Impress

Beginner's Guide to OpenOffice Impress

OpenOffice Impress is a presentation software program that is part of a suite of programs offered as a free download from OpenOffice.org. OpenOffice Impress is a great tool for presentations in business, classrooms, and personal use.

This series of 12 Free OpenOffice Impress Tutorials, designed for the absolute beginner, will take you through all the basics of making your first presentation.

What is OpenOffice Impress?

A brief overview of OpenOffice Impress, a presentation software program.

Getting Started with OpenOffice Impress

This tutorial will get you acquainted with the opening screen, the task pane, toolbars and different ways to view your presentations.

Slide Layouts in OpenOffice Impress

Learn about the different layouts for your slides. Choose from title and text slides, content layout slides, and how to add a new slide or change the slide layout in the task pane.

Different Ways to View Slides in OpenOffice Impress

View your Open Office Impress slide in a variety of ways. Choose from normal view, outline view, notes, handout or slide sorter view.

Background Colors for Slides in OpenOffice Impress

Add a colorful background to your Open Office Impress presentation. Solid colors or gradients are just two of the selections to choose from.

Change Font Colors and Styles in OpenOffice Impress

Learn about how to change font colors, styles and effects to make your presentation effective and easily readable.

Apply Slide Design Templates in OpenOffice Impress

Apply a slide design template included in OpenOffice Impress to color coordinate your presentation

Add Pictures in OpenOffice Impress Presentations

Break up the boredom of all text slides by adding photos and other graphic images in OpenOffice Impress presentations.

Modify Slide Layouts in OpenOffice Impress

For this tutorial we will add, move, resize and delete objects from a standard slide layout that you can choose from the task pane, in OpenOffice Impress.

Add, Delete or Move Slides in OpenOffice Impress

In the last tutorial on modifying slide layouts in OpenOffice Impress, we worked with the objects on the individual slides. For this tutorial, we will add, delete or change the order of the completed slides in the presentation.

Slide Transitions in OpenOffice Impress

 

Add motion to your presentation by using slide transitions as one slide changes to the next

Add Animations to OpenOffice Impress Slides

Animations are the movements added to the objects on the slides. The slidesthemselves are animated by using transitions. This step-by-step tutorial will take you through the steps to add animations and customize them to your presentation.

Calc III

OpenOffice Calc SUM Function

Adding up rows or columns of numbers is one of the most common operations carried out in spreadsheet programs like OpenOffice Calc. To make it easier to accomplish this task, Calc includes a built in formula called the SUM function.

Two ways of entering this function include:

1. Using the SUM function shortcut button - it is the Greek capital letter Sigma (Σ) located next to the input line (same as the formula bar in Excel).
2. Adding the SUM function to a worksheet using the function wizard dialog box. The dialog box can be opened by clicking on the Function Wizard button located next to the Sigma button on the input line.

SHORTCUT AND DIALOG BOX ADVANTAGES

The advantage of using the Sigma button to enter the function is that it is fast and easy to use. If the data to be summed is grouped together in a contiguous range the function will often select the range for you.

The advantage of using the SUM function dialog box is if the data to be summed is spread out over a number of non-contiguous cells. Using the dialog box in this situation makes it easier to add the individual cells to the function.

THE SUM FUNCTION'S SYNTAX AND ARGUMENTS

A function's syntax refers to the layout of the function and includes the function's name, brackets, and arguments.

The syntax for the SUM function is:

=SUM (number 1; number 2; ... number 30)

number 1; number 2; ... number 30 - the data to be summed by the function. The arguments can contain:

• a list of numbers to be summed
• a list of cell references indicating the location of the data in the worksheet
• a range of cell references to the location of the data

Note: a maximum of 30 numbers can be added by the function.

WHAT THE SUM FUNCTION IGNORES

The function ignores blank cells and text data in the selected range - including numbers that having been formatted as text.

By default, text data in Calc is left aligned in a cell - as seen with the number 160 in cell A2 in the image above - number data aligns to the right by default.

If such text data is later converted to number data or numbers are added to blank cells in the range, the SUM function total automatically updates to include the new data.

MANUALLY ENTERING THE SUM FUNCTION

Yet another option for entering the function is to type it into a worksheet cell. If the cell references for the range of data to be summed is known, the function can be easily entered manually. For the example in the image above, typing

=SUM(A1:A6)

into cell A7 and pressing the Enter key on the keyboard would achieve the same result as the steps listed below for using the SUM shortcut button.

