Using Cells

Editing Cells

As you are aware, when Corel Quattro Pro starts, it opens a workbook made of various worksheets. A worksheet is simply made of cells that are patiently waiting for you to enter data. You should first practice typing different kinds of items and see what happens.

At all times, at least one of the cells on the worksheet you are working on has focus. That cell is referred to as the active cell. That cell is surrounded with a thicker border. If you type something, it goes into the active cell. If you click a cell and start typing, the new entry will replace the content of that cell, whether that cell had data or not, this could be advantageous or disastrous.

Data you type in a cell can consist of any kinds of characters, letters, numbers, etc. Sometimes, a long text will look like covering more than one cell; unless you merge cells, the text you type goes into one cell regardless of the length of the text.

A cell can contain as many as 64000 characters.
 

Practical Learning: Editing Cells Contents

1. Press Ctrl + Home. Observe the cell's name in the Name Box.
2. Press the down arrow key. Observe the cell's name in the Name box.
3. Press the right arrow key twice.
4. Press the up arrow key.
5. Press the left arrow key.
6. Click cell A2.
7. Click cell B4.
8. Click cell D12.
9. Click cell B4, type Honda
10. Press Enter. Notice that text is left aligned.
11. Type Buick and press Enter.
12. Type Mazda and press the down arrow key.
13. Type Folks Wagon and press Enter
14. On the main menu, click Edit -> Undo. That deletes the content of cell B7.
15. Type VW press the down arrow key.
16. Type H and notice that the cell is auto-completed with Honda.
17. Click cell B2, type Make and press the right arrow key.
18. Type Model and press the right arrow key.
19. Type Month and press the right arrow key.
20. Type Miles and press the right arrow key.
21. Type rice and click the Enter button .
22. Type Price and press the right arrow key.
23. Type Contact and press the right arrow key.
24. Type Published
     
25. Click cell C4, type Corolla and observe the signs on the left of the Edit Formula button on the Formula Bar.
26. Click the Cancel button on the Formula Bar .
27. Type Accord and press Tab.
28. Type 1988
29. Notice that the number is left aligned. Press Tab, notice that the number is right aligned now.
30. Type 172460 and press right arrow key.
31. Type 2350 and press the right arrow key.
32. Type Brenda
33. Press the right arrow key.
34. Type 08/05/2002
35. Press Enter. Notice that the entry is recognized as a date value.
36. Click cell D2 and type Year
37. Notice that when you click a cell and start typing, the new word replaces the old cell content.
38. Press the right arrow key.
39. Click cell B8. Double-click Honda in the Formula Bar to select it. Type Ford
40. Double-click cell E2. Notice that the cursor is positioned in the cell.
41. Press End, press Backspace to delete s, type age
    Now the cell displays Mileage.
42. Click cell G5, type David and press the down arrow key.
43. Type B and press Enter. Notice that Corel Quattro Pro completed the cell with the word Brenda.
44. In cell G7, type Alex and press Enter .
45. To undo your last action, press Ctrl + Z. Now cell G7 is empty.
46. To redo the last action, press Ctrl + Shift + Z. That puts Alex back in cell G7.
47. To save the current workbook, click the Save button on the Standard toolbar.
48. Set the name of the file to Allentown Car Sales2
     
49. Click Save.

Techniques of Selecting Cells

We have learned that there are two primary ways you get the workbooks in Corel QuattroPro. You either create them or you open existing ones. Once you have an open workbook, you will likely want to manipulate, edit, or change its content. Changing the content of a worksheet consists of altering the content of its cells.

Prerequisites

A prerequisite of an effective work with cells requires that you be able to select them. Selecting cells is almost equivalent to highlighting words in a text document. And like a text document, various techniques are available here.

Active Cell

At almost all time, at least one particular cell on the worksheet is selected. A selected cell has a thick border that sets it apart from the other cells. This is important because you always need to know where the changes you are making are being applied. This means whatever you type or format will apply to that particular cell. Many times you will want to work on many cells simultaneously. Therefore, you first have to select the intended cells before proceeding.

