# Starting Gnumeric the First Time

To start Gnumeric click on the Main Menu button to open the Main Menu and click on the Applications menu and finally click on the Gnumeric button. The main window of Gnumeric will appear as shown in shown in

## An example of the entire worksheet.

After opening up gnumeric, you're presented with a view of a worksheet. This is where the majority of the work on the spreadsheet is done. Miguel, Canty, Likin 1.1.1

The worksheet view is split into several main areas. The menu bar, the main tool bar, the format tool bar, the entry area, the object tool bar, the main cell area, and the info area. Miguel, Canty, Likin 1.1.1

## A example of the entire worksheet with notes.

# Opening and Saving Files

When you first start Gnumeric a new book will be opened. To save the the book into a file for the first time click on File Save As … . This brings up the file dialog where you can pick the filename and format for the book you are saving. It is best to save the book in the Gnumeric XML file format the first time. This allows you to easily edit the file without worrying about changes in the format and look of the book. When you have already saved the book you just need to click on the Save button in the tool bar or click on C-s File Save .

Sometimes you want your book to be saved often so you do not lose any work. To save the book at intervals click on Tools Auto Save …. The Auto Save dialog appears.

## Auto Save dialog

Click on the Automatic Save Every button and enter the number of minutes will pass between each save. When the interval is shorter more of your work will be potentially saved, but Gnumeric might appear sluggish. If Gnumeric is sluggish increase the time between saves. The button Prompt Before Saving brings up a dialog to ask if you want to save the book.

Open an book by clicking on F3 File Open or the Open button in the tool bar. The Open dialog will appear. You can then select the spreadsheet file you wish to open. Gnumeric can open many different types of spreadsheet file formats. Currently the supported formats are &file-format-open;.

# Highlighting Cells

The main cell area contains a grid of boxes which are called cells. When a cell is highlighted each row and column is also highlighted by changing the row and column color from a light gray to a dark gray. Click on a cell in the main cell area to highlight a single cell. You will notice one column and one row has turned to a darker gray and the letter and number is in bold. Also on the far left side of the entry area the cell's designation is displayed. The cell designation is a letter and number corresponding to the column and row respectively.

## Single Cell being Highlighted

Sometimes you need to highlight multiple cells. Click on the cell you want to start with and drag the mouse to highlight the desired cells. This will highlight a box of cells with the starting cell being at one of the corners of the box.

## Multiple Cells being Highlighted

There are some special situations that arise when you highlight cells. The cells you want highlighted might be at two different places in the sheet. Highlight the first group of cells. Then press the Ctrl key and highlight the second group of cells. Both groups of cells are now highlighted.

Make sure you hold down the Ctrl key while you are highlighting the second group of cells. You cannot press the Ctrl key once, let go of the key and then highlight the second group of cells. This will not work. You need to hold down the Ctrl key while you are highlighting the second group of cells. This might take some practice for you to master the skill.

There is an easier way to highlight multiple cells. Instead of dragging the mouse over multiple cells to highlight the ones you want you can use the Shift key. Highlight the cell at the corner of the box you want to highlight. Press the Shift key while click on the cell at the opposite corner of the box you want to highlight. A box is now highlighted.

You can highlight a portion of one row this way too. Just highlight the starting cell in the row and press the Shift key while you click on the ending cell. This makes a box with a row of one cell. The same procedure applies to columns.

# Entering Data

Highlight the cell you want to enter data in. When the desired cell is highlighted type your data. You will notice that the data is being displayed in the entry area. When you are done click the enter button or press the Enter key. The data is then stored into the highlighted cell.

If you made a mistake in the data you entered in one cell you can change it. Highlight the desired cell. Click on the entry area and modify the data you wanted to change. After you are done click the enter button or press the Enter key.

If you accidentally entered data into the wrong cell you can revert the cell to its previous data. Click on the cancel button in the entry area. The data you entered into the cell is erased and the cell goes back to its previous state.

## Note:

If you have already clicked on the enter button or pressed the Enter key you cannot use the cancel button to undo the mistake. Instead use the undo button.

# Sheets

# Functions

# Graphing

# Formatting

# Printing