SUMMING DATA WITH THE SUM BUTTON

For those who prefer to the mouse to the keyboard, the SUM button is a quick and easy way to enter the SUM function.

When entered in this fashion, the function tries to determine the range of cells to be summed based on surrounding data and automatically enters the most likely range as the function's number argument.

The function only searches for number data located in columns above or in rows to the left of the active cell and it ignores text data and blank cells.

Below are listed the steps used to enter the SUM function into cell A7 as shown in the image above.

1. Click on cell A7 to make it the active cell - the location where the results of the function will be displayed
2. Press the SUM button next to the input line - as shown in the image above
3. The SUM function should be entered into the active cell - the function should automatically enter the cell reference A6 as the number argument
4. To change the range of cell references used for the number argument, use the mouse pointer to highlight the range A1 to A6 
5. Press the Enter key on the keyboard to complete the function
6. The answer 417 should be displayed in the cell A7
7. When you click on cell A7,the complete function = SUM (A1 : A6) appears in the input line above the worksheet

Add Numbers Using Calc's SUM Function Dialog Box

SUMMING DATA WITH THE SUM FUNCTION DIALOG BOX

As mentioned, another option for entering the SUM function is to use the function's dialog box, which can be opened either by:

• clicking on the Function Wizard button on the input line above the worksheet.
• pressing the Ctrl + F2 keys on the keyboard

DIALOG BOX ADVANTAGES

Advantages of using the dialog box include:

1. The dialog box takes care of the function's syntax - making it easier to enter the function's arguments one at a time without having to enter the equal sign, the brackets, or the semicolons that act as separators between the arguments.
2. When the data to be summed is not located in a contiguous range, the cell references, such A1, A3, and B2:B3 can be easily entered as separate numberarguments into the dialog box using pointing - which involve clicking on selected cells with the mouse rather than typing them in. Not only is pointing easier, it also helps to reduce errors in formulas caused by incorrect cell references.

SUM FUNCTION EXAMPLE

Below are listed the steps used to enter the SUM function into cell A7 as shown in the image above. The instructions use the SUM function dialog box to enter the values located in cells A1, A3, A6, B2, and B3 as number arguments for the function.

1. Click on cell A7 to make it the active cell - the location where the results of the function will be displayed
2. Click on the Function Wizard icon next to the input line (same as the formula bar in Excel) to bring up the Function Wizard dialog box
3. Click into the Category drop-down list and select Mathematical to see the list of math functions
4. Select SUM from the list of functions
5. Click Next
6. Click on the number 1 in the dialog box if necessary
7. Click on cell A1 in the worksheet to enter that cell reference into the dialog box
8. Click on the number 2 in the dialog box
9. Click on cell A3 in the worksheet to enter that cell reference
10. Click on the number 3 in the dialog box
11. Click on cell A6 in the worksheet to enter that cell reference
12. Click on the number 4 in the dialog box
13. Highlight cells B2:B3 in the worksheet to enter this range
14. Click OK to close the dialog box and return to the worksheet
15. The number 695 should appear in cell A7 - as this is the sum of the numbers located in cells A1 to B3
16. When you click on cell A7 the complete function =SUM(A1;A3;A6;B2:B3)appears in the input line above the worksheet

Calc II

OpenOffice Calc AVERAGE Function

MEASURING THE AVERAGE OR CENTRAL TENDENCY IN CALC

Mathematically, there are a number of ways of measuring central tendency or, as it is more commonly called, the average for a set of values. These methods include the arithmetic mean, the median, and the mode.

The most commonly calculated measure of central tendency is the arithmetic mean - or simple average.

To make it easier to the arithmetic mean, Open Office Calc has a built-in function, called, not surprisingly, the AVERAGE function. 

HOW THE AVERAGE IS CALCULATED

The average is calculated by adding a group of numbers together and then dividing by the count of those numbers.

As shown in the example in the image above, the average for the values: 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 when divided by 6, which is 13.5 as shown in cell C7.

Instead of finding this average manually, however, this cell contains the AVERAGE function:

=AVERAGE(C1:C6)

which not only finds the arithmetic mean for the current range of values, but will also give you an updated answer should the data in this group of cells change.

THE AVERAGE FUNCTION'S SYNTAX

A function's syntax refers to the layout of the function and includes the function's name, brackets, and arguments.

The syntax for the AVERAGE function is:

=AVERAGE ( number 1; number 2; ...number30 )

Up to 30 numbers can be averaged by the function.