What to select

At times you will almost want to alter the looks of a column, a row, various columns, or various row. Once again, you have to select them first. Another issues involved with selecting cells, rows, columns, or rows allows you to clear, freeze, or hide some of these components. Some of these issues will be addressed soon, some others will be reviewed as we move on.

How to select

You select columns, rows, or cells using the mouse, the keyboard, or a combination of both.
 

Selecting Cells, Columns, And Rows: Using the Mouse

It is very important that you be able to select cells in order to do a very effective job. You select cells to manipulate their content (s), either to edit them or to change the way they look.

To select one cell, just click it. To select another cell, click the new one.

To select cells under the same column, click and hold your mouse on one cell, then drag down (or up) to the last cell.

To select cells on the same row, click one of the cell, then drag right (or left) to the last cell.
 

Practical Learning: Select Cells Contents Using The Mouse

1. Open the Allentown Car Sales1 workbook
2. To select one cell at a time, click cell B2.
3. Click cell C4.
4. Click cell E7.
5. To select multiple cells on the same row, position the mouse on cell B5.
6. Click and hold down the mouse. Drag the mouse in the right direction until the 1996 number in cell D5 is selected, then release the mouse. Notice that these three cells are selected.
7. Position the mouse on cell C2, then click and hold the mouse down. Drag the mouse down until Ranger in cell C6 is highlighted. Notice that the range of cells on the same column is selected.
8. Click cell B4 and hold the mouse down. Drag the mouse right and down until 1999 in cell D9 is included in the highlighted range. That selects adjacent cells in the same area.
9. To select a column, click on column header D.
10. To select more than one column, click on column C and hold the mouse down. While the mouse is still down, move it right until column F is selected, then release the mouse.
11. To select a row, click on the row header 4.
12. To select more than one row, click on row 2 and hold the mouse down. While the mouse is still down, move it down until row 8 is selected. Release the mouse.
13. To select the whole worksheet, click the button on the intersection of the column and row headers.
14. To deselect, click cell C5.

Selection Using The Keyboard

Introduction

Your keyboard is made of various keys that are not just used to type or enter text, or to perform shortcuts, but also to help perform many other fancy actions such as accessing the menu or simply selecting cells. Once you master your keyboard, you can easily select cells, columns, and rows.

Select one cell at a time

Almost at all times, at least one of the cells on a worksheet is highlighted; that cell is already selected. To select another cell, use the arrow key to move to another cell.

Select various cells

To select more than one cell, press and hold Shift. If you press the right arrow, the currently highlighted cell and to the cell to its right will be selected. If you press the down arrow key, the current cell and the cell under it will be highlighted. You can also press the left or up arrow key. You can press the arrow key many times in the direction of your choice. Once you have achieved the selection you want, release the Shift key.
 

Practical Learning: Cells Selection Using The Keyboard

1. To select one cell at a time, press the down arrow key; that selects cell B5.
2. Press the right arrow key; that selects cell C5.
3. Press the up arrow key.
4. Press the left arrow key.
5. To select multiple cells on the same column, press and hold Shift (with your left hand). While Shift is down, press the down arrow key twice, and then release Shift. That selects multiple cells on the same column.
6. Press the up arrow key. Cell C4 receives focus.
7. To select multiple cells on the same row, press and hold Shift. Press the right arrow key three times, and release Shift.
8. Press the left arrow key. Cell B4 should receive focus.
9. Press and hold Shift.
10. To select adjacent cells, while Shift is still down, press the left arrow key three times and the down arrow key four times, then release Shift.
11. Press the arrow keys a few times until cell D4 receives focus.
12. To select a column, for example column D, while cell D4 has focus, press Ctrl + Space.
13. To deselect, press the down arrow key. That moves the cursor to cell D5.
14. To select a row, for example row 5, while cell D5 has focus, press Shift + Space.
15. To deselect, press the left arrow key.
16. To select the whole worksheet, press Ctrl + Shift + Space.
17. To deselect, press the right arrow key.
18. To select the whole worksheet again, press Ctrl + A.
19. To deselect, press the down arrow key. 

