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You are on page 1/ 245

M. Com.

3rd Semester Course: MC-307

Computer Application in Business

Lesson 1 to 21

By: Rekha Kumari

International Centre for Distance Education and Open Learning (ICDEOL)


Himachal Pradesh University
Summer Hill, Shimla, 171005

1
MC 307 COMPUTER APPLICATIONS IN BUSINESS
(AECC)
Max. Marks: 80
Internal Assessment: 20

Note: There will be Ten (10) questions in the paper spread into Five Units as Two
questions from each unit. The candidate will require to attempt one question from
each unit. Each question will carry Sixteen (16) marks.

COURSE OBJECTIVE:

Computer application in business avail to analyze the competition, researching the


products and prices of their competitors, studying them through websites. Students
also will be able to understand (LAN) Local Area Networks, WAN, E-mail, internet,
Multimedia and MS-office.

COURSE CONTENTS:
UNIT-I
Modern Information Technology: Basic idea of Local Area Networks (LAN), Wide
Net Works (WAN), E-mail, internet, Multimedia. Introduction to Windows: Write,
Paintbrush, File Manager, Print Manager, Control Panel etc.

UNIT-II
Introduction and working with MS-Word in MS-OFFICE: Word basics Commands,
Formatting; Text and documents; Sorting, Working with graphics; Introduction to
mail merge. Working with EXCEL: Excel basics; formatting, functions, chart
feature; Working with graphics in Excel, Using worksheets as databases.

Unit III
Presentation with Power – Point: Power point basics; Creating presentations the easy
way; Working with graphics in Power-Point; Show time; Introduction to Lotus smart
suite for Data Sheet Analysis. Spreadsheets and their uses in business.

Unit IV
Introduction to Tally: Maintenance of Accounting books along with financial
statement analysis.

Unit V
Statistical Packages Useful in Business: Usage of statistical packages for analysis (as
per availability)

2
Course Outcomes:
After completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1. Student will able to apply Computer Knowledge in Business Decision Making.
2. Operate a variety of advanced spreadsheet, operating system and word processing
functions.
3. Identify the basics of information technology and apply software applications to
enhance efficiency of business functions.

References:
▪ Ron Mansfield, The Compact Guide to Microsoft office; BPB Publication.
▪ Dienes, Sheila s., Microsoft office, Professional for windows 95;
▪ Instant Reference; BPB Publication.
▪ Peter Norton, Working with IBM-PC

3
INDEX

1. Networking 1-11
1.1 Computer Network
1.2 Types of Networks
1.3 Local Area Network
1.4 Metropolitan Area Network
1.5 Wide Area Network
1.6 Internet
1.7 Evolution of Internet
1.8 Applications of Internet
2. Parts of Internet 12-26
2.1 Introduction
2.2 World Wide Web (WWW)
2.3 Web Browsers
2.4 Search Engines
2.5 E-mail
2.6 File Transfer Protocol

3. Basics of Multimedia 27-42


3.1 Introduction
3.2 Elements of Multimedia Applications
3.3 Categories of Multimedia
3.4 Hypermedia Versus Multimedia
3.5 Uses of Multimedia
3.6 Components of A Multimedia Presentation

4. Windows Operating System 43-56


4.1 Operating System
4.2 Windows 7
4.3 Windows 7 Features
4.4 Starting Windows 7
4.5 Windows 7 Desktop

5. Control Panel 57-65


5.1 Introduction
5.2 Uses of Control Panel
5.3 Open the Control Panel in Windows 7
5.4 Views of Control Panel

6. Windows Accessories 66-80


6.1 Introduction
6.2 Paint
6.3 Note Pad
6.4 WordPad

7. Word Processor-I 81-90


7.1 Word Processor

4
7.2 Benefits and Advantages
7.3 Features of Word Processor
7.4 Uses of Word Processors
7.5 Available word processing packages
7.6 Microsoft Word 2007
7.7 Launching Word 2007

8. Working with Files & Formatting (Word Processor-II)


91-105
8.1 Creating a New Document
8.2 Open an Existing Saved Document
8.3 Save a Document
8.4 Closing a Document
8.5 Working with Text
8.6 Formatting
8.7 Printing Documents
8.8 Table Handling
8.9 Different Document Views

9. Mail Merge (Word Processor-III) 106-114


9.1 Introduction
9.2 Creating the Data Source
9.3 Creating a Mail Merge Letter
9.4 Associate a Data Source with the Document
9.5 Design Data Document
9.6 Preview the Finished Document
10. Excel-I 115-127
10.1 Basics of Spread Sheet
10.2 Features of spreadsheet
10.3 Spreadsheet Uses
10.4 Spreadsheet Background
10.5 Excel Features
10.6 Excel 2007 Window
10.7 Create a Workbook
10.8 Save a Workbook
10.9 Open a Workbook

11. Excel-II 128-141


11.1 Manipulating Data in Excel
11.2 AutoFill
11.3 Insert Cells, Rows, and Columns
11.4 Delete Cells, Rows and Columns
11.5 Find and Replace
11.6 Go To Command
11.7 Excel Formulas
11.8 Functions in Excel
11.9 Relative, Absolute and Mixed References

12. Excel-III 142-156


12.1 Introduction

5
12.2 Components of a Chart
12.3 Types of Chart
12.4 Steps for drawing a Chart
12.5 Graphics
12.6 Auto Shapes
12.7 Clip Art
12.8 SmartArt Graphics

13. PowerPoint-I 157-170


13.1 Introduction
13.2 Starting PowerPoint
13.3 Creating a New Presentation
13.4 Save a Presentation
13.5 Slide Layout
13.6 Views in PowerPoint 2007
13.7 PowerPoint 2007 Toolbars

14. PowerPoint-II 171-177


14.1 Inserting Graphics
14.2 Transitions
14.3 Animations

15. Introduction to Lotus SmartSuite ---------------


15.1 Introduction
15.2. Structure of Spreadsheet
15.3 Opening Lotus 1-2-3
15.4 Components of Lotus Window
15.5 Basic Terms and Definitions
15.6 Structure of Lotus 1-2-3 Window

16. Introduction to Lotus SmartSuite –II --------------


16.1 Built in Functions
16.2 Using Graphics
16.3 Sharing Data with other Desktop Applications
16.4 Strategies of Creating Error Free Worksheet
16.5 Spreadsheets and their uses in business

17. Tally-I 178-189


17.1 Introduction
17.2 Features of Tally.ERP 9
17.3 Installing Tally.ERP 9
17.4 Tally Licenses
17.5 Tally Screen Overview

18. Tally-II 190-205


18.1 Company Information
18.2 Company Features in Tally.ERP 9

6
18.3 Account Information

19. Introduction to statistical Packages ------------


19.1 Introduction
19.2 Usefulness of Statistical analysis tools
19.3 Capabilities that make statistical software indispensable
19.4 Factors in choosing a statistical software
19.5 Importance of Statistical Analysis in Business
19.6 Significance of statistical software in data analysis: SPSS & STATA

20. SPSS --------------


20.1 Introduction
20.2 Version History
20.3 Opening SPSS
20.4 Layout of SPSS
20.5 Exiting SPSS

21. SYSTAT ----------------


21.1 SYSTAT
21.2 Starting SYSTAT
21.3 Using GUI in SYSTAT

7
Chapter 1
Networking

Objectives

➢ Computer Network
➢ Types of Networks
➢ Local Area Network
➢ Metropolitan Area Network
➢ Wide Area Network
➢ Internet
➢ Evolution of Internet
➢ Applications of Internet

8
1.1 Computer Network

A network can be defined as a group of computers and other devices


connected to each other so that they can exchange data. Each of the devices
on the network can be termed as a node. A node can be a computer, printer
or any other device capable of sending and receiving data generated by other
nodes on the network. More precisely, a computer network consists of two or
more computers that are linked in order to share resources, exchange files or
allow electronic communications. The computers on a network may be linked
through twisted-pair copper wire, coaxial cable, optical fiber and various
wireless technologies.
1.2 Different Types of Networks
Depending upon the geographical area covered by a network, its classification
is as follows: Local Area Network (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN) and
Metropolitan Area Network (MAN). Figure 1.1 shows the classification of
network.

Figure 1.1: Different types of Computer Networks

Local Area Network

A LAN is a network that is used for communicating among computer devices,


usually within an office building or home. LAN enables the sharing of
resources such as files or hardware devices that may be needed by multiple
users. The geographical area covered by LAN is limited in size, typically
spanning a few hundred meters and no more than a mile. Figure 1.2 shows a
view of LAN (Local Area Network).

9
Figure 1.2: Local Area Network

Data transmission rate in LAN is very fast, with speeds ranging from 10 Mbps
to 10 Gbps. LAN’s can be either wired or wireless. Communication medium
such as twisted pair, coaxial or fibre optic cable can be used in wired LAN’s.
Nodes in a LAN are linked together by using a certain topology. These
topologies include: Bus, Ring and Star.

Metropolitan Area Network

Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) is larger than a local area network and as
its name implies, covers the area of a single city. MAN rarely extends beyond
100 KM and frequently comprises a combination of different hardware and
transmission media. A MAN might be owned and operated by a single
organization, but it usually will be used by many individuals and organizations.
It can be single network such as a cable TV network or it is a means of
connecting a number of LANs into a larger network so that resources can be
shared LAN to LAN as well as device to device.

10
Figure 1.3: Metropolitan Area Network

As shown in Figure 1.3, by using MAN, resources can be shared from LAN to
LAN and from computer to computer also. MANs are usually owned by large
organizations to interconnect its various branches across a city. MAN is based
on IEEE 802.6 standard.

Wide Area Network

A wide area network (WAN) is a network that is usually used for


connecting computers, which spans a wide geographical area, such as
between different cities, states or even countries. WANs often connect
multiple smaller networks, such as local area networks (LANs) or Metropolitan
Area Networks (MANs). The world's most popular WAN is the Internet.

Figure 1.4: Wide Area Network

11
Figure 1.4 depicts WAN (Wide Area Network). To cover great distances,
WANs may transmit data over leased high-speed phone lines or wireless links
such as satellites.

1.3 Internet
The internet is a means of transport for information. It is not a thing but it is a
set of standards which allow different computers to communicate with each
other. The Internet, sometimes called simply "the Net" is a network of
networks in which users at any one computer can get the information from
any other computer in the world and sometimes talk directly to the users of
any other computer anywhere in the world. A computer network is a data
communications system made up of hardware and software that transmits
data from one computer to another. The one part of a computer network
includes physical infrastructure like wires, cables, fibre optic lines, undersea
cables and satellites and the other part of a network is the software that keep
it running. Computer networks can connect to other computer networks to get
an even bigger computer network. The Internet is a set of connected
computer networks. It is often also referred to as the Information
Superhighway or simply, the Net or the Web.
Today the internet is a public, cooperative and self-sustaining facility
accessible to hundreds of millions of people worldwide. Internet uses can be
simply categorized as publishing and getting information on various subjects
like marketing, management, science, new technologies, training materials,
jobs, higher education, mathematics, music, games, software, and e-
Commerce and many more.
The kind of information available in the internet can also be listed as text
documents, graphic files, sound and video files, downloadable games and
software, demo games and software. In short the Internet has greatly
changed the way people use computers and communicate today.

1.4 Evolution of Internet


In 1969, the Department of Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
(ARPA) developed an experimental network called ARPAnet to link together

12
four supercomputing centres for military research. This network had many and
difficult design requirements that it had to be fast, reliable, and secure. The
ARPAnet network employed a set of standard protocols to create an effective
way for these people to communicate and share data with each other.
ARPAnet's popularity continued to spread among researchers and in the
1980's the National Science Foundation whose NSFNet linked several high
speed computers and evolved into a huge network of computers which is
today known as the Internet. By the late 1980's, thousands of cooperating
networks were participating in the Internet.
In 1991, the U.S. High Performance Computing Act established the NREN
(National Research & Education Network). NREN's goal was to develop and
maintain high-speed networks for research and education and to investigate
commercial uses for the Internet. The Internet has been improved through
the developments of various services such as Gopher and the World Wide
Web.
Even though the internet is predominantly thought of as a research oriented
network, it continues to grow as an informational, creative, and commercial
resource every day and all over the world.

1.5 Applications of the Internet


The Internet provides many facilities to the people. The main application
areas of Internet are discussed below:

Sharing Information

The internet provides a platform where people can share information with
other people around the world. The scientist or researchers can interact with
each other to share knowledge and to get guidance. Sharing information
through internet is very easy, fast and cheap.

Collection of Information

On the internet people can get information on any topic of interest. A lot of
information of different types is stored on the web server on the Internet. It
means that billions of websites contain different information in the form of text

13
and pictures. One can easily collect information on every topic of the world.
For this purpose special websites called search engines are available on the
Internet to search information of every topic of the world. The most popular
search engines are google.com, msn.com, altavista.com, search.com,
yahoo.com, ask.com, dogpile.com etc. The scientists, writers, engineers and
many other people use these search engines to collect latest information for
different purposes. Usually the information on the Internet is free of cost and
is available twenty four hours a day.

News

One can get latest news of the world on the Internet. Most of the newspapers
of the world are also available on the internet. They have their websites from
where we can get the latest news about the events happening in the world.
These websites are periodically updated or they are immediately updated with
latest news when any event happens around the world.

Searching Jobs

People can search different types of jobs all over the world. Most of the
organizations, departments around the world advertise their vacant vacancies
on the internet. The search engines are also used to search the jobs on
internet. One can apply for the required job through internet.

Advertisement
Nowadays most of the commercial organizations advertise their product
through internet. It is very cheap and efficient way for the advertising of
products. The products can be presented with attractive and beautiful way to
the people around the world.

Communication

One can communicate with other through internet around the world. People
can talk by watching to one another and for this purpose different services
such as Chatting, Video conferencing, E-mail, Internet telephony etc. are
provided on the Internet.

14
Entertainment

Internet also provides different types of entertainment to the people. One can
play games with other in any part of the world. Similarly people can watch and
download movies, can also listen to the music online or download music of
our choice from the internet. People can also make new friends on the
Internet for enjoyment.

Online Education

Internet provides the facility to get online education. Many websites of


different universities provide lectures and tutorials on different subjects or
topics. One can also download these lectures or tutorials into their computers.
One can listen to these lectures repeatedly and can get a lot of knowledge.
Virtual classroom is an environment that enables teachers worldwide to teach
students synchronously on the Internet. It is very cheap and easy way to get
education.

Online Results

Today most of the universities, education boards, organizations provide their


results on the Internet. The students or the applicants can get their results
from any part of country or world with the help of internet.

Online Airlines and Railway Schedules and Reservation

Airline companies and Railways provide their schedules of flights and trains
respectively on the Internet. The bookings of the tickets can be done online
which saves our time and efforts.

Online Medical Advice

Many websites are also available on the Internet to get information about
different diseases. One can consult a panel of online doctors to get advice
about any medical problem. In addition a lot of information is also available on
the Internet for research in medical field.
Shopping

15
The online shopping has become very popular. People can find and purchase
anything i.e. appliances, books, clothing, groceries, gadgets, software,
furniture etc. via the internet.
Social Networking
Social networking websites function like an online community of internet
users. The social networking community members share common interests in
hobbies, religion, politics and alternative lifestyles. Some common sites are
facebook, twitter, my space and YouTube.

****************************************************

16
Summary

• A network can be defined as a group of computers and other devices


connected to each other so that they can exchange data.
• The computers on a network may be linked through twisted-pair copper
wire, coaxial cable, optical fibre and various wireless technologies.
• Different types of network are Local Area Network (LAN), Wide Area
Network (WAN) and Metropolitan Area Network (MAN).
• A LAN is a network that is used for communicating among computer
devices, usually within an office building or home.
• Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) is larger than a local area network
and as its name implies, covers the area of a single city.
• A wide area network (WAN) is a network that is usually used for
connecting computers, which spans a wide geographical area, such as
between different cities, states or even countries.
• The internet is a means of transport for information. It is not a thing but
it is a set of standards which allow different computers to communicate
with each other.

17
Exercise 1

Q.1 What is meant by Computer Network?


Q.2 Write a short note on Local Area Network.
Q. 3 Differentiate between WAN and MAN.
Q.4 Write a short note on the evolution of internet.
Q.5 Define the term internet. Discuss the various applications of internet.
Q.6 Discuss the following:
▪ ARPANET
▪ NREN

18
Chapter 2
Parts of Internet

Objectives

➢ Introduction
➢ World Wide Web (WWW)
➢ Web Browsers
➢ Search Engines
➢ E-mail
➢ File Transfer Protocol

19
2.1 Introduction

The Internet is a worldwide network of computer networks, which feature such


services as data-sharing, electronic messaging and on-line
commerce. Millions of computers are connected through the internet and the
internet is made up of several parts but major parts are namely- World Wide
Web (WWW), E-mail and FTP.

2.2 World Wide Web (WWW)

The World Wide Web is a part of the internet which designed to allow easier
navigation through the use of graphical user interfaces and hypertext links
between different addresses. The World Wide Web was created in 1992 by
Tim Berners-Lee and continues to change and expand rapidly. The web is the
user part of the internet based on TCP/IP protocol technology to swap
information back and forth. People use the Web to communicate, access
information, for business, and recreational purposes.
The World Wide Web commonly called the web or WWW is a tool that we use
on the internet to get an access to information stored on other systems
throughout the world. The web has powerful linking abilities to other internet
services and resources worldwide. The web consists of a body of information
protocols, conventions, standards and concepts. The growth of the Internet
was enhanced by the increasing popularity of personal computers, e-mail and
the World Wide Web which was introduced in 1991 and saw explosive growth
beginning in 1993. By 2000 it was estimated that the number of adults using
the Internet exceeded 100 million in the United States alone. The World Wide
Web (WWW or W3) is a hypertext system that made browsing the Internet
and retrieving information both fast and easy. The Web is the collection of
globally distributed text, multimedia files, documents and other network
services that are linked to create an immense worldwide electronic library. It
is called the Web because it is made of many interconnected sites and it looks
like a spider web. The Web consists of three main parts:
• Hypertext Markup Language (HTML)
• Hyper Text Transfer Protocol (HTTP)

20
• Universal Resource Locator (URL)
The Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) which comprises the programming
codes, or tags, that defines fonts, layouts, embedded graphics, and hyperlinks
to other documents accessible via the Web.
The Hyper Text Transfer Protocol (HTTP) which defines a set of standards for
transmitting Web pages across the Internet.

The Universal Resource Locator (URL) which is a standardized naming


convention for identifying a Web document or file i.e. the address of a link.
Users can retrieve information quickly by clicking on hyperlinks. Text,
graphics, sound, and video can all be accessed by using browsers like
Firefox, Safari, Opera, or Internet Explorer.

2.3 Web Browsers

The World Wide Web is a system of internet servers that support specially
formatted documents. Web browsers are used to make it easy to access the
World Wide Web. Browsers are able to display Web pages in part to an
underlying Web protocol called Hyper Text Transfer Protocol. HTTP defines
how messages are formatted and transmitted and what actions Web servers
and browsers should take in response to various commands. It allows Web
clients and Web servers to communicate with each other. When we enter a
Web address in the browser, this actually sends an HTTP command to the
Web server directing it to fetch and transmit the requested Web page and
display the information in the browser. All Web servers serving Web sites and
pages support the HTTP protocol. For example the web address to reach the
definition of browser on Google is: http://www.google.com/browser.html.

As one enter the URL "http://www.google.com/browser.html" into the address


line of the browser, the browser breaks that web address down into three
distinct parts. The Protocol: "http”, the server name: "www.google.com" the
file name which follows the server name: "browser.html”.
In order for the browser to actually connect to the Web server to retrieve the
information which is requested, it communicates with a name server to
translate the server name into an IP address. The web browser is then able to

21
connect to the web server at the resolved IP address. Once the browser has
connected to the web server using HTTP, the browser then reads the Hyper
Text Markup Language and the data is then displayed in the Web browser. A
Web browser is actually a software application that runs on the Internet-
connected computer. It allows us to view web pages, as well as use other
content and technologies such as video, graphics files, and digital certificates.
Some browsers will translate only text while others do support graphics and
animation. All the web browsers are not equal, and web pages will also not be
displayed the same in different browsers. The most commonly used web
browsers are as follows:
• Netscape
• Microsoft Internet Explorer
• Mozilla Firefox
• Google Chrome
• Opera

Netscape Web browser


The first commercial Web browser was Netscape. The latest version is
available for windows XP, windows 2000, windows 98 SE and windows ME.
Netscape Browser 8x is the next-generation release of Netscape's venerable
and once extremely popular Web browser. Version 8.0 is based on code from
company spin-off Mozilla, borrowing much of the functionality and format from
the increasingly popular Firefox browser. The Netscape browser offers
integrated pop-up controls, tabbed browsing features, and a password
manager, but the most interesting and unique feature is the dual rendering
and layout engines that allow users to switch between Firefox and IE.

Microsoft Internet Explorer


Windows Internet Explorer or formerly Microsoft Internet Explorer and
commonly called IE is a series of graphical web browsers developed by
Microsoft and included as part of the Microsoft Windows line of operating
systems starting in 1995. It has been the most widely used web browser since
1999. Basically Internet Explorer is a web browser and an interface used to

22
surf the internet. Microsoft's Internet Explorer (IE) is currently considered the
dominant browser. IE version 7 offers tabbed browsing, instant access to e-
mail, integrated RSS support, better standards compliance, a built-in phishing
filter, advanced security in the form of cross-domain script barriers,
International Domain Name Anti-Spoofing protection and an option for
deleting browsing history by removing user-identifiable information.
In 2009 windows internet explorer 8 has been made available. The internet
explorer is available for the following operating systems e.g. Windows XP,
Windows XP 64-bit Edition, Windows Vista, Windows Vista 64-bit Edition,
Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 64-bit Edition, Windows Server
2008, and Windows Server 2008 64-bit Edition.

Mozilla Firefox
Mozilla Firefox is a free, open source, cross-platform, Web browser developed
by the Mozilla Corporation and hundreds of volunteers. Mozilla Corporation is
responsible for the browser where volunteers have created many of the plug-
ins available for the browser. Firefox offers support for many standards
including HTML, XML, XHTML, CSS, JavaScript, DTD, XSL and PNG images.
The browser can also be used on a variety of operating systems such as
Windows, Mac OSX, BeOS, FreeBSD, Linux, and others. The current version
of Firefox is 29.

Google Chrome Web browser


Google Chrome is a web browser designed for windows systems. It offers
users a minimal design and the Google calls it sophisticated technology which
is used to make the web faster, safer, and easier on windows-based PCs.
Google Chrome features searching from the address bar, thumbnail views of
the favorite pages for quick access, a private browsing function that opens an
secret window when one don't want to save the browsing history, instant
bookmarks, crash control and dynamic tabs. The browser works with
Windows Vista and Windows XP.

23
Opera
Opera is an international web browser developed in Norway. It is available for
Windows 3.x and Windows 9x/NT/2000/XP/2003 in four different languages.
The most current release, Opera 9x, includes widgets, support for BitTorrents,
support for a wide variety of image, audio, and video formats, as well as
enhanced HTML features, JavaScript, server push capabilities, Opera e-mail,
voice technology, and client side image mapping.

2.4 Search Engines

Internet search engines are special sites on the web that are designed to help
people find information stored on other sites. There are differences in the
ways various search engines work, but they all perform three basic tasks:

• They search the internet or select pieces of information on the


internet based on important words.
• They keep an index of the words they find and where they find
them.
• They allow users to look for words or combinations of words
found in that index.

Early search engines held an index of a few hundred thousand pages and
documents, and received maybe one or two thousand inquiries each day.
Today, a top search engine will index hundreds of millions of pages, and
respond to tens of millions of queries per day.

Types of Search Engine

Depending upon the method of searching the search engines are of the
following types:

• Crawler-Based Search Engines


• Directories
• Hybrid Search Engines
• Meta Search Engines

24
Crawler-Based Search Engines

Crawler-based search engines use automated software programs to survey


and categorize web pages. The programs used by the search engines to
access the web pages are called spiders, crawlers, robots or bots. A spider
will find a web page, download it and analyze the information presented on
the web page. This is a seamless process. The web page will then be added
to the search engine’s database. After this whenever a user performs a
search, the search engine will check its database of web pages for the key
words.

The results in the form of list of suggested links are listed on pages by order
of which is closest to what the user wants to find online. Crawler-based
search engines are constantly searching the Internet for new web pages and
updating their database of information with these new or altered pages.
Examples of crawler-based search engines are: Google (www.google.com),
Ask Jeeves (www.ask.com) and Yahoo (www.yahoo.com)

Directories

A directory uses human editors who decide what category the site belongs to.
They place websites within specific categories in the ‘directories’ database.
The human editors comprehensively check the website and rank it based on
the information they find using a pre-defined set of rules. Examples of Web
directories are: Yahoo Directory (www.yahoo.com) and Open Directory
(www.dmoz.org)

Hybrid Search Engines

Hybrid search engines use a combination of both crawler-based results and


directory results. More and more search engines these days are moving to a
hybrid-based model. Examples of hybrid search engines are: Yahoo
(www.yahoo.com) & Google (www.google.com)

25
Meta Search Engines

Meta search engines take the results from all the other search engines
results, and combine them into one large listing. Examples of Meta search
engines include: Metacrawler (www.metacrawler.com) and Dogpile
(www.dogpile.com).

2.5 E-mail
E-mail is a method of transferring electronic messages using the internet.
Electronic mail sometimes called email is a computer based method of
sending and receiving messages from one computer to another. These
messages usually consist of individual pieces of text which can be sent to
another computer user even if the other user is not using the computer at the
time when the message was sent. The message can be read at a later time.
This procedure is analogous to sending and receiving a letter.
Originally email messages were restricted to simple text but now many
systems can handle more complicated formats such as graphics and word
processed documents. When mail is received on a computer system it is
usually stored in an electronic mailbox for the recipient to read later.
Electronic mailboxes are usually special files on a computer which can be
accessed using various commands. Each user normally has their individual
mailbox. It is very easy to send electronic mail between users of different
computer systems which are connected through the networks.
History of E-mail
Electronic mail is a natural and perhaps inevitable use of networked
communication technology that developed along with the evolution of the
internet. In the year 1971, two programs were developed by Ray Tomlinson,
Beranek and Newman which could send messages across the ARPANET.
The programs were SNDMSG and READMAIL and they were used to send
and read messages respectively. The actual mail addresses as we see today
were introduced in 1984.
However in 1989 MCI Mail and CompuServe provided the first commercial e-
mail connection to the internet through the Corporation for the National
Research Initiative (CNRI) and Ohio State University respectively. E-mail

26
could then be accessed only through e-mail clients. Web-based mail was
introduced in 1996 by Hotmail.
Structure of an E-mail
To create a new e-mail message one has to provide certain information to
make sure that the message gets to its intended destination. So the structure
of an e-mail message is shown in Figure 2.1 below.

