Computer Question: Spreadsheets

[coriolis]

I'm learning excel at work, just like I learned Word - by doing it. I'm at the point where I can get by, and the questions to the "kid" in the next cubicle are becoming less frequent. When I didn't know excel, he was the spreadsheet guru in our team, and I think that he resents it a little that I don't have to depend on him as much. When I went to college, we typed in FORTRAN commands on punch cards.

But anyway, I started playing around with Microsoft Works at home, and made some spreadsheets using Works Spreadsheet. I know that wordpad is a watered down version of word, (I have Word installed on this computer so I never use wordpad) and I assume that Works Spreadsheet is a watered down version of excel. But from what I've seen so far, it has most of the functionality of excel, except the ability to have multiple worksheets in one file. I am also aware that inserting Works Spreadsheets into Excel is not automatic, but how difficult is it really?

In what other ways is Works Spreadsheet inferior to Excel, and can I get by creating spreadsheets at home and emailing them to work to insert into an Excel file?

I know that I'd be better off getting Excel at home, but the cost is a barrier.

Thoughts anyone?

[streetsoldier]

Check out your local college...they have Office Standard, which contains Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint...a "must" for home statistics.

[coriolis]

Hmm, maybe a good idea if I'm going to start counting bread slices. I could figure the marginal cost of thick slices vs. thin slices, and predict the savings over a years time.

[streetsoldier]

Debi uses this; it was a part of her Business Administration courseload, and she recommends it highly.

It's not just for counting bread slices...

[coriolis]

Sorry for being a clown, Bill. Are you saying that this software is available from a local college. Is there some sort of discount, or what's the deal? Is it better than going to the local Staples to get the Office Suite?

[mf_dolphin]

I know students can get Microsoft products at a greatly reduced rate. For example, Microsoft XP Professional is only $5.00 here at USF for students.

[Anonymous]

Coriolis,

I don't have a ton of experience with either program, but I have used both and Works is definitely less functional than Excel. The necessity of using Excel over Works Spreadsheet all depends on what you're doing, of course. I would imagine that if your project/application is small or moderate in scope, Works would handle the job just fine.

As far as obtaining a copy of Excel, it can be purchased independently of the rest of the Office Suite for a price of around $90-$100 (I think). Of course if you are unwilling to pay for it at all there are "other options" for getting copies -- but I doubt you're interested in those .

[Stephanie]

I've never used "Works", only Excel, Word, etc. I'm sure that the functionality is watered down, but as brett said, it all depends upon what you are using it for. I would first try and create some kind of spreadsheet and save it as an Excel file on a diskette, if it will allow you to do so. If it does, I would then bring the diskette to work and try and open it from there. The problem will be that if you are working on something at work using Excel and you want to bring it home to work on some more, Works may not be able to read it. It also may depend on the versions of Works and Excel that you are using. If Works does read Excel files, it may only go to a certain version "level" of Excel. You may need to save that file at work as an earlier version for Works to read it.

Again, it all does depend on what you're going to use it for. My advice for learning Excel is to do what you did with Word - use it. I remember learning how to use Lotus 1-2-3 DOS version in college using the tutorial. That was the only way that I learned. There may be tutorials out there for you to use. However, I think that by using Works at home to "play with" will be a good first step.

I have heard about discounts for Microsoft software for students. I would check that out.

Hope this helps!

[coriolis]

Thanks, everyone. That pretty much confirms what I thought. I know that I'm about 5 years behind the times, but you gotta get going sometime!

Hmm Stephanie, maybe it would be a good excuse for my wife or I to take some courses...

[Stephanie]

Thanks, everyone. That pretty much confirms what I thought. I know that I'm about 5 years behind the times, but you gotta get going sometime!

Hmm Stephanie, maybe it would be a good excuse for my wife or I to take some courses...

I'm sure that there are alot of adult education courses out there in the local High Schools and colleges that focus on learning Excel. It'll be something er, ?fun? to do together.

[coriolis]

Yeah, that's it - a "date." God knows we haven't been out in a long time.