Select Cells: Use The Mouse And The Keyboard

Now that you have discovered how to select cells using either the mouse or the keyboard, it is time to find out how you can use a combination of the mouse and the keyboard to perform the same actions. Indeed, a combination of these two pieces of hardware offers features that each one of them cannot perform alone. The most valuable action this combination offers is to select cells at random.

Cells on the same column or same row

To select cells on the same column, give focus to a cell on one end (for example by clicking it), press and hold Shift, then click the cell that will be at the other end.

To select cells on the same row, give focus to a cell on one end, press and hold Shift, then click the cell that will be at the other end. Release Shift.

Selection of a range of cells

To select cells of the same range or area, make sure that a cell of one corner is selected, press and hold Shift, then click the cell of the opposite corner. Release Shift.

Cell random selection

To select cells at random, click one of the cells involved in the selection (any of the cells), press and hold Ctrl, then click each one of the desired cells. When the cells have been selected, release Ctrl.
 

Practical Learning: Cells Contents: The Keyboard & The Mouse

1. Click cell B6.
2. To select adjacent cells, press and hold Shift, click cell D10, then release Shift. All cells in the range are included in the selection.
3. To select cells at random, click cell D5. Press and hold Ctrl. While you are holding Ctrl, click cells B7, H10, and E9. Release Ctrl.
4. To select columns on a range, click column B, press and hold Shift, then click column F.
5. To select rows on a range, click row 4, press and hold Shift, then click row 14.
6. To select columns at random, click column D, press and hold Ctrl, then click columns G, then B, and release Ctrl.
7. To select rows at random, click row 5, press and hold Ctrl, then click rows 12, 3, and 10.
8. Press Ctrl + Home.

Switch Worksheets

We already know how to switch from one worksheet to another using the mouse. For the same reasons as mentioned above, you should be able to use the keyboard by itself to navigate from and to different worksheets. You can also use a combination of the mouse and the keyboard to switch the work area.
Switching to the other worksheets is just a matter of using keyboard shortcuts.
 

Practical Learning: Cells Contents: The Keyboard & The Mouse

1. Press and hold Ctrl
2. Press Page Up. Notice that you are switched to Sheet2
3. Press Page Down.
4. While you are still holding Ctrl, press Page Up. Notice that you are now in Sheet2.
5. Press Page Up again.
6. Release Ctrl
7. To select more than one worksheet, press and hold Ctrl and Shift
8. Press Page Down once. Notice that Sheet1 and Sheet2 have been selected.
9. Press Page Down again to select all three worksheets.

Tutorial Conventions

  
From now on, unless specified otherwise,

1. If I write click G5, I mean click cell G5.
2. If I write select B2:F8, I mean select cells from B2 to F8, and that will include all cells in the range B2 to F8.
3. If I write select cells D4, B10, A2, and H16, I mean select only those cells at random.
4. If I write click cell F4, I mean using your mouse, click cell F4. On the other hand, if I write press F4, I mean using your keyboard, press function key F4. Remember that "click" refers to using the mouse and "press" refers to using the keyboard.
5. If I write select row 4, I mean position the mouse on the row header which is the gray box where the row number is displaying, then click.
6. If I write select rows 4 and 5, or select rows 4:8, use one of the methods we learned to select the row headers.
7. If I write select column E, I mean position the mouse on the column header which is the gray box where the column letter(s) is displaying, then click.
8. If I write select columns D and F, or select columns C:H, use one of the methods we learned to select the column headers.

Text Editing

Data that you type in a worksheet is in fact entered in cells, except when you are drawing. To use Corel Quattro Pro with more finesse, you should familiarize with cells, their functionality, their configuration, and their relationships with each other and with the whole software.

