3.3 Using Spreadsheets with Calc
Calc is the OpenOffice.org spreadsheet application. Create
a new spreadsheet with or open one with . Calc
can read and save in Microsoft Excel's format, so it is easy to
exchange spreadsheets with Excel users.
NOTE:Calc can process many VBA macros in Excel documents; however,
support for VBA macros is not yet complete. When opening an Excel
spreadsheet that makes heavy use of macros, you might discover that
some do not work.
In the spreadsheet cells, enter fixed data or formulas. A
formula can manipulate data from other cells to generate a value
for the cell in which it is inserted. You can also create charts
from cell values.
3.3.1 Using Formatting and Styles in Calc
Calc comes with a few built-in cell and page styles to improve
the appearance of your spreadsheets and reports. Although these
built-in styles are adequate for many uses, you will probably find
it useful to create styles for your own frequently used formatting
preferences.
Creating a Style
-
Click > .
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In the window,
click either the or the icon.
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Right-click in the window, then click .
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Specify a name for your style and use
the various tabs to set the desired formatting options.
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Click .
Modifying a Style
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Click > .
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In the window,
click either the or the icon.
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Right-click the name of the style you
want to change, then click .
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Change the desired formatting options.
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Click OK.
3.3.2 Using Templates in Calc
If you use different styles for different types of spreadsheets,
you can use templates to save your styles for each spreadsheet type.
Then, when you create a particular type of spreadsheet, open the applicable
template and the styles you need for that template are available
in the window.
A detailed explanation of templates is beyond the scope of
this section. However, more information is found in the help system
and detailed how-tos are found at the OpenOffice.org
Documentation page.
Creating a Template
A Calc template is a spreadsheet that contains styles and
content that you want to appear in every spreadsheet created with
that template, such as headings or other cell styles. When a spreadsheet
is created or opened with the template, the styles are automatically
applied to that spreadsheet.
To create a template:
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Click > > .
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Create the styles and content that you
want to use in any spreadsheet that uses this template.
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Click > > .
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Specify a name for the template.
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In the box,
click the category you want to place the template in.
The category is the folder where the template is stored.
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Click .