Figure 2.1: Structure of e-mail


The constituents of email structure are also defined as follows:
To: This is the address or addresses to which the mail is sent. e.g.
[email protected]
Add Cc: In this Cc stands for Carbon Copy and in this field one can specify
the address/addresses of those to whom we want to send a copy of the mail.
The CC recipient's name is visible to all recipients.
Add BCc: In this BCc stands for Blind Carbon Copy. In the BCc also a list of
addresses is mentioned. These people will also receive a copy of the
message. But a BCc recipient's name is not visible to the other recipients. The
BCc recipients can see the To and Cc addresses.
Subject: A short title for the mail. It tells the recipient about contents of the
message.
Attachments: One can attach one or more pictures, documents or any other
file with the e-mail. Some computers specify a maximum size for the e-mails

27
they can handle so one has to keep that in mind while sending very big
attachments.
Body: The body contains the actual message which has to be sent.
From: This is the address of the sender of the e-mail. Apart from the e-mail
address, from field may contain the name of the sender also.

E-mail Address
The postal address of any residence contains information about the name,
House Number, Street, City, Country and the ZIP/PIN code. Similarly an e-
mail address will show the name and the computer which is used for sending
and receiving the email. For example: [email protected] is a form of
email address.
In the example anitaganpati is the user name, @ is the computer having the
domain name gmail.com. The whole text following the @ symbol is the
address of the computer. The @ symbol in e-mail addresses was also
introduced by Ray Tomlinson.

Email providers
Most email services have been around for years but the various free and
popular email providers are: Google, Yahoo, MSN etc. Gmail is a free email
service provided by Google. In many ways, Gmail is like any other email
service: One can send and receive emails, block spam, create an address
book and perform other basic email tasks. But, it also has some more unique
features that help to make it one of the most popular email services on the
Web.
Create an Gmail Account
The procedure for setting up an email account will be explained briefly in the
following section. Creating an account for other email accounts is very similar.
Open any browser i.e. Internet Explorer, Google chrome, Safari, Mozilla
Firefox for opening a particular email account. In case of a gmail account,
open https://accounts.google.com website. Then click on create an account.
The following window as shown in Figure 2.2 will open:

28
Figure 2.2: Creation of Gmail account

After filling the required details the gmail account with username
dcchpu@gmail will be created.

E-mail Advantages
1. E-mail messages are transferred instantly.
2. Cost of sending an email is zero or negligible
3. One e-mail message can be sent to multiple recipients almost at the
cost of a single email. When compared to conventional postal service
this is indeed a huge saving.
4. Any digital document can be sent over email as an attachment.
5. The delivery of email messages in almost guaranteed.
6. Just like the postal and courier services we can request a return receipt
which tells that the email has been delivered or not.
7. One of the greatest advantages of using email is that it is accessible
anywhere, anytime through a variety of devices - computers, laptops,
palmtops and even cell phones. One can check email from any location
as long as an active internet connection is available.
8. If not all several steps in the emailing process can be automated. A
good example is sending birthday greetings to people. An email

29
program checks the birthday and the name of the recipient from a list.
A message is then formulated and sent on the specified date.

2.6 File Transfer Protocol

File Transfer Protocol is a protocol used for transferring files from one
computer to another typically from a computer to a web server. To transfer
files with FTP a program often called the "client” is used. The FTP client
program initiates a connection to a remote computer running FTP "server"
software. After the connection is established the client can choose to send
and/or receive copies of files singly or in groups. To connect to an FTP server
the client requires a username and password as set by the administrator of
the server. Many public FTP archives follow a special convention that accepts
username as "anonymous."

Simple FTP clients are included with most network operating systems. But
most of these clients such as FTP.EXE on Windows support a relatively
unfriendly command-line interface. Many alternative freeware / shareware
third-party FTP clients have been developed that support graphic user
interfaces and additional convenience features. In any FTP interface the
clients identify the FTP server either by its IP address e.g. such as
192.168.0.1 or by its host name such as ftp://about.com. In TCP there are two
ways of transferring data - ASCII or text mode for text files and binary mode
for all other types of information (e.g., images). Thus FTP includes commands
to specify which mode to use for the file transfer.

FTP Connection

To connect the local machine to the remote machine type

ftp machinename

where machinename is the full machine name of the remote machine, e.g
ipswitch.com. If the name of the machine is unknown then type

ftp machinennumber

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where machinennumber is the IP address of the remote machine e.g.
129.82.45.181. If the remote machine has been reached successfully then
FTP responds by asking for a loginname and password.

When someone enter the loginname and password for the remote machine it
returns the prompt

ftp>

and permits the access on the remote machine. This enables the user to
move around in his or her own directory and to copy files to and from the local
machine using the FTP interface commands.

Anonymous FTP

At times we may wish to copy files from a remote machine on which we do not
have a loginname. So this can be done by using anonymous FTP. When the
remote machine asks for the loginname, one should type in the word
anonymous. Instead of a password, one should enter the own electronic mail
address. This allows the remote site to keep records of the anonymous FTP
requests. Once the user has been logged in, the user is in the anonymous
directory for the remote machine. This usually contains a number of public
files and directories. Again the user will be able to move around in these
directories. However the user is only able to copy the files from the remote
machine to own local machine but the user will not able to write on the remote
machine or to delete any files from there.

**************************

31
Summary

• The Internet is a worldwide network of computer networks, which


feature such services as data-sharing, electronic messaging and on-
line commerce.
• The World Wide Web is a part of the internet which designed to allow
easier navigation through the use of graphical user interfaces and
hypertext links between different addresses.
• The Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) which comprises the
programming codes, or tags, that defines fonts, layouts, embedded
graphics, and hyperlinks to other documents accessible via the Web.
• The Hyper Text Transfer Protocol (HTTP) which defines a set of
standards for transmitting Web pages across the Internet.
• The Universal Resource Locator (URL) which is a standardized naming
convention for identifying a Web document or file i.e. the address of a
link. Users can retrieve information quickly by clicking on hyperlinks.
• Web browsers are used to make it easy to access the World Wide
Web.
• Internet search engines are special sites on the web that are designed
to help people find information stored on other sites.
• E-mail is a method of transferring electronic messages using the
internet. Electronic mail sometimes called email is a computer based
method of sending and receiving messages from one computer to
another.
• File Transfer Protocol is a protocol used for transferring files from one
computer to another typically from a computer to a web server.

32
Exercise 2

Q.1 Define e-mail. Explain the structure of email.


Q.2 What are the contents of email address?
Q.3 Elaborate the advantages of email.
Q.4 What are the main tasks performed by a search engine?
Q.5 Explain File Transfer Protocol.
Q.6 Define Search Engine and discuss its various types.
Q. 7 Write a note on world wide web.
Q. Discuss different web browsers.

33
Chapter 3
Basics of Multimedia

Objectives
➢ Introduction
➢ Elements of Multimedia Applications
➢ Categories of Multimedia
➢ Hypermedia Versus Multimedia
➢ Uses of Multimedia
➢ Components of A Multimedia Presentation

34
3.1 Introduction

Multimedia is a tele-service concept that provides integrated and


simultaneous services of more than one telecommunication services, namely,
voice-world, video world and data-world. Truly, multimedia is supposed to
provide such service in real time and in interactive mode. Typical examples of
multimedia applications are WWW, video conferencing, video on demand,
interactive TV, interactive movies, electronic magazines and journals,
groupware, digital video editing and home shopping.
Multimedia is fast emerging as an important tool of information technology
and as a basic tool of tomorrow’s life. Interactive multimedia is a service,
which provides simultaneous access, dissemination, transportation and
processing of more than one information services like voice, video and data in
the interactive mode and in the real time environment. Multimedia is to
integrate three communication worlds, namely, telephone world, data world
and video/TV world into a single communication world. Multimedia application
shall comprise of more than one information types, namely the non-real time
service of data, images, text and graphics, and the real time service of voice
and video. Future world of information and communication shall be converged
to multimedia application and shall provide comfort, competition, mobility,
efficiency and flexibility. As per Fred T. Hofstetter “Multimedia is the use of a
computer to present and combine text, graphics, audio and video with links
and tools that let the user navigate, interact, create and communicate”.

Sound Graphics
Text Speech Picture
Writing + Music + Animation
Noises Videos

Figure 3.1: Multimedia

Multimedia may be defined as the media that uses multiple forms of


information content and information processing (e.g. text, audio, graphics,
animation, video and interactivity) to inform or entertain the user. It is shown in

35
Figure 3.1 above. Multimedia also refers to the use of electronic media to
store and experience multimedia content. Multimedia is similar to traditional
mixed media in fine art, but with a broader scope. The term "rich media" is
synonymous for interactive multimedia.
3.2 Elements of Multimedia Applications
Multimedia means that computer information can be represented through
audio, graphics, image, video and animation in addition to traditional media
(text and graphics). Hypermedia can be considered as one type of particular
multimedia application. Multimedia is a combination of content form.
Various elements used in multimedia applications are as follows:
• Graphics Images
• Animation
• Text
• Audio
• Video

Graphics Images
Graphic images are digital representations of non-textual information such as
drawing, chart, or photographs which play an important role in the learning
process and which is worth a thousand words. Graphics are especially useful
when there is a need to illustrate something or compare information.Images
can be added to multimedia applications using color scanners and digital
camera. Figure 3.2 shows a digital camera and scanner which are an
example of graphic images.

36
Digital Camera Scanner

Figure 3.2: Graphic images

Animation

Animation is actually a series of images, presented very quickly. They are


useful for the "experience" they allow the end user to have. just as television
is better than newspapers in providing a first-person, experiential account of
an event, multimedia that effectively incorporates moving images takes users
to the scene and allows them to experience an event for themselves.

Text
Text is an important component used in many multimedia applications. They
are characters that are used to create words, sentences and paragraphs. Text
alone provides just one source of information. Yet, text is good at providing
basic information. It is the simplest, and often the most effective way to get
one's message across. Insufficient attention given to the presentation and flow
of text within multimedia application can result in the failure to communicate
the presentation’s central message.
Audio
Audio is music, speech, or any other sound that the computer converts from
analog sound/waves into a digital format. Sound helps in providing an
additional element. There are times when it is important to let users hear the
actual sound or sounds from a person or event. An audio device is shown in
Figure 3.3.

37
Figure 3.3: Audio Device

Video
Video is made up of series of frames of slightly varied images which, when
shown in rapid succession, give the impression of movement (as shown in
Figure 3.4). Shooting video requires video skills and an understanding of the
special demands of multimedia and pictures. Video sequences are made by
capturing frames.

Figure 3.4: Video as Composition of Frames

3.3 Categories of Multimedia


Multimedia may be broadly divided into linear and non-linear categories.
Linear active content progresses without any navigation control for the viewer
such as a cinema presentation. Non-linear content offers user interactivity to
control progress as used with a computer game or used in self-paced
computer based training. Non-linear content is also known as hypermedia
content.

38
Multimedia presentations can be live or recorded. A recorded presentation
may allow interactivity via a navigation system. A live multimedia presentation
may allow interactivity via interaction with the presenter or performer. The
linear multimedia is where the users or the viewer’s cannot interact with the
media such as a movie. The non-linear multimedia involves interactivity such
as computer games, computer based training. Multimedia presentations can
be live or recorded.
3.4 Hypermedia versus Multimedia
Text media may be classified into two groups: linear and non-linear. A book is
an example of linear medium. A book is written for reading from the beginning
to the end. The hyper-text is non-linear. In non-linear media, accessing or
reading is not necessary from the starting to the end. Links and jumping
without loss of meaning and continuity are essential parts of non-linearity. We
may think of sequential memory versus random access memory to compare
linear media versus non-linear media. Hypermedia refers to media like text,
graphics, images, sound and video with property of non-linearity. Book is one
example of linear media whereas WWW (World Wide Web) is one of the best
examples of hypermedia.
Multimedia refers to computer-based information representation of different
media like text, graphics, images, animation, video, audio and sound,
whereas the hypermedia can be seen as an application of multimedia.

3.5 Uses of Multimedia


Multimedia is used in many areas, including business, education,
mathematics and scientific research.
Engineering
In Engineering, especially in mechanical and automobiles engineering,
multimedia is primarily used for designing a machine or an automobile. This
lets an Engineer view a product from various perspective, zoom in on critical
parts and do other manipulation, before actually producing it. This is known as
computer-aided design (CAD) or computer-aided engineering (CAE).
Medicine

39
Doctors are using advanced instruments, computer simulations and
techniques to diagnose the illnesses of patients. Virtual surgery for example
help the doctor to understand how to perform the surgery. They can also see
the simulation of how the human body is affected by diseases due to the
viruses and bacteria. This in turn help them to find techniques to prevent such
diseases.
Mathematical and Scientific Research
In Mathematical and Scientific Research, multimedia are mainly used for
modelling and simulation. For example, a scientist can look at a molecular
model of a particular substance and manipulate it to arrive at a new
substance.
Virtual Reality (VR)
This technology allows a user to interact with a computer-simulated
environment, be it a real or imagined one. Most current virtual reality
environments are primarily visual experiences, displayed either on a computer
screen or through special stereoscopic displays, but some simulations include
additional sensory information, such as sound through speakers or
headphones. Mainly applied in medical and gaming applications.
Users can interact with a virtual environment or a virtual artifact (VA) either
through the use of standard input devices such as a keyboard and mouse, or
through multimodal devices such as a wired glove and omnidirectional
treadmill. The simulated environment can be similar to the real world, for
example, simulations for pilot or combat training, or it can differ significantly
from reality, as in VR games.
In the Arts there are multimedia artists, whose minds are able to blend
techniques using different media that in some way incorporates interaction
with the viewer. One of the most relevant could be Peter Greenaway who is
melding Cinema with Opera and all sorts of digital media.
Education
In Education, multimedia is used to produce computer-based training courses
(popularly called CBTs) and reference books like encyclopedias. A CBT lets
the user go through a series of presentations, text about a particular topic,
and associated illustrations in various information formats. Edutainment is an

40
informal term used to describe combining education with entertainment,
especially multimedia entertainment.
Industry
In the Industrial sector, multimedia is used as a way to help present
information to shareholders, superiors and coworkers. Multimedia is also
helpful for providing employee training, advertising and selling products all
over the world via virtually unlimited web-based technologies.
Multimedia Messaging System (MMS)
The Multimedia Messaging System, or MMS, is an application of multimedia
which allows you to send and receive message containing Multimedia related
content such as audio and video and also text. Today many cellphones have
inbuilt MMs as a feature. An electronic multimedia encyclopedia can present
information in better ways than traditional encyclopedia, so the user has more
fun and learn more quickly. For instance, an article on American history can
include hyperlinks to articles on various presidents who had rule the country
even since the independence, when user click on a hyperlink, they are
redirected to a detailed article about that President. Hyperlinks help user
access information in a non-linear fashion as opposed to print material which
are essentially linear. This can speed-up learning and improve the user
experience, when added to multiple elements such as picture, photographs,
audio and video. It is also said that some people learn better by seeing that
reading and some other by listening.
In addition multimedia is heavily used in the entertainment industry, especially
to develop special effects in movies and animation for cartoon characters.
Multimedia games are a popular pastime and are software programs available
either as CD-ROMs or online. Some video games also use multimedia
features. Multimedia application that allow user to actively participate instead
of just sitting by as passive recipient of information are called Interactive
Multimedia. The other areas where multimedia is used are – Advertising,
Computer Simulations, Governmental Services and Journalism

41
3.6 Components of a Multimedia Presentation
A basic multimedia system includes input devices, output devices, memory,
backing storage, and a variety of software.

Input devices and software

Keyboard and mouse


For text entry, a standard QWERTY keyboard and mouse are needed.

Scanner
A scanner allows the input of drawings, photographs or text directly into the
computer’s memory. A scanner is similar to a photocopier as it shines a light
onto the item to be scanned and then reads the light that is reflected.

Optical Character Recognition Software (OCR)


Optical Character Recognition Software is usually known as OCR software.
When you use OCR software with a scanner you can scan text directly into
the computer’s memory as a word-processed document. Once scanned into
the computer’s word processor text can be edited and saved just like any text
you may have typed into the word processor.OCR software has a limited
number of characters it recognizes, and therefore mistakes in scanned text
are common.

Microphone
A microphone can be used to allow sound to be entered into a computer’s
memory. Most computers have inbuilt microphones, or have an interface
which allows a microphone to be plugged into the computer. The quality of
sound generated by a microphone is generally poor so it would not be used
for recording music.

Voice Recognition Software


Voice Recognition Software allows the user to enter text by speaking rather
than typing. The user speaks into the microphone and the words spoken are

42
converted into text in a word-processing package. Voice recognition has
following drawbacks:
• The user must speak slowly and clearly to allow the software to recognize
all the words.
• The software has difficulty with strong accents and the user may have to
repeat words and phrases before they are recognized.

Graphics tablet
A graphics tablet has a pen or pointer connected to a flat board, which is
sensitive to pressure. When pressure is applied to the board using the pen or
pointer, the position of the pen or pointer is sent to the computer. A graphics
tablet allows the user to draw or trace shapes which will go directly into the
computer. A graphics tablet can allow the user to write text directly into the
computer with the correct software.
Handwriting Recognition Software
Handwriting Recognition Software allows the user to write in his or her normal
handwriting. The software reads the shape of the writing and converts it into
text that goes into the computer’s word processing program. One drawback of
handwriting software is that if you are a poor writer the software many not
read the handwriting correctly and errors will occur.
Digital camera
Photographs taken using a digital camera can be easily saved to a computer’s
memory. The camera is connected to the computer using a cable, which then
allows pictures stored in the camera to be uploaded into the computer’s
memory. The amount of memory that a digital camera has will restrict the
number of images that can be stored. A camera with 4mb of memory will be
able to store between 30 to 100 JPEG images depending on the level of
resolution used for the images. Resolution is the amount of detail in an image.
If high-quality images are required they will need to be saved as a high-
resolution image. The higher the resolution the more memory is required.
Therefore, if you take pictures with a high resolution you will not be able to
store as many pictures in your camera.
Digital Camera Software

43
Most digital cameras come with photo-enhancing software, which will allow
you to alter the content as well as the brightness, contrast and colors of the
photographs.
Video camera
A digital video camera is used for taking movies and works in a similar way to
a still video camera but the pictures are stored on a tape. A digital video
camera can be connected to a computer system using a cable normally
supplied with the camera. If the computer has the correct software, videos can
be transferred onto the computer. Once the video is in the computer’s
memory the videos can be edited. Movies require a great deal of memory, so
to store videos would require a large backing storage.
Output devices
Monitors
Monitors are also known as Visual Display Units. The VDU is the screen used
to display the output from the computer. The image displayed on the VDU is
made up of small blocks called pixels. The more pixels that are on an image
the greater the resolution. Remember that the greater the resolution the more
detailed your image will be. So a high-resolution monitor will give a high-
quality picture, as it will have more pixels than a low-resolution monitor. The
two main types of monitor are: Cathode ray tube and liquid crystal display.
Cathode Ray Tube: This is the most common type of monitor. Images on this
type of monitor are created by beams hitting phosphorus inside the screen
making the phosphorus glow. The glowing particles of phosphorus are the
pixels.
Liquid Crystal Display: A LCD monitor is flat and lightweight and also needs
very little power to operate. LCD screens are normally found on laptop
computers
Speakers
Loudspeakers are required to output the sound for a multimedia presentation.
Most computers have in-built loudspeakers, as well as an interface which
allows additional loudspeakers to be connected to the computer.
Sound cards

44
Sound cards are additional pieces of hardware that are inside a computer. A
good quality sound card improves the sound quality and additional software
allows sound to be composed, edited and recorded on the computer.
Sound must be converted from its original analogue state to digital to allow
the output of sound from a computer. Good-quality soundcards enhance this
conversion. The speakers and microphone plug into the sound card.
Data projectors
Data projectors simply project a presentation from the computer onto a large
white screen usually mounted against a wall. Therefore instead of everyone
crowding round a monitor the audience can sit and watch a presentation in
comfort, as if watching a film in a cinema.
Graphics card
The quality of image displayed on a monitor depends on the quality of the
graphics card installed inside the computer. The better the graphics card the
better the quality of images that can be displayed.
Graphics cards usually have a large amount of their own memory which
allows a variety of resolutions and screen displays. The monitor and data
projector plug into the graphics card.
Backing storage
In order to store multimedia presentations you need backing storage. There
are a number of backing storage devices which are all parts of the hardware
of a computer system. When discussing backing storage the term access is
used. In this unit we will only look at backing storage which has random or
direct access. Random/direct access is when the storage device can go to a
piece of data straightaway wherever it is stored.
Hard disk
On a computer system the hard disk is the main backing storage device.
Modern hard-disk drives have a large storage capacity usually between 20
and 30 gigabytes. This large storage capacity is ideal for multimedia
presentations as these usually have large storage requirements, especially if
they contain high-quality sound and video files.
Floppy disk

45
Floppy disks are ideal for storing and transferring small files, but due to their
small storage capacity (1.44megabytes) they are not usually suitable for
multimedia files.
Compact disks
CDs are known as optical storage which means that they use lasers to store
and read data. CDs can be removed from a computer and used in other
computers easily, making them portable unlike a hard disk. CDs have direct
access.
Compact Disk Read Only Memory (CD-ROM)
CD-ROMs have a large storage capacity (700megabytes), making them ideal
storage for multimedia presentations. Indeed most computer games and
programs come on CD-ROM. CD-ROMs cannot be updated as they are Read
Only.
Compact Disk Recordable (CD-R)
Like CD-ROMs you can only save to CD-Rs once, which means One cannot
edit the program or presentation once saved onto the disk. The CD-R works in
exactly the same way as a CD-ROM and also has a large storage capacity.
Compact Disk Re-Writable (CD-RW)
Unlike CD-ROMs and CD-Rs a CD-RW can be re-written too many times. CD-
RWs also have a large storage capacity, which makes them ideal backing
storage for large multimedia presentations that may need to be updated.
Digital Versatile Disk (DVD)
The main difference between CDs and DVDs is that DVDs have a larger
storage capacity, up to 17 gigabytes.
Digital Versatile Disk – Recordable (DVD-R)
DVD-Rs are disks that can be written to once.
Digital Versatile Disk – Re-Writable (DVD-RW)
DVD-RWs are disks that can be written to more than once, which also makes
them ideal for storing large multimedia presentations that may need to be
updated.
USB – Flash drive
A flash drive is a small compact memory chip that plugs into the USB port of a
computer. Flash drives allow data to be stored, erased and re-written to many
times. Flash drives are portable backing storage devices that have a storage
46
capacity ranging from 64 megabytes up to 256 megabytes. The table on the
next page gives a summary of the cost, capacity and speed of access and
portability of the backing storage devices discussed. Remember that
technology is improving every day so it is impossible to give exact storage
capacity and cost.
File Types
There are many different ways to store files but choosing the correct file type
can dramatically reduce the amount of backing storage required. Some file
types compress the data, which makes the storage requirements smaller and
therefore faster to download.
Text
Text files may have one of the following file extensions: .txt for text, .doc for
document and .rtf for rich text format. Txt and Doc are versions of saving
word-processed documents. However, they may only save data to a specific
application, e.g. only open in Microsoft Word. If they will open in another
application the original formatting of the text may be lost.RTF files are saved
with all the information about styles, fonts, sizes and page layout. RTF files
are recognized by a range of applications allowing transfer of text to other
applications without having to sort out how the text is formatted.

Graphics
Graphics files may have one of the following file extensions: .bmp for bitmap,
.gif graphics interchange format and .jpeg which is Joint Photographic Experts
Group and is used for photographs and graphics.
**********************************

47
Summary
• Multimedia application shall comprise of more than one information types,
namely the non-real time service of data, images, text and graphics, and
the real time service of voice and video

• Graphic images are digital representations of non-textual information such


as drawing, chart, or photographs which play an important role in the
learning process and which is worth a thousand words.

• Animation is actually a series of images, presented very quickly.

• Text media may be classified into two groups: linear and non-linear. A
book is an example of linear medium. A book is written for reading from
the beginning to the end. The hyper-text is non-linear. In non-linear media,
accessing or reading is not necessary from the starting to the end.

• A basic multimedia system includes input devices, output devices,


memory, backing storage, and a variety of software.

48
Exercise 3

Q.1 Explain Multimedia.


Q.2 What are the different elements of multimedia?
Q.3 Discuss the different categories of multimedia.
Q.4 Differentiate between hypermedia versus multimedia.
Q.5 Explain different uses of multimedia.
Q.6 What are various components of a multimedia presentation?

49
Chapter 4
Windows Operating System

Objectives
➢ Operating System
➢ Windows 7
➢ Windows 7 Features
➢ Starting Windows 7
➢ Windows 7 Desktop

50
4.1 Operating System
An operating system is the most important software that runs on a computer.
An operating system act as an intermediary between user of a computer and
hardware. The purpose of an operating system is to provide an environment
in which a user can execute programs in a convenient and efficient manner.
The operating system performs many essential tasks for computer. It controls
the memory needed for computer processes, manages disk space, controls
peripheral devices, and allows you to communicate with the computer without
knowing exactly how a computer works. The operating system begins to do its
job of controlling the way in which the computer functions. The operating
system is responsible for managing the computer's hardware and software
resources.
The three most common operating systems for personal computers
are Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux. Modern operating systems use
a Graphical User Interface(GUI). A graphical user interface (GUI) is a human-
computer interface (i.e., a way for humans to interact with computers) that
uses windows, icons and menus and which can be manipulated by a mouse.
One of the most popular operating systems is Microsoft Windows. Microsoft
created the windows operating system in the mid 1980s. Over the years, there
have been many different versions of windows operating system. The various
versions are: Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista and
Windows 7. Regardless of the version, they all have the same basic
functionality. Windows operating system comes preloaded on most new PCs,
which helps to make it the most popular operating system in the world.

