Computer Fundamentals: Module 5: Software and Apps

presentation

A PowerPoint document that lets you create and deliver a dynamic, professional-looking message to an audience in the form of a slide show.

insertion point

A blinking vertical line that appears when you click in a paragraph, cell or text box; indicating where new text or an object will be inserted.

relative reference

A cell reference that changes when the formula containing that reference is moved to a new location

absolute reference

A cell reference that does not change when the formula containing that reference is moved to a new location.

cell address

A cell's location, expressed by its column letter and row number, such as A1.

productivity suite

A collection of productivity apps such as Microsoft Office 365, Apple iWork, G Suite, or Apache OpenOffice.

workbook

A collection of related worksheets contained within a single file.

name

A component of a function or formula that indicates what will occur. For example SUM is the name of a function.

Mobile first design

A design principle centered on building apps to work on mobile devices first because these typically have more restrictions, such as smaller screens.

Charts

A graphic that represents data using bars, columns, dots, lines, or other symbols to make the data easier to understand and to make it easier to see the relationships among the data.

Spreadsheet

A grid of cells that contain numbers and text; in Microsoft Excel, a spreadsheet is called a worksheet.

on-screen keyboard

A keyboard displayed on-screen that includes keys for typing text, numbers, and symbols.

trendlines

A line that represents the general direction in a series of data.

view-only link

A link to a workbook on a OneDrive that can be viewed by users.

formulas

A mathematical statement in a spreadsheet or table cell that calculates a value using cell references, numbers, and arithmetic operators such as +, -, *, and /.

operators

A mathematical symbol used in a formula to combine different values, resulting in a single value that is displayed within the cell.

style

A named collection of formats that are stored together and can be applied to text or objects.

function

A named operation that replaces the action of an arithmetic expression.

macros

A named set of instructions written in the Visual Basic programming language that perform tasks automatically in a specified order.

Create Charts Using Spreadsheet Software

Charts (sometimes called graphs) represent data using bars, columns, pie wedges, lines, or other symbols. Charts present data visually and make it easier to see relationships among the data. You can visualize data using pie charts, bar graphs, line graphs, and other chart types. A line chart tracks trends over time. A column chart compares categories of data to one another, and a pie chart compares parts (or slices) to the whole. A stacked area chart, shows how several values (projected production of various models of skateboards) change over time in the same graphic.

Word processing software

Commonly used software to create documents and reports, mailing labels, flyers, brochures, newsletters, resumes, letters, and more.

built-in functions

Features in spreadsheet apps that perform financial, mathematical, logical, date and time, and other calculations.

Text Formatting Options

Font type Defines what characters look like. Some fonts have rounded letters; others are more angular. Some are formal; others are more casual. Font size Determines the size of the character, measured in points; each point is 1/72 of an inch; change the title font to be bigger than the rest of your text or use smaller fonts for footnotes or endnotes. Font style Adds visual effects features to text; bolding text makes it stand out on the page, shadow gives it depth, underlining, italicizing, and highlighting text provide emphasis. Font color Determines the color of each character and adds interest; be sure to use font colors that show up well against the document background.

Describe the Pros and Cons of Mobile Apps

Many mobile apps require the ability to connect to the Internet, either over Wi-Fi, or using your carrier's mobile network. Connectivity is crucial to today's mobile user; people want to stay connected to their office, home, and friends all the time, no matter where they are. Files that the apps use or create often are compatible between your desktop or laptop computer and your mobile device. Most mobile apps are platform-specific; that is, if you have an Android phone, you need to install the Android version of your app; if you have an iPhone, you need to download the iPhone version of your app. In most cases, the capabilities of different versions of the same app are comparable; each device's app has a consistent look and feel with that device's user interface and is built to run with that device's mobile operating system.

