The Gnumeric Manual
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# Elements of the Gnumeric User Interface

# Overview

This part of the `Gnumeric` manual explains the pieces of the software that users can manipulate. The menus, the toolbars and the cell grid area comprise what is called the graphical user interface of an application because it is an interface --- a way to interact with Gnumeric --- which is made of graphical elements --- pictures --- designed to be used by human users.

`Gnumeric` opens by default with a view of an empty workbook which is called "Book 1" and with a single worksheet called "Sheet 1" as can be seen in Figure 1. The outermost portion of the window is not actually part of `Gnumeric` and may look different on different machines. `Gnumeric` attempts to place its name and the name of the workbook on this outer portion.

The majority of spreadsheet work is done while interacting with this view of `Gnumeric`. All of the functions which `Gnumeric` provides can be accessed quickly from here. The graphic elements of `Gnumeric` are made of several independent pieces. Figure 1 shows a newly opened, empty Gnumeric with the principle elements labelled.

Figure 1. The Gnumeric worksheet elements.

The elements names are listed below along with a reference to the section that discusses that element. Those reading this document on their computers may be able to click on the references to jump to that section of the manual.

The menubar.

  The menubar provides access to the core functions of gnome. Almost everything that can be done in `Gnumeric` can be done through the menus. The menus and menubar are discussed in the chapter called Gnumeric Menus.

The standard toolbar.

  The standard toolbar provides shortcuts for the most used items in the menus. The toolbars are discussed in the chapter called Gnumeric Toolbars and this toolbar in particular in the Section called The Standard Toolbar in the chapter called Gnumeric Toolbars.

The format toolbar.

  The format toolbar changes the display properties of data in the workbook. It is presented in the Section called The Format Toolbar in the chapter called Gnumeric Toolbars, part of the general discussion of toolbars of the chapter called Gnumeric Toolbars.

The data entry area.

  The data entry area is useful for the modification of complex formulas. It is discussed in the Section called Data entry area. in the chapter called Gnumeric Data Entry area, Cell Grid and Information Area.

The information area.

  This area is used by `Gnumeric` to give feedback on the status of certain operations. This information is explained in the Section called The Information Area in the chapter called Gnumeric Data Entry area, Cell Grid and Information Area.

The object toolbar.

  This toolbar enables the user to draw graphic elements on the sheet, such as text labels, big red circles or thin green arrows. These can be used to bring attention to a particular part of a worksheet. The object toolbar is explained in the Section called The Object Toolbar in the chapter called Gnumeric Toolbars in the the chapter called Gnumeric Toolbars portion of the manual.

The cell grid area.

  The cell area lies in the middle of all the rest. The cell area includes the row and column labels, the scrollbars and the tabs below. The use of these elements is explained in the Section called The Cell Grid in the chapter called Gnumeric Data Entry area, Cell Grid and Information Area.

The next chapters will explain each of these elements. the chapter called Gnumeric Menus will explain the menus, the chapter called Gnumeric Toolbars will explain the toolbars and the chapter called Gnumeric Data Entry area, Cell Grid and Information Area will explain the remaining elements.

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Preface |  | Gnumeric Menus