4.2 Windows 7
Windows 7 is an operating system developed by Microsoft for use on personal
computer, including home and business desktops, laptops, netbooks and
tablet PCs released in 2009. It provides a Graphical User Interface (GUI) that
allows user to visually interact with computer’s functions easily or user friendly
way. Windows 7 supports both 32 bit and 64 bit processors and comes in six

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versions. Following are the Windows 7 Operating system versions released
by Microsoft:
• Windows 7 Starter

• Windows 7 Home Basic

• Windows 7 Home Premium

• Windows 7 Professional

• Windows 7 Enterprise

• Windows 7 Ultimate

4.3 Windows 7 Features


Primary features of Windows 7 are:
Graphical User Interface (GUI)
The GUI allows to interact with items on screen using keyboard and mouse.
Speed
Windows 7 bring a more responsive and active feel. It provides improved
desktop responsiveness, an expected faster boot time then earlier versions of
windows.
Multitasking
Multitasking enables running multiple programs or applications at a time.
Lower hardware requirements
It can run well on lower end hardware and also runs the programs which
were designed to run on Window XP operating system.
Manage multiple users
It can manage multiple users with different privileges on same computer.
Multimedia support
The windows media players included in Windows 7 enable you to play and
online stream almost every type of multimedia files.
Taskbar / Start menu
By default, taskbar icons are now larger and items are grouped together and
are not labeled with text.
Aero-shake

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Aero-shake is a new visual feature of Window 7. If we have a multiple
windows open and we want to focus on one go to the title bar (at the top) and
shake with the mouse. This minimizes all the other windows leaving just the
one you’ve shaken on the desktop.
Windows Firewall and Windows Defender
Firewall protection saves your computer from online malware whereas
Windows Defender is built in anti-malware software protecting computer from
different viruses and malwares.
Wireless connectivity
Wireless devices are more easily installed and many more devices are
supported with Windows 7.
4. 4 Starting Windows 7

When the computer is turned on, Windows 7 starts automatically, but one may
have to navigate the Welcome and user log-on screen along the way.

4.5 Windows 7 Desktop


When we start the computer, the screen that appears first is called as the
desktop. The desktop is the work area, where one can access everything
which is needed to operate the computer, such as system components,
applications, the internet, etc. The Desktop is split into two areas. The strip at
the bottom, with the clock to the right and the round start button to the left, is
called the Taskbar. The rest of the Desktop is the space where all your
programs will appear when you start them up. This space contains default
background wallpaper, but it can also contain shortcuts to programs,
documents and folders.
Components of the Desktop

Start button
One of the most important tools we use while working with windows
operating system. The Start button allows us to open menus and start
applications. The Start Button gives access to all the programs that come
with the windows. By default, it is located at the bottom left part of the screen
on the taskbar & is always visible when windows is running. The Start menu

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has three basic parts namely: Left Pane, Right Pane and Search Box. The
large left pane shows a short list of programs on the computer. Clicking All
Programs displays a complete list of programs. At the bottom of the left pane
is the search box, which allows to find programs and files on the computer by
typing in search terms. The right pane provides access to commonly used
folders, files, settings, and features. It's also has shut down option to turn off
the computer. The screen short of start button is shown below in Figure 4.1.

Figure 4.1: Start Button

Left Pane of Start Button for Opening programs

One of the most common uses of the Start menu is opening programs
installed on the computer. To open a program shown in the left pane of the
Start menu, click it. The program opens and the Start menu closes.

If the program we want to open is not listed, click All Programs at the bottom
of the left pane. The left pane displays a long list of programs in alphabetical
order, followed by a list of folders. Clicking one of the program icons starts the
program, and the Start menu closes.

The search box

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The search box is one of the most convenient ways to find things on the
computer. The exact location of the items will be given by the search box.
Desktop, and other common locations). It will also search your e-mail
messages, saved instant messages, appointments, and contacts. The search
box is depicted in the Figure 4.2.

Figure 4.2: Search Box


Right Pane
The right pane of start button contains Personal Folder, Documents, Pictures,
Music, Computer, Control Panel, Default programs, Help and Support, Shut
Down options.
Personal Folder
Opens the personal folder, which is named for whoever is currently logged on
to Windows. For example, if the current user is Anita, the folder will be named
Anita. This folder, in turn, contains user-specific files, including the My
Documents, My Music, My Pictures, and My Videos folders.
Documents
Links to the documents library, where we can access and open text files,
spreadsheets, presentations and other kinds of documents.
Pictures
Links to pictures folder, where we can access and view digital pictures and
graphics files.
Music
Links to a music folder, where one can access and play music and other
audio files.
Computer
Clicking on this link will open a window where one can access disk drives,
cameras, printers, scanners, and other hardware connected to the computer.
Control Pane
Allows to make changes to the current settings on the computer.
Devices and Printers

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Opens a window where one can view information about the printer, mouse,
and other devices installed on the computer.

Default Programs

Opens a window where one can choose which program we want Windows to
use for activities.
Help and Support
Gives us access to a help facility where one can find out how to do certain
things on the computer.
Shut Down
Allows the User to turn off the computer.
Taskbar
A thin strip that runs across the bottom of your screen is known as the
taskbar. It is split into a number of different areas: a round Start button, Quick
launch icons, a notification area, and a clock. All other areas are the Taskbar
itself. It is primarily used to switch between open windows and applications.
By default, the taskbar is located on the bottom edge of the desktop. We can
click the Taskbar and drag it to other locations. The Figure 4.3 below shows
the different areas of taskbar.

Figure 4.3: Taskbar

There is one more area on the Taskbar-the Desktop button. In the Figure 4.4
below, see a narrow rectangle to the right of the clock. This button is used to
minimize all open programs and reveal the desktop.

Figure 4.4: Desktop Button


Quick Launch Area

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The icons to the right of the round start button are known as the quick launch
icons, meaning that one can quickly launch any of the programs seen on the
taskbar. When the mouse is hover over one of the icon, we will see a small
popup rectangle that shows a preview of any open window. In the image
below the mouse is over the Internet Explorer icon. One can also use the
Start menu to add programs to the Quick Launch area as shown in Figure 4.5
below. Right-click the program, which we want to add. From the menu, select
“Pin to Taskbar”. In the image below, we’re adding Calculator as a quick
launch icon.

Figure 4.5: Adding Programs to Quick Launch Area


The result is a new icon in the Quick Launch area as shown in Figure 4.6
below.

Figure 4.6: Added Icon in Quick Launch Area

Notification Area
The Notification area, formally called the System Tray, is the area of the
Taskbar where one can view programs and tasks that are running in the

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background, as well as view important messages about updating your
computer. In the image below, the Notification area shows three icons. The
first white arrow on the left is for hidden icons. To see which icons have been
hidden Click the white arrow. The last icon in the Notification area is the
speaker icon. This sets the volume for computer speakers. Click the speaker
icon to see a slider that one can move up and down.
The second icon in the notification area is white flag. The Figure 4.7 depicts
this. The flag alerts about the system related issues like maintenance, security
etc. which needs to be resolved. The action centre can be accessed by
clicking the icon to find more details of the issue.

Figure 4.7: Flag in Notification Area

The fourth icon in the notification area indicates the network status of WLAN
(wireless local area network) or WIFI (wireless fidelity) internet connection as
shown in Figure 4.8. The status also indicates the strength of WIFI signals
along with connectivity status of WLAN.

Figure 4.8: WLAN/WIFI Symbol in Notification Area

This tells us weather the WIFI connections are available and can be
connected to access the internet. The information yellow triangle on the WIFI
status icon indicates that connection has been established however with the
limited connectivity or no internet connectivity. The WLAN status icon without
the information yellow triangle indicates that the internet can be accessed
through the established WLAN.

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Clock Area
The default clock shows the date as well as the time as shown in Figure 4.9.

Figure 4.9: Clock Area


The calendar can be accessed by clicking on the clock icon. It is shown in
Figure 4.10.

Figure 4.10: Calendar Area

One can change the date and time by clicking on “Change date and time
setting”. The following dialogue box appears as shown in Figure 4.11.

Figure 4.11: Date and Time Settings


Icons or Graphical pictures
The small graphical pictures on the desktop are called icons. One type of icon
is an object icon is an Object icon. Examples of object icons are My

59
Computer, Recycle Bin and Internet Explorer. These icons allow us to open
files and programs on our computer. Other types of icons are the Shortcut
icons. Shortcut icon allows us to open an application quickly. These icons
appear on the desktop and with little arrow in the left corner. Desktop shot
cuts or shortcut icons are links to the files and programs on our computer. We
can add or delete shortcuts without affecting programs on our computer. To
open a program using an Icon, place the mouse over the icon. After which,
the text appears identifying its name or contents. Then, double-click the icon.

Computer Icon
Computer Icon is used to quickly and easily see everything on
your computer. Click the Computer icon on the desktop to browse through the
files and folders. Computer displays icons for all the disk drives and options
for common windows utilities as shown in the Figure 4.12:

Figure 4.12: Screenshot of Computer Icon


Functions of Computer icon are:
• To browse the contents of various disks like hard disk, CD, DVD
etc.

• To create, copy, move or rename files and folders.


• To run a particular application.

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• To see system properties (right click on the Computer icon on
Desktop and select properties option).

• To uninstall or change a program.


• To open Control Panel.

Recycle Bin

Recycle Bin is the same as the dustbin at home. Anything which is a waste or
not needed is put into the dustbin. Similarly, when any data or a record is not
required, it can be deleted and put in the recycle bin.

Figure 4.12: Screenshot of Computer Icon

To move all items back to their original location, click Restore all items. To
permanently remove all items, click Empty the Recycle Bin. No file can be
restored after this.
You can either delete a specific file from recycle bin or you can restore it back
to original location. To restore a file, select it by clicking mouse on it and click
restore this item tab. To delete a file follow these steps:
• Right click on the item you want delete.

• Click on delete option.

*********************************

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Summary

• An operating system act as an intermediary between user of a


computer and hardware.
• Windows 7 is an operating system developed by Microsoft for use on
personal computer, including home and business desktops, laptops,
netbooks and tablet PCs released in 2009.
• The first screen that appears, when we start the computer is called as
the desktop.
• The control panel allows making changes to the current settings on the
computer.
• The start button allows us to open menus and start applications.
• Computer icon is used to quickly and easily see everything on your
computer.
• When any data or a record is not required, it can be deleted and will be
send to the recycle bin.

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Exercise 4

Q.1 Define operating system.


Q.2 Discuss different features of Windows 7.
Q.3 Discuss different components of the desktop.
Q.4 Explain Windows 7 operating system.
Q.5 Explain briefly notification area of taskbar.
Q.6 Write a short note on Quick Launch Area of taskbar.
Q.6 Explain the following:
• Recycle Bin
• Computer Icon
• Start button

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Chapter 5
Control Panel

Objectives

➢ Introduction
➢ Uses of Control Panel

➢ Open the Control Panel in Windows 7

➢ Views of Control Panel

64
5.1 Introduction

The Control Panel is a part of the Microsoft Windows, which allows users to
view and manipulate basic system settings and controls, such as adding
hardware, adding and removing software, controlling user accounts and
changing accessibility options. Control Panel is full of specialized tools that
are used to change way Windows looks and behaves. Some of these tools
help us to adjust settings that make our computer more fun to use.

5.2 Uses of Control Panel


The control panel may be used for the following purpose:
• Add or remove programs from your computer.

• Add or remove hardware devices.

• Configure and set the properties of various devices like printers,


modem, keyboard, mouse etc.

• Set display properties such as wallpaper, screen saver etc.

• Manage different user settings.

• Set date and time.

5.3 Open the Control Panel in Windows 7


To open the control panel in windows7 Click Start Button on the taskbar then
Click on Control Panel on the Start Menu.

5.4 Views of Control Panel


The Control Panel has three different views: Category View, Large Icon View
and Small Icon View (Figure 5.1).
Category View

The category view groups the options under various different categories.
Large Icon View

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This view displays as many of the large, individual CONTROL panel
program icons as can appear in the Control Panel. Windows displays an
alphabetical listing of more than 50 Control Panel Programs on your
system.
Small Icon View

This view displays all the small, individual Control Panel program icons in
the Control Panel. To switch from Category view to Large Icons or Small
Icons view, click the View by drop-down button in the upper –right corner
of the Control Panel and then choose Large Icons or Small Icons form the
buttons drop-down menu.

Figure 5.1: Different Views of Control Panel Category

Appearance and Personalization


Personalization option is used to change the picture, colors and sound for the
computer. The appearance and personalization option has three suboptions
namely: change the theme, change desktop background and adjust screen
resolution. To change the theme click on personalization with left mouse
button (Figure 5.2).

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Figure 5.2: Screenshot of Appearance and Personalization

The screen above is used to select a Theme from the available list. A Theme
customizes not only desktop background but also a screensaver, the color of
windows, sounds and mouse pointers. To set background wallpaper only
select Desktop background from the bottom left. The default is called
Harmony. When we select Desktop background following window appears.
Select a picture from the one available by clicking on it with left mouse button.
This will change the desktop background. Click the Save Change button at
the bottom to make the change permanent. To set a picture of your own
choice, click the dropdown list at the top, where it says Windows Desktop
Background(Figure 5.3).

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Figure 5.3: Screenshot of Desktop Background

Another option is to click the Browse button. A dialogue box appears(See


Figure 5.4).

Figure 5.4: Choosing Desktop Background

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Browse to the folder where the images are and click OK. In above picture a
folder named Aishwarya is selected which contain some images in it. When
we click OK, we will see the images in that folder. Select the image we want
to appear on the desktop from those available. To have slideshow of all
images in the folder, click the Select All button. After we click Select All button
the dropdown list shown below becomes available. The list lets us choose
how often each image will appear in the slideshow before moving on to the
next one. The default is 10 seconds (Figure 5.5).

Figure 5.5: Choosing the Time for Desktop Background

Picture Position is another area which gives different alignment for the picture
selected on the desktop. Once the changes have been made click Save
Changes. The control takes us back to the first screen.
The Window Colour area allows us to change the colour of the window
border, start menu and taskbar. When we click on Window Colour icon the
following window appears (Figure 5.6).

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Figure 5.6: Changing the Colour of Window Border

Things like the start menu, the taskbar and the areas around programs can all
have the same colour scheme. The default is called sky. While we uncheck
the box that says “Enable transparency” will deeper the colour that we have
chosen. Show Colour Mixer option provides more colour schemes.
***********************************************

70
Summary

• The Control Panel is a part of the Microsoft Windows, which allows


users to view and manipulate basic system settings and controls, such
as adding hardware, adding and removing software, controlling user
accounts and changing accessibility options.

• Control Panel is full of specialized tools that are used to change way
Windows looks and behaves.

• The Control Panel has three different views: Category View, Large Icon
View and Small Icon View

• Personalization option is used to change the picture, colors and sound


for the computer.

• The appearance and personalization option has three suboptions


namely: change the theme, change desktop background and adjust
screen resolution. To change the theme click on personalization with
left mouse button.

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Exercise 5

Q.1 What is meant by control panel?


Q.2 Write a short note on different views of control panel.
Q. 3 Discuss different uses of control panel.
Q.4 Write a short note on personalization option.

72
Chapter 6
Windows Accessories

Objectives
➢ Introduction
➢ Paint
➢ Note Pad
➢ WordPad

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6.1 Introduction
Windows 7 comprises of a group of specialized utilities known as accessories
that can help us to do work on the computer in many ways. These
accessories are not full-featured programs, but they are useful for specific job
in the windows environment. Accessories include a calculator, a painting
program (Paint), a text editor (Notepad) and a word processor (WordPad).
The various accessories are discussed in detail in the following section.
To use an accessory, click on Start → All Program → Accessories and then
click the name of particular accessory which is to be launched.

6.2 Paint
Paint is a drawing tool that one can use to create black and white or color
drawings. One can use this accessory for creating and editing the graphics
files. This program offers options of types of brush, line and fill tools that one
can use when drawing a new image or touching up an existing one. The paint
accessory can open graphics saved in a variety of different image formats
(including bitmap, JPEG, GIF, TIFF and PNG). The program can also save
the images that you create or touch up with in these different formats. To
open Paint program: Click Start → All Program → Accessories → Paint. The
paint tool interface is shown below in Figure 6.1.

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Figure 6.1: Paint Tool Interface
Drawing Different Line

One can use several different tools to draw in paint. The tools we use and the
options we select determine how the lines appear in the drawing. There are
several tools that one can use to draw lines in Paint. Various tools are Pencil
tool, Brushes, Line tool, Curve tool. The pencil tool is shown in the Figure 6.2
below.

Figure 6.2: Drawing Tool Pencil

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Drawing Different Shapes

One can use paint to add different shapes in a picture. The ready-made
shapes range from traditional shapes like rectangles, ellipses, triangles and
arrows and unusual shapes, such as a heart, lightning bolt or callout. If we
want to make our own custom shapes, one can use the polygon tool to do
this. The polygon tool is shown in Figure 6.3.

Figure 6.3: Polygon Tool.


Adding Text

In Paint, one can also add text or message in the picture as shown in the
Figure 6.4

Figure 6.4: Text Area


Selecting and Editing Object
If we want to make a change to part of a picture or an object then select the
part of the picture that we want to change and then make the editing. Some of
the changes include the following: resizing an object, moving or copying an
object, rotating it or cropping the picture to only show the selected item.
Figure 6.5 depicts the selection and editing tool.

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Figure 6.5: Selection and Editing Tool.
Working with Color

There are a number of tools to help to work with colour in Paint. Click on the
Edit colours icon on the Ribbon and the following window will appear. It lets us
to use the colours that we want when drawing and editing in Paint as shown in
Figure 6.6.

Figure 6.6: Colour Selection Tool.

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Viewing Picture

Changing the view in Paint lets us to choose how we want to work with
picture. One can zoom in on a certain part of the picture or the whole
picture if we want. Conversely, one can zoom out if the picture is too large.
In addition, one can show rulers and gridlines as we work in Paint, which
can help us to work better in Paint. Click on the View option on Ribbon and
the following window will appear as shown in Figure 6.7.

Figure 6.7: Viewing Pictures


Saving and using Picture

When editing in Paint, one should save the work frequently so we don’t
accidentally lose it. After we save our picture, we can use it on the computer
or share it with others in e-mail. When we save a new picture for the first time,
we need to give it a file name. Figure 6.8 depicts this.

Figure 6.8: Saving and Using Pictures.

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6.3 Note Pad
Notepad is a basic text editor that we can use to open and edit text files. In
notepad, the File menu provides the following commands, which are essential
for editing text files:
New: To start a new text files.
Open: To open an existing text file for editing
Save and Save As: To save changes to the text file which is being
edited.
Page Setup: To modify the page setting for printing the text file we are
editing, including the paper size, source, orientation, margins, header
and footer.
Print: To print a hard copy of the text file which is being edited.

To open Note Pad: Click Start → All Program → Accessories → Notepad.


The Notepad Interface
The main window of the application is quite simple. As we can see in the
Figure 6.9. There are only five menus and two information area to deal with,
other than the writing area.

Figure 6.9: Notepad Interface


File Menu
The Menu Bar on top has a few useful menus. The File menu offers basic
options for creating a new document, opening an existing one, saving, printing
and customizing page as shown in Figure 6.10.

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Figure 6.10: File Menu in Notepad
Edit Menu
The Edit menu offers editing options like copy, cut, paste or delete. There are
also a few searching options such as: Find, Go To a specific line number in
the document, or Replace which help us to find a specific text and to replace it
with something else. Clicking on Time/Date insert the current time and date. It
is depicted in Figure 6.11.

Figure 6.11: Edit Menu

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Format Menu
In the Format menu there is an option called ‘Word Wrap’. When this option is
not active the text appears in a continuous line, no matter how long it is. If we
have to read a very long text, we need to use the scroll bar to read it all.
Figure 6.12 shows it.

Figure 6.12: Format Menu in Notepad

In the ‘Word Wrap’ the text is made to fit the Notepad window and it is easier
to read. However, when this option is enable, one can no longer use the Go
To function from the Edit menu. When Word Wrap is active, the Status bar is
disabled automatically.
Creating and Saving a Notepad Document

To create a new document just open the application and begin to write the
text. When done, save the document by going to the menu File and choosing
Save As. Select the location where we want to save the text file and type the
name of the file. When done, press the Save button.
Opening a Notepad Document
One can open a Notepad document by using the Open option from the File
menu. A new window appears, where we have to choose the location, then
select the desired document and press Open.
Printing a Document

To print a document in Notepad select the Print option from the File menu or
press Ctrl+P on the key board.

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6.4 WordPad
Word pad is a word processor. Word pad is used to process the textual
information including typing, editing, formatting and printing. Word pad is more
powerful than Notepad and less powerful than MS word as shown in Figure
6.13. Words are processed and the spellings are corrected and the words are
made to look beautiful. To open Word Pad: Click Start →All Program →
Accessories → WordPad.

Figure 6.13: WordPad Window

Click on the arrow to the left of the Home Tab. A drop down menu is displayed
which contains functions that enable us to open, save, print or perform other
operations on the document as shown in Figure 6.14.

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Figure 6.14: WordPad Controls

New: This function will open a new WordPad screen.


Open: This function will open an existing document.
Save: This function is used when we make changes to an existing document,
and we want to re-save the document with the changes.
Save As: Creates a copy of the document with a different name other than the
existing one.
Print: This option allows us to have a hard copy of an electronic document.
Page Setup: This function allows us to select the paper size, orientation
(portrait or landscape), margins (top, bottom, sides) and print page numbers.
Send e-mail: Enables us to send the document as an email attachment.
Exit: Allows us to exit WordPad and closes down the WordPad screen.

Home TAB
The Home Tab has five groups: Clipboard, Font, Paragraph, Insert and
Editing as shown in Figure 6.15.

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Figure 6.15: Home Tab

In Clipboard, there are three options available, Cut, Copy and Paste. Font
Group contains various options like font style, font size, bold text, italicize text,
underline text, subscript and superscript, text highlighter (the down arrow will
give the choice of 12 different colors), The ‘A’ will change the color of the
words or letters. Select color by clicking on the down arrow.
In Paragraph Group the left arrow will move indented, bulleted or numbered
text to the left of the page. Right arrow will move indented, bulleted or
numbered text to the right of the page. Three dots will provide bulleted and
numbered points. Press the down arrow beside the bullets to see other
options. Double headed arrows and lines, set the line spacing and indents.
Four square boxes with lines show position of text on your page. Box 1 will
align the text from the left. Box 2 will align the text from center. Box 3 will align
the text from right hand side. Box 4 will align the text from both right and left
hand side.
Insert Group provides various options to insert pictures, paint drawings, date/
time and various objects from Microsoft package.
In Editing Group Find function helps to find text quickly in a document.
Replace function enables you to both find text in a document and replace it
with other word. Select All selects all the text in the document.
View Tab
The View Tab has three groups: Zoom, Show or hide, Settings. Click on the
View tab to see three groups. It has been depicted in Figure 6.16
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Figure 6.16: The View Tab
Zoom option allows to zoom in (increase text size), zoom out (reduce text
size), or set for 100%. In Show or hide option, tick the Ruler to show it and un-
tick to hide the ruler. Tick to show the Status Bar and un-tick to hide the status
bar.
In Settings group there are two options Word Wrap and Measurements units.
Word Wrap allows us to change the way the page looks. One can have three
different views, no wrap, wrap to window or wrap to ruler. Measurement units
allow to set your computer to work in inches, centimetres, points or picas.

**************************************************************

85
Summary
• Paint is a drawing tool that one can use to create black and white or
colour drawings.
• The paint tool provides a lot of tools and functions to the user.
• Notepad is a basic text editor that we can use to open and edit text
files.
• We can save, edit, format and delete text with the help of the notepad.
• Word pad is a word processor. Word pad is used to process the textual
information including typing, editing, formatting and printing.

86
Exercise 6
Q1. Write a short note on Paint.
Q2. Write various uses of the Paint application.
Q3. Write various steps to launch Notepad.
Q4. Briefly explain all the tools involved in the Paint.
Q5. Explain briefly the procedure involved in saving a file in WordPad.

87
Chapter 7
Word Processor-I

Objectives

➢ Word Processor
➢ Benefits and Advantages
➢ Features of Word Processor
➢ Uses of Word Processors
➢ Available word processing packages
➢ Microsoft Word 2007
➢ Launching Word 2007

88
7.1 Word Processor
A word processor can be defined as a computer program that provides for the
manipulation of text and can be used for writing documents, inserting,
changing words or paragraphs and printing documents.
Word processing is an application program that allows to create letters,
reports, newsletters, tables, form letters, brochures and Web pages. Using
this application program one can add pictures, tables, and charts to the
documents.
Word processing involves the transformation of written text into a form that
gives it a formal, systematic look that facilitates easy reading. The application
program that enables the processing of words is called the ‘Word Processing
program’ or simply ‘Word Processor’. A Word Processor therefore is a
computer-based program that
• Is used to type text
• Corrects spelling and grammatical errors
• Allow to preview the complete text before it can be actually printed
• Provides a variety of character styles and sizes to choose from
As far as typing of text is concerned, even text editors like Notepad also allow
to type and process text. A word processor, however, is a more sophisticated
program with many more features. These features make the word processor a
far more efficient tool to create formatted documents.

7.2 Benefits and Advantages


The benefits and advantages of using a word processor can be summarized
as follows:
Increased productivity
Modern day computers are sophisticated machines that enable quick typing
and online editing and hence, faster completion of tasks.
Decreased repetitive work
Storage of text in the form of files enables duplication without any rework.
Neat, attractive and organized outputs
Word processing features that define the page layout, viz. page length and
margins, give the documents a formal look.

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Improved quality of text
This is due to the presence of features that define the appearance of text, viz.
size and style of characters.
Faster proof-reading
Tools that check spelling, grammar and meanings of words are available to
speed up the process.
Saving
Another important advantage is that, once checked, material recalled from
disc need not be checked again. Great time savings can thus be made by
only having to make sure that the amendments have been made to a
document.

7.3 Features of Word Processor


The main features of a word processor are:
1. Editing features allow the user to locate, revise, correct and rearrange text
in a document.
Copy
Copies selected text so it can be placed in another location, leaving the
original text unchanged.
Cut
Removes selected text from the current location.
Paste
Places selected text that has been copied or cut at another location.
Find
Locates a specified keystroke, word, or phrase in a document. Available
Replace
Finds a specified keystroke, word, or phrase, and then replaces it with another
keystroke, word, or phrase. All occurrences of the specified text can be
replaced at one time, or replacements can be made selectively.
Select
Highlights text on which various operations may be performed. Use the
mouse and/or key combinations to select text. Once selected, the text can be
bolded, underlined, italicized, deleted, copied, moved, printed, saved, etc.