Define Formulas and Functions

Many of the cells contain numbers, or values that can be used in calculations. Other cells contain formulas, or computation rules, to calculate values using cell references, numbers, and arithmetic operators such as "+", "-", "*", and "/". You can type a formula directly into a cell or in the formula bar above the worksheet. For example, when creating this worksheet, you can type a formula in cell K11 to determine the projected production of all models in Year 10 by calculating the sum of the numeric values in the cells above it (K5 through K10). Spreadsheet formulas always begin with an equal sign ("="). When you type the formula =K5+K6+K7+K8+K9+K10 in cell K11, that cell will display the value 15,800, the result of the calculation. If you later change any of the values in cells K5 through K10, the spreadsheet app will automatically recalculate the value in cell K11 to display the updated sum. Formulas use arithmetic operators and functions to perform calculations based on cell values in a worksheet. A function is a predefined computation or calculation, such as calculating the sum or average of values or finding the largest or smallest value in a range of cells. For example, =SUM(K5:K10) is a formula that uses the SUM function to add all of the numbers in the range of cells K5 through K10. In this formula, SUM is the name of the function, and its argument (information necessary for a formula or function to calculate an answer), specified in the parentheses after the function's name, are the values in the range of cells K5:K10, to be added. The result is the same as the formula =K5+K6+K7+K8+K9+K10, but using the function is simpler, especially if you are adding values in many cells. Formula arguments can be values or cell references. An absolute reference is a cell reference that does not change when the formula containing that reference is moved to a new location. A relative reference is a cell reference that changes when the formula containing that reference is moved to a new location. Spreadsheet apps contain built-in functions to perform financial, mathematical, logical, date and time, and other calculations. Many spreadsheet apps allow users to write their own custom functions to perform special purpose calculations.

Define Application Software

When you are listening to music, writing a paper, searching the web, or checking email, you probably are using application software. Application software (or software applications, or apps) are programs that help you perform specific tasks when using your computer or smartphone. With apps, you can create documents, edit photos, record videos, read the news, get travel directions, go shopping, make online calls, manage your device, and more.

Format Text Using Word Processing Software

With a word processing program, you can highlight important information, and make text easier to read. You format text by changing its font type, size, style, color, and special effects such as reflection, shadows, and outlining. Most word processing programs provide tools to make text bold, italic, or underlined; automatically set text to lowercase, uppercase, or capitalize each word in a phrase; or highlight the background of text in color.

Formatting a Worksheet

Currency Identify currency value such as euros, pounds, or dollars $4.50 or £4.50 or €4.50 Decimal places Display additional level of accuracy 4.50 4.500, 4.5003 Font types, colors, styles, and effects Emphasize text and numbers 4.50 4.500, 4.5003 Alignment Align text across cells for a title heading; center, or left- or right-align labels or values Borders and shading Enhance the worksheet Cell height and width Emphasize certain cells Photographs, clip art, shapes, and other graphics Illustrate a point; can format, reposition, and resize Headers and footers Create professional reports Bergen Data Analysis: Fall Report Page 3 of 5

Explain the Differences between Native Apps and Web Apps

A native app is an app written for a specific operating system and installed on a computer or mobile device. Native apps can take advantage of specific features of the devices on which they are installed, such as a smartphone's camera, microphone, or contacts list. You may install native mobile apps by downloading them from an app store. Many native apps require an Internet connection to provide full functionality. Some apps can run offline and will store information on your device until they can synchronize with the cloud. A web app is accessed by visiting a website in a browser. A mobile app is a web app that runs on a mobile device. Mobile web apps often have a responsive design, which means the app is optimized for display in a browser on a mobile device, regardless of screen size or orientation. Many app developers prefer web apps because they run on all devices. Web apps rely on HTML5 to display information, JavaScript to manage the app's performance, and CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) to format information. Some apps are available as both web and native apps. The native app allows you search for an item to purchase by taking a photo of a product or its bar code with your device's camera or tapping the microphone to speak the items to add to your shopping cart. The mobile web app runs in a browser, as shown by the web address in the search bar. Both versions of the app display the same product information.

Apple iWork

A productivity suite for computers running macOS and iPhones and iPads running the iOS operating system.

sparklines

A quick, simple chart located within a cell that serves as a visual indicator of data trends.

