Calc Guide

Introduction
Once you are familiar with functions and formulas, the next step is to
learn how to use Calc's automated processes to quickly perform useful
analysis of your data.
Calc includes several tools to help you manipulate the information in
your spreadsheets, ranging from features for copying and reusing data,
to creating subtotals automatically, to varying information to help you
find the answers you need. These tools are divided between the Tools
and Data menus.
If you are a newcomer to spreadsheets, these tools can be
overwhelming at first. However, they become simpler if you remember
that they all depend on input from either a cell or a range of cells that
contain the data with which you are working.
You can always enter the cells or range manually, but in many cases it
is easier to select the cells with the mouse. Click the Shrink/Maximize
icon beside a field to temporarily reduce the size of the tool’s
window, so you can see the spreadsheet underneath and select the
cells required.
Sometimes, you may have to experiment with which data goes into
which field, but, once you have found out, you then set a selection of
options, many of which can be ignored in any given case. Just keep the
basic purpose of each tool in mind, and you should have little trouble
with Calc’s function tools.
You don’t need to learn them, especially if your spreadsheet use is
simple, but as your manipulation of data becomes more sophisticated,
they can save time in making calculations, especially as you start to
deal with hypothetical situations. Just as importantly, they can allow
you to preserve your work and to share it with other people—or
yourself at a later session.
One function tool not mentioned here are DataPilots (also known as
pivot tables), but they are a topic that is sufficiently complex that it
requires a separate chapter. (See Chapter 8.)
Consolidating data
Data > Consolidate provides a way to combine data from two or more
ranges of cells into a new range while running one of several functions
(such as Sum or Average) on the data. During consolidation, the
contents of cells from several sheets can be combined into one place.
272 OpenOffice.org 3.x Calc Guide