Spreadsheets are the replacement for an accountant's ledger book and calculator. These software use columns and rows to allow math calculation to be performed on data previously entered. Nowadays, spreadsheets do a lot more as they are often used as (very) simple databases or as a charts and graph application.
Spreadsheets, as trivial as it may seem today, played a really important role to bring office and home computers to reality. It was the "killer app" that justified buying a computer.
Since release 1.0, Gnumeric is ready for prime time. It's an advanced spreadsheet featuring an easy-to-use graphic interface with all the advanced functionalities of such applications. Gnumeric offers a simple and easily customizable interface, designed to minimize the learning curve for new users.
To start Gnumeric, access
+ -> in the menu.The toolbars allow for a quick and intuitive access to Gnumeric's core functions. By pointing your mouse on each icon, you get a brief description of its functions.
You may also use and personalize shortcut keys to match your needs. For example, Ctrl-S will save your document.
Gnumeric is an enterprise-ready spreadsheet application and includes loads of features way beyond the scope of this document. The software includes an in-depth help system, and you will easily find more information on the GNOME web site.
Gnumeric only opens its native format. To open other sources, use
.->
Shortcut key: F3.
By default, when Gnumeric starts, it creates a new spreadsheet to be used. Using
-> will open a new spreadsheet.and both offer exactly the same interface. will allow you to rename an open spreadsheet.
->
->
Shortcut key: Ctrl-S.
Gnumeric, like other spreadsheets, is primarily designed to allow mathematic operation to be performed as formulas. Hence, you statically enter values, then define functions in other cells to view or calculate their value. In Gnumeric, you can easily perform any mathematic formula, from simple additions to complex averages and ratios.
Within cells, formulas are defined by the = sign. Anything else is treated as static data.
You may perform simple additions, subtractions or any simple operations with the following syntax:
=5+4
=5-4
=C2/C34
=5XC5
=(5+4(c3))/2
Functions simplify complex operations such as additions of numerous cells, averages, or absolute numbers. We strongly encourage you to explore further on the subject. This is what spreadsheets are all about. Here are a few examples:
=sum(c2,d23), you may also specify a cell range for your function to operate on. =sum(c2:c23) will add the value of every cell in between c2 and c23.
=average(a1:a5)
![]() | You may combine both simple operators with functions. Just like in the following formula: =(c1+c3)/(average(c4:c50)) |
One interesting aspect of spreadsheets is the ability to modify the format or the appearance of one or more cells. You can achieve this by accessing the
-> menu which offers the most extensive options such as data type, border setting, background, etc.Gnumeric offers extensive functionalities for advanced users. You can use it as a simple database, program complete interface. You can also convert formats, define templates, etc. Gnumeric is light, fast and flexible and will surely impose itself as the de facto standard for spreadsheet applications on Linux and Unix.
Gnumeric recently added a very nice graph and chart tools, call the Graph Guru. It will enable you to create stunning graphics and charts to impress both customers and partners.
Here are the steps to follow:
First, select a range of data.
Then click on
+The Graphs Guru will appear.
Afterwards, it's pretty straight forward. Chose your graph and, if not done, you will be prompted to specify the data and define references.
![]() | In order for Gnumeric's graph guru to function, you need to make sure you have Guppi installed. |
StarOffice has been a great office application on Linux for a few years now. Presently, it remains as one of the only true features-complete office suite on Linux. StarCalc is part of that suite and offers spreadsheet functionalities.
We will not detail StarCalc's basic functionalities as you simply have to read the previous section on Gnumeric. Obviously, you will have to read more documentation to benefit from all the available advanced functionalities of this application.
![]() | An important difference between StarCalc and Gnumeric is that StarCalc supports much more import and export formats. If you use multiple operating systems, you will really appreciate this. There is also a Windows version of this application. |
To launch StarCalc, access the StarOffice Writer.
-> -> -> sub-menu. If you have any problems launching it, please refer toFrom the default StarOffice screen, access
-> -> .Spreadsheets are one of the true killer apps of the computer age. They bring great benefits for their users and are used all over the world, from the corner-store manager who wants to manage schedules, to the biggest accounting firm who uses it to write extensive and consistent data reports.