Performing calculations.

There are a number of ways to perform calculations:

• Type the calculation into a single cell. When you press Enter or move to another cell, the result will be displayed on the worksheet.
• Use a formula for a calculation; just type the different parts of your calculation in separate cells and note their references, e.g. income in B2 and tax in C2. In a new cell, enter the formula, beginning with a =. Use the cell references for the components of the calculation rather than the numbers themselves. For example, =C2-(B2*C2) . The value displayed in this cell is calculated for whatever values you use in the component cells. Gnumeric also provides a Function Selector for more complex work e.g. finance, mathematics, engineering. This is available from the Insert menu or by tapping the Function Selector icon on the Standard toolbar.

Note: If you have a row or column of cells and want to know their sum, select a cell where you want the sum to appear. Click the Sum button on the Standard toolbar. Hightlight the cells to be summed and press return. The result will appear in the cell chosen to display the answer.

Using ranges

A range is a rectangular block of cells. The reference for a range consists of the cell references of the top left and bottom right corners of the block, separated by a colon, e.g. B2:C6. You can use ranges to define areas of the worksheet for applying formatting, creating graphs, or include range references in formulae, e.g. =SUM(B2:C6) .

• To select a range: highlight all the cells you want to be a part of your range while entering the formula. For example, type =SUM( before dragging the highlight to cover the appropriate range. Type a ) and press Enter.

Naming ranges

To name a range: highlight the range and add a name using the Names option on the Insert menu. You can use this name in sums and formulae, e.g. =AVERAGE(Bills) . You can edit the range name using the Edit/Names/Update command.