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Spell-Check
Checks words, documents, or parts of documents for misspellings.
Undo
Reverses the last change made in the text. This feature restores moved text
to its original location.
Redo
Reverses the last Undo action.

2. Enhancement features improve the appearance of a document and/or


emphasize important words, phrases, or sentences.
Bold
Prints text darker than other copy as it is keyed. Bold may be added after text
has been keyed by first selecting the text.
Borders
Adds a border to any or all sides of a page, paragraph, or column, as well as
to a table or a cell within a table. Page border options may include small
pictures. Borders not only enhance appearance, but also make text easier to
read by emphasizing certain passages. Borders are most effective when used
sparingly.
Bullets
Highlights each item in a list with a heavy dot or other character, as
demonstrated in this list of features. Bullets add visual interest and emphasis.
Change Case
Changes capitalization.
Font
Consists of the typeface, style, size, and any effects used. Font features may
be changed before or after text is keyed. The number and size of fonts
available depends on the software and printer used.
Italic
Prints letters that slope up toward the right. Italic may be added after text has
been keyed by first selecting the text.
Numbering
Shows the proper order of a series of steps or items. Use numbers instead of
bullets whenever the order of items is important.
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Superscript
Places text slightly higher than other text on a line. Superscript is commonly
used for footnotes and endnotes, and for mathematical formulas and
equations.
Underline
Underlines text as it is keyed. An underline may be added after text has been
keyed by first selecting the text.

3. Formatting features change the arrangement, or layout, of pages. These


features include aligning text vertically and horizontally, indenting and
hyphenating text, and changing margins and line spacing.
Alignment
Refers to the horizontal position of a line of text (also called justification).
Center Page
Centers text between top and bottom margins of a page. This feature leaves
an equal (or nearly equal) amount of white space above and below text.
Inserting two hard returns below the last keyed line gives centered documents
a better appearance.
Indent
Moves text away from the left or right margin.
Line Spacing
Changes the amount of blank space between lines of text.
Margins
Changes the amount of blank space at the top, bottom, right, and/or left edges
of a page. Default margin settings are not the same for all software.
Page Break
Inserts a soft page break automatically when the current page is full.
Tab
Aligns text according to the type of tab set. By default, most word processing
software programs have left tabs already set at half-inch (0.5") intervals from
the left margin. These preset tabs can be cleared and reset.
Text Wrapping
Positions text in relation to an inserted object (graphic). Text
may appear above and below, around, behind, or in front of an object.
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4. Miscellaneous Features
AutoFormat
Automatically formats headings, bulleted and numbered lists, borders,
numbers, symbols and so on as a document is keyed.
AutoCorrect
Automatically corrects many common keying, spelling, and grammatical
errors. It can also insert certain text, graphics, and symbols automatically.
AutoComplete
Inserts entire items such as dates and AutoText (stored phrases) when a few
identifying characters are keyed.
Macro
Allows the user to save (record) keystrokes and/or commands for retrieval
(playback) later. Macros save time by eliminating repetitive keying and
formatting.
Split Window
Displays a document in two panes, each with its own scroll bars. This feature
can be useful when copying text between parts of a long document, or when it
is necessary to see text not visible in the window where you are keying.
Zoom
Increases or decreases the size of text and amount of a page appearing on
the screen.

7.4 Uses of Word Processors


The basic use of word processor is to produce formatted text. Therefore, the
area of application is mainly correspondence, i.e. writing letters and other
documents. As a program for creating and printing documents, it can be used
for performing: Repetitive tasks like typing (Personal letters, Business letters:
circulars, reminders for business, Prospectus for universities), Time
consuming tasks like creating (Reports, Tenders, Contracts, Agreements),
Tabular reports (Time tables, Work schedules, Balance sheets) etc.

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7.5 Available word processing packages
There are a number of popular word processing packages available in the
market. Each of them has different features. To name a few of them, MS-
Word, WordStar, Perfect Writer, Professional Write, WordPerfect, AbiWord
etc.
7.6 Microsoft Word 2007
Microsoft Word is a word processor developed by Microsoft. It was first
released in 1983 under the name Multi-Tool Word for Xenix systems. The first
version of Word for Windows was released in 1989. Microsoft Word was
released on January 30, 2007. It was preceded by Word 2004 and succeeded
by Word 2008. Word 2007 uses a new file format called docx. The MS Word
2007 window looks as shown in the Figure 7.1.

Figure 7.1: Microsoft Word 2007 Window


The Office button contains a menu of file-related commands. The Quick
access toolbar provides a set of frequently used commands. The default
options are to save a file, to undo the last action, and to repeat the most
recent action. The Ribbon tabs provide a set of tools that are relevant to what
is being currently done. In the example above, the Home tab contains
formatting and editing options.
The Title bar displays the name of the program and the name of the current
document. If the document haven’t named yet, then it will be called
Document1. Window controls are used to change the size of a window, or to
close it.
The Word 2007 toolbar has seven different tabs namely: Home, Insert, Page
Layout, References, Mailings, Review, and View as shown in the fig 7.2. The
Home tab has the basic word processing tools, like for example, size, font,

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colour, style, etc. Insert tab contains more tools than the Home tab and can
insert clip art, page, tables, pictures, links, etc.

Figure 7.2: Microsoft Word 2007 Toolbar

Page Layout tab is there for adding the final touch to the document. One can
change the orientation, the size of the document, page color, page border
margins and theme of the page. References tab is for inserting references.
For example, adding citations, a table of contents, footnotes, bibliography,
captions etc. Mailings tab is for making envelopes, labels and starting a mail
merge. Review tab is for things like spelling and grammar, translating, a
dictionary, a thesaurus, adding a comment, etc. Finally view tab has options
how the document looks like. It's sort of similar to Page Layout, except it's
more of adjusting things, like zoom in, zoom out, full screen, print layout etc.
7.7 Launching Word 2007
To begin, if we are creating a new document or edit and existing document,
Word 2007 need to be opened. The following steps are taken to open the
Word 2007:
1) Click on Start button.
2) Click on Programs.
3) Click on Microsoft Office.
4) Click on Microsoft Word 2007
5) Microsoft Word will automatically open a new document.

******************************************

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Summary
• A word processor can be defined as a computer program to create and
edit text documents.
• Modern day computers are sophisticated machines that enable quick
typing and online editing.
• Formatting features in the Microsoft word can change the arrangement,
or layout, of pages.
• Automatically formats headings, bulleted and numbered lists, borders,
numbers, symbols are some miscellaneous features of the Microsoft
word

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Exercise 7
Q1. Write a short note on Microsoft Word 2007.
Q2.Discuss the various usages of Word processor.
Q3.Elaborate the various advantages of word processor.
Q4. Briefly explain the features of Microsoft Word.
Q5. Write the various steps to launch Word 2007.

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Chapter 8
Working with Files & Formatting (Word Processor-II)

Objectives

➢ Creating a New Document


➢ Open an Existing Saved Document
➢ Save a Document
➢ Closing a Document
➢ Working with Text

➢ Formatting
➢ Printing Documents
➢ Table Handling
➢ Different Document Views

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8.1 Creating a New Document

In order to create a New document on the menu bar one may either Click on
the New Document button on Quick Access Toolbar or one can choose the
Office Button and select New. Press CTRL+N on the keyboard. It is shown in
Figure 8.1.

Figure 8.1: Creating a New Document

8.2 Open an Existing Saved Document


In order to open an existing saved file, we may either click on the open file
button on the quick access toolbar or one can choose the office button from
the menu bar and select open or press CTRL+O on the keyboard.

Figure 8.2: Opening a Document

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Each of these methods will show an Open dialog box. Choose the file and
click the Open button as shown above in Figure 8.2.
8.3 Save a Document
In order to save a document, we may either Click the Save button on the
quick access toolbar Select the Office Button from the menu bar and select
Save As or Press CTRL+S on the keyboard as shown in Figure 8.3.

Figure 8.3: Saving a Document


In either case we will get a Save as dialog box. Choose the location where we
want to save the document and then give the desired file name. Then click on
Save. If we need to open this document on a computer that runs a previous
version of Microsoft Office (XP, 2003, etc.), we must save this file in a
previous version.

8.4 Closing a Document


In order to close a document, select the Office Button- Close or
click the Close icon if it is visible on the Quick Access Toolbar, or choose the
button at the top right side of the screen.

8.5 Working with Text


To enter text, start typing in the opened window of MS-WORD. The text
appears where the blinking cursor is located. To move the cursor over the
text, one may use the arrow buttons on the keyboard or position the mouse
and click the left button. Various keyboard shortcuts may be used to move the
text in a document as shown in the table below:
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Press Home To position the cursor to the beginning of the line.
Press End To position the cursor at the end of the line.
Press Page Up To position the cursor to the previous page.
Press Page Down To position the cursor to the following page.
Press Ctrl+ Home To position the cursor at the top of the document.
Press Ctrl+ End To position the cursor at the bottom of the document.

Selecting Text
To change any attribute of the text it has to be highlighted first. In order to
highlight, Click and drag the mouse over the desired text while pressing on its
left button. The shortcuts to select a certain portion of text are given in the
table below:
To select the whole word Double click within the word.
To select the whole paragraph Triple click within the paragraph.
To select several words or lines Drag the mouse over the words.
To select the entire document press Press Ctrl + A.
In order to deselect text Click anywhere outside the selection
on the page.

Deleting Text
1. To delete text use the Backspace and Delete keys on the keyboard.
Whereas Backspace deletes text to the left of the cursor, Delete erases text to
its right.
2. To delete a large section of text, highlight it as explained above and then hit
the Delete button.

8.6 Formatting
It involves a number of features, which help in beautifying the document, such
that the document is arranged in a proper manner while the document is
typed. The easiest way to format text is to make use of the formatting toolbar.
The formatting .toolbar is shown below in Figure 8.4 and can be found under
the HOME Menu toolbar.

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Figure 8.4: Formatting Feature in Word

Font Option
The font option allows us to choose from a wide number of fonts. To select a
particular font click on the down arrow beside the box, scroll down with the
scrollbar to select a particular font and select it by clicking on it.

Figure 8.5: Different Fonts in the Word

Font Size
Select a size for the font by clicking on the down arrow and scrolling down
and clicking on the size that we desire. If we want to change the font of text
which has already been typed in, highlight the text and then select the size as
mentioned above. Figure 8.6 depicts this.

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Figure 8.6: Fonts Size

Font Style
One may select whether to make the font Bold, Italicized or underlined as
shown below in Figure 8.7.

Figure 8.7: Font Style


Alignment
The text may be aligned to the left right or center or can be aligned to the right
side or can be justified across the page.
Left Alignment
In this type of alignment, text is placed or fitted along the left margin so as to
give it an even look. The right margin, however, appears unorganized. Align
Left (Formatting toolbar) aligns the selected text, numbers, or inline objects to
the left with a ragged right edge. This type of alignment is the default
alignment (Fig.). Even this paragraph is an example of left alignment.
Right Alignment
In this type, the text gets aligned along the right margin giving it a straight look
and the left margin appears uneven. (Fig) Align Right (Formatting toolbar)
aligns the selected text, numbers, or inline objects to the right with a ragged
left edge. The current paragraph is right aligned as an example.
Centre Alignment

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In this type, the text is not aligned along any margin but is placed exactly in
the centre of the left and right margins (Figure 8.8). Centre (Formatting
toolbar) centres the selected text, numbers, or inline objects. It is useful in
case of headings. This paragraph is an example of centre alignment.
Justified
Text is aligned along both left and right margins thus giving document a very
balanced look (Fig.) Justify (Formatting toolbar). Justify, aligns the selected
paragraphs to both the left and right margins. It is most suited for general text
and this paragraph is an example of justified alignment as shown in Figure
8.8.
Align Left

Center Align Right Justify


Figure 8.8: Alignment
Bullets and Numbering
Bullets and Numbering creates a numbered or bulleted list. A bullet is a
special symbol / mark placed at the start of the sentence to highlight the
sentence.
Consider the following statement:
Sheetal corner shop offers: Delivery of items
within 10 hours. 24 Hour booking. High quality
standards.
Now consider the same statement which is re-arranged in the form of points
Sheetal corner shop offers:
◆ Delivery of items within 10 hours.

◆ 24 Hour booking.

◆ High quality standards.

Indentation
This process of pushing or pressing the text in, away from the left and right
margins is called indenting. It is depicted in Figure 8.9. Look at the following
text:

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A word processor is a program that allows you to create, edit, print and
save documents for future retrieval and use. Right Indent
Left Indent
Microsoft Word for windows is a word processor
that is designed to help you work efficiently.

Figure 8.9: Indentation


Outside Border

Figure 8.10: Add Border


This option adds a border around the selected text as shown above in Figure
8.10. For example the following text has been given outside border.

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Microsoft Word for windows is a word processor that is designed to help you
work efficiently.

8.7 Printing Documents


Once a document is ready, it needs to be printed. The printouts are called
hard copies. This is in comparison with the soft copies that are kept on the
secondary storage devices.
What we save on the floppy disk or hard disk as files is the soft copy. This
copy can be opened up on the screen and modified. Therefore, it is soft or
changeable. The copy taken on a printer, however, cannot be changed. This
copy is something physical or hard. Hence the name, hard copy. While
printing, the following specifications have to be given:
➢ Number of Pages to be printed:
▪ All pages, i.e. the entire document
▪ Current page, i.e. the page we were on when we selected
the printing option
▪ Few pages like 3rd, 6th, 20th pages of a document
▪ Range of pages like 4-6
➢ Number of copies
➢ The orientation of the page
▪ Portrait, i.e. vertical, when the contents are printed across
the width of the page. Portrait orientation is generally more
often used.
▪ Landscape, i.e. horizontal, when the contents of the page are
printed across the length of the page. Landscape orientation
is rarely used.

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Figure 8.11: Printing Documents.

Collating sequence: When more than one copy of the document is to be


printed, then you have an option of printing them either in the collating or
the non-collating sequence. When the collating sequence is selected, the
entire set of pages of one copy is printed first, followed by the next and so
on i.e. it prints a complete copy of the document before the first page of
the next copy is printed. In the non-collating sequence, all the copies of the
first page are printed followed by the copies of the second page and so on.
Paper Size: The size of the paper would depend on the requirement of the
user and the kind of document being printed. The preferred size for
general correspondence is A4 (210 x 297mm). Figure 8.11 depicts this.

8.8 Table Handling


Often, we come across data that needs to be arranged in one or more rows
and columns. Such an arrangement of data in a document can be achieved
by using tables. A table consists of horizontal rows and vertical columns.

The area where a row intersects or meets with a column is called cell. A
cell is where the data in a table is filled. Most word processors are
equipped with a feature that inserts tables in a document. While inserting
tables, the following information has to be provided:

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• Number of columns
• Number of rows
• Width of Columns (However, If the width of the columns is not specified
then the table fills up the entire area between the two margins).
The table can be inserted by Clicking on Insert and then Table as shown in
Figure 8.12. Text can be typed in any cell. Tab is used to move within different
cells. There is no overflow of text, if the text does not fit across the width of
the cell, then the height of the cell extends to the next row. Once a table is
created, the following modifications can be easily carried out:
• New rows and columns can be inserted
• Existing rows and columns can be deleted.
• Width of columns can be changed.
• All the formatting and alignment features that work in a normal
document can also be used on the text in the table.

Figure 8.12: Table Handing


One can follow any of the two modes of operation while arranging data in a
tabular form i.e. Create an empty table and then fill it up Or Convert already
typed text into a table form by selecting the text and using the option
converting text to table. The individual cell values must, however, be either
separated by a comma (,), or a tab (→), or a semicolon (;), or a paragraph
mark (¶).

108
On the hard copy, you have the option of either printing or not printing the
horizontal and vertical lines (gridlines) that actually form the table. In case you
want to print the gridlines, you have a variety of table formats to choose from.

8.9 Different Document Views


The document may have various views to show the text. The different views
on the screen show the different aspects or features of the document.
Normal View
In Word, the normal view facilitates quick typing, editing and formatting.
However a detailed page structure is not displayed. This is the default view.
This view shows:
✓ All formatting features used
✓ Different fonts used,
✓ Line spacing,
✓ Indents,
✓ Tabs stops and
✓ Right margin
If a document is displayed in another view, you can switch to normal view by
clicking Normal in the View menu. Thus, the normal view displays almost all
the information of a document.
Print Layout View
In this view, the document is displayed exactly as it would look when printed.
The exact measurements of all margins and indents are shown. Every
drawing or picture incorporated is positioned exactly where it would be
printed. This view is useful for editing headers and footers, for adjusting
margins, and for working with columns, drawing objects, and frames. Page
layout view uses more system memory, so scrolling may be slower, especially
if your document contains many pictures or complex formatting.
Outline View
Word displays the document in a view that shows the headings, subheadings
and text in a bulleted form. This type of view has an option that allows you to
condense the entire document to show only the headings and subheadings.
The arrangement looks like the index or a table of contents that we see in
books. This view allows easy navigation in long documents. One or more
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topics that are to be read in detail can be expanded to show the text. Outline
view makes it easy to look at the structure of a document and to move, copy,
and reorganize text by dragging headings. In outline view, you can collapse a
document to see only the main headings, or you can expand it to see the
entire document. To switch to outline view, click Outline on the View menu.
Full Screen Reading View
If required, one can switch the view to the one, which shows only the
document and, none of the tool bars, menu bars, status bars. Only page
breaks are visible in this mode. As full screen is occupied by the document
only, more portion of the text can be seen and edited. It is best for displaying
and reading documents on the screen. In order to specify which screen
elements to display in full-screen mode options on the View tab (Tools menu,
Options command) can be set. Normally 2 consecutive pages are shown
simultaneously.

Web Layout

A view of a document as it will appear in a Web browser. For example, the


document appears as one long page (without page breaks) and text and
tables wrap to fit in the window.) It is best suited when you are creating a Web
page or a document that is viewed on the screen. In Web layout view,
backgrounds are visible, text is wrapped to fit the window, and graphics are
positioned just as they are in a Web browser.

********************************************

110
Summary

• To create a New document, on the menu bar one may either Click on
the New Document button.
• To save a document, choose the location where we want to save the
document and then give the desired file name.
• The text may be aligned to the left right or centre or can be aligned to
the right side or can be justified across the page.
• The document may have various views to show the text. The different
views on the screen show the different aspects or features of the
document.

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Exercise 8
Q.1 What do you understand by formatting a document?
Q.2 Write a short note on multi level numbering.
Q.3 Explain document margins.
Q.4 What is Word Wrap feature?
Q.5 Explain the different types of Paragraph Alignment.
Q.6 Describe first line indent, right indent and left indent.
Q.7 Explain the various views available in MS word.
Q.8 What is line spacing?
Q.9 Explain the printing feature of MS-Word with the help of
example.
Q.10 Explain the table handling feature of MS word.

112
Chapter 9
Mail Merge (Word Processor-III)

Objectives
➢ Introduction
➢ Creating the Data Source
➢ Creating a Mail Merge Letter
➢ Associate a Data Source with the Document
➢ Design Data Document
➢ Preview the Finished Document

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9.1 Introduction

In Word processing, mail merge is the process of transferring selected


information from one document to another document. For example one can
write a form letter and instantly merge it with his mailing list. Other common
mail merge documents include mailing labels, interoffice memos and reports.
Mail Merge command enables us to take information from two documents for
example a form letter and a list of names & addresses and combine them into
a single document. Of equal importance, perhaps, is the ability to sort the
information in the mailing list, say, in alphabetical order by last name. Mail
Merge (Tools menu) produces form letters, mailing labels, envelopes,
catalogues and other types of merged documents.
Let’s look at a simple example of a mail merge. A reminder letter has to be
sent to all the members of the library who have taken books but have not
returned them. Word’s mail merge feature helps in quickly creating
personalized letter by merging a list of names and may be addresses from
one file with a form letter stored in another file. Mail merge is joining a Data
source, such as an address book, with a Microsoft Word document. When the
two are joined, or merged, one can print the results onto letters, or labels, or
onto an envelope directly. For the mail-merge the three different items that
come into play are:
• A data source file where the recipients are stored,
• A merge document where we design the document to merge,
• Finished documents combine the data from data source file with
the text in the merge document to create individual documents for
the recipients.

9.2 Creating the Data Source

The first step in the mail merge process is to create a database of people,
along with their address information. This database will be used later with the
mail merge. To create the database, click the Mailings tab at the top of Word.
Then on Start Mail Merge tab, Click on Select Recipients to see a dropdown
list. The screenshot of start mail merge panel is shown in Figure 9.1 below:

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Figure 9.1: Screenshot of Start Mail Merge Panel

To type a new list, click on Type New List. The dialogue box shown in Figure
9.2 will appear:

Figure 9.2: New Address List Dialogue Box

This dialogue box allows to type in address information, one address per line.
If we scroll across using the scroll bar at the bottom of the dialogue box we
will see that there are a lot of columns to fill in.

To see how it works, type in a title, a first name, and a last name. (To get the
cursor to flash in the next box, one can either just left click, or one can press
the TAB key on the our keyboard.) To add a new address, click the New
Entry button in the bottom left. A new row will be created, and your cursor will
be flashing in the Title box again. When finished, the Address List should look
as shown in Figure 9.3:

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Figure 9.3: New Address List Dialogue Box with Addresses

Now click OK. When we click on OK, the Save dialogue box appear as shown
in Figure 9.4:

Figure 9.4: Save Address List Dialogue Box

In this case, the file is being saved in a folder called My Data Sources, which
is in the My Documents folder. The type of file is a MDB database. Type a
name for the file in the File Name box, in this case it has been named as
Address_List. Click the Save button to save the address list. If we want to add
new addresses to the list, click on Edit Recipient List on the Start Mail
Merge panel as shown in Figure 9.5:

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Figure 9.5: Edit Recipient List Dialogue Box

9.2 Creating a Mail Merge Letter

To create a mail merge letter Click Start Mail Merge on the Mailings ribbon
and select the type of document we want to create. For example, one can
select letters, e-mail messages, envelopes or labels. One can also select Step
by Step Mail Merge Wizard for creating the document. Figure 9.6 shows the
different types of documents available in mail merge.

Figure 9.6: Different Types of Documents available in Mail Merge

9.3 Associate a Data Source with the Document

To associate a data source with the document click on the Mailings tab, then
choose Select Recipients. Figure 9.7 shows the screenshot of associating
data source with document.

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Figure 9.7: Screenshot of Associating Data Source with Document

As we have already made a recipients list named as Address_List we can


append that list or can make a new list by using Type New List option. The
screenshot of selecting recipient from existing database is shown in Figure
9.8.

Figure 9.8: Screenshot of Selecting Recipient from Existing Database

9.4 Design Data Document


Placeholders can be used when designing the data document for information
pertaining to the intended recipient. The next step is to edit the document and
substitute Merge Fields for the placeholders. To insert a merge field, position
the insertion point where we want the field to appear. In the Mailings tab,
choose Insert Merge Field in the Write & Insert Fields group. Click on the field
we want to insert. Special sets of merge fields like Address
Block and Greeting Line can be inserted to save time.

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Figure 9.9: Screenshot of Insert Merge Field

9.5 Preview the Finished Document


Preview the finished document by testing to see how it looks with different
data records. Click the Preview Results button in the Preview Results group of
the Mailings tab. Navigation buttons help you to traverse through the records.

Figure 9.9: Screenshot of Preview of Finished Mail Merge Document


Finish the process. Merge the data document with the data source, creating a
printed result, a saved document or an e-mailed document.
*******************************************************

119
Summary

• Mail merge is the process of transferring selected information from one


document to another document.
• Common mail merge documents include mailing labels, interoffice
memos and reports.
• Mail Merge command enables us to take information from two
documents for example a form letter and a list of names & addresses
and combine them into a single document.
• For mail-merge the three different items that come into play are: A data
source file where the recipients are stored, A merge document where
we design the document to merge and Finished documents combine
the data from data source file with the text in the merge document to
create individual documents for the recipients.

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Exercise 9

Q.1 What is meant by Mail Merge?


Q.2 Explain the purpose of Mail Merge.
Q. 3 What is meant by data source in mail merge?
Q.4 How the Data Document is designed in mail merge?
Q.5 Write the different steps for creating data source.

121
Chapter 10
Excel-I

Objectives
➢ Basics of Spread Sheet
➢ Features of spreadsheet
➢ Spreadsheet Uses
➢ Spreadsheet Background
➢ Excel Features
➢ Excel 2007 Window
➢ Create a Workbook
➢ Save a Workbook
➢ Open a Workbook

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10.1 Basics of Spread Sheet
A spreadsheet is a grid of rows and columns and is also called as work sheet.
Earlier, Spreadsheets were created manually with paper and pencils. The
workspace was a desk. People used lined paper or graph paper to organize
the columns of number on the sheet and manipulate them. Calculating,
manipulating and analysing the data present in the spreadsheet was done
manually. Spreadsheet programs are developed to automate tasks such as
automatic calculations, analysing data and graphical representations of
numerical data. Multiple worksheets can handle simultaneously calculations
and generate charts etc. In appearance a work sheet looks much like a table
which is readymade in nature marked by grid lines. The grid lines run through
the entire work sheet from top to bottom, left to right. Workbooks and work
sheets are named to facilitate identification. Even each column and row of the
worksheet has a unique name. Each column carries a letter of alphabet for its
name, while each row is numbered. For instance the column is labeled ‘C’ and
the letter ‘C’ appears as the column heading. The first row is labeled ‘3’ and
the number ‘3’ appears in the row title on the left side. The naming of sheets
columns and row facilities reference since it is possible to refer to any
particular cell from any place in the workbook. There are 256 columns and
65,536 rows in a single worksheet. The 256th column is labeled as ‘IV’. A cell
is the intersection of row and column. Each cell has a unique address, which
is a combination of a column label and a row title e.g. G10 denotes an
intersection of G column and 10th row. The active cell is the cell in which one
starts typing data. Only one cell can be active at a time and is shown by a
heavy border.

