that a chart be created.

Question: Your teacher is trying to plan a class picnic. She

has asked you to create a pie chart to compare mean
temperatures across months. Use the spreadsheet below to
accomplish this.

To create a chart, highlight the data that is to be included. Be careful—many

students highlight data that should not be part of the graph! Click the appropriate
chart button on the toolbar, or go to Data->Chart on the menu and select the type
of chart.

Wake County Public School System • NC Test of Computer Skills Training • Fall 2005
Getting Help in the NCDesk Spreadsheet

If you know spreadsheet definitions and understand the concepts of guessing and
checking, formulas, functions, and creating charts, you will have little problem
with the spreadsheet
performance problems. If
you need help, click on
Help->Using the
Spreadsheet from the main
menu.

A window will appear with links to all of the NCDesk Spreadsheet functions. These
links will not tell you what to do to answer a specific question—you will still need to
understand the concepts to demonstrate the appropriate skills.

Solving NCDesk Spreadsheet Problems

Now that you are familiar with the

NCDesk Spreadsheet program, let’s try
solving some problems.

1. Double click the NCDesk icon to go to

the main menu.

2. Click on the Database icon and then

File->Open. Locate the file that you
are instructed to open. (You may need
to ask your teacher where the file is
located on your school network.) Your
teacher may give you sample
questions that will test your editing skills.

3. You will not have a Restore, Previous or Next button during this practice
session. If you need to remove an edit, go to Edit->Undo or press Ctrl-Z.

Wake County Public School System • NC Test of Computer Skills Training • Fall 2005