Excel

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Background

As a scientist, you will often have a lot of data that needs to be analyzed. Although most analysis can be done by hand, this is what computers were designed for – to do tedious repetitive tasks without error. Usually any errors that are made are the fault of the user; either you entered some data incorrectly, or you set up the program incorrectly. The most commonly used spreadsheet is Microsoft Excel. The advantage of spreadsheets is their ubiquity. Although there are a number of very good computational programs targeted at scientists and engineers, these programs typically run on one or two platforms, have a custom interface and are priced with research budgets in mind. In contrast, all spreadsheets sport the same basic interface, and Excel can be purchased by a student from the campus computer store for the price of the CD media (~$20), a reasonable price for students wishing to work on their home computer.

This tutorial is designed for the complete novice and will show you many features that you may find useful in later experiments. Although many of you will have used some form of spreadsheet before, we ask that you complete this tutorial to insure that you are familiar with all of the features of Excel covered here. Don’t be afraid to try out unmentioned features. Unlike glassware, it is virtually impossible to break a computer! If you are stuck at some point, try asking the people around you (or the TA) for some help. Although it may seem that you are spending a lot of time with your spreadsheet, once you become proficient spreadsheets will save you time, not only this semester, but for many other classes you will take in future. You can also find a tutorial online at http://www.utexas.edu/its/training/handouts/UTOPIA_ExcelGS/ that you may find useful.

One final hint: Save early and save often! If you really screw something up, simply close the file you are working on (without saving) and open up the last saved version.

Protocols

* Lab 1 - Excel - Management and Manipulation of Data
* Grades.txt
* SpectralData.txt
* CalibrationCurve.txt