SECTION 1, CHAPTER 23
SYMBOLS AND AUTOSUM
CHAPTER OUTLINE
Clues, Hints, and Tips
Symbols
AutoFormat
Excel XP Enhanced AutoSum
Dragging Between Windows Applications
CLUES, HINTS, AND TIPS
Symbols
When there is a need for a special symbol such as √ ≠ ≤ ≥ ◊ ☺ ¢ + ÷ @ ¼ ½ ¾ ₤ ⅓ ⅔ ⅛ ⅜ ⅝ ⅞
← ↑ → ↓ ↔ ↕ ↨ ► they are found through the path Insert>Symbols. This dialog box has several
font selections and not all symbols are found in all fonts. Some of the more commonly used and
fun symbols are contained on the chapter 23 data file’s symbol tab.
Tip – These are symbols so trying to add the symbol ¼ and ½ result in an error response since
this is basically adding text strings. They are not mathematical values.
AutoFormat
Under the path Format>AutoFormat Excel has numerous prestructured formats available for use.
The methodology of applying these formats is to select the data range than follow the path
Format>AutoFormat then make your selection and click OK. Once the selection is made, it can
be changed later. On the chapter 23 data file’s AutoFormat tab there is a range for you to try the
numerous formats available on.
Excel XP Enhanced AutoSum
One of the many enhancements that was made available through Excel XP was the ability to
AutoSum against a selected range. On the chapter 23 data file’s AutoFormat tab the columns
were summed by selecting the cells from B16 to G16. Then the sigma, AutoSum, or ∑ symbol
was clicked. Excel evaluated its position, determined that there was a consistent pattern of
100 Solving Intermediate Accounting Problems Using Excel For Windows
numerical data above the selected range and added those values into their appropriate cell. Then
the H2 to H16 cells were selected and the sigma, AutoSum, or ∑ symbol was again clicked. Excel
evaluated the numerical data to the left of the selected range and summed those values. An
alternative is to select B2 through H16 as a single selection and activate the AutoSum function.
Excel XP evaluates the position and worksheet and sums the columns and rows. Whether this
process, which is quick and easy, must be evaluated by the user. If the first row or column is a
number that is inappropriate to the summing action, it may be brought in by Excel.
Hint – Just because Excel did it, does not mean it is right.
Dragging Between Windows Applications
Within the Windows environment you have many capabilities including the ability to drag
information between Windows applications. Open Word and Excel and have both showing in the
task bar. Then enter a text string, value, or formula into a cell within Excel. Click out of the cell
then place your cursor over it until you get the four headed
arrow replacing your normal pointer. Now left click down
Drag test to Word
on the mouse, keep it down and drag the cursor and cell to
the Word tile on the task bar. Wait a moment until Word opens and becomes active, then move
the dragged item into the sheet and release the mouse button. You have now embedded through
the drag and drop process an Excel item into Word. By double clicking the object you will get
Excel functionality which allows editing and formatting. The data however, is no longer in the
source document since you dragged it away. You can copy and embed it if required or desired.
The object inside this paragraph was dragged from Excel.