The primary technique you can use to get acquainted with the software is by entering data, primarily text, then manipulate various components of your application in order to customize it.

Unlike a traditional word processor, Corel Quattro Pro has a unique way of treating text and considering any data you type in a cell. You should be aware of the default settings that the software acts on when you type data, how it considers and treats various numbers, dates, and currency values, etc.

We have already seen how to do basic data entry into cells. The entries we used so far were short expressions consisting of one word, we need to find out whether a cell can accept text that is wider than the displayed width, if so, what happens if text goes "overboard"?
We know that data entered in a cell is confined to that cell. If you type text that is longer than the cell's width, the content will display fine, giving the impression that the text is covering more than one cell or that the cell on the right side is no more available. Data you type is always in its cell. If you type anything in a cell, its content will take priority in displaying its content; therefore the content of the left cell will appear cut. That's why you should be very familiar with the way a cell (any cell) displays its data, and how every cell relates to the others.
 

Practical Learning: Enter Text Into Cells

1. Click cell C2 and type GRIER SUMMER CAMP
2. Click cell B5 and type Employment Application
3. Click cell F5 and type Today:
4. Click cell B8 and type First Name:
5. Press Enter
6. In cell B9, type Address:
7. Press Enter.
8. In cell B10, type City:
9. Press Tab twice.
10. In cell D10, type State:
11. Press Tab twice.
12. In cell F10, type ZIP Code:
13. Click cell B12 and type Nickname:
14. Click cell B13 and type Home Phone:
15. Press Enter.
16. In cell B14, type How Did You Hear About Us?
17. Press Enter.
18. In cell B15, type Position Desired:
19. Press Space 14 times, and type 1)
20. Press Enter.
21. In cell B16, type Desired Hourly Salary:
22. Press Enter.
23. In cell B17, type Starting Date Available:
24. Press Enter
25. In cell B18, type Available Time:
26. Click cell F18 and type E-Mail:
27. Click cell B19 and type Sunday
28. Click cell B21 and type Do You Own Transportation?
29. Click cell C25 and type Employment References And Records
30. Press Enter.
31. Click cell B27 and type Professional References
32. Press Enter.
33. In cell B28, type Please list 3 professional references who can verify your work history and performance
34. Press Enter.
35. In cell B29, type References should not be relatives and at least two must have directly supervised you
36. Press Enter.
37. In cell B30, type at some time in your work history.
38. Click cell B32 and type '1.
39. Press Tab.
40. In cell C32, type Name of Supervisor:
41. Click cell G32 and type Title:
42. Click cell C33 and type Company Name And Address:
43. Click cell C35 and type Company Phone Number Including Area Code And Extension:
44. To save the workbook, on the main menu, click File -> Save.
45. Since the workbook has not yet been saved, the File -> Save menu called the Save As dialog box.
    Type GCS Employment Application. If the Save In combo box doesn't display MS Quattro Pro Exercises, click the arrow of the Save In combo box and locate the My Documents\Quattro Pro Exercises folder.
46. After making sure that the Quattro Pro Exercises folder displays in the Save In combo box, click the Save button.

Techniques Of Cutting and Copying Cells Contents

If you have done word processing before, you are probably familiar with techniques of cutting, copying, pasting, and/or moving text from one part of a document to another, or from one document to another. Although these techniques are available here, Corel Quattro Pro doesn't quite imitate a word processor. Again, spending time with the software will increase your experience.

When you copy or cut something, it goes in a temporary storage area where it will wait for you to send it somewhere else, an action called pasting. The storage area where the cut or copied data is sent is called the clipboard. In Corel Quattro Pro, you can store only one item at a time in the clipboard. If you cut or copy something, it will replace the content of the clipboard with the new selection. In Corel Quattro Pro, the clipboard can contain up to twelve items. When the Clipboard toolbar is functional, you can select copied or cut items from its list of buttons. If you use more than 12 stored items, the toolbar functions on a first-in first-out basis.