Worksheets

A single sheet in a workbook file that is laid out in in a grid of rows and columns

presentation software

A software program used to organize and present information in the form of an electronic slide show.

pivot tables

A spreadsheet table designed to create meaningful data summaries that analyze worksheets containing large amounts of data.

what-if analysis

A way to explore the impact that changing input values has on calculated values and output values

responsive design

A way to provide content so that it adapts appropriately to the size of the display on any device.

read-only access

A way to share files so others may read the file, but cannot change it.

Additional Document Formatting Options

Alignment Align paragraphs at the left margin, right margin, or center of the page Graphics Add photos, pictures, logos, charts, or screenshots to your document to add visual appeal Headers and Footers Display information such as a document title, author's name, or page number at the top or bottom of each page Hyperlinks Direct readers to related documents, email addresses, or websites online Line Spacing Specify how much "white space" appears before, between, or after each line of text (measured in points) Lists Display a list of items preceded by numbers or a symbol called a bullet Mail Merge Create and send customized letters or email messages that are personalized with the recipient's name and other information Margins Specify the region of the page where text will appear, measured from the left, right, top, and bottom edges of the page Reference Create a bibliography containing citations to reference articles in a research paper Table Organize text in rows and columns

mobile commerce (m-commerce)

Also known as m-commerce. These apps let you use your mobile device to make online purchases of goods and services.

Identify the Key Features of Word Processing Software

Although the user interface and features of word processing programs may differ, all word processors share some common key features. The files you create are called documents, and each document is a collection of one or more pages. When you open a word processing program, a blank document opens on the screen. The screen displays an insertion point, a blinking vertical line to mark your place, and scroll bars along the edges that let you navigate to view parts of a document that is too large to fit on the screen all at once. The word processing program offers a variety of commands and options you can use to create and format the document, such as specifying fonts, sizes, colors, and margins. With some word processing programs, you can speak the text into a microphone connected to your computer or mobile device, and the program will convert your speech to text and type it for you. As you type or speak text, when you reach the end of one line, the word processing software automatically "wraps" words onto a new line. When the text fills the page, the new text automatically flows onto a new page. Formatting features modify the appearance of a document. Editing, review, reference, and graphics capabilities enhance document content. Document management tools protect and organize files, and let you share your document with others.

web app

An app stored on an Internet server that can be run entirely in a web browser.

presentation apps

An app that lets you create visual aids for presentations to communicate ideas, messages, and other information to a group.

native app

An app written for a specific operating system and installed on a computer or mobile device.

local applications

An application that runs from the hard drive of a local computer.

app store

An online store to help you locate and download apps for your mobile device.

Apache OpenOffice

An open source suite of productivity apps.

Include Animations in Presentations

Animations, or effects applied to an object that make the object appear, disappear, or move, can add visual appeal to a presentation when used carefully. Presentation apps offer a variety of animations, such as entrance, exit, and emphasis, each with a variety of options. A photo can fade in as you display a slide, or an object can fly in from the edge of the slide. You can set animations to begin automatically when you advance a slide, or to start when you click or tap. Animations can move horizontally, vertically, or diagonally across the slide. You can set the order for multiple animations, such as displaying a bulleted list one item at a time, and then float in a graphic from the bottom edge of the slide.

Identify Common Features of Apps

Application software programs and apps have many common features, regardless of whether they run on a computer or mobile device. They: are usually represented on your computer's desktop or smartphone's home screen by an icon or tile; can be run by double-clicking or tapping the icon or tile; open in a window on your desktop or smartphone; have menus that give you options to access different features of the program or app; have buttons to click or tap to give commands or perform actions. Some apps are available as both a web app and a mobile app. In this case, you typically can synchronize the data and activity between the web app and the mobile app, so your actions and information will be consistent across all your devices. For example, you might look at your Gmail account on your smartphone or tablet, and access Gmail on your computer via its website. In both cases, the email messages displayed in your inbox are the same. If you delete an email message using the email app on your mobile device, it will not appear when you check email using the email application on your laptop later.

Productivity apps

Apps for personal use that you may use to create documents, develop presentations, track appointments, or to stay organized.

Graphics and media apps

Apps that allow you to interact with and edit digital media.