10.2 Features of Spreadsheet


A spreadsheet is a super calculator performing arithmetic and scientific
calculations, provided right data and the right formula is given. Spreadsheet
calculations are most beneficial in similar repeated calculations. Spreadsheet
are used to store information in the memory, display it in the desired manner
(i.e. in the text form or in the graph form), perform automatic recalculation i.e.
if any data is altered after applying the formula, the spreadsheet recalculates

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all affected results. Some common applications of a spreadsheet are budgets,
annual reports of the organizations, payrolls, income statements, inventory
control, cost-effective analysis, sales forecasts, financial statements bank
reconciliation’s etc. The electronic spreadsheet generally offers the following
features:
1. Accurate results.
2. A big worksheet in size to accommodate a huge amount of data.
3. Formatting of data in several ways.
4. Built-in functions to perform complicated calculations of mathematics,
financial, statistical and trigonometric nature.
5. Represent data graphically.
6. Provides query facility.
7. Save data and the results.
8. What-if analysis.
9. Embedding and linking facility.
10. Drawing of objects.
11. Create macros for performing tasks.
12. Transfer capability of data to other software programs and back to the
spreadsheet.

10.3 Spreadsheet Background


The concept of electronic spreadsheet started with VisiCalc. VisiCalc offered
tremendous advantage over age-old conventional pen and paper.
Calculations were made easy. The What-if analysis capability was introduced
by Lotus in a spreadsheet besides a number of other functions namely,
worksheet, graphic and database. With the advent of window based
software’s, Microsoft’s Excel quickly became one of the most used electronic
spreadsheet in the world. Microsoft Excel for windows is powerful
spreadsheet application that can be used for managing, analyzing and
presenting data in a graphical manner. Excel has three major components
namely, the spreadsheet component, the data based component and the
Chart Component. Each component is a different way of looking at and
interacting with data that has a common structure based on rows and

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columns. This structure is the spreadsheet, implemented as Excel, which is
capable to transfer data among the components.

10.4 Spreadsheet Uses


Spreadsheet can be used by various categories of people like engineers,
accountants, doctors, marketing, statisticians, stock personnel, librarian etc.
Excel may be used in a vast number of areas:
1. Preparation of result card.
2. Preparation of journals, ledgers, balance sheets etc.
3. Preparation of payroll.
4. Maintenance of stock.
5. Preparation of sales, purchases details.
6. Advertising expenses details storage and retrieval.
7. Hotel management.
8. Hospital management.
9. Income tax calculation.

10.5 Excel Features


According to Microsoft, Excel is the most comprehensive spreadsheet
application available in the market. It is not just the tool for calculating,
manipulating and analyzing data, but also a versatile organizational tool and
an excellent one for presenting information.
Work Sheets and Graphics
It includes extremely powerful calculating features. Besides working with
numbers and texts excel also provides for presenting data graphically thus
helping in data analysis.
Data Lists and Databases
Database function is another important feature of Excel. Several effective
functions are available for working with data listed in a tabular form. There are
functions for evaluating, combining, and if necessary, rearranging data lists.
Data Exchange with other Applications
Excel uses the advantage of the Windows environment. This especially

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applies to Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) and Object Linking and Embedding
(OLE) within Excel and between Excel and other window applications. As a
result data, graphics, sound recordings, and animations can be easily mixed
in a single document.
Standardized User Interface
Excel is a part of the Microsoft’s application package MS-Office, other
products being MS-Word and MS-PowerPoint. Except for a specific menu in
each application, the menus in the main Menu Bar of Excel, Word and
PowerPoint are identical. The key combinations (for e.g. for Cut, Copy, Paste,
Boldface etc.) are also standardized. Most of the dialog boxes look similar. All
options related to a particular command are combined in a single dialog box.
Workbooks
Excel works with a consistent file concept. All the data is gathered in
workbooks, these workbooks store current status of the workspace, along with
all currently opened files and the settings selected for them.
XML Features

The ability to import and (possibly) export XML data, and map the elements to
cells in a worksheet. But this feature is not available in all editions of Excel
2003.

New List-Related Features

A common use for an Excel spreadsheet is to store a list of data. With Excel
2003, you can officially designate such a range list. After doing so,
AutoFiltering is turned on, and the list appears with a blue outline (the blue
outline gets thicker when the List is activated). As an option, you can choose
to display summary formulas at the bottom in the "total row." You must
choose these summary formulas from a dropdown list (custom formulas not
allowed). The formula that's created uses the SUBTOTAL function.

Minor AutoFilter enhancements

In Excel 2003 the AutoFilter drop-downs display two new items at the top:
Sort Ascending and Sort Descending. These items perform just like the more
convenient buttons in the Standard toolbar.

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What-If-Analysis

The method is used for simple what-if scenarios. For example, what would
happen if advertising budget for the department increased by 40%? Or If you
were considering taking out a home loan based on your income, how much
money could you borrow for a 20-year mortgage? How much money could
you borrow for a 30-year mortgage? Etc. In other words you can specify a
result that you want a formula to produce, and then determine what sets of
values will produce that result.

10.6 Excel 2007 Window

The MS Excel 2007 opening window has the following parts: Title Bar, Office
Button, Quick Access Toolbar, Ribbon, Formula bar, Status Bar and Zoom
Slider. The different parts of Excel 2007 window are shown in Figure 10.1.
Title Bar
The Title bar displays the name of the application running and the name of the
file we have opened. On the far right of the window will see the Minimise,
Restore or Maximise and Close buttons to control the window.
Office Button
The Office Button replaces the File menu from previous versions of Excel.
Common tools such as printing and saving are performed from here. Recent
documents can be seen on the right of the Office Button menu. This will
speed up opening the spreadsheet that you often use. It is possible to pin
documents that you use often to this menu by clicking the pin icon to the right
of the document.
Quick Access Toolbar
The Quick Access Toolbar is one of only two toolbars supplied with Excel
2007. It can be customised to improve your productivity, and limit the clicking
between tabs on the ribbon. By default it contains the Save, Undo and Redo
icons. A good start, but you will probably find yourself adding to this list.

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Figure 10.1: Parts of Excel 2007 Window

Ribbon
The ribbon replaces the toolbars from previous versions of Excel. It allows fast
access to the majority of Excel commands via a tabular system.
Formula bar
The formula bar displays the contents of the active cell as it is, or was
entered. The formula bar can be used to edit a cell content easily. When
entering data into a cell in Excel your entry can be confirmed using either
the Enter key or the green tick on the formula bar. To cancel an entry, for
example a mistake in a formula, press the Esc key or the red X on the formula
bar.
Status Bar
The Status Bar displays information whilst you work. For example it will tell if
the Caps Lock or Num Lock keys are turned on. On the right of the Status Bar
are three view buttons and the Zoom Slider.
Zoom Slider
The Zoom Slider is a new tool that one can drag left or right to alter the zoom
level. Alternatively one can click on the zoom level for some more standard
options.

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10.7 Create a Workbook

To create a new Workbook, Click the Microsoft Office Toolbar, Click New and
then choose Blank Document. Figure 10.2 shows the screen of creating a
Workbook.

Figure 10.2: Creating a Workbook

10.8 Save a Workbook

When we save a workbook, we have two choices: Save or Save As. To save
a document Click the Microsoft Office Button and Click Save. One may need
to use the Save As feature when we need to save a workbook under a
different name or to save it for earlier versions of Excel. In Figure 10.3 the
screenshot for Saving a Workbook is shown.

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Figure 10.3: Saving a Workbook

Remember that older versions of Excel will not be able to open an Excel 2007
worksheet unless we save it as an Excel 97-2003 Format. To use the Save
As feature Click the Microsoft Office Button, Click Save As, Type in the name
for the Workbook and in the Save as Type box, choose Excel 97-2003
Workbook.

10.9 Open a Workbook

To open an existing workbook Click the Microsoft Office Button, Click Open,
Browse to the workbook, Click the title of the workbook and Click Open.
Figure 10.4 shows the screenshot for opening a workbook.

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Figure 10.4: Opening a Workbook

10.10 Entering data


To enter data into Excel, click on the cell, type in your data and press Enter.
After pressing Enter the cell below the current one becomes the active cell.
Other alternatives are given as follows:

Tab key Enters the data and the cell to the right
of the current cell becomes the active
cell.
Arrow keys Enters the data and the cell dependent
on the direction of the arrow key pressed
becomes the active cell.
Mouse click Enters the data and the cell clicked
becomes the active cell.
Esc key Cancels the entry.

10.11 Types of data in Excel


In Microsoft Office Excel 2007, the worksheet consists of a grid of columns
and rows that form cells. One can enter three types of data in cells: labels,
values, and formulas.
Labels

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Labels are a term given to headings and names consisting of text and
numbers. Labels are left aligned in a cell.
Values
Values are cells containing numbers and can be used in calculations. Dates
are stored as values. Numbers are right aligned in a cell.
Formulas
A formula is a mathematical equation such as adding or subtracting two
numbers. Formulas, which include Excel's functions are usually considered to
be Numbers but they are sometimes identified as a separate type of data.
Formulas are Excel calculations written by the user and always start with (=)
sign.

****************************************

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Summary

• A spreadsheet is a grid of rows and columns and is also called as work


sheet.
• A spreadsheet is a super calculator performing arithmetic and scientific
calculations, provided right data and the right formula is given.
• There are 256 columns and 65,536 rows in a single worksheet.
• The MS Excel 2007 opening window has the following parts: Title Bar,
Office Button, Quick Access Toolbar, Ribbon, Formula bar, Status Bar
and Zoom Slider.
• One can enter three types of data in cells: labels, values, and formulas.

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Exercise 10

Q. 1 What benefits are provided by an electronic Spread sheet.


Q.2 Discuss the various features of MS Excel.
Q.3 Discuss different types of data in MS Excel.
Q. 4 Explain different parts of MS Excel window.
Q.5 Discuss the different key used for entering data in MS Excel.

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Chapter 11
Excel-II

Objectives

➢ Manipulating Data in Excel


➢ AutoFill
➢ Insert Cells, Rows, and Columns
➢ Delete Cells, Rows and Columns
➢ Find and Replace
➢ Go To Command
➢ Excel Formulas
➢ Functions in Excel
➢ Relative, Absolute and Mixed References

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11.1 Manipulating Data in Excel

Excel allows to move, copy & paste cells and cell content through cutting and
pasting and copying and pasting.

Figure 11.1: Editing Options in Excel

Select, Copy and Paste Data

To select a cell or data to be copied or cut, Click the cell and then Right Click.
After Right Clicking a menu will appear. From the menu either Click Cut or
Copy depending upon the type of operation we want to perform. After copy or
cut Select the cell(s) where we would like to copy the data and Click Paste. If
we want to select multiple cells then Click and drag the cursor to select many
cells in a range (Shown in Figure 11.2).

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Figure 11.2: Data Selection Options in Excel

Select a Row or Column


To select a row or column Click on the row or column header. The whole
column or row will be selected.

Undo and Redo


To undo or redo the most recent actions Click On the Quick Access Toolbar
and then Click Undo or Redo (Shown in Figure 11.3)

Figure 11.3: Undo & Redo Options in Excel

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11.2 AutoFill

Figure 11.4: AutoFill Feature in Excel

AutoFill allows to quickly fill data in a series (e.g. months, days of the week or
a numeric series) into adjacent cells. To use the Autofill function with text,
type in the first word of the series (e.g. January), then press the left mouse
button on the bottom right corner of that cell. The cross will switch from white
to black. Click and drag the series down or across the number of cells we
would like to fill with this series. Here the month names are created using
autofill option of Excel. The Auto Fill feature fills cell data or series of data in a
worksheet into a selected range of cells. If we want the same data copied into
the other cells, one only need to complete one cell and then one can use the
autofill feature (Shown in Figure 11.4).

11.3 Insert Cells, Rows, and Columns

To insert cells, rows, and columns in Excel, place the cursor in the row below
where we want the new row, or in the column to the left of where we want the
new column. Click the Insert button on the Cells group of the Home tab and
then Click the appropriate choice i.e. Cell, Row or Column (Shown in Figure
11.5)

138
Figure 11.5: Inserting Cells, Rows, and Columns in Excel

11.4 Delete Cells, Rows and Columns

To delete cells, rows, and columns place the cursor in the cell, row or column
that we want to delete. Then Click the Delete button on the Cells group of
the Home tab and Click the appropriate option Cell, Row or Column (Shown in
Figure 11.6).

Figure 11.6: Deleting Cells, Rows and Columns in Excel

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11.5 Find and Replace

To find data or find and replace data Click the Find & Select button (Shown in
Figure 11.7) on the Editing group of the Home tab then
Choose Find or Replace. The Find and Replace box open up. Type the data
which we want to find in the Find What text box and also type the data which
we want to replace. Moreover, Click on Options for more search options

Figure 11.7: Find and Replace in Excel

11.6 Go To Command

The Go To command takes us to a specific cell either by cell reference or cell


name. To goto to a specific cell Click the Find & Select button on
the Editing group of the Home tab and then Click Go To(Shown in Figure
11.8).

140
Figure 11.8: GoTo Command in Excel

11.7 Excel Formulas


A formula is a set of mathematical instructions that can be used in Excel to
perform calculations. Formals are started in the formula box with an = sign
(Shown in Figure 11.9).

Figure 11.9: Formula Bar in Excel

There are many elements to an excel formula. They are: References,


Operators, Constants and Functions.

References: The cell or range of cells that we want to use in our calculations.
Operators: Symbols (+, -, *, /, etc.) that specify the calculation to be
performed.

141
Constants: Numbers or text values that do not change
Functions: Functions are predefined formulas in Excel.

To create a basic formula in Excel, Select the cell for the formula and
Type = (the equal sign) and the formula. Then Click Enter(Shown in Figure
11.10).

Figure 11.10: Entering Formula in Excel

11.8 Functions in Excel

A function is a built-in formula in Excel. A function has a name and


arguments in parentheses. The most commonly used functions in Excel are:
Sum, Average, Min and Max. The Sum function adds all cells in the argument.
The Average function calculates the average of the cells in the argument. The
Min function finds the minimum value whereas the Max function finds the
maximum value of among a range of values. To use a function Click
the cell where we want the function to be applied then Click the Insert
Function button and choose the function. Then Click OK (Shown in Figure
11.11).

142
Figure 11.11: Functions in Excel

Categories of Excel Functions

There are many categories of functions in Excel. Each category has specific
functions that pertain to that category.
Financial: The financial functions are used to perform common business
calculations including accounting and finance.
Logical: This category of function is used to perform what-if analysis to see if
a condition is true or false (Shown in Figure 11.12).
Text: The text functions allow text to be manipulated within a calculation that
also contains data.
Date & Time: The date & time category is used to perform functions involving
date or time data.
Lookup & Reference: Finds values in a corresponding table or list and
incorporates the data into the calculation.
Math and trigonometry: Performs simple to complex mathematical functions.
Statistical: Performs statistical analysis on ranges of data.
Information: Performs an analysis on a range of data to determine the type of
data contained in a cell.

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Figure 11.12: Logical Functions in Excel

11.9 Relative, Absolute and Mixed References

There are different sorts of cell references. These are:


• Relative
• Absolute
• Mixed

Relative Reference

Calling cells by just their column and row labels (such as "C2") is
called relative referencing. A relative reference will change column and row
numbers as it is copied to other cells. When a formula contains relative
referencing and it is copied from one cell to another, then Excel does not
create an exact copy of the formula. It will change cell addresses relative to
the row and column they are copied to. For example:

❖ In cell B2, enter 15.

❖ In cell C2, enter =B2+2.

❖ Press Enter.

❖ Cell C2 now returns the value17.

❖ Press Ctrl+C or click the Copy button on the Home tab.

144
❖ Click cell C3.

❖ Press Ctrl+V, or click the Paste button on the Home tab.

Cell C3 should be the active cell, but if it is not, just click it once. Look at the
Formula bar. The contents of cell C3 are =B3+2, and not the =B2+2 that we
copied.

Absolute Reference

An absolute reference is one that does not change. If we refer to a cell in a


certain row and column and then copy that reference elsewhere, it will still
refer to exactly the same cell or range. An absolute address is defined with
the use of the “$” symbol. This can be typed in at the time of creating the
formula, or by editing the cell afterwards.

❖ In cell B2, enter 15.

❖ In cell C2, enter =$B$2+2.

❖ Press Enter.

❖ Cell C2 now returns the value17.

❖ Press Ctrl+C or click the Copy button on the Home tab.

❖ Click cell C3.

❖ Press Ctrl+V, or click the Paste button on the Home tab.

Cell C3 should be the active cell, but if it is not, just click it once. Look at the
Formula bar. The contents of cell C3 are =$B$2+2 and will not change to
B3+2 as it was the case in relative reference.
Mixed Reference

A mixed reference is one that is half relative and half absolute. The different
cell reference types are given in the formula below.

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Reference Formula What Happens After Copying the Formula
Type
Relative =A2 Both the column letter A and the row number 2
can change.
Absolute =$A$2 The column letter A and the row number 2 does
not change.
Mixed =$A3 The column letter A does not change. The row
number 3 can change.
Mixed =A$4 The column letter A can change. The row number
4 does not change.

******************************************

146
Summary

• AutoFill feature allows to quickly fill data in a series (e.g. months, days
of the week or a numeric series) into adjacent cells.

• The Go To command takes us to a specific cell either by cell reference


or cell name.

• A formula is a set of mathematical instructions that can be used in


Excel to perform calculations. Formals are started in the formula box
with an = sign.
• A function is a built-in formula in Excel. A function has a name and
arguments in parentheses.

• Calling cells by just their column and row labels (such as "C2") is
called relative referencing.
• An absolute reference is one that does not change. If we refer to a cell
in a certain row and column and then copy that reference elsewhere, it
will still refer to exactly the same cell or range.

• A mixed reference is one that is half relative and half absolute.

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Exercise 11

Q.1 What are the rules to be followed while entering formula?


Q. 2 What is the procedure to display formulae on the worksheet?
Q. 3 What is AutoSum?
Q. 4 Differentiate between the various addressing methods?
Q.5 Write a short note on AutoFill feature of Excel.

148
Chapter 12
Excel-III

Objectives

➢ Introduction
➢ Components of a Chart
➢ Types of Chart
➢ Steps for drawing a Chart
➢ Graphics
➢ Auto Shapes
➢ Clip Art
➢ SmartArt Graphics

149
12.1 Introduction

One of the best ways to analyze worksheet data is to display the data visually
in a Graph or chart. Excel gives tremendous flexibility for creating charts.
Charts allow us to present data entered into the worksheet in a visual format
using a variety of chart types. Before we can make a chart, we must first enter
data into a worksheet. Formatted charts come in various types for diverse
goals, ranging from columns to pies, from lines to surfaces, etc. Once we
have created a chart and selected the appropriate type of chart, one can
enhance the chart’s appearance by formatting any of the various chart
elements.

12.2 Components of a Chart

The typical chart in Excel 2007 comprises several distinct parts, including the
chart title, chart area, data series, axes, legend, plot area, gridlines, data
markers, and more. The following list summarizes the parts of a typical chart
and is depicted in Figure 12.1:
❖ Chart Title: A title given to the whole chart.

❖ X-Axis Title: A title given to the X-axis data range.

❖ Y-Axis Title: A title given to the Y-axis data range.

❖ Y-Axis Value: This is the data range marked to plot the data series.

❖ Plot Area: The plot area in a chart or graph in spreadsheet programs


refers to that area of the chart that graphically displays the data being
charted.

❖ Chart Area: Everything inside the chart window, including all parts of
the chart i.e. labels, axes, data markers, tick marks, and other
elements listed there is called the chart area.

❖ Data Labels: The values of the data series plotted.

❖ Legends: Specifies the colour, symbol or pattern used to mark data


series.

❖ Grid Lines: Displays lines at the major intervals on the category (x) axis
and/or Y-axis

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Figure 12.1: Components of a Chart

12.3 Types of Chart

Microsoft Office Excel 2007 provides various types of charts to display data in
different ways as per the need of the users. One can create a new chart or
can change the existing chart, from the wide range of chart subtypes
available for each type. A number of chart types are made available by the
Excel to select from to present the data in the best-desired manner. The
various Chart Types are: Column, Line, Pie, Bar, Area, Scatter, Doughnut,
Radar, Surface, Bubble, Stock, Cone, Cylinder and Pyramid (Shown in Figure
12.2).

Figure 12.2: Different Types of Excel Charts

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Column Chart

A column chart shows data changes over a


period of time or illustrates comparisons
among items. Categories are organized
horizontally, values vertically, to emphasize
variation over time. Stacked column charts
show the relationship of individual items to
the whole. The 3-D perspective column chart
compares data points along two axes.

Line Chart
A line chart uses a line to show trends in data
at equal intervals.

Pie Chart
A pie chart shows the proportional size of
items that make up a data series to the sum
of the items. It always shows only one data
series and is useful when we want to
emphasize a significant element.

Bar Chart
A bar chart illustrates comparisons among
individual items. Categories are organized
vertically, values horizontally, to focus on
comparing values and to place less
emphasis on time. Stacked bar charts show
the relationship of individual items to the
whole.

152
Area Chart
An area chart emphasizes the magnitude of
change over time. By displaying the sum of the
plotted values, an area chart also shows the
relationship of parts to a whole.

Scatter chart

A scatter chart either shows the relationships


among the numeric values in several data
series or plots two groups of numbers as one
series of XY coordinates. It shows uneven
intervals or clusters of data and is commonly
used for scientific data. When we arrange your
data, place x values in one row or column and
then enter corresponding y values in the
adjacent rows or columns.

Doughnut Chart
Like a pie chart, a doughnut chart shows the
relationship of parts to a whole, but it can
contain more than one data series. Each ring of
the doughnut chart represents a data series.

Radar Chart
In a radar chart, each category has its own
value axis radiating from the center point. This
type of the chart is used when the categories
are not directly comparable.

153
Surface Chart
Such type of chart is used in situations where
both categories and data series are numeric
values. This type of chart is useful in situations
where the optimum combinations are found
among the two sets of data.

Bubble chart
Bubble chart is a type of xy (scatter) chart. The
size of the data marker indicates the value of a
third variable.

Stock charts
Stock chart can be used to plot data arranged
in columns or rows in a particular order on a
worksheet. As the name is self explanatory, this
chart is used to demonstrate the fluctuations
with respect to stock market prices. Even
scientific data can be plotted by stock chart i.e.
the fluctuation of daily or periodic
temperature.

Cone, Cylinder and Pyramid Charts


The cone, cylinder, and pyramid data markers
can lend a dramatic effect to 3-D column and
bar charts.

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12.4 Steps for Drawing a Chart
1. Enter data in the work sheet: Suppose we entered data as given in
Figure 12.3.

Figure 12.3: Entering Data for Chart

2. Now select the range of data we want to consider for making chart.
3. Click Insert Tab and select a chart type from the chart group (See
Figure 12.4). For example in this case we selected the column chart
option and then 2-D sub-option.

Figure 12.4: Selecting Chart Type

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The output chart is shown in Figure 12.5.

Figure 12.5: Output of 2-D Column Chart

4. Select the Chart Title, Axis Title, Legends, data labels etc. of the chart.
a. To give a title to a chart, click on the chart. Now we can see layout
tab available. Click on Layout tab (Shown in Figure 12.6).
b. Choose(click) on chart title option available in the Label group and
write the chart title.
c. Similarly, Axis Title, Legends, data labels etc. can also be written
using the layout tab.

156
Figure 12.6: Editing Axis Title, Legends and Data Labels

12.5 Graphics
The Graphics feature of Excel 2007 consists of AutoShapes, ClipArt and
Smart art. The AutoShapes feature allows to draw a number of geometrical
shapes, arrows, flow chart elements, stars and more on the worksheet. The
ClipArt includes drawings, movies, sounds or photography. However, the
SmartArt graphic is a visual representation of the information and ideas. One
can create SmartArt graphics by choosing from among many different layouts
to quickly, easily and effectively communicate the message.

12.6 AutoShapes
The steps to activate and use AutoShapes are:
1. Click on Insert Tab.
2. From Illustrations Group, Click on Shapes.
Different categories of AutoShapes available in Excel 2007 are: Lines, Basic
Shapes, Block Arrows, Flow charts, callouts and Star & Banners(See Figure
12.7).

157
Figure 12.7: Drawing AutoShapes
Lines
After clicking the Lines button on the AutoShapes toolbar, draw a straight line,
arrow, or double-ended arrow clicking the respective button. Click in the
worksheet where would like the line to begin and click again where it should
end. To draw a curved line or freeform shape, select curved lines from the
menu.
Basic Shapes
To draw basic shapes Click the Basic Shapes button on the AutoShapes
toolbar to select from many two- and three- dimensional shapes, icons,
braces and brackets. Use the drag-and-drop method to draw the shape in the
worksheet.
Block Arrows
To draw block arrows select Block Arrows to choose from many types of two
and three-dimensional arrows. Drag & drop the arrow in the worksheet and
use the open box and yellow diamond handles to adjust the arrowheads.
Flow Chart
To draw a flowchart, choose from the flow chart menu to add flow chart
elements to the worksheet and use the lines menu to draw connections
between the elements.
Stars and Banners

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To draw stars and banners click the button to select stars, bursts, banners
and scrolls.
Call Outs
Select from the speech and thought bubbles and line call outs. Enter the call
out text in the text box that is made.

12.7 Clip Art


Clip art is a form of electronic graphic art that consists of simple media file
including sound, animation, art or movie. The different ClipArt object are
shown in Figure 12.8. To insert a clipart object the following steps are used:
1. Click on Insert Tab.
2. From Illustrations Group, Click on Clip Art
3. Then Select a Collection and press Go Button
4. Click on a clip from the collection.

Figure 12.8: Screenshot of Clip Art

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12.8 SmartArt Graphics
Visual representation of information and ideas is called SmartArt Graphics. To
create a SmartArt graphic, one has to choose a type of SmartArt Graphics.
For example, Process, Cycle, Hierarchy or Relationship. A type represents a
category of SmartArt graphic. Each type is having several different types of
layouts. The following steps are used to create SmartArt Graphics(Figure
12.9):

1. Click on Insert Tab.


2. From Illustrations Group, Click on SmartArt.

Figure 12.9: Inserting SmartArt Graphics

3. Now choose a category (e.g. Cycle) as shown in Figure 12.10 and click OK.

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Figure 12.10: SmartArt Graphics Categories

4. Click for a particular option of your choice from the list of Cycle SmartArt
Graphics.
5. Now we can enter the values as shown below in Figure 12.11. To enter
values just click on the component where we want to enter text and write the
text.

Figure 12.11: SmartArt Graphics Circle Category

***************************************

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Summary

• Charts allow us to present data entered into the worksheet in a visual


format using a variety of chart types

• The typical chart in Excel 2007 comprises several distinct parts,


including the chart title, chart area, data series, axes, legend, plot area,
gridlines, data markers, and more.