THE AVERAGE FUNCTION'S ARGUMENTS

number 1 (required) -  the data to be averaged by the function

number 2; ... number30 (optional) - additional  data that can be added to the average calculations.

The arguments can contain:

• a list of numbers to be averaged
• cell references to the location of the data in the worksheet
• a range of cell references

EXAMPLE: FIND THE AVERAGE VALUE OF A COLUMN OF NUMBERS

1. Enter the following data into cells C1 to C6: 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16;
2. Click on cell C7 - the location where the results will be displayed;
3. Click on the Function Wizard icon - as shown in the image above - to open the Function Wizard dialog box;
4. Select Statistical from the Category list;
5. Select Average from the Function list;
6. Click Next;
7. Highlight cells C1 to C6 in the spreadsheet to enter this range into the dialog box in the number 1 argument line;
8. Click OK to complete the function and close the dialog box;
9. The number "13.5 " should appear in the cell C7, this is the average for the numbers entered in cells C1 to C6.
10. When you click on cell C7 the complete function =AVERAGE ( C1:C6 )appears in the input line above the worksheet

Note: If the data you want to average is spread out in individual cells in the worksheet rather than in a single column or row, enter each individual cell reference into the dialog box on a separate argument line - such as number 1, number 2, number 3.

Calc I

Open Office Calc Step by Step Tutorial

OPEN OFFICE CALC SPREADSHEET TUTORIAL - OVERVIEW

Open Office Calc, is an electronic spreadsheet program offered free of charge by openoffice.org. The program is easy to use and contains most, if not all of the commonly used features found in spreadsheets such as Microsoft Excel.

This tutorial covers the steps to creating a basic spreadsheet in Open Office Calc.

Completing the steps in the topics below will produce a spreadsheet similar to the image above.

Tutorial Topics

• Adding data to a spreadsheet
• Widening Columns
• Adding a Date Function and a Range Name
• Adding formulas
• Changing data alignment in cells
• Number formatting - percent and currency
• Changing cell background color
• Changing font color

Entering Data into Open Office Calc

ENTERING DATA INTO OPEN OFFICE CALC

Note: For help on these steps, refer to the image above.

Entering data into a spreadsheet is always a three step process. These steps are:

1. Click on the cell where you want the data to go.
2. Type your data into the cell.
3. Press the ENTER key on the keyboard or click on another cell with the mouse.

For this tutorial

To follow this tutorial, enter the data listed below into a blank spreadsheet using the following steps:

1. Open a blank Calc spreadsheet file.
2. Select the cell indicated by the cell reference provided.
3. Type the corresponding data into the selected cell.
4. Press the Enter key on the keyboard or click on the next cell in the list with the mouse.

 Cell Data 

A2 - Deduction Calculations for Employees A8 - Last Name A9 - Smith B. A10 - Wilson C. A11 - Thompson J. A12 - James D.

B4 - Date: B6 - Deduction Rate: B8 - Gross Salary B9 - 45789 B10 - 41245 B11 - 39876 B12 - 43211

C6 - .06 C8 - Deduction D8 - Net Salary

Widening Columns

WIDENING COLUMNS IN OPEN OFFICE CALC

Note: For help on these steps, refer to the image above.

After entering the data you will probably find that several words, such as Deduction, are too wide for a cell. To correct this so that the entire word is visible:

1. Place the mouse pointer on the line between columns C and D in the column header.
2. The pointer will change to a double - headed arrow.
3. Click with the left mouse button and drag the double - headed arrow to the right to widen column C.
4. Widen other columns to show data as needed.

Adding the Date and a Range Name

ADDING THE DATE IN OPEN OFFICE CALC

Note: For help on these steps, refer to the image above.

It is normal to add the date to a spreadsheet. Built into Open Office Calc are a number of DATE functions that can be used to do this. In this tutorial we will use the TODAY function.

1. Click on cell C4.
2. Type = TODAY ( )
3. Press the ENTER key on the keyboard.
4. The current date should appear in cell C4

ADDING A RANGE NAME IN OPEN OFFICE CALC

1. Select cell C6 in the spreadsheet.
2. Click on the Name Box.
3. Type "rate" (no quotes) in the Name Box.
4. Cell C6 now has the name of "rate". We will use the name to simplify creating formulas in the next step.

Adding Formulas

CALCULATING EMPLOYEE DEDUCTIONS

Note: For help on these steps, refer to the image above.