The Clipboard toolbar can be moved to any location of your choice on the screen. You can also hide/close it if you don't need its services. For this exercise, when the Clipboard toolbar appears, don't close it.
 

Practical Learning: Cut And Copy Cells Contents

1. To open a new workbook, from the main menu, click File -> Open...
2. Click GCS Employment Application1 and click Open.
3. Click cell D8, type MI: and press Enter. The MI stands for Middle Initial.
4. Right-click cell B8 and click Copy from the shortcut menu.
5. Click cell F8 and press Enter. That pastes First Name to cell F8.
6. Right-click cell B13 and click Copy. At this time, the Clipboard toolbar should be displaying on the screen; if you don't see it, on the main menu, click View -> Toolbars, and click Clipboard. The clipboard toolbar is new to Corel Office 2000.
7. Right-click cell F13 and click Paste.
8. Click cell F15 and type 2)
9. Right-click cell F18 and click Cut. One more item gets copied to the Corel Office 2000 Clipboard.
10. You can check what items are on the clipboard any time. Position your mouse on the first button on the clipboard (don't click), a tool tip will appear. Move the mouse to another item and read the tool tip.
11. Click cell D12.
    On the Clipboard toolbar, position the mouse on the last button on the Clipboard toolbar until you see E-Mail in the tool tip, then click it.
12. Select cells from B32:G35.
    On the Clipboard toolbar, click the Copy button. That action copies the selected range on the Clipboard. To check that the range of cells has been copied to the Clipboard toolbar, position your mouse on the most recent button on the Clipboard toolbar and read the tool tip.
13. Click cell B38. If you are using Corel Quattro Pro, find the button with the long tool tip displaying 1. Name of Supervisor: Title: Company Name And... (it should be the very last button), then click it.
14. Press Esc to dismiss the blinking line.
15. Cells B38:G41 should be highlighted, otherwise select cells C38:G41. Position your mouse on the upper border of the selected cells until the mouse pointer turns into a top left pointing arrow. Press and hold Ctrl. With the mouse pointer still pointing to North West and the mouse now having a small + sign, click and hold the mouse down, then drag towards the lower side of the screen. A small yellowish box guides you to know where the selection is leading. When you get to B44:G47, release the mouse, then release Ctrl.
16. To save the workbook, on the Standard toolbar, click the Save button .
    

Text in Cells

Editing cells content consists of deleting, replacing, altering, or adding something in them. You already know that if you click a cell and start typing, its content will be replaced with the new entry. If you want to add or subtract something to a cell's content, you can double-click it; this puts the cell in Edit mode and you can then proceed. An alternative is to give focus to a cell, then press F2, this also puts the cell in Edit mode; this time, the cursor is at the end of the text in the cell; then you can proceed. Whatever technique you use, when you have finished editing a cell, make sure you lose its focus by pressing Tab, Enter, or clicking somewhere else. When you are in Edit mode, the arrow keys are not working, and many actions are not available.
 

Practical Learning: Editing Text In Cells

1. Click the Sheet2 tab.
2. Double-click cell F8, press Home, press Delete three time, and type La. Now cell F8 displays Last Name.
3. Click cell F13. In the Formula Bar, double-click Home and type Work.
4. Click cell B38 and type '2.
5. Click cell B44 and type '3.
6. Click cell B27, press Ctrl + C.
7. Click cell B51 and press Enter.
8. Press F2 to initiate editing. Edit the content of cell B51 to display Personal References.
9. Click cell B52 and type Please list 2 personal references (must not be a relative)
10. Click cell B54 and type '1.
11. Press Tab and type Name And Address:
12. Click cell C56 and type Phone Number:
13. Press Enter.
14. In cell C57, type Years Acquainted:
15. In cell F57, type Occupation:
16. Press Enter
17. Press Enter.
18. In cell C58, type Natural Relationship:
19. Save the workbook and close Corel Quattro Pro.