• The various chart Types are: Column, Line, Pie, Bar, Area, Scatter,
Doughnut, Radar, Surface, Bubble, Stock, Cone, Cylinder and
Pyramid.

• The Graphics feature of Excel 2007 consists of AutoShapes, ClipArt


and Smart art.

• The AutoShapes feature allows to draw a number of geometrical


shapes, arrows, flow chart elements, stars and more on the worksheet.

• The ClipArt includes drawings, movies, sounds or photography.

• The SmartArt graphic is a visual representation of the information and


ideas. One can create SmartArt graphics by choosing from among
many different layouts to quickly, easily and effectively communicate
the message.

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Exercise 12

Q.1 Define chart in Excel.


Q.2 Explain the different components of a chart.
Q.3 Discuss different types of chart available in Excel.
Q.4 What are the steps for drawing a chart?
Q.5 Write a short note on AutoShapes.
Q.6 What is meant by Clip Art?
Q.7 Discuss SmartArt Graphics.

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Chapter 13
PowerPoint-I

Objectives

➢ Introduction
➢ Starting PowerPoint
➢ Creating a New Presentation
➢ Save a Presentation
➢ Slide Layout
➢ Views in PowerPoint 2007
➢ PowerPoint 2007 Toolbars

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13.1 Introduction
Microsoft PowerPoint is widely used for making professional quality
presentations in a variety of formats, including on-screen computer slide
shows, black-and-white or colour overheads and 35mm slides. One can also
use it for speaker's notes and audience hand-outs. In addition, PowerPoint
can be used as a drawing package for preparing pictures, forms, posters and
leaflets.
PowerPoint also called as Microsoft PowerPoint, is a program that allows the
user to design a presentation that consists of multiple slides. These slides
may contain images, text, video clips and related types of information.
PowerPoint is useful for delivering a speech, because the user can utilize text
on the screen to remind him or herself of the information to be conveyed to
the audience.

13.2 Starting PowerPoint

To use PowerPoint Click the Start button and select All Programs, then from
the sub-menu, select Microsoft Office, then select Microsoft Office PowerPoint
2007. When PowerPoint loaded, the screen shown in Figure 13.1 is
displayed.

Figure 13.1: PowerPoint Screen

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13.3 Creating a New Presentation

Every PowerPoint presentation involves the creation of a series of slides with


text or objects displayed on them. One can create a new presentation using
several options offered by PowerPoint 2007. A dialog box that appears when
we start PowerPoint2007 to create a new slide offers the following options for
creating a new presentation under template option:
➢ Blank and recent

➢ Installed Templates

➢ Installed Themes

➢ My templates..

➢ New from existing..

To Create New Presentation from Blank Slide

To create a new presentation from a blank slide Click the Microsoft Office
Button then Click New. From the blank and recent option click the blank
presentation ( See Figure 13.2).

Figure 13.2: New Presentation from Blank Slide

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To Create a new Presentation from a Template

To create new presentations from a template click the Microsoft office button
and click New. Then click Installed Templates or browse through my
Templates and click the template we want to choose. For example in this
case, the Quiz show (Figure 13.3) is selected from the installed templates.

Figure 13.3: New Presentation from a Template

To Create a new Presentation from a Theme

To create new presentations from a theme click the Microsoft Office Button
and click New. Then click Installed Themes and click the template we want to
choose. For example in this case, the Civic is selected from the installed
themes(Figure 13.4).

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Figure 13.4: New Presentation from a Theme
To Create a New Presentation from an Existing Presentation

To create new presentations from an existing presentation click the Microsoft


Office Button then click New. Now, Click from Existing and browse the
existing presentation and click the desired presentation and then click Create
New. In The Figure 13.5, the green it presentation is chosen from existing
presentation to create new presentation.

Figure 13.5: Create a New Presentation from an Existing Presentation

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13.4 Save a Presentation

To save a PowerPoint presentation, there are two choices


available: Save or Save As. To save a document Click the Microsoft Office
Button and Click Save (Figure 13.6).

Figure 13.6: Saving a Presentation

We can use the Save As feature when we need to save a presentation under
a different name or to save it for earlier versions of PowerPoint. The older
versions of PowerPoint will not be able to open PowerPoint 2007 presentation
unless we save it as a PowerPoint 97-2003 Format. To use the Save As
feature Click the Microsoft Office Button and then Click Save As. Now type in
the name for the presentation and in the Save as Type box, choose
PowerPoint 97-2003 presentation (Figure 13.7).

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Figure 13.7: Using Save As for Saving a Presentation

13.5 Slide Layout

Slide layouts define containers, positioning and formatting for all of the
content that appears on a slide. Placeholders are the containers in layouts
that hold such content as text (including body text, bulleted lists, and titles),
tables, charts, SmartArt graphics, movies, sounds, pictures, and clip art.
When we create a new slide, we can select from the different slide layouts.
The different layouts available in PowerPoint are: Title Slide, Title and
Content, Two Content, Comparison, Title Only, Blank, Content with Caption
and Picture with Caption. Changing of layout of a slide results in all objects
remains on the slide, but you might need to rearrange them to fit in the new
layout.

Changing a Slide Layout

To change the slide layout Click on the Home menu bar tab then from the
Slides section, select the Layout button. From the drop-down menu that
appears, select the desired layout (Figure 13.8).

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Figure 13.8: Slide Layouts in PowerPoint

13.5 Views in PowerPoint 2007

The three buttons in the bottom right corner of the document window allow us
to change the way we view our presentation. The different views to view a
presentation are: Normal view, Slide Sorter view and Slide Show view and are
shown in Figure 13.9.

Figure 13.9: Different Views in PowerPoint 2007

Normal View
Normal View contains three panes: the outline pane, the slide pane and the
notes pane. The outline pane gives the largest pane for text. The outline pane
is most comfortable for working on text. The standard and formatting toolbars
are available for editing text. One can therefore work on the text as if we are

171
working in word. One can even check spellings and use find and replace
features to modify text. In this view the slides are visible. One can use the
buttons on the outlining toolbar to move slides or text and change the indent
level of titles and text. Even a summary slide can be added. In the slide pane,
it is convenient to add as well as edit both text and art on a slide-by-slide
basis. To switch to slide pane, click the slide view button. One can see the
whole slide or change the zoom to magnify a portion of the slide for detailed
work. The notes pane displays the notes page for the selected slide, where
one can create speaker notes for the slide to be used during the presentation.
A copy of the notes can be printed for reference. One can move or resize the
slide image and the notes box.
Slide Sorter View
The Slide Sorter view shows the slides in the presentation in numerical order.
Slide Sorter view displays miniature versions of a slide for changing the order,
transition and timing of the slide show.
Slideshow View
Slideshow View shows the presentation from the beginning slide. Note that
the slideshow button at the bottom right corner of the document window
shows the presentation from the current slide. The Slide Show view shows the
presentation on the full screen, either from the current slide or from the first
slide. The shortcut key for the slide show view is F5. The Escape (ESC) key is
used to go back to the previous view from the full screen slide show.

13.6 PowerPoint 2007 Toolbars

The Home bar


This toolbar has features that allow us to edit slides, fonts, paragraph, drawing
and editing (Figure13.10).

Figure 13.10: Home Tab

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The Insert bar

This toolbar has features that allow us to add tables, illustrations, links, text
and media clips (Figure13.11).

Figure 13.11: Insert Tab

The Design bar

This toolbar has features that allow you to edit how your presentation will look.
It includes features such as Page Setup, Themes, and Background
(Figure13.12).

Figure 13.12: Design Tab

The Animations bar

This toolbar has features that allow us to add custom animations to the
presentation. One can select from preview, animations and transitions. By
selecting custom animation in the animations box, one can apply effects to
individual elements in the presentation (Figure13.13).

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Figure 13.13: Animations Tab

The Slide Show bar


This toolbar has features that allow us to select how the presentation will be
displayed. From this bar, one can start the slide show, set up the slide show
and adjust monitor settings (Figure13.14).

Figure13.14: Slide Show Tab

The Review bar

This toolbar has the features that allow us to proofread, comment slides and
protect (lock) our presentation (Figure13.15).

Figure 13.15: Review Tab

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The View bar

This toolbar allows us to set the view of the presentation, show/hide features,
zoom, switch from colour to gray scale, adjust windows and add macros
(Figure13.16).

Figure 13.16: View Tab

*******************************************

175
Summary

• Microsoft PowerPoint is widely used for making professional quality


presentations in a variety of formats, including on-screen computer
slide shows, black-and-white or colour overheads and 35mm slides.

• Creating a new presentation can be done by using: Blank and recent,


Installed Templates, Installed Themes, My templates and New from
existing.

• The different views to view a presentation are: Normal view, Slide


Sorter view and Slide Show view

• This toolbar allows us to set the view of the presentation, show/hide


features, zoom, switch from colour to gray scale, adjust windows and
add macros

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Exercise 13

Q.1 What is meant by PowerPoint?


Q.2 Write a short note on Slide Layout.
Q. 3 Write a short note on different views in PowerPoint 2007.
Q.4 Define the term slide show.
Q. Discuss the different toolbars available in PowerPoint 2007.

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Chapter 14
PowerPoint-II

Objectives

➢ Inserting Graphics
➢ Transitions
➢ Animations

178
14.1 Inserting Graphics

The Graphics feature of PowerPoint consists of AutoShapes, ClipArt and


Smart art. The AutoShapes feature allows to draw a number of geometrical
shapes, arrows, flow chart elements, stars and more on the worksheet. The
ClipArt includes drawings, movies, sounds or photography. However, the
SmartArt graphic is a visual representation of the information and ideas. One
can create SmartArt graphics by choosing from among many different layouts
to quickly, easily and effectively communicate the message. Objects like clip
arts, WordArt, tables and charts can also be inserted on all slides or to
selected slides. For instance, if we want to introduce our company logo in our
presentation, we may like it to appear on all slides. One may need to present
a picture or chart to graphically represent some idea we are explaining. This
picture or chart would have to appear only on a particular slide. One can add
objects to all slides using the Slide master. The object we may want to
introduce could be text, clip art, a table, chart, a video clip, a sound clip or
some other object.
Inserting a Picture

To insert a picture on a slide open the PowerPoint presentation and select the
slide where we want to insert the picture. Then, click on the Insert menu and
select Picture, then select From File. Navigate to the specific picture file and
select the file and click insert. The picture appears on the slide. We can resize
the picture, position the graphic on the slide by dragging it to where we want it
to appear. Select the picture to display the Picture toolbar. Use the toolbar
buttons to crop the picture, add a border and sharpen contrast.

14.2 Transitions

PowerPoint offers several special effects and features that can enhance the
work of a presentation i.e. when the presentation is executed on a computer
or on a LCD projector. One can use features such as slide transitions, timings,
movies, animation and so on. One can set transitions by using the Transitions
To This Slide in the Animation tab.

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In an online presentation, the different slides keep on changing from one to
another. The transitions feature is used to set the way each slide appears on
the screen. The transitions are the special effects while moving from one slide
to another. One may want the next slide to appear from the right or gradually
dissolve from the screen, or that it should box in or box out etc. On individual
slides, one may also include animation. For instance, one may like the text to
appear from left to right while we introduce a picture or chart from the left to
catch the audience attention. The different transitions are shown in Figure
14.1.

Figure 14.1: Transitions Screenshot

After we set the transition, we can use the transition toolbar to set transition of
our choice and view the effect on each slide. One can also change transitions
by selecting the slides for which we want slide transitions and choose from the
Transition effects drop down menu. One can even adjust the speed of the
transition by selecting the option buttons. The default setting is Medium. After
we select a transition, we can have a preview of the new transition to see its
effect. Slide transitions can also be accompanied by special sound effects to
enhance the presentation. One can choose from the dropdown list of sounds
in Transition Sound dialog box(See Figure 14.2).

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Figure 14.2: Different Transitions in PowerPoint

14.3 Animations

Animation is a set of effects which can be applied to objects on a slide. The


effects can be visual or sound effect. For example, one can have the text
bullet points fly in from the left, one word at a time, or hear the sound of
applause when a picture is uncovered. One can set animation for individual
objects, pictures or text in slides. The preview of the effects can be seen by
clicking preview form Animation Tab. A miniature slide will display the
animation feature selected. The individual items on the slides can be
customized to have special effects by using the Animation dialog box as
shown in Figure 14.3.

Figure 14.3: Different Animation Schemes in PowerPoint

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There are several options to animate slide objects (See Figure 14.3). One can
animate the title, text, charts and any other graphics on a slide. For instance,
instead of introducing a chart at once on a slide one can have the elements of
the chart appear by category, data series or individually. Moreover, the
animation effects may be assigned at Entrance of the text i.e. when it appears
on the screen, or at the Emphasis stage, or at the exit point i.e. when the
object is about to leave the screen. Plenty of animation effects are available.

*****************************************

182
Summary

• The Graphics feature of PowerPoint consists of AutoShapes, ClipArt


and Smart art.

• The AutoShapes feature allows to draw a number of geometrical


shapes, arrows, flow chart elements, stars and more on the worksheet.

• The transitions are the special effects while moving from one slide to
another.
• Animation is a set of effects which can be applied to objects on a slide.
The effects can be visual or sound effect.

183
Exercise 14

Q.1 What is meant by Animation?


Q.2 Discuss the various steps for applying animations on objects.
Q. 3 Discuss the various steps for applying transitions.
Q.4 Write a short note on transitions.

184
Chapter 15
_______________________________________________________

INTRODUCTION TO LOTUS SMARTSUITE

➢ Introduction
➢ Structure of Spreadsheet
➢ Opening Lotus 1-2-3
➢ Components of Lotus Window
➢ Basic Terms and Definition
➢ Structure of Lotus 1-2-3 Window

15.1 Introduction

SmartSuite is an office suite from Lotus Software. The office suite has two
versions: one for windows and other for OS/2.SmartSuite is not officially
supported by IBM on versions of windows after XP, but it does work well on
both the 32 bit and 64 bit versions of windows vista and windows 7.

Components of Lotus SmartSuite:


The following applications are included in SmartSuite for Microsoft windows:
1. Lotus word pro – word processor
2. Lotus 1-2-3 – spread sheet
3. Lotus freelance Graphics – presentation software
4. Lotus approach – relational database
5. Lotus organizer – personal information manager
6. Lotus Smart center – a toolbar to quickly access programs
7. Lotus Fast Site – web design software
8. Lotus ScreenCam – screen recording software

Package Working of Min. space Max. space


Components component required (in MB) required (in MB)

Word Pro Word processor 16 38

1-2-3 Spreadsheet 12 22

Approach Relational 8 19
Database

Freelance Graphics Presentation 9 19


software

Organizer Personal Organizer 7 11

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Screen Cam Screen Capture 3 3

Screen Capture One click icons 1.5 1.5

Total Space 56.5 118


Required

System Requirements
➢ IBM Compatible System.
➢ VGA Monitor
➢ Min. 8 MB RAM
➢ DOS 3.1 and DOS 4.x
➢ Min. space required: 56.5 MB
➢ Max. Space required: 118 MB

Word Pro
Earlier known as AmiPro, WordPro is word processing software. “Take a
tour” is a feature, which allows getting complete knowledge about software.
“Take a tour” option is available in toolbar. It shows following options: Starting
WordPro, Frames, Graphics, Tables, Help, Text Formatting, Share Document,
Spell Check & Format Check, Arrange document, Review & Comment Tool,
and printing.

15.2 Lotus 1-2-3


Spread sheet software is used to save information to be processed.
Spreadsheet allows users to work with numbers and apply formulae on that
numeric data. Spreadsheet allows users to arrange and organize data as per
requirements.
Lotus 1-2-3 is a member of spread sheet family of software. It is integrated
with Lotus SmartSuite which is an office suite. It is capable of doing three
specific functions:
1. Electronic spreadsheet/worksheet: allows analysis of numeric data.
2. Database management: allows handling great amount of data and querying
on that data
3. Graphics/Charting: allows the user to represent data in pictorial form

15.3 OPENING LOTUS 1-2-3


Double click on application icon of Lotus 1-2-3 to open or launch the
application.

186
Figure 15.1
Closing Lotus 1-2-3
To quit Lotus 1-2-3, click on file menu, and then choose exit.

15.4 COMPONENTS OF LOTUS WINDOW

Figure 15.2
When we launch Lotus 1-2-3, the main window is visible which include control
panel at the top of screen, a document window called work area at bottom
and status line below that work area. The control panel consists of 3 rows: title
bar followed by menu bar and the edit line.
Title bar

187
Displays the name of application “Lotus 1-2-3”, the control menu box on the
far left and minimize, maximize and close button on far right.
Menu bar

Displays main commands


The commands can be clicked by mouse left button or by pressing keyboard
shortcuts.
Edit Line

This row contains four parts, which are:


a) Selection indicator: displays current cell address
b) Navigator: allows moving around worksheet
c) Function selector: lets you choose functions
d) Content box: displays text you enter in a cell

Status bar

This bar is located at very bottom of document window. It displays the


information about the current state of the program. It displays the properties of
selected object, the current file, current mode and status of lotus. The status
line also contains button controls that let you change the following:
a) Number format
b) Font face of current selection
c) Point size of current selection
d) Smart icon bar
When you point to these items and click the left mouse button, additional
menu items appears.
15.5 BASIC TERMS AND DEFINITIONS

Cell
It is the basic unit of any spread sheet. It is the place where information is
actually stated. Cell is defined by its row and column. For example, C6 means
a cell in third column and 6th row.

Figure 15.3
Active cell
Active or selected cell is the cell that which has highlighted outline box
around it. This is the cell ready for inserting or editing the data.

Range
Range is referred to a cell or a group of adjacent cells forming a rectangle. A
range is defined by the addresses of two cells that are in opposite corners of

188
the rectangle area. A range can be selected to work upon a group of data
values.

Worksheet
In Lotus 1-2-3, a file may have one or many worksheets. Each worksheet may
have different type of information contained in it. Worksheets are used for
data management and numerical calculations.

Workbook
Lotus for windows allows you to work with a collection of worksheets/
spreadsheets at a time. This collection of worksheets are called workbook.
Workbook allows you to keep related spreadsheets together and make global
changes.

Applications of worksheet/Spreadsheet
1. Worksheets can be used for accounting purpose. Data can be represented
using rows and columns. User can create database using worksheets.
Database charts and Pivot tables can be created within the spreadsheet also.
2. Worksheets can be used for creating marketing plans.
Type of data in Lotus 1-2-3
a) Label: text information is referred as label
b) Value: this can be number, cell reference, formula or function.

15.6 STRUCTURE OF LOTUS 1-2-3 WINDOW


Info Box
This is the place where we can change and modify the properties of any
object. Properties of object include name, color, size and security features.
Select an object and click on Range menu → Range Properties. It will open
info box for the object. Here, we can change the properties of the object.

Figure 15.4
Tabs in INFO BOX Info
Info box contains a series of tabs. Every tab has a set of specific properties.
Use of smart icons: These are the shortcut icons of commands in LOTUS 1-2-
3 which are frequently used by the user. These icons are above the
workspace. When we mouse over these icons, LOTUS 1-2-3 shows their
workings.

189
Figure 15.4
Cell Referencing in Worksheets
Each cell has a unique address formed by combination of its row and column
address. When a cell address is referred to in a formula, its writing style
determines how that cell will be referenced during calculations. There are
three referencing styles in a worksheet:
a) Relative referencing b) Absolute referencing c) Mixed
referencing

Relative referencing
In a formula copied from one column to another, a reference to a range in the
first column becomes a reference to a adjacent range in the second column.
For example, when copying a formula from column C to column D, a
reference to range C1..C3 becomes a reference to adjacent range D1..D3.
The range address in this copy operation is relative reference. A similar
adjustment occurs when we copy a formula from one row to another.
Absolute referencing
When we want all or parts of cell address not to get adjust as it is copied, we
need absolute referencing. This means that cell address is referencing a fixed
location and does not adjust as it is copied. To make a formula absolute put a
dollar sign ($) in front of row/column reference that should not change as the
formula is copied.
Mixed referencing
A cell address contains two parts – column letter and row number. If we put a
$ sign before both parts, the cell address becomes absolute. If we do not put
$ sign before any, it is relative address. And if we put $ sign before any one
part, it is mixed reference.
SUMMARY OF THE LESSON
You learnt the following in this lesson:
• LOTUS Smart suit is a professional package for office automation. It
consists of many components like word pro, LOTUS 1-2-3 etc.
• Spreadsheet is a data sheet which looks like a normal sheet like on paper. It
contains rows and columns which makes cells. A cell is a place where data
can be entered.
• LOTUS 1-2-3 is a kind of spreadsheet. This component is a part of LOTUS
SmartSuite which is an office suite.
• LOTUS 1-2-3 is an electronic spreadsheet used to process data, analyze it
and perform calculations over it.
SELF ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS AND EXERCISES

190
1. What do you mean by LOTUS SmartSuite? Describe the components of
SmartSuite.
2. What is LOTUS 1-2-3? Discuss the system requirements of LOTUS 1-2-3.
3. Discuss the components of LOTUS Window?
4. Explain the concept of referencing. What are the types of referencing?
Answer to self-assessment questions and exercises
1. Refer to section 15.1
2. Refer to section 15.1
3. Refer to section 15.4
4. Refer to section 15.6

191
Chapter 16
__________________________________________________
INTRODUCTION TO LOTUS SMARTSUITE-II

16.1 Built in Functions


16.2 Using Graphics
16.3 Sharing Data with other Desktop Applications
16.4 Strategies of Creating Error Free Worksheet
16.5 Spreadsheets and their uses in business

16.1 BUILT IN FUNCTIONS


A function is a shortcut for formula. A formula is that which is seen on one side of
equation. For example,
=3+ (7-4)
=B4+G7 A formula works well for small range of data. But say we have a list of 50
values, that would be one long formula. Here the concept of function is used.
@SUM(B1..B50)
A function consists of @ sign, then the name of function (e.g. SUM) followed by
arguments within the parentheses (e.g. B1..B50).

Figure 16.1
Type of Functions
Various functions available in Lotus can be categorized as:
1. Financial Functions. They analyze investments, annuities and securities;
determine depreciation; and calculate cash flows and loans.
2. Logical. They Calculate the results of logical formulas
3. Mathematical. They, simplify various Mathematical operations such as calculating
square roots and replace complex trigonometric calculations.
4. Statistical. They, performs calculations on lists of values.
5. String. They, provides information about text in cells and perform other operations
on text.

192
Statistical Functions

Goal Seek
It is also a part of Lotus 1-2-3 commands. It is also called what-if analysis tool. Goal
seek allows the user to use the desired result of a formula to find the possible input
value necessary to achieve that result. The goal seek command is a process of
calculating an output by performing various what-if analysis on a given sets of input.
E.g., we know the total profit to be gained and number of units to be sold and we want
to know what should be the cost of per unit so that desired profit can be gained.
Backsolver Tool
Backsolver tool is selected from Range  Analyze  Backsolver. When we click on
Backsolver, a dialog box appears. This tool is used when we know the result of the
formula, but we do not know how to get it.

193
What-If Solver : What-If solver can be used to solve linear and non-linear both types
of problems. This feature is added to Lotus 1-2-3 in 1990.
16.2 USING GRAPHICS
One of the important features of Lotus 1-2-3 is that it represents tabular data in
pictorial form which is easily understandable. This pictorial form could be in form of
charts or graphs.

Figure 16.2

16.3 SHARING DATA WITH OTHER DESKTOP APPLICATIONS


One of the important features of Lotus 1-2-3 is Lotus notes which is client in client
server architecture. This feature allows other applications to link data with other
applications. The Text field is used to make OLE object. Linked data is directly
associated with real data of other application. Therefore we can see changes are
reflected at both places. By double clicking on OLE object the link is opened up with
original application.

16.4 STRATEGIES OF CREATING ERROR FREE WORKSHEET


A Worksheet is used for numerical calculation which must be error free for every
business organisation it is important to have accurate output. A small error can affect
many business decisions. While creating a worksheet user must be careful about
following errors:
1. Syntax Error:
This kind of error means we have written formula by wrong way.
2. Run Time Error:
This kind of errors are difficult to find e.g. a value is divided by zero.
3. User Error: Errors created by user e.g. wrong entry in a cell. It is not necessary that user
make errors, errors are performed by mistake also. Therefore, such kinds of errors are
very difficult to find. For example, a wrong entry in cell may change entire output.

Therefore, it becomes important for us that we must try to make error free worksheet.
If errors are there, they should be found and rectified. One method of creating error
free worksheet is to lock those cells where critical data or formulae are saved.
Using LOOKUP for data entry and avoiding errors

194
In LOTUS 1-2-3, we can use lookup functions to minimize the chances of errors.
Following are the lookup functions:
1. HLOOKUP:
By using @HLOOKUP(X; range; row-offset) we can see the value of a special cell in
a row. The output will be a horizontal table.
X: X could be any value but it should be equal to or greater than values of range.
Otherwise output would be the last value of range. Range: The range could be any
specific row or the first row labels.
2. VLOOKUP:
By using @VLOOKUP(X; range; row-offset) we can see the value of a special cell in
a row. The output will be a vertical table.

16.5 Spreadsheet and their uses in Business


Spreadsheet is a datasheet that contain cells which are used to specify the rows and
columns. Each cell consist different types of data such as alphanumeric, numeric and
formula etc. Formula shows how calculations are done in cells. In financial matters,
spreadsheet is mostly used due to change in whole spreadsheet on the basis of change
in one cell.
Uses of spreadsheets in a business organization come in handy. Typically,
spreadsheets are meant to store data sets, however, they have been helpful in so many
different ways such as providing a wide range of utilities to aid in management. That
makes them one of the most useful tools in a business organization. Spreadsheets
perform organizational, financial, mathematical and statistical transformations on sets
of data.

Furthermore, the can be used in data representation in a unique and organized way hence
aids in future planning decisions. Since businesses offer different services, they can
customize their spreadsheets in order to suit their needs. Some spreadsheet programs are
designed to work together with other programs such as presentation software and word
processing.

