Organize Data with Excel

 

 

Microsoft Excel

 

  • • Using this program, we can display measurement values in table format, calculate means, and create chart graphs of means.

    • Tables and graphs generated by MS Excel can be cut and pasted in a document file of a word processing program.

    • MS Excel is available for both PCs and Macs in the phonetics lab as well as CLIC. There are minor differences between PC and Mac versions, but basic functions are the same.

    • Create a table which presents measurement values

     

  • • Open Microsoft Excel. As a default, a spreadsheet will pop out. At this point, save your spreadsheet in a floppy disk.

    • Decide how you want to organize a summary table for measurement values.

    • To insert row titles, column titles and measurement values in cells: Select a cell by placing an arrow on the cell and clicking a mouse once. Type in a text or a number into the cell. Double-check values that you typed in!

  • To delete/clear contents of multiple cells: Select cells, go to the Clear command under the Edit menu, and select an appropriate command. "Contents" is the right one if you want to delete only contents of cells but want to preserve format setting such as border lines.

    You can copy the table template, which is used for today’s section, to summarize VOT values. Bring your own floppy disk and copy an excel file named "excel table" in the "Ling104/204" folder on the desktop of Kelly (Mac in the General Lab). The table template is a Mac Excel file, but it can be read by Windows Excel as well. Please do not open this template file in Excel for your homework!!!

    •

    • Calculate mean values:

     

  • • Click on the first cell of the MEAN column (mean of English /pi/ in the spreadsheet on the section handout).

    • Type the formula: SUM(E2:G2)/3

    • Press Return (Enter) Key, then the typed operation is executed.

    • Click on the cell with the first mean, copy it and paste it in the other MEAN cells. The mean is automatically re-computed for the data in each row.

    • You can select the entire summary table, copy it and paste it in a document file of a word processing program.

    • Create a graph chart

     

  • • To create a graph chart, re-type the means somewhere else in the spreadsheet, organizing them in an appropriate way for each hypothesis. See the last page of the section handout.
  • Alternative way. You can copy and paste means from the summary table (this is a nice way to prevent typos!). In that case, you need to cut and paste values by going to the paste special command under the Edit menu in order to copy a mean only as a value, but not as a value with the formula.
    •

    • Select all relevant cells, and click on the Chart Wizard button on the tool bar.

    • Select the area of the spreadsheet where you want the graph chart to appear, and click on OK in the last window.

    • To edit the format of a graph (e.g. font size, text, scale of Y-axis), double-click on a graph, and double-click the part of the graph that you want to edit.

    • Like a summary table, you can copy a graph and paste it in a document file of a word processing program.

    Print tables & graphs

    • You can also print tables and graphs on the spreadsheet and attach them to your write-up.

    • Easy way (take this option if you see the set print area button on the tool bar): Select relevant cells, and click on the set print area button, which has a shining printer picture.

  • How to get the Set Print Area button on the tool bar. Select the Tool Bar option under the View menu. Click on "customize..." in the Tool Bar setup box, and you will see many buttons. Choose the button with a shinning printer picture, and drag it to the tool bar.

    • • Hard way: Select the Page Setup command under the File menu. Select the Sheet tab. In the Print Area box, enter the range to print.

    • Print Preview: It is a good idea to privew your printout. Select Print Preview under the File menu. You can adjust many things such as a print scale, margins, header and so on.

    •

     

  • • Using this program, we can organize measurement values in table format, calculate means and create chart graphs of means.

    • Whatever you created with excel can be cut and pasted in a document file of a word-processing program.