1. Click on cell C9.
2. Type in the formula = B9 * rate and press the Enter key on the keyboard.

Calculating net salary

1. Click on cell D9.
2. Type in the formula = B9 - C9 and press the Enter key on the keyboard.

• Additional formula information:
  Open Office Calc Formulas Tutorial

Copying the formulas in cells C9 and D9 to other cells:

1. Click on cell C9 again.
2. Move the mouse pointer over the fill handle (a small black dot) in the bottom right corner of the active cell.
3. When the pointer changes to a black "plus sign", click and hold down the left mouse button and drag the fill handle down to cell C12. The formula in C9 will be copied to cells C10 - C12.
4. Click on cell D9.
5. Repeat steps 2 and 3 and drag the fill handle down to cell D12. The formula in D9 will be copied to cells D10 - D12.

Changing Data Alignment

OPEN OFFICE CALC FORMATTING - CHANGING DATA ALIGNMENT

Note: For help on these steps, refer to the image above. As well, if you place your mouse over an icon on a toolbar, the icon's name will be displayed.

1. Drag select cells A2 - D2.
2. Click on the Merge Cells icon on the Formatting toolbar to merge the selected cells.
3. Click on the Align Center Horizontally icon on the Formatting toolbar to center the title across the selected area.
4. Drag select cells B4 - B6.
5. Click on the Align right option icon on the Formatting toolbar to right align the data in these cells.
6. Drag select cells A9 - A12.
7. Click on the Align right icon on the Formatting toolbar to right align the data in these cells.
8. Drag select cells A8 - D8.
9. Click on the Align Center Horizontally icon on the Formatting toolbar to center the data in these cells.
10. Drag select cells C4 - C6.
11. Click on the Align Center Horizontally icon on the Formatting toolbar to center the data in these cells.
12. Drag select cells B9 - D12.
13. Click on the Align Center Horizontally icon on the Formatting toolbar to center the data in these cells.

Adding Number Formatting

OPEN OFFICE CALC FORMATTING - NUMBER FORMATTING

Note: For help on these steps, refer to the image above. As well, if you place your mouse over an icon on a toolbar, the icon's name will be displayed.

Number formatting refers to the addition of currency symbols, decimal markers, percent signs, and other symbols that help to identify the type of data present in a cell and to make it easier to read.

In this step we add percent signs and currency symbols to our data.

Adding the percent sign

1. Select cell C6.
2. Click on the Number Format: Percent icon on the Formatting toolbar to add the percent symbol to the selected cell.
3. Click on the Number Format: Delete Decimal Place icon on the Formattingtoolbar twice to remove the two decimal places.
4. The data in cell C6 should now read as 6 %.

Adding the currency symbol

1. Drag select cells B9 - D12.
2. Click on the Number Format: Currency icon on the Formatting toolbar to add the dollar sign to the selected cells.
3. The data in cells B9 - D12 should now show the dollar symbol ( $ ) and two decimal places.

Changing cell background color

OPEN OFFICE CALC FORMATTING - CHANGING CELL BACKGROUND COLOR

Note: For help on these steps, refer to the image above. As well, if you place your mouse over an icon on a toolbar, the icon's name will be displayed.

1. Drag select cells A2 - D2 on the spreadsheet.
2. Click on the Background Color icon on the Formatting toolbar (looks like a paint can) to open the background color drop down list.
3. Choose Sea Blue from the list to change the background color of cells A2 - D2 to blue.
4. Drag select cells A8 - D8 on the spreadsheet.
5. Repeat steps 2 and 3.

Changing Font Color

OPEN OFFICE CALC FORMATTING - CHANGING FONT COLOR

Note: For help on these steps, refer to the image above. As well, if you place your mouse over an icon on a toolbar, the icon's name will be displayed.

1. Drag select cells A2 - D2 on the spreadsheet.
2. Click on the Font Color icon on the Formatting toolbar (it is a large letter " A ") to open the font color drop down list.
3. Choose White from the list to change the color of the text in cells A2 - D2 to white.
4. Drag select cells A8 - D8 on the spreadsheet.
5. Repeat steps 2 and 3 above.
6. Drag select cells B4 - C6 on the spreadsheet.
7. Click on the Font Color icon on the Formatting toolbar to open the font color drop down list.
8. Choose Sea Blue from the list to change the color of the text in cells B4 - C6 to blue.
9. Drag select cells A9 - D12 on the spreadsheet.
10. Repeat steps 7 and 8 above.
11. At this point, if you have followed all the steps of this tutorial correctly, your spreadsheet should resemble the spreadsheet pictured in Step 1 of this tutorial.