Working with Data Series and the Fill Feature
We took a brief look at the Fill feature in Chapter 2 as a way to quickly enter a series of numbers into a spreadsheet. By default, a series is created using the fill handle and an increment of one, meaning that if you enter the number 1 in the first cell and then drag the fill handle across a number of cells, the values that appear in those cells will increase by 1.
Calc also provides you with the ability to create series that increase or decrease by other increments. And you can create geometric growth series and other complex data series. Using a data series to enter data automatically can be an excellent aid in making sure that the appropriate values end up in the appropriate cells.
To Create a Data Series
You already know that you can quickly create a simple data series with an increment of one by entering the first number of the series in a cell and using the fill handle on that cell to create the rest of the series by dragging across the appropriate number of cells.
You can also use the fill handle to create a series in cases where you specify the increment by entering at least two values in the series. For example, if you enter the value 2 followed in the next cell by the value 4, you can then complete the rest of the series, which will use an increment of 2 (the difference between your first and second entry). Just select the two cells and drag the fill handle on the cell containing the 4 over the appropriate number of cells. Your new data series will appear with an increment of 2 (2, 4, 6, 8, etc.).
You can create more complex data series in the Fill Series dialog box.
1. |
Select the cells that you wish to include in the series. |
2. |
Select the Edit menu, point at Fill, and then select Series. The Fill Series dialog box will appear (see Figure 5.16). Figure 5.16. Use the Fill Series dialog box to create data series for your spreadsheets.
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3. |
If you selected a column of cells, you will have the option of filling down in the range (to the bottom) or up in the range (to the top). If you selected a row, you will have the option of filling to the right or left. Select the appropriate option button in the Direction box to select the direction for the fill. |
4. |
Select the Type of series you wish to create. Linear is the default option (if you wish to create a Date series, click the Date option and you will be able to choose the Date unit at the far right of the dialog box). |
5. |
Enter the start value for the series in the Start value box. Enter the increment for the series in the Increment box. Since you've selected a range of cells for the series, you do not have to enter a stop value. |
6. |
Click OK. The data series will be entered in the selected cells on the Calc sheet. |
To Create a Geometric Growth Series
Before we leave the subject of data series, we need to take a look at geometric growth series. A geometric growth series is where the increment provides the growth factor for each subsequent value in the series. For example, a geometric growth series with an increment of 2 will produce a data series where each subsequent value in the series will be doubled (geometric growth with a factor of 2).
1. |
Select the cells that you wish to include in the series. |
2. |
Select the Edit menu, point at Fill, and then select Series. The Fill Series dialog box will appear. |
3. |
Select the direction for the series fill in the Direction area of the dialog box. |
4. |
Select the Growth option under the Type heading. |
5. |
Enter the start value for the series in the Start value box. |
6. |
Enter the increment for the geometric growth in the Increment box (for instance, if you wish the number to grow by a factor of 4, enter 4 in the Increment box). |
7. |
Click OK. The geometric growth series will appear in the selected range on the Calc sheet. |