Uses of spreadsheets in business

1. Storing Data
One of the main uses of spreadsheets in business is storing data. If you have a
business organization, you will need a spreadsheet to store almost any type of
information. Examples of information to the store include a list of clients, contact
information, employee timesheets, sales, and purchases. All this information remains
relevant and useful for many years. Since spreadsheets consume very little space you
can save a lot of information without facing any storage difficulties. Searching for
information on a spreadsheet is easy. You can search using a file name or the data that
it contains.
2. Manipulate and analyze data
Apart from storage, you can use spreadsheets to manipulate and analyze data. For
example, it contains a feature that allows you to enter custom formulas. You can use
them to perform different functions such as addition, subtraction or calculating
percentage. In addition, these formulae sets can allow you to sort your data.
Additionally, you can customize it by adding filters until you get the results that you
desire. Spreadsheets also hold a feature that provides conditional processing. Using

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formulas you can make one cell to be dependent on the results of another cell. This is
a helpful feature for calculating profit and losses.

3. Presentation/Visualization
Spreadsheets are used often for visualization purposes. They contain different tools
and features that make it possible. For example, you can present your data in charts or
graphs. There are various types of these charts and graphs to choose from according
to your needs. Managers can present data in a graphical way to potential investors
making it easy for them to grasp the information. The presentations can also be used
to teach clients or show employees on how the business is performing. You can
control anything that you want to display from the colors or table sizes.

4. Modeling and Planning


Spreadsheets play a huge role when it comes to planning. You can use them in two
ways. First is by analyzing and visualizing data hence getting a clue of how your
business is doing in various fields. Next, you can highlight areas that need more
attention to growth or reconsideration. The second way to use spreadsheets in
planning is by calculating the potential results due to changes in your company. You
can test various forms of data and determine if it works or not.

5. Inform the Decision Making Process


Decisions that a business makes determines whether it will be successful or not.
Spreadsheets help managers and investors to make well-informed decisions. Through
data visualization, management can easily identify the areas of weaknesses. Having
this information at hand all the time it will lead the manager into making decisions
that can make more profits. With well-represented data, potential investors will have a
humble time when deciding whether to invest in your business or not

6. Business Accounts and Budgeting


Coming up with a budget is not an easy task without the use of spreadsheets. You can
create a table and list the most important things followed by the least important. There
are features that will show you the sectors that need the most attention. This
information is very important, especially when purchasing items. Spreadsheets also
assist accountants in managing business accounts. So funds are released easily
because some calculations are automated.

7. Invoices
Most spreadsheet platforms will allow you to integrate the invoice template. It speeds
up the process of receiving or dispatching products. The invoice template can easily
fetch data from the spreadsheet hence making the whole process automated. In
addition, it produces very accurate results. Handling invoices manually or with other
external applications is a slow process. The production of invoices for customers’
needs to be fast and accurate so as to realize more profits. Customers are very
sensitive and can easily be turned off by a slow process or one with a lot of errors.

8. Wages
Managing wages is now easy thanks to the spreadsheets. You can set up a formula
that automatically calculates the number of hours an individual employee has worked.
It makes payment of wages a fast and easy task hence you get to work with happy
employees. It also cuts the costs of paying employees extra money that they have not

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worked for. However, it makes them work hard because they know that they will get
paid what they deserve. Furthermore, it also cuts the costs of using any external
software to handle the wages.

9. Predictions / Simulations
Spreadsheets are important in simulation and prediction in business organizations.
Because organizations store all financial data in the spreadsheets they can easily
predict the form in which the business will be in the next few years. Visualization
tools such as graphs and tables make the predictions easy. For example, if a business
wants to know the average number of customers they will have by increasing
employees they just need to check the graph.
10. Statistical analysis and reports
By the use of spreadsheets, business organizations are able to carry out analysis easily
and first. For example, they use formulas that calculate all the data for the whole
financial year. Making these calculations manually is a very tiresome process. The
reports show how the company is progressing. It can also be released to attract
potential investors and customers to the company. Spreadsheets are the best platforms
for organizations to manage and store data.

SUMMARY OF THE LESSON


You learnt the following in this lesson:
• Info Box is a place where object properties can be modified according to user
requirements.
• Goal seek feature is used when we know the final value but we do not know what
would be the input to get that final output.
• Errors are the mistakes in a worksheet which could be of any type and can cause the
unexpected output.
• Uses of spreadsheets in business.

SELF ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS AND EXERCISES


1. What do you understand by functions? What are the types of functions available in
LOTUS 1-2-3?
2. Explain the strategies of creating an error free worksheet.
3. Define the uses of Spreadsheets in Business?

Answer to self-assessment questions and exercises


1. Refer in section 16.1
2. Refer in section 16.4
3. Refer in section 16.5

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Chapter 17
Tally-I

Objectives
➢ Introduction
➢ Features of Tally.ERP 9
➢ Installing Tally.ERP 9
➢ Tally Licenses
➢ Tally Screen Overview

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17.1 Introduction

Tally.ERP 9 is the fastest and powerful multi-lingual business accounting and


inventory management software. Tally.ERP 9 is designed to meet the needs
of small and medium businesses. It is a fully integrated, affordable and highly
reliable software.
Tally.ERP 9 is easy to install, and easy to learn & use. Tally.ERP 9 is
designed to automate and integrate all the business operations, such as
sales, finance, purchasing, inventory and manufacturing. The powerful new
features combined with enhanced MIS, Multi-lingual, data synchronization and
remote capabilities help the business organizations to manage all the
business processes easily and cost-effectively.

17.2 Features of Tally.ERP 9

Leading Accounting Package


The first version of Tally was released in 1988 and, through continuous
development, is now recognised as one of the leading accounting packages
across the world, with over a quarter million customers.
Complete Business Solution
Tally.ERP 9 provides a complete solution to the accounting and inventory
needs of a business. The package comprises financial accounting, book-
keeping and inventory accounting. It also has various tools to extract, interpret
and present data.
Integrated/ Non-integrated Accounting and Inventory

With Tally.ERP 9, the user is able to choose between accounting and


accounting with inventory. If accounting with inventory is opted, the user can
choose whether it should be integrated or not.
Speed

Tally.ERP 9 provides the capability to generate instant and accurate reports,


which assists the management to take timely and correct decisions for the
overall productivity and growth of the company.

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Power

Tally.ERP 9 allows the user to maintain multiple companies and with unlimited
levels of classification & grouping capabilities. It also allows drill down facility
from report level to transaction level.
Flexibility

Tally.ERP 9 provides flexibility to generate instant reports for any given period
or at any point of time besides providing the facility to toggle between
accounting & inventory reports of the same company or between companies.
Concurrent Multi-lingual Capability

Tally.ERP 9 offers the exclusive capability of maintaining the accounts in any


Indian language, viewing them in another language and printing them in yet
another Indian language.
Real Time Processing

Tally.ERP 9 provides immediate posting & updation as soon as the


transactions are entered, thereby facilitating instant statements & reports. It
also facilitates real-time multi-user environment
Versatility

Tally.ERP 9 is suitable for a range of organisations, from small grocery stores


to large corporations with international locations and operations.
Multi-platform Availability

Tally.ERP 9 is available on Windows 95, 98, ME, 2000 and NT. It can run on
a single PC or on a network. On a network, it supports access via any
combination of platforms.

Online Help

The Tally.ERP 9 Online Help (Alt+H) provides instant assistance on basic and
advanced features or any other relevant topics of Tally.ERP 9.
Simple and Rapid Installation

Tally.ERP 9 has a simple, menu-driven installation procedure. The user can


install the program files on any drive by following the easy steps.

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Internal Backup/ Restore

Tally.ERP 9 has an in-built, user-friendly backup and restore option. It helps


the user to take a backup of one or more companies or all companies, in a
single directory, in the local hard disk or in any external media.

Data Reliability

Tally.ERP 9 offers reliable data. It uses a flexi-field, flexi-length, self- indexed,


weighted file structure for an extremely compact and fast database. Tally.ERP
9 is robust and even if there is a power failure or the computer is incorrectly
shut down, data is not lost. Tally.ERP 9 uses signalling quality data integrity
checks, at regular levels to ensure the complete reliability of data.
User-defined Security Levels

Tally.ERP 9 offers high levels of security. Users can define multiple levels of
security according to their requirements. Every authorised user in the
company can have an individual password, with rights to use specific features
only. The user with the administrator level password will have full access and
can set controls for other users.
Data Security

Tally.ERP 9’s data integrity checks ensure that there are no external changes
to the data. Tally.ERP 9 also uses a binary encoding format of storage to
prevent devious grouping of information.
Tally Audit
The Tally.ERP 9 audit feature provides the user with administrator rights and
the capability to check the entries made by the authorised users and alter
these entries, if necessary. Once the entries are audited, Tally.ERP 9 displays
the altered entries, if any along with the name of the user, who has altered the
entry and the date and time of the alteration.
Import/ Export of Data
Any transaction can be exported and imported to other software after suitably
altering the current structures to accept the Tally.ERP 9 data structure. Data
can also be imported to Tally.ERP 9 by writing a TDL program. The data
which is to be exported from Tally.ERP 9 can be in XML, HTML or ASCII
format.
Point of Sale (POS)
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POS is an acronym for Point of sale. Point of Sale can be a retail outlet, a
check out counter in a shop or any other location where a sales transaction
takes place. It is a computerised cash register which adds up the sales totals,
calculates the balance to be returned to buyer and automatically adjusts the
inventory level to reflect the quantity sold. The equipment required for POS to
work effectively are cash registers, card readers, bar-code scanners and so
on.
e-mail Facility
Tally.ERP 9 facilitates the mailing of any Tally.ERP 9 report or document.
Graphical Analysis of Data
Tally.ERP 9 provides graphical analysis of data which helps the user to
perform deeper analysis. The user can generate graphical analysis reports
such as sales register, purchase register, ledgers, funds flow, cash flow, stock
item registers and so on. This helps the management to quickly judge
performance and be better prepared for difficult times.
17.3 Installing Tally.ERP 9

1. To install tally first Double click on the Install.exe to execute the installer.
The Tally.ERP 9 Installation Wizard screen is displayed as shown in
Figure 17.1.

Figure 17.1: Installing Tally

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2. Click Next to continue with the installation. The Tally.ERP 9 Setup screen
appears as shown in Figure 17.2. Tick Single User to install Tally.ERP 9
Single User Edition on the computer. Then Click Next.

Figure 17.2: Installing Tally

3. The Tally.ERP 9 Setup screen appears where one can see the
current location of default directories as shown. One can change the
path of Application directory, Data directory, Configuration
directory, Language directory and License directory(Shown in Figure
17.3).

Figure 17.3: Changing the Directory Path

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 The Application directory is the directory where program files are
stored by default.

 Data directory is the directory where Tally.ERP 9 data is stored by


default.
 Configuration directory is the directory where the configuration files
reside. By default, configuration directory is stored in the application
directory.
 Language directory is the directory where language files with the
extension .dct are stored. By default, this directory is stored in the
application directory.
 License directory is the directory where the license file with extension .lic
resides. By default, this directory is stored in the application directory.

4. Now Click Next. In the Country/Language Selection screen un-check Install


Operating Systems Language Support to use Tally.ERP 9 in English. By
default, India/SAARC appears in the Country Selection. One can Select
Others, if one is not residing in India or any of the SAARC countries(See
Figure 17.4).

Figure 17.4: Country/Language Selection

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5. Click Install. The Setup Status screen is displayed as shown in Figure 17.5.

Figure 17.5: Setup Status Screen

Once the installation process is completed, the


messages Tally.ERP9 Installed Successfully and Installer has installed 32 bit
application will be displayed. Click Finish to complete(Shown in Figure 17.6).

Figure 17.6: Finished Installation Screen

17.4 Tally Licences

Tally.ERP 97.2 provides you with two specific classification Licensing. They
are:
1. Tally Single User
2. Tally Multi User

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Tally for Single User

The single user licensing allows to use Tally on only one computer with an
option of activating it online or offline. However, one can use the same Tally
license on another computer, by granting the license activated on the first and
reactivating it on the other.

Tally for Multi User


The multi user licensing feature allows the use of Tally on any number of
computers connected to a local area network (LAN) with a provision of
activating the license online or offline.

17.5 Tally Screen Overview

The screen can be divided into five main parts namely as: Product
information, Work area, Button toolbar, Gateway of Tally and Calculator area
(Shown in Figure 17.7).

Figure 17.7: Tally Screen Parts

Product Information

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Product info displays information about software version & release, developer
company, system day and date, product brand name, single or multi user
indicator, software serial number, and system time. every time a new release
of tally is made, it is identified with a different release name. Tally would
rewrite data created in earlier release to make it compatible with the current
release of software.
Work Area

The work area at Gateway is broadly separated into two sections . The right
hand side contains the menu, where you would select your instructions to
Tally and left hand side displays List of Selected Companies, Current Period
and Current Date you are working with tally screen. In current date option
have not the calendar date but the date you worked last during the current
period. In list of selected companies displayed the name of all selected or
loaded companies with last date voucher entry information. Suppose you
select more than one company, the active company is shown at top of list in
bold letters and others appear next in normal font.
Button Toolbar

Button Bar consisting of numerous buttons appears at right of the screen.


Buttons provide quick access to different options, which varies from screen to
screen. Ac tive buttons are shown in solid colour and inactive buttons are
showed in grayed colour.
Gateway of Tally
The Gateway of Tally displays menus, screens, reports and accepts the
choices and options which we select to view data as required.
Calculator Area

While working with Tally one can either work at Work Area (where menu,
reports and entry screens etc appear) or with Calculator. By default work Area
becomes active and Calculator remains inactive. Press Ctrl+N to activate
Calculator. One can enter values and operators e.g.,+. - ,/,*, in the calculator
and on pressing Enter key, computed results would be displayed in next line.
To return to Work Area, press Ctrl+M.
******************************************************

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Summary

➢ Tally.ERP 9 is the fastest and powerful multi-lingual business


accounting and inventory management software.
➢ Tally.ERP 9 is designed to meet the needs of small and medium
businesses.
➢ Tally.ERP 97.2 provides you with two specific classification Licensing.
They are: Tally Single User and Tally Multi User
➢ The screen can be divided into five main parts namely as: Product
information, Work area, Button toolbar, Gateway of Tally and
Calculator area.

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Exercise 17
Q.1 Discuss the different parts of Tally screen.
Q.2 Write a short note on Tally.
Q. 3 Write a short note on different types of licences in Tally.
Q.4 Write different steps for installing the Tally.

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Chapter 18
Tally-II

Objectives

➢ Company Information
➢ Company Features in Tally.ERP 9
➢ Account Information

210
18.1 Company Information

The first step towards understanding Tally.ERP 9 is to create a company in


Tally.ERP 9. Create a company using the Company Creation screen.
Creation of a Company

In the Gateway of Tally, click on Company Info. and then select Create
Company. The Company Creation screen displays as shown in Figure 18.1.

Figure 18.1: Company Creation Screen

Each field in the Company Creation screen is explained below. To navigate


between the fields, use the enter key or the tab key or arrow keys or the
mouse.
Fields Description of Company Creation Screen
The different components of company creation screen are: Directory, Name,
Mailing Name, Address, Statutory Compliance, Pin Code, Telephone No., E-
Mail, Mobile No., Currency Symbol, Financial Year, Books Beginning,
TallyVault Password Use Security Control and enable auto backup. The
different components of company creation screen are depicted in Figure 18.2.

211
Figure 18.2: Different Fields of Company Creation Screen

Directory
Tally.ERP 9 assumes that the company is to be created in the data path given
in the Tally.INI file, which is displayed by default. This field is skipped by
default. However, one can change this path by using the backspace key, so
that Tally.ERP 9 saves the data to a different directory specified by us .
Name
This specifies the name of the company as it appears in Tally.ERP 9. The
company name given in the Name field automatically appears in this field.
This can be changed according to our requirements. The correct name of the
company for mailing purposes should be entered.
Mailing Name & Address

In addition to the Company Name, Tally.ERP 9 provides the facility to enter


the Mailing Name field. It displays the Company Name by default. One may
change it as required, if the mailing name is different from the Company
Name. The mailing name and address details are picked up for inclusion in
any report that needs the company name and address as heading e.g.
Balance Sheets, Statement of Accounts and so on.

212
Statutory Compliance
Select the Country from the List of Countries. The Statutory Features and
Base Currency Symbol are enabled in accordance with the country selected.
For example, if the accounts belong to a company in India, the base currency
would be Indian Rupees. The Base Currency will appear with respect to the
Country selected. Select India from the list of countries.
State
Select the appropriate State from the list of States.
Pin Code
Enter the PIN code of the specified address.
Telephone No.
Enter the telephone number of the company.
E- Mail
E-mail address will be used to e-mail documents, reports and data from
Tally.ERP 9.
Mobile No.
Enter the mobile number of the company.
Currency Symbol
This refers to the currency symbol Tally.ERP 9 will use for monetary values.
By default, Tally.ERP 9 displays Rs.
Maintain
Select the nature of the company i.e. Accounts only or Accounts with
Inventory.
Financial Year
Specify the Financial Year (FY) for the company. Tally.ERP 9 considers 12
months from the date we enter here as the Financial Year.
Books Beginning
The date given for ‘Financial Year From’ is automatically displayed. However,
we can specify the actual date on which the books of accounts start. In case
our accounts are opened mid-way during the financial year specified, we can
enter the required date and start the books of accounts accordingly.
TallyVault Password
TallyVault is an enhanced security feature utilised to protect company data in
an encrypted form by means of a password. The TallyVault password entered
ensures that the data is maintained permanently in an encrypted form without

213
retaining information of the password used. Data is not accessible without the
TallyVault password.
Use Security Control
Tally.ERP 9 has a range of security controls, which can define the authority of
various users to access the information and to enter/ alter/delete the
vouchers.
Select a Company
In the Gateway of Tally, press Alt + F3 to activate Company Info. In the
company information Select Company or press F1. Tally.ERP 9 displays the
list of Companies screen. All the companies created are displayed in an
alphabetical order. Select the company name from the list given (Shown in
Figure 18.3).

Figure 18.3: Select a Company

Alter Company/Create New Company


This option allows you to alter information about the existing company, one
can modify any information at any time that is set while creating a company.
After pressing “Alt-F3”, the company info screen is displayed, in which options
for Select company, Altering company, Shut company are seen given. Select

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the company from the List of Companies and press enter to view the
Company Alteration screen. Make the necessary changes in the required
fields and accept the screen (Shown in Figure18.4).

Figure 18.4: Alter a Company

Delete a Company
This option allows you to delete an existing company. To delete a company,
one have to load the company first. Press ALT+F3 from the Gateway of Tally
to proceed to the Company Information menu.

Figure 18.5: Delete a Company

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Select Alter and press Enter. Select the company to be deleted. The
Company Alteration screen is displayed. Use Alt + D to delete. Tally.ERP 9
will prompt for a confirmation on deleting the company (Shown in Figure
18.5).
Shut a Company
Shut a Company is to unload it. It does not mean that we have deleted it.
Simply select it again to load and work on it again (Shown in Figure 18.6).

Figure 18.6: Shut a Company

18.2 Company Features in Tally.ERP 9


Different features of a company can be selected or modified by using the
Company Features button. This button is available in almost all the screens of
Tally.ERP 9. This feature allows the user to modify it as and when the
requirements change. The different features are: Accounting, Inventory,
Statuary & Taxation, Tally.NET, Add-On and Quit (Shown in Figure 18.7).

216
Figure 18.7: List of Company Features

Accounting Feature
This feature enables you to set the various Accounting Features required for
transaction entries (Shown in Figure 18.8).

Figure 18.8: Different Accounting Feature


Inventory Features
This feature enables us to set the Inventory Features required for the
transactions (Shown in Figure 18.9).

217
Figure 18.9: Different Inventory Feature

Statuary & Taxation


This feature enables you to set the Statutory Features required for the
transactions(Shown in Figure 18.10).

Figure 18.10: Different Statuary & Taxation Feature

218
Tally.NET Features
Tally.ERP 9 provides a new capability Tally.NET which is available by default.
Tally.NET is a framework which works in the background and provides a
broad range of services using the Internet (Shown in Figure 18.11).

Figure 18.11: Different Tally.NET Feature


Add-On Features
Customers, to meet their accounting requirements may purchase customised
solutions from Tally Partners or from any solution provider. Depending on the
customer requirement solution provider formulates the solution. In some
cases, a solution may require the introduction of New Feature in Tally.ERP 9
to support the functionality. So Add-On Features is a place holder for the
features provided in the Add-Ons(Shown in Figure 18.12).

219
Figure 18.12: Different Tally.NET Feature

18.3 Account Information


Accounts Information menu lists the masters like Groups, Ledgers and
Voucher Types through which one can provide the details of the company's
accounts (Shown in Figure 18.13).

Figure 18.13: Account Information


Groups
Groups are collection of Ledgers of the same nature. Account Groups are
maintained to determine the hierarchy of Ledger Accounts which is helpful in
determining and presenting meaningful and compliant reports. Tally.ERP 9
has the flexibility of setting user required chart of accounts. One can group

220
the Ledger accounts under the required Groups at the time of creating the
chart of accounts or you can alter them at any time (Shown in Figure 18.14).

Figure 18.14: List of Groups

To Create a group in the Account information Click on Groups (Shown in


Figure 18.15).

Figure 18.15: Creating Groups

Ledger
A Ledger is the actual account head to which you identify a transaction and
must be used in all Accounting Vouchers. Without a ledger we cannot record
any transactions e.g. Purchase, payments, sales, Receipts, etc, all these
accounts heads are ledger Accounts. All Ledgers have to be classified into
Groups. Classification of Ledgers to the appropriate groups is very important.

221
These Groups and Ledgers are classified to Profit & Loss or Balance Sheet.
To create a ledger Go to Gateway of Tally > Accounts Info. > Ledgers(Shown
in Figure18.16)

Figure 18.16: Creating a Ledger

Vouchers

By default in Tally.ERP 9, there are 18 different pre-defined voucher types.


Voucher type pertains to Accounting, Inventory and Payroll. These are used
for recording various transactions according to the user needs. Examples
include Cash Payment Vouchers and Bank Payment vouchers where the
relevant predefined voucher is Payment Voucher. One may have two or more
sets of Sales Vouchers for different kinds of sales transactions e.g. Credit
Sales, Cash Sales, etc. To create a Voucher Type in the Gateway of Tally
select Accounts Info./Inventory Info. and then select Voucher Type and click
Create(Shown in Figure 18.17).

222
Figure 18.17: Creating a Voucher

*******************************************************

223
Summary

• In the Gateway of Tally, click on Company Info. and then select Create
Company.
• The different components of company creation screen are: Directory, Name,
Mailing Name, Address, Statutory Compliance, Pin Code, Telephone No., E-
Mail, Mobile No., Currency Symbol, Financial Year, Books Beginning,
TallyVault Password Use Security Control and enable auto backup.
• The different features are: Accounting, Inventory, Statuary & Taxation,
Tally.NET, Add-On and Quit.
• Accounts Information menu lists the masters like Groups, Ledgers and
Voucher Types through which one can provide the details of the company's
accounts.

224
Exercise 18

Q.1 Write the various steps to create a Company.


Q.2 What are the different components of company creation screen?
Q.3 Discuss different company features in Tally.
Q.4 Write a short note on the following:
o Groups
o Ledgers
o Vouchers

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Chapter 19
___________________________________________________

INTRODUCTION TO STATISTICAL PACKAGES

➢ Introduction
➢ Usefulness of Statistical analysis tools
➢ Capabilities that make statistical software indispensable
➢ Factors in choosing a statistical software
➢ Importance of Statistical Analysis in Business
➢ Significance of statistical software in data analysis: SPSS & STATA

19.1 INTRODUCTION
Statistical package is a computer program that has the capability to perform statistical
analysis. This package specifies the results of statistical techniques. There are a
number of statistical packages available in market such as ADMB, DAP, JAGS,
SOFA statistics, SYSTAT, SPSS etc.
Statistical software is a program or package that carries out various calculations,
analyses, and reporting tasks using methods and concepts of statistics. It is nearly
impossible to perform calculations manually beyond a small data set. Additionally,
manual statistical analysis requires a lot of time, and there are high chances of errors.
Statistical software programs are an integral part of almost every academic and commercial
field today and are growing in importance with time. Engineering firms, health sciences,
research, marketing, and every conceivable modern-day profession heavily rely on statistics
for operations, competitive advantage, and profitability. Statistical software plays a crucial
role in decision making, supporting the management to identify significant trends and make
strategies based on projections for the future.

19.2 The statistical analysis tools are helpful for:

Data validation
With vast volumes of input data available from multiple sources, the statistical
package must validate the data points to minimize errors and inaccuracies in the
downstream processes. This process includes checking data formats and removing
outliers, among other steps.

Analysis
It is the most widely used feature of statistics and, consequently, statistical software
programs. Statistical calculations and analysis involve simple concepts like mean,
median, and mode to complex ones like multiple linear regression. The appropriate
usage of these concepts results in the data that feeds a lot of information flow,
business intelligence, and, finally, decisions.

Forecasting
The statistical software can use historical data and trends to predict the weather, sales,
commodity prices, GDP, stock market volatility, etc. The forecasting model generally
uses one or more of the following techniques: time series analysis and projection,
qualitative techniques, and causal models.

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Reporting
Statistical packages offer various types of data visualization options. The basic ones
generate simple graphics and have fewer options for customization. On the other
hand, the most advanced ones have interactive visualizations and provide powerful
and personalized graphical outputs. This variation can become an important selection
criterion.

Business intelligence
Organizations and businesses use business intelligence driven by statistical methods
and algorithms to plan for the future and form and modify a detailed roadmap. The BI
features enable top management and analysts to analyze the company’s performance
and compare it to that of its competitors.
19.3 Capabilities that make statistical software indispensable

Processing large amounts of data


There is no shortage of data in today’s technology-driven era. These software tools help
crunch massive volumes of data. A capable statistical program can handle it easily when the
data points run into millions, billions, or even more.

Accuracy with efficiency


Specialized computer programs can perform statistical calculations efficiently without
errors. As an organization’s operations and decision-making processes depend on these
factors, the importance of the speed and reliability that these analytical tools provide can’t
be overstated.

Advanced presentation features


Statistical analysis packages come with visual dashboards and interactive graphical
capabilities to present at-a-glance results and drill-down analyses. It makes for quick and
efficient analysis and decision-making based on data.
19.4 Factors in choosing a statistical software

Cost
Statistics analytical tools range from free software to massive fees or prices per license. It is
vital to budget for the statistical software and to choose it accordingly to obtain maximum
value for money.

Compatibility
For an individual, the software should run on the computer operating system. It must easily
integrate with the existing hardware and software ecosystem like the ERP and CRM solutions
for organizations and businesses.

Scalability
It is one of the most important but often underestimated aspects of selecting a statistical
software. At the enterprise level, switching from one software package to another can cost a
considerable amount. It, thus, makes sense to perform the due diligence required to select
the software in line with the projected growth in function and scale.

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Ease of use
If the users of a statistical software find it difficult to use, it would likely result in low
motivation and performance. Additionally, the training cost for complicated software can be
a big part of the total cost of ownership.

Features
As the features offered by different statistical suites vary in capabilities and application, a
careful evaluation of their suitability to the nature of business and its intricacies is a must-do
exercise.

Domain specialization
Some popular statistical software is more suited to a particular domain or industry. It is so
due to a design that leans heavily towards providing analysis and functionality specific to
one or more industries.

Support
Reliable support by the software company is a much-desired factor in selecting any product.
For an individual, it translates to peace of mind. For businesses, it ensures business
continuity and minimal disruption of operations. An extended warranty period or free
support duration is always a bonus.

19.5 Importance of Statistical Analysis in Business

1. Identifying Opportunities
Having access to data can help you gain insights into future opportunities that may arise in
your business. Statistics should be used to find new markets, promote better customer
retention, increase sales, and identify sales opportunities.
This information can help you make intelligent decisions that will help your company grow
and thrive over time.
The analysis of data can also be used to increase efficiency by finding duplication in the
market or pinpointing areas that you want to eliminate from your current strategic plan.

2. Understanding customer behavior


The success of a business depends on the relationships established with its customers.
Statistical analysis can help improve customer behavior by looking at their buying patterns
and how they use your products or services.
With this information, you can make decisions on the type of products or services you
should offer to your customers.
It also helps to identify new opportunities for product development by looking at areas that
may require further research and study.
By understanding what they are looking for, you can provide the services or products that
will benefit both parties.

3. Determining the correct target market


As a business, you must have a targeted audience that you are trying to sell your products or
services. It is important to identify the best possible choice for your business because all
decisions must be made around this key area.
Statistical analysis can help determine whether your current target market is as profitable as
it should be. This information allows you to make decisions based on your customer base,
which ultimately decides the success of your company.

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4. Evaluating products or services
Statistical analysis provides companies with information about what is being bought and
used by consumers. This knowledge can be useful in finding new ways to improve or alter a
product or service you offer.
If you are able to determine what your customers are using or how they are accessing your
products, you can make the changes that need to be made.
Understanding what features are most important to consumers can help companies create
new ideas for upcoming services or products.

5. Making better decisions


Statistical analysis can provide real evidence of what works and what does not work for your
business. This information allows you to make better decisions about business changes,
hiring new employees, or how the company should be run.
It also helps with marketing and advertising strategies by giving a better understanding of
consumers and what will work best for your company.
All decisions made in a business should be based on the information provided by statistical
analysis to ensure that the outcome is positive. The analysis of data will showcase areas that
require improvement so you can take action before it becomes too late.
It is always beneficial to have the correct information that can guide you into making the
right decisions for your company.
With the advancement of technology, businesses are now able to utilize statistical analysis
software tools that allow them to obtain vital information in a shorter amount of time.
Implementing this tool allows business owners and managers the opportunity to make more
informed decisions on what they should be doing to increase their efficiency.
Statistical analysis has become a key tool for companies that are trying to grow and thrive in
today’s market.
Identifying opportunities, understanding customer behavior, determining the correct target
market, evaluating your product or service, and making better decisions are just a few of the
benefits that companies receive when using statistical analysis.

19.6 Significance of statistical software in data analysis: SPSS & STATA


Statistical software, or statistical analysis software, refers to tools that assist in the
statistics-based collection and analysis of data to provide science-based insights into
patterns and trends. They often use statistical analysis theorems and methodologies,
such as regression analysis and time series analysis, to perform data science.
Business intelligence is the practice of gathering and analysing data and then
transforming it into actionable insights. Statistical software helps business intelligence
in many different ways. It adds more value to your business’ proprietary data.
Statistics can be challenging, but with the right BI tools, they can be easy. Hence it is
always necessary to select an appropriate tool for analysis. If you find difficulty with
statistical analysis, you can get help from Online data collection statistics tutoring
services.

STATA and its Importance in Data Analysis


Stata is one of the most common and widely used statistical software among
researchers in the world. Researchers use Stata in the field of economics,
biomedicine, and political science. It’s powerful statistical software that permits users
to manage, analyze, and generate graphical visualizations of data. Researchers use
researchers in various fields like biomedicine, economics, and political science to

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inspect data patterns. It supports both a graphical user interface and command-line,
making the use of the software more intuitive.
Over the past few years, STATA programs of scholarly articles indexed in Google
Scholar have raised over 55 per cent. Regardless of industry and field, this software
tool’s value increased, it becomes one of the most important future employment
assets. It becomes one of the necessary qualifications which employers look, among
their candidates. Our Statistics Tutoring Services help you with all aspect of
understanding and working in particular software.
Because of its rising popularity, the Department of Economics at American University
has chosen Stata as the primary statistical software used among core and elective
economics courses. Among its numerous capabilities, it comprises some built-in
commands to clean and manage data. It engages with fundamental statistical analysis,
executes advanced econometric procedures, including time-series regression models
and panel, and creates visually stunning graphs and tables.
Stata enables one to write their own code or use menus to achieve their analysis. It
supports importing data in various formats, including CSV and spreadsheet (including
Excel) formats. Its file formats are platform-independent, allowing users of various
operating systems to share their datasets and programs easily. Four different versions
of Stata in the market. They are

• Stata/MP- for multiprocessor computers


• Stata/IC – This is the slandered and commonly used version
• Stata/SE – which support large databases
• Small Stata- which is a smaller version used for educational purpose. (Which
helps students, using this software throughout the program) .If you are unfamiliar
with this particular software, you can get help from Stata Tutor Online.

Applications of Stata

• Stata has a user-friendly graphical user interface. The best feature of its user
interface is, it can be easily adapt among various users regardless of their
experiences.
• It also has data management features. With the help of Stata, you can easily
connect the data sets and reshape them.
• Stat’s graphical user interface (GUI) includes menus and dialogue boxes.
Through these dialogue boxes, users can access various useful features, such as
data management, data analysis, and statistical analysis. The details, graphics, and
statistical menus are all easily accessible.

SPSS importance in Research & Data Analysis

• SPSS -Statistical Package for the social sciences is a software program combined in a
single package. The main application of SPSS is analyzing data. They are widely used
in a social science-related research project to analyze enormous data. That can be
used in surveys, market research, data mining, etc.; with the help of this,
researchers can easily identify the particular product’s demands in the market.
Based on the result, they can change the business or research strategy work.
Generally, SPSS is like a store or organize the provided data, which can be used later
to produce the desired output. It is designed in a way to handle a huge set of data.

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• SPSS Helps in Research & Data Analysis Programs:
SPSS is innovative software that researchers majorly use, which helps them process
complex data in simple steps. Working with complex data is a time-consuming
process, but SPSS software can easily handle and easily operate with some
techniques (provided by the software). These techniques help analyse, transform,
and produce a characteristic pattern found between different data variables. It also
assists in getting a quality output through graphical representation to understand
the result easily. It is always necessary to learn from the best Online SPSS
Programming Tutors to understand and get familiar with particular software. Here,
some of the factors that is answerable for the process of data handling and its
execution.
• 1. Data Transformation:
The technique is used to transform the format of the data. Once changed particular
data type, it integrates the similar data type in one specific place, which becomes
easy to manage. You can introduce various kind of data into SPSS, and it helps in
changing the structure base on its system specification and requirement. It means
that even after you change the operating system, SPSS can still work on old data.
• 2. Regression Analysis:
It helps understand the relationship between dependent and interdependent
variables, which are stored in a particular data file. It also describes how changes in
the interdependent variable can affect the dependent data. The fundamental need
of regression analysis is to understand the type of relationship which is found among
various variables.
• 3. ANOVA (Analysis of variance):
A statistical approach that helps compares the events, groups or processes, and
finds out the variation between them. It enables one to understand which method
is more appropriate for executing a particular task. By looking at the outcome, you
can find the feasibility and effectiveness of the particular method. If you find
difficulty with the SPSS function you can get help from Online SPSS Programming
Tutors.
• 4. MANOVA (Multivariate analysis of variance):
It is used to compare random variables whose value is
unknown. MANOVA technique can also be used to analyse different populations
and what factors can affect their choices.

Summary of the lesson

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• Statistical software is a program or package that carries out various calculations,
analyses, and reporting tasks using methods and concepts of statistics.
• Importance of statistical analysis in business
• STATA and its Importance in Data Analysis
• SPSS importance in Research & Data Analysis

SELF ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS AND EXERCISES


1. Explain the usefulness of statistical analysis tools?
2. Describe the Importance of Statistical Analysis in Business?
3. Explain the significance of statistical packages in business decision making?

Answer to self-assessment questions and exercises


1. Refer to section 19.2
2. Refer to section 19.5
3. Refer to section 19.6

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Chapter 20
___________________________________________________________________
SPSS

➢ Introduction

➢ Version History

➢ Opening SPSS

➢ Layout of SPSS

➢ Exiting SPSS

20.1 SPSS (STATISTICAL PACKAGE FOR THE SOCIAL SCIENCES)


SPSS, (the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) has been developed by three
students at the University of Stanford ( Norman H. Nie, C. Hadlai (Tex) Hull and
Dale H. Bent). Initially not meant for distribution outside their home university, the
publication of the first manual made SPSS widely known and used. Initially
developed for IBM mainframe computers, versions for most other important
mainframe brands (Univac, CDC, Honeywell...,) and later for so-called
minicomputers (like DEC, PR1ME) were available. SPSS Inc. was the founded in
1975. In 2009 IBM acquired SPSS; it is now fully integrated into the IBM
Corporation Business Analytics Software portfolio.
The software name originally stood for Statistical Package for the Social Sciences
(SPSS), reflecting the original market, although the software is now popular in other
fields as well, including the health sciences and marketing. SPSS is a Windows based
program that can be used to perform data entry and analysis and to create tables and
graphs. SPSS is capable of handling large amounts of data and can perform all of the
analyses. SPSS is commonly used in the Social Sciences and in the business world.
SPSS is a widely used program for statistical analysis in social science. It is also used
by market researchers, health researchers, survey companies, government, education
researchers, marketing organizations, data miners, and others. In addition to statistical
analysis, data management (case selection, file reshaping, creating derived data) and
data documentation (a metadata dictionary was stored in the data file) are features of
the base software.
Statistics included in the base software:
• Descriptive statistics: Cross tabulation, Frequencies, Descriptives, Explore,
Descriptive Ratio Statistics
• Bivariate statistics: Means, t-test, ANOVA, Correlation (bivariate, partial,
distances), Nonparametric tests
• Prediction for numerical outcomes: Linear regression
• Prediction for identifying groups: Factor analysis, cluster analysis (two-step, K-
means, hierarchical), Discriminant
The many features of SPSS Statistics are accessible via pull-down menus or can be
programmed with a proprietary 4GL command syntax language. Command syntax

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programming has the benefits of reproducibility, simplifying repetitive tasks, and
handling complex data manipulations and analyses. Additionally, some complex
applications can only be programmed in syntax and are not accessible through the
menu structure. The pull-down menu interface also generates command syntax: this
can be displayed in the output, although the default settings have to be changed to
make the syntax visible to the user. They can also be pasted into a syntax file using
the "paste" button present in each menu. Programs can be run interactively or
unattended, using the supplied Production Job Facility.
Additionally a "macro" language can be used to write command language subroutines.
A Python programmability extension can access the information in the data dictionary
and data and dynamically build command syntax programs. SPSS Statistics places
constraints on internal file structure, data types, data processing, and matching files,
which together considerably simplify programming. SPSS datasets have a two-
dimensional table structure, where the rows typically represent cases (such as
individuals or households) and the columns represent measurements (such as age, sex,
or household income). Only two data types are defined: numeric and text (or "string").
All data processing occurs sequentially case-by-case through the file. Files can be
matched one-to-one and one-to-many, but not many-to-many
The graphical user interface has two views which can be toggled by clicking on one
of the two tabs in the bottom left of the SPSS Statistics window. The 'Data View'
shows a spreadsheet view of the cases (rows) and variables (columns). Unlike
spreadsheets, the data cells can only contain numbers or text, and formulas cannot be
stored in these cells. The 'Variable View' displays the metadata dictionary where each
row represents a variable and shows the variable name, variable label, value label(s),
print width, measurement type, and a variety of other characteristics. Cells in both
views can be manually edited, defining the file structure and allowing data entry
without using command syntax. This may be sufficient for small datasets. Larger
datasets such as statistical surveys are more often created in data entry software, or
entered during computer-assisted personal interviewing, by scanning and using optical
character recognition and optical mark recognition software, or by direct capture from
online questionnaires. These datasets are then read into SPSS.
SPSS Statistics can read and write data from ASCII text files (including hierarchical
files), other statistics packages, spreadsheets and databases. SPSS Statistics can read
and write to external relational database tables via ODBC and SQL. Statistical output
is to a proprietary file format (*.spv file, supporting pivot tables) for which, in
addition to the in-package viewer, a stand-alone reader can be downloaded. The
proprietary output can be exported to text or Microsoft Word, PDF, Excel, and other
formats. Alternatively, output can be captured as data (using the OMS command), as
text, tab-delimited text, PDF, XLS, HTML, XML, SPSS dataset or a variety of
graphic image formats (JPEG, PNG, BMP and EMF). SPSS Statistics Server is a
version of SPSS Statistics with client/server architecture. It had some features not
available in the desktop version, such as scoring functions. (Scoring functions are
included in the desktop version from version 19.)
20.2 VERSION HISTORY
• SPSS 6 (1968), 7, 8, 9
• SPSSX (1983) (the X standing for version 10) was a major revision, SPSSX 2 and
3 followed, then the X was dropped and numbering of new versions continued SPSS
4,5,6
• SPSS 7, 8, .... 15: Version 7, at least on some computers, had an interactive user
interface

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• SPSS Statistics (2008) 16, 17.0: major revision, user interface rewritten in Java
(solved the problem of having different versions on different platforms, now the
Windows, Mac and Linux versions are published at the same time. SPSS also added
"Statistics" to the name of the product formerly simply called SPSS.
• PASW Statistics (2009) 17.02 and version 18:: name change to Predictive Analytics
Software Statistics [note that on the SPSS Website PASW and SPSS Statistics are
used interchangeably]
• IBM SPSS Statistics (2010): After SPSS Inc. has been acquired by IBM, the new
official name is IBM SPSS Statistics
20.3 OPENING SPSS
We can open SPSS in one of two ways.
1. If there is an SPSS shortcut icon on the desktop, simply put the cursor on it and
double click the left mouse button.
2. Click on the start button, then All Programs. Select SPSS for Windows.

Figure 20.1
File: includes all of the options we typically use in other programs, such as open,
save, exit.
Utilities: allows you to list file information which is a list of all variables, there labels,
values, locations in the data file, and type
Edit: includes the typical cut, copy, and paste commands, and allows to specify
various options for displaying data and output.
View: allows you to select which toolbars you want to show, select font size, add or
remove the gridlines that separate each piece of data, and to select whether or not to
display your raw data or the data labels.
Data: allows you to select several options ranging from displaying data that is sorted
by a specific variable to selecting certain cases for subsequent analyses.
Transform: includes several options to change current variables.

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Analyze: includes all of the commands to carry out statistical analyses and to
calculate descriptive statistics.
Graphs: includes the commands to create various types of graphs including box plots,
histograms, line graphs, and bar charts.
Add-ons: are programs that can be added to the base SPSS package.
Window: can be used to select which window you want to view (i.e., Data Editor,
Output Viewer, or Syntax).
Help: has many useful options including a link to the SPSS homepage, a statistics
coach, and a syntax guide.
20.4 LAYOUT OF SPSS
The Data Editor window has two views that can be selected from the lower left hand
side of the screen. Data View is where you see the data you are using. Variable View
is where you can specify the format of your data when you are creating a file or where
you can check the format of a preexisting file. The data in the Data Editor is saved in
a file with the extension .sav. The other most commonly used SPSS window is the
SPSS Viewer window which displays the output from any analyses that have been run
and any error messages. Information from the Output Viewer is saved in a file with
the extension .spo.
One of the primary ways of looking at data file is in Data View, so that you can see
each row as a source of data and each column as a variable (e.g., characteristic or
property of each data source).
We click on the Data View tab so that we can enter and edit the data points
themselves. Typically, we enter the data (and certainly edit the data) after establishing
the names and other properties of the variables in a data set explained below under
Variable View.

Figure 20.2

SPSS Data in Variable View

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We click on the Variable View tab to define or change the names and other properties
of each variable in the data set:

Figure 20.3
In this view, each variable is represented as a row, and various properties of the
variable are represented as columns, allowing us to change the properties of existing
variables or establish properties for new variables.
The variable properties and their functions are:
• Name -- the unique variable name
• Type -- the kind of data to be recorded (e.g., strings of characters, numeric values,
or special numbers like dates)
• Width -- the number of characters used to display the data
• Decimals -- the number of decimal places displayed
• Label -- a text entry to describe the data provided by the variable, which can be
much longer than the variable name and may include spaces. With questionnaires, for
example, the label is usually the text of the question.
• Values -- if specific numeric values have a non-intuitive meaning, these values can
be labeled (e.g., 1 = male and 2 = female)
• Columns -- determines how wide the variable column should be in Data View
mode
• Align -- determines whether the data should be left-justified, right-justified, or
centered
• Measure -- describes the level of measurement (e.g., nominal, ordinal, or scale)
Navigating SPSS Output
The SPSS output window is split into two frames. There is a navigation frame on the
left and the output itself in a frame on the right.

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Figure 20.4
20.5 EXITING SPSS
To close SPSS, we can either left click on the close button located on the upper right
hand corner of the screen or select Exit from the File menu.
SUMMARY OF THE LESSON
You learnt the following in this lesson:
• SPSS, (the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) has been developed by three
students at the University of Stanford ( Norman H. Nie, C. Hadlai (Tex) Hull and
Dale H. Bent
• SPSS base software includes Descriptive statistics, bivariate statistics, Prediction for
numerical outcomes and Prediction for identifying groups.
• SPSS Statistics can read and write data from ASCII text files (including hierarchical
files), other statistics packages, spreadsheets and databases.
• SPSS Statistics can read and write to external relational database tables via ODBC
and SQL.
• The data in the Data Editor is saved in a file with the extension .sav.
• SPSS supports many statistical features for data processing.
SELF ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS AND EXERCISES
1. What are the statistics included in SPSS base software?
2. Explain different ways to open SPSS.
3. What is the functionality of variable view?
Answer to self-assessment questions and exercises
1. Refer to section 20.1

238
2. Refer to section 20.3
3. Refer to section 20.4

239
Chapter 21
____________________________________________________________

SYSTAT

➢ SYSTAT
➢ Starting SYSTAT
➢ Using GUI in SYSTAT

21.1 SYSTAT
SYSTAT is a statistics and statistical graphics software package, developed by Leland
Wilkinson in the late 1970s, who was at the time an assistant professor of psychology
at the University of Illinois at Chicago. SYSTAT was incorporated in 1983 and grew
to over 50 employees.
In 1995 SYSTAT was sold to SPSS Inc., who marketed the product to a scientific
audience under the SPSS Science division. By 2002, SPSS had changed its focus to
business analytics and decided to sell SYSTAT to Cranes Software in Bangalore,
India. Cranes formed Systat Software, Inc. to market and distribute SYSTAT in the
US, and a number of other divisions for global distribution. The headquarters are in
Chicago, Illinois.
By 2005, SYSTAT was in its eleventh version having a revamped codebase
completely changed from FORTRAN into C++. Version 13 came out in 2009, with
improvements in the user interface and several new features.
System requirements
• Windows 32 bit (Vista, XP, 2000)
• Pentium-level 32 bit processor
• 128 MB RAM (512 recommended)
• 220 MB free disk space (inclusive of manual PDFs, 85 MB)
• CD-ROM drive
• SVGA adapter and monitor
• Internet Explorer 6

21.1 STARTING SYSTAT


To start SYSTAT for Windows NT4, 98, 2000, ME and XP:
Choose: Start →All Programs→SYSTAT 12
Creating Data/Importing/Saving Data To create data, click File->New->Data, and
enter the dataset. You can also import data by using File- >Open->Data. The
supported file formats for import include Excel, SPSS, SAS, MINITAB, and JMP.
Once inputted, data can be saved in the SYSTAT file format.
The SYSTAT user interface
The organization of the user interface is somewhat complicated. The command
window is a .syc file

240
Figure 21.1
that appears at the bottom of the screen. SYSTAT outputs the results of commands in
a .syo file, which is accessible by clicking on a tab toward the top of the screen. Any
graphics are also outputted to a separate tab. SYSTAT stores the results of user
commands in the Workspace window on the left of the screen.
The user has two options for analysis with SYSTAT: using the GUI, or using the
command line.
To run a command, right click in the .syc file. You then can choose to run the current
line or to run the commands from the current line to the end. To specify a specific
data set to use, type “USE Filename. Extension”.
Here’s an example of running commands on the SYTAT user interface

The SYSTAT user interface


The user interface of SYSTAT is organized into three spaces:
I. Viewspace
II. Workspace
III. Commandspace

Viewspace has the following tabs


Output Editor: Graphs and statistical results appear in the Output Editor. You can edit,
print and save the output displayed in the Output Editor.
Data Editor: The Data Editor displays the data in a row-by-column format. Each row
is a case and each column is a variable. You can enter, edit, view, and save data in the
Data Editor.
Graph Editor: You can edit and save graphs in the Graph Editor

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Startpage: Startpage window appears in Viewspace as you open SYSTAT. It has five
subwindows.
i. Recent Files
ii. Tips
iii. Themes
iv. Manuals
v. Scratchpad

Workspace has the following tabs


Output Organizer: The Output Organizer tab helps primarily to navigate through the
results of your statistical analysis. You can quickly navigate to specific portions of
output without having to use the Output Editor scrollbars.
Dynamic Explorer: The Dynamic Explorer can be used to rotate 3-D graphs, apply
power transformations to values on one or more axes, and change the confidence
intervals, ellipses, and kernels in scatter plots.
Command space has the following tabs
Interactive: In the Interactive tab, you can enter commands at the command prompt
(>) and issue them by pressing the Enter key.
Untitled: The Untitled tab enables you to run the commands in the batch mode. You
can open, edit, submit and save SYSTAT command file (.syc or .cmd)
Log: In the Log tab, you can view the record of the commands issued during the
SYSTAT session (through Dialog or in the Interactive mode).
SYSTAT Data, Command and Output files
Data files:
You can save data files with (.SYZ) extension.
Command files:
A command file is a text file that contains SYSTAT commands. Saving your
analyses in a command file allows you to repeat them at a later date. These files are
saved with (.SYC) extension.
Output files:
SYSTAT displays statistical and graphical output in the output Editor. You can save
the output in (.SYO), Rich Text format (.RTF) and HyperText Markup Language
format (*.HTM).
The Data Editor The Data Editor is used for entering, editing, and saving data.
Entering data is a straightforward process. Editing data includes changing variable
names or attributes, adding and deleting cases or variables, moving variables or cases,
and correcting data errors.
SYSTAT imports and exports data in all popular formats, including Excel, ASCII
Text, Lotus, BMDP Data, SPSS, SAS, StatView, Stata, Statistica, JMP, Minitab and
S-Plus as well as from any ODBC compliant application.
21.3 USING GUI IN SYSTAT
Basic statistics can be found under the Analyze tab. To analyze column variables,
click Analyze- >Basic Statistics. To analyze row variables, click Analyze->Row
Statistics. You can also use the Analyze bar to get contingency tables, scatter plot
matrices and correlation matrices, and stem-andleaf plots. To get basic graphs, use the
Graph tab. Options include histograms

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Figure 21.2
We can also do a regression analysis using the GUI. Click Analyze->Regression and
choose what type of regression you want to do. Options include least squares and logit
regression. SYSTAT will output summary information, including residual plots. Some
of the regression output will show up on in the Workspace window toward the left of
the screen. Other options include bootstrapping and normality tests.
Using the GUI for Least Squares regression
We can also do ANOVA using the GUI. Click Analyze->Analysis of Variance.
Basic command lines in SYSTAT

Features of SYSTAT

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• Unmatched Graphics Made Easier to Use
SYSTAT provides a large variety of scientific and technical graphing types, which
helps to produce the right type of graph for every need. Its Interactive Graphics
Dialog can be used to change multiple aspects of your graphics using a single
integrated dialog. We can compare subgroups, overlay charts, transform coordinates,
add geographic projections, change colors, symbols, and more, to create insightful
presentations. You can change graph locations, point- and- click to alter axis labels,
scales, colors and symbols.
• Powerful New Data Manipulation Features
SYSTAT provides innumerable data manipulation features to get data in the right
form for the intended analysis. With a simple menu - dialog we can transform, sort,
trim, center, standardize, select, rank, label, group, reshape, or weight your data.Tha
data file’s value can be enhanced with additional information such as study details,
variable information, variable labels, value labels, processing conditions, etc. We can
save effort using undo and redo in the Data Editor up to 32 steps in the same session.
We can increase data accuracy with widened data field of (23, 15). We can name your
variables, including string variables, using up to 256 characters. We can obtain basic
variable statistics and histogram from the Variable Properties dialog.
• Analyze Larger Data Sets with Greater Speed
When we use SYSTAT, we are allowed to work on very large amount of data. The
software does very fast processing of that data in very small amount of time. This
saves user time.
• Less effort and more results
SYSTAT software saves efforts of user in terms of defining the data and kind of
processing to be done. There are many options for statistical processing.

Summary of the lesson


• SYSTAT is computer software used for statistical processing of data.
• SYSTAT base software includes features for data processing, power analysis,
creating many types of charts and graphs etc.
• This software component was basically designed for statistical processing, but now
a days it is extended to be used in multiple application areas.
• User interface of SYSTAT is defined in 3 spaces: a. View space b. Work space c.
Command space
• SYSTAT data file is a file which contains data. This file can be created, edited and
saved for future reference. The extension of data file in SYSTAT is .syz.
• The very important feature of SYSTAT is that it includes very high graphics
capabilities which allows a user to analyze and process data in any format.
SELF ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS AND EXERCISES
1. What do you mean by SYSTAT software? What are the software requirements of
using SYSTAT?
2. How the user interface is designed in SYSTAT?

Answer to self-assessment questions and exercises


1. Refer to section 21.1
2. Refer to section 21.2

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