Personal interest apps

Apps that give you tools to pursue your interests.

Device management apps

Apps that provide tools for maintaining your computer or mobile device.

Communications apps

Apps that provide tools for sharing or receiving information.

Portable apps

Apps that run from a removable storage device such as an external hard drive or flash drive, or from the cloud.

mobile applications/mobile apps

Apps that you access on a smartphone or tablet.

Identify the Key Features of Presentation Software

As you work, you can display presentations in different views. Normal view shows thumbnails, or small images of slides, and an editing pane, where you can add or modify content. In Notes view, you can add speaker's notes with talking points for each slide when giving the presentation. You can insert, delete, duplicate, hide, and move slides within your presentation. You can add main points to a slide as a bulleted list by typing them into a text box on the slide. You also can add graphics or images to illustrate your talking points. Presentation apps sometimes include a gallery that provides images, photos, video clips, and audio clips to give presentations greater impact. Some presentation apps offer a search tool to help you locate online images or videos to include in your slides. Some presentation apps even offer design ideas to give your slides a more professional appearance. Presentation apps may also incorporate features such as checking spelling, formatting, researching, sharing, and publishing presentations online.

Popular Types of Mobile Apps

Banking and payment Manage bank accounts, pay bills, deposit checks, transfer money, make payments Your bank's mobile app, Venmo, PayPal Calendar Maintain your online calendar, schedule appointments Google Calendar, Outlook Calendar Cloud storage Store your files in the cloud Dropbox, OneDrive, Google Drive, iCloud, Amazon Drive Contact management Organize your address book Contacts Device maintenance Optimize storage, delete unused or duplicate files, optimize device performance CCleaner, PhoneClean Email Send and receive email messages from your mobile device Outlook, Gmail Fitness Track workouts; set weight-loss goals, review stats from fitness tracking devices Fitbit, MyFitnessPal Games Play games on your mobile device Words with Friends Location sharing Share your location with friends Find My Friends, Find My Family, Google Maps Mapping/GPS View maps; obtain travel directions based on your location Google Maps, Waze Messaging Send text messages, photos, or short videos, or make voice or video calls to your friends Facebook Messenger, FaceTime, WhatsApp, GroupMe News and information Stay up-to-date on current affairs of interest to you Flipboard, Google News, Weather Channel, CNN Personal assistant Search the Internet, set timers, add appointments to your calendar, make hands-free calls by speaking commands Siri, Cortana, Google Home, Amazon Alexa Personal productivity View and make minor edits to documents received by email, or stored on your device or in the cloud Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Excel, Gmail, Google Docs, Spreadsheets, Slides Photo and video editing and sharing Modify photos and videos by cropping, adding filters, adjusting brightness and contrast Fotor, Canva, Adobe Premiere Clip Shopping Make online retail purchases Amazon.com Social media Share status updates, photos, or videos on social networking sites or view friends' posts Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter Travel Make airline, hotel, and restaurant reservations; read and post reviews Airbnb, Kayak, Priceline, Yelp, TripAdvisor Web browsing View websites on your mobile devices Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari

scroll bars

Bars on the right edge (vertical scroll bar) and bottom edge (horizontal scroll bar) of a document window that let you view a document that is too large to fit on the screen at once.

Uses of Word Processing

Business executives, office workers, medical professionals, politicians Agendas, memos, contracts, proposals, reports, letters, email, newsletters, personalized bulk mailings and labels Personal users Letters, greeting cards, notes, event flyers, check lists Students Essays, reports, stories, resumes, notes Conference promoters and event planners Business cards, postcards, invitations, conference tent cards, name tags, gift tags, stickers Web designers Documents for publishing to the web after converting them to HTML

Format Documents Using Word Processing Software

Formatting a document improves its appearance and readability. Document formatting features include formatting in multiple columns, adding borders around text, adding a page break to specify a location for a new page to begin, and changing spacing between lines of text. You also can specify a document's margins and the page orientation (the direction in which content is printed on the page, portrait or landscape). To give a document a professional appearance, you can specify styles for a document's title, headings, paragraphs, quotes, and more. A style is a named collection of formats that are stored together and can be applied to text or objects. For example, the Heading 1 style for a document might format text using Calibri font, size 16, blue text color, left justified. Any text in the document formatted with the Heading 1 style will have those characteristics. If you modify the characteristics of a style, all the format of text in that style will update to reflect the new characteristics. Many productivity suites offer built-in templates for creating different kinds of documents. A template is a document that has been preformatted for a specific purpose (such as an invitation, a brochure, a flyer, a cover letter, or a resume). You can specify the content of your documents, but you do not have to develop a color scheme or design a layout.

G Suite

Google's web-based productivity applications for creating documents, spreadsheets, presentations, email, and calendars.

template

In Computer Concepts, a document that has been preformatted for specific purpose (such as an invitation, a brochure, a flyer, a cover letter, or a resume).

Web-based applications/Web apps

In Computer Concepts, a program that you access over the Internet, in a browser on your computer or on your mobile device, also known as a web app.

argument

In Excel and Access, and in Word tables, information necessary for a formula or function to calculate an answer.

documents

In Excel, to make notes about basic worksheet assumptions, complex formulas, or questionable data.

Animations

In PowerPoint, an effect applied to an object that makes the object appear, disappear, change, or move.

synchronize

In Publisher, tear-offs and business information fields that are automatically updated across pages and publications.

Identify Apps and Productivity Suites Related to Word Processing, Spreadsheet, Presentation, and Database Software

Microsoft Office 365 includes word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation apps, as well as Microsoft Outlook for email, Microsoft OneNote for note taking, and Microsoft Access for databases. Originally developed for computers running Microsoft Windows operating systems, the suite also is available for computers running macOS, and as a collection of web apps in a browser. Apple iWork is a productivity suite for computers running macOS and iPhones and iPads running the iOS operating system. Users can add illustrations and notes with the Apple Pencil when running these apps on an iPad. iWork includes apps for word processing, spreadsheets, and presentations. iWork for iCloud integrates with Apple's iCloud cloud storage service. G Suite is a productivity suite from Google available for ChromeOS computers, and computers running other operating systems by accessing them as web apps in a browser. Mobile versions exist for devices running Android and iOS. In addition to Docs, Sheets, and Slides, G Suite products include Google Calendar, Gmail for email, and SketchUp for sketching. Apache OpenOffice is an open source suite of productivity apps. You can download OpenOffice at no cost from a web server on the Internet and install the apps on your computer. OpenOffice is an alternative to other productivity suites that have a fee to purchase or require a subscription. You can save OpenOffice projects in file formats that you can open with many popular productivity apps. In addition to documents, spreadsheets, and presentations, OpenOffice provides base, an app for creating databases, and math, an app for creating and formatting mathematical equations. In addition to productivity apps that are part of a productivity suite, individual productivity apps are popular as well. For example, Prezi is an online presentation app that you can use to zoom in and out of parts of a canvas to create an online presentation. Zoho writer is an online word processing app with additional features such as posting directly to popular online blogging platforms such as WordPress.

Microsoft Office 365

Microsoft's productivity suite which includes word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation apps, as well as Microsoft Outlook for email, Microsoft OneNote for note taking, and Microsoft Access for databases.

Use an App Store to Download and Install Apps

Most of the time you will visit an online store called an app store to locate and download apps for your mobile device. App stores offer many free apps; other apps are usually available for between $1 and $5. iPhone users can obtain apps from Apple's App Store; Google Play and Amazon's App Store are popular app stores for Android users. Developers publish updates to their apps to app stores along with a description of changes made. Your app store can notify you when updates are available. A good practice is to review the individual updates before you download and install them. Many people, however, opt to have their phones or tablets update apps automatically, as updates become available. Usually your mobile device should be charging and connected to Wi-Fi before updating apps. When operating system updates are available, typically your device will send a notification, so you can install it at a convenient time.

Analyze Spreadsheet Data

Once you enter data into a worksheet, you can use several tools to make the data more meaningful. Use conditional formatting to highlight cells that meet specified criteria. For example, in a worksheet containing states and populations, you might use conditional formatting to display all the population values greater than 10,000,000 using bold, red text with a yellow background. Sort data by values in a column to arrange them in increasing or decreasing order; you might sort sales in decreasing order, so your highest performing sales associates appear at the top of the list Filter worksheet data to display only the values you want to see, such as sales associates who brought in more than $100,000 in a month. Use what-if analysis to test multiple scenarios by temporarily changing one or more variables, to see the effect on related calculations. For example, if you cannot afford the monthly payment of $590.48 on a $20,000 car loan at 4% interest for 36 months, you can specify the smaller amount you can afford each month and see how many additional months will be required to pay off the loan. Use trendlines, or sparklines, simple charts to visually summarize changes in values over time with small graphs that appear in cells of the worksheet next to the values they represent. Use pivot tables to create meaningful data summaries to analyze worksheets containing large amounts of data. For example, if your worksheet contains data about sales associates, their region, and quarterly sales results, you can use pivot tables to summarize the data with reports of Sales by Quarter, Sales by Region, or Sales by Associate. Automate your worksheets with macros, small programs you create to perform steps you repeat frequently. For example, if your worksheet contains information for a sales invoice, you can create a macro to save it as a PDF file, centered on the page. By assigning these steps to a macro, you can perform this task with one button click.

Popular Productivity Suites

Operating systems supported Microsoft Office Windows, macOS or web apps Apple iWork macOS, iOS, or web apps G Suite ChromeOS or web apps OpenOffice Windows, Linux, macOS Word processor Microsoft Office Microsoft Word Apple iWork Pages G Suite Google Docs OpenOffice Writer Spreadsheet Microsoft Office Microsoft Excel Apple iWork Numbers G Suite Google Sheets OpenOffice Calc Presentation Microsoft Office Microsoft PowerPoint Apple iWork Keynote G Suite Google Slides OpenOffice Impress Database Microsoft Office Microsoft Access OpenOffice Base Email Microsoft Office Microsoft Outlook Apple iWork Apple Mail G Suite Gmail Online version Microsoft Office Office Online Apple iWork iWork for iCloud G Suite G Suite Cloud storage Microsoft Office Microsoft OneDrive Apple iWork iCloud G Suite Google Drive

Describe the Purpose of Each Key Type of App

Productivity apps allow you to create documents for business and personal use. You might use word processing apps to create letters, reports, or documents. With presentation apps, you can create slides that combine text, graphics, images, or video for presentations. You can track your appointments using a digital calendar or scheduling apps; organize your contacts list using contact management apps; and pay your bills, create a budget, or track your expenses using personal finance apps. Graphics and media apps allow you to interact with digital media. With photo editing apps, you can modify digital images, performing actions such as cropping, applying filters, and adding or removing backgrounds and shapes. With video and audio editing apps, you can arrange recorded movie clips, and add music, titles, or credits to videos. With media player apps, you can listen to audio or music, look at photos, and watch videos. Personal interest apps give you tools to pursue your interests. You might use travel, mapping, and navigation apps to view maps, obtain route directions, or locate points of interest. News apps gather the day's news from several online sources in one place, based on your preferences. Reference apps provide access to information from online encyclopedias, dictionaries, and databases. Educational apps provide training on a variety of subjects and topics. Entertainment apps include games, movie times, and reviews. Social media apps enable you to share messages, photos, and videos with your friends and colleagues. Shopping apps allow you to make purchases online. Communications apps provide tools for sharing or receiving information. Using a browser app, you can access webpages; with email apps you can send and receive electronic mail messages. Messaging apps share short messages, videos, and images, usually between mobile phone users. VoIP and video conferencing apps provide the ability to have voice and video conversations over the Internet. FTP apps allow you to transfer files between your computer and a server on the Internet. Device management apps provide tools for maintaining your computer or mobile device. With a file manager app, you can store, locate, and organize files in your device's storage or in the cloud. A screen saver shows a moving image if no keyboard or mouse activity occurs. Antivirus and antispyware apps will keep your computer or