Spreadsheets in Finance and Forecasting

Lecture 1IntroductionSpreadsheet BasicsAn ExampleResources

Introduction

Introduction to the ModuleThe purposes of this introduction are: To give you a clearer understanding of

the position of this module in your programme

To introduce you to the learning outcomes and learning styles of the of the module

To give an overview of the module handbook

The BIM Programme This is the first module of your

programme which identifies you as a BIM student.

This module draws together the two strands of your programme: IT and Business.

In order to succeed at this module, you will need to draw on what you have learnt in previous modules (both IT and Business)

The Module HandbookThis contains Information about the

BIM programme A full description of

the contents of this module

A week-by-week summary

Details of Assessment Other information,

including texts and advice.

Other Materials There will also be: Tasks and Activities Web-based tutorial

materials Resource Files Downloads Other stuff, e.g.

assessment criteria In- Class Tests

The Learning OutcomesBy the end of the module you will be expected to: Be able to identify and analyse business problems using

appropriate techniques and methodologies Be able to formulate models to solve a range of business

problems, and evaluate these models. Identify data sources and flows, and how these affect a

system. Design systems that use external and internal data

sources Use spreadsheet and related tools to implement solutions

to business problems Recognise the organisational issues associated with the

implementation of IT solutions.

The Challenges As befits a level II,

semester 4 module, much of the learning here will be independent of tutor input.

An important part of this will be the completion of a portfolio of tasks and a project worth 60%

The Module Content

The module is split into: Spreadsheet Topics

Blocks of work on Basics, Charts, Forms, Macros etc.

The Project A self-directed project in which you will

apply spreadsheet solutions to a business problem.

Learning on this ModuleThis module consists of Tutor-led input

sessions Workshop sessions

using web-based materials and directed tasks

Individual Tutorials Open and Distance-

Learning materials

Module timetable There are two sessions

per week. There will normally be

one tutor-led and one workshop session in the week.

In the first part of the module we will concentrate on spreadsheets

In later weeks will concentrate more heavily on the project

Assessment Two in class tests:

(2 x 20%= 40%) Portfolios of tasks &

Activities(2 x 15%= 30%)

Project Work Tutorial 5% Presentation & supporting

evidence 25%Total

30%

Learning about Spreadsheets Each topic block will

normally comprise: A tutor-led

introduction Web-based tutorial

materials A directed activity An assessed task

Carrying out the projectYou will Find a small business

context Identify the data flows

within the organisation

Select some of the data to model using spreadsheets

Offer spreadsheet solutions to enhance their working

When will we find out more?

The first session discussing the project will be the session in the later part of next week.

In this session we will: Discuss the project in detail Look at the timetable for the project Consider possible contexts

What you need to do now Read through the

module handbook carefully

Think about a business context you can use for the project

Find any materials you have previously studied related to spreadsheets or small business applications.

Resources The resources for this

module are held on the web at the website beam.to/spreadsheets

You should access this site on a regular basis (i.e. several times per week).

Access this Access this website now.website now.

This website allows you to retain current contact with the module even if you miss a lecture.

The Website General Notes & Information

General Notes & Information

Link to each week’s materials

Link to each week’s materials

Work for other weeks

Work for other weeks

The Website Guidance for what to do in each week.

Guidance for what to do in each week.

Link to this week’s materials

Link to this week’s materials

Scroll down for the resources

Scroll down for the resources

The Resource Packs Each week a new

section of the the homepage will be enabled in the left hand panel.

These will link to a page of resources and materials that you need for that week’s study.

Links for Week 1Resources for Week 1 contains: Bulletin 1, an html document explaining what to do in

each week. PowerPoint Presentation 1 (this one!), which is the

main lecture for the week Balance Sheet , a spreadsheet file. Formative Activity 1, a Word Document, which takes

you through building a spreadsheet for Cornershop inc. sales.

Resources and Links for Week 1, an html document containing instructions and advice about Excel tutorials, giving hyperlinks to Web-based resources

Tasks and Activities The Tasks and

Activities have been collected together in two separate booklets.

Booklet 1 covers weeks 1-6

Booklet 2 covers weeks 7-12

Tasks and Activities 1There are 4 formative activities:

Week 1: Cornershop Week 2: Charts, Tables & Reports Week 3: Savings, Loans & Mortgages Week 4: SCHOOL Results

These are worth 10% in total.There is one summative Task:

Week 5: Shares Portfolio

This is worth 5%

You may collaborate on these activities

You may collaborate on these activities

You may not collaborate on this task

You may not collaborate on this task

Spreadsheet Basics

Spreadsheet Basics

The purposes of this section are: To remind (or introduce) you to the

Excel spreadsheet format To ensure that you can navigate the

spreadsheet, open, save, enter and edit data

To provide you with a basic overview of spreadsheet functions.

Spreadsheet Example

Click on to the Spreadsheet called BalanceSheet

Use this to try out the ideas in the next few examples.

Click on to the Spreadsheet called BalanceSheet

Use this to try out the ideas in the next few examples.

The Spreadsheet WindowThe Worksheet

Row 10

Column C

Cell F10

Navigating the window (1) With the Mouse

Position the cursor over the cell & click!

With the Scroll Bars Use the mouse to

click and drag

Navigating the Window (2) Arrow Keys Ctrl Arrow Ctrl Home Ctrl End Page Up/Down Alt Page Up/Down Ctrl Page Up/Down

- up/down/left/right- Next nonblank cell- Cell A1- Last cell used- Up/down a screen- Left/right a screen- Previous/Next

Sheet

Navigating the Window (3)

Using the Go To Box:

Select Edit, Go to

Or press F5

Type in the cell address

e.g. C10

Entering Data and Formulae

As you type, new data appears in the active cell

Formula Bar

Cancel

Enter

Edit Formula =

You can enter up to 32 K characters in a single cell

Numbers and FormulasEach cell can be Text

Names, details etc. Dates, Times Numerical

Integers (whole numbers) Decimals (e.g. 3.142) Fractions (e.g. ¾) Scientific Notation (e.g. 1.23 E+08)

A Spreadsheet Formula For example “= A1 + A2”

Examining Cell Contents

Examine cells on the spreadsheet and see whether they contain :•Text,•Numbers•Formulae

Examine cells on the spreadsheet and see whether they contain :•Text,•Numbers•Formulae

Which cells contain formulae?

What do these mean?

Which cells contain formulae?

What do these mean?

Opening and Saving

To Open:

Choose File, Open

Select File with green XL icon

Double click

To Save:

Choose File, Save As

Type in the name of the file & return

Printing (1) Choose File, Print

The dialog box appears

Use the box to select what you need Particular sheets A selection

You can examine what will be printed in a preview

Getting Help

The ‘help’ facility in Excel is very useful. If you have the “help character” on the screen, double click and type in what you want to find out about

You can do the same by selecting “help” from the toolbar, or pressing F1.

The Next Steps We will now work through

Formative Activity 1, and this will take us into the next session.

After you have completed this activity, you should access the website, read Bulletin 1, and carry on from there.

An Example

Spreadsheet Example We will create an example sheet to

analyse sales figures for a number of locations in the North West

The initial spreadsheet structure will be created, then you will be asked to complete it on your own.

This is the first Activity in Portfolio 1

Formative Activity 1

The purposes of this activity are: To further demonstrate the ideas

underlying spreadsheet construction To develop further your toolkit, in

particular use of formulas auto fill formatting cutting and pasting

Cornershop, Inc. Cornershop, Inc.

own small corner grocery and newsagents in suburb locations

The information is supplied on the sales of items in each shop over a one week period.

The locations are: Aughton, Bury, Childwall,

In each shop they supply: Newspapers Stationery Groceries Confectionery;

Sales: Aughton

News Stat Groc Conf

Mon 240 25 350 120

Tues 220 30 300 140

Wed 210 15 270 90

Thurs 230 10 305 80

Fri 310 28 480 110

Sat 330 20 410 200

Sun 510 10 400 180

Sales: Bury

News Stat Groc Conf

Mon 250 85 150 125

Tues 280 110 200 100

Wed 240 115 160 95

Thurs 270 180 205 85

Fri 340 205 280 125

Sat 380 120 270 105

Sun 610 60 240 145

Sales: Childwall

News Stat Groc Conf

Mon 235 225 305 245

Tues 180 240 280 205

Wed 145 185 245 190

Thurs 130 310 305 180

Fri 210 328 370 210

Sat 280 120 405 345

Sun 480 410 475 380

The Challenge in Brief Create a spreadsheet

page for each location which will provide totals for each day(by category) each category (by day) the sales for each week

Provide a summary spreadsheet which will compare the figures from each branch over the week

Formative Activity 1 now continues this challenge..

Formative Activity 1 now continues this challenge..

Resources

Links for Week 1Resources for Week 1 contains: Bulletin 1, an html document explaining what to do in

each week. PowerPoint Presentation 1 (this one!), which is the

main lecture for the week Balance Sheet , a spreadsheet file. Formative Activity 1, a Word Document, which takes

you through building a spreadsheet for Cornershop inc. sales.

Resources and Links for Week 1, an html document containing instructions and advice about Excel tutorials, giving hyperlinks to Web-based resources