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razlo
Newbie
Joined: 09 May 2006
Posts: 2
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 Posted: Tue May 09, 2006 8:48 am Post subject: Basic Question |
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| I am fairly new to using spreadsheets. I have been using OO 2.0 for about a week now. The work I have been using it for was only in need of default addition. Now I want to get it to default to division so I don't have to adjust the formula each time....adding "/" for every line. |
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Nigel
OOo Enthusiast
Joined: 28 Mar 2006
Posts: 140
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| Posted: Tue May 09, 2006 9:03 am Post subject: |
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| Can you give me an example of the sort of calculations that you want to do? For example, does it involve a series of numbers in a column, or at various places in the spreadsheet? Is your request about changing the "+" key to function as a "/" key, or something different? |
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razlo
Newbie
Joined: 09 May 2006
Posts: 2
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| Posted: Tue May 09, 2006 9:16 am Post subject: |
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Hello, thanks for the response.
I want to change the the function of the sum button/imput line. As is now, when I click the button it adds A1 with A2{=SUM(A1:A2)}....I want it to automatically show/calculate =SUM(A1/A2).
I am calculating multiple sets of numbers, manually putting in the "/" each time is time consuming/a hassle....Especially when highlighting the entire row. It adds all except the last one which has the formula in. |
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Nigel
OOo Enthusiast
Joined: 28 Mar 2006
Posts: 140
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| Posted: Tue May 09, 2006 9:23 am Post subject: |
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| I suppose a macro could be used to assign this function to another button on the toolbar. However, I'm sure somebody will come up with a simpler solution for you, having in mind that you are a new user, as you say. |
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Villeroy
Super User
Joined: 04 Oct 2004
Posts: 10065
Location: Germany
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| Posted: Tue May 09, 2006 10:42 am Post subject: Re: Basic Question |
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| razlo wrote: | | I am fairly new to using spreadsheets. I have been using OO 2.0 for about a week now. The work I have been using it for was only in need of default addition. Now I want to get it to default to division so I don't have to adjust the formula each time....adding "/" for every line. |
A1:B10000 has numbers
Formula in C1: =$A1 / $B1
Gives the value of this row (missing $) in exactly column A divided by Gives the value of this row (missing $) in exactly column B.
Copy down C1 to C2:C10000. |
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RickRandom
Super User
Joined: 27 Jan 2006
Posts: 1082
Location: UK
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| Posted: Tue May 09, 2006 10:52 am Post subject: |
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It is important for newbies to note that you only use SUM when you want to add up a load of numbers. You don't use it for doing any other sort of "sums".
If you just want a calculation, then type it in, but start with an = sign.
Say you want 2 times 3 plus 27, just type
=2*3+27
press enter, and the answer will show in the cell.
DON'T type =SUM(2*3+27)
Use SUM when you want to add all the numbers in cell A1 to A10:
=SUM(A1:A10) |
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jrkrideau
Super User
Joined: 08 Aug 2005
Posts: 6733
Location: Kingston ON Canada
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| Posted: Tue May 09, 2006 11:20 am Post subject: |
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| RickRandom wrote: | It is important for newbies to note that you only use SUM when you want to add up a load of numbers. You don't use it for doing any other sort of "sums".
If you just want a calculation, then type it in, but start with an = sign.
Say you want 2 times 3 plus 27, just type
=2*3+27
press enter, and the answer will show in the cell.
DON'T type =SUM(2*3+27)
Use SUM when you want to add all the numbers in cell A1 to A10:
=SUM(A1:A10) |
Why? I prefer to use sum() myself. It seems to be better documentation
_________________
jrkrideau
Kingston ON Canada
Currently using Windows 7 & OOo 3.4.0 and Ubuntu 12.04 & LibreOffice 3.5.2.2 |
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BillP
Super User
Joined: 07 Jan 2006
Posts: 2702
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| Posted: Tue May 09, 2006 1:01 pm Post subject: |
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| razlo wrote: | Hello, thanks for the response.
I want to change the the function of the sum button/imput line. As is now, when I click the button it adds A1 with A2{=SUM(A1:A2)}....I want it to automatically show/calculate =SUM(A1/A2).
I am calculating multiple sets of numbers, manually putting in the "/" each time is time consuming/a hassle....Especially when highlighting the entire row. It adds all except the last one which has the formula in. |
I am assuming you have two rows of numbers, row 1 and row 2, and you want to divide numbers in row 1 by the number directly below it in row 2 and display the result directly below them in row 3. To do this, select cell A3, type in the formula =A1/A2 and press Enter. Now reselect A3 and copy. This copies the formula in cell A3. Now select the other cells in row 3 below every set of numbers in rows 1 and 2 and paste the formula. You don't have to adjust the formula. Calc does it automatically. |
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RickRandom
Super User
Joined: 27 Jan 2006
Posts: 1082
Location: UK
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| Posted: Tue May 09, 2006 11:19 pm Post subject: |
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| jrkrideau wrote: | | RickRandom wrote: | It is important for newbies to note that you only use SUM when you want to add up a load of numbers. You don't use it for doing any other sort of "sums".
If you just want a calculation, then type it in, but start with an = sign.
Say you want 2 times 3 plus 27, just type
=2*3+27
press enter, and the answer will show in the cell.
DON'T type =SUM(2*3+27)
Use SUM when you want to add all the numbers in cell A1 to A10:
=SUM(A1:A10) |
Why? I prefer to use sum() myself. It seems to be better documentation |
My wording was a bit strong, perhaps - sorry. My view is that using SUM(...) is a waste of time, and perpetuates the myth that it is necessary, but from your point of view, it doesn't do any harm.
You could use MIN(...) or MAX(...) or PRODUCT(...) or many other functions that are capable of working with multiple arguments but in this case you are only giving it one argument, so that's what it returns.
I suggest that if a formula starts getting complicated, the extra SUM and brackets make it more difficult to get all the syntax correct.
But each to their own. It's just worth any user knowing what is necessary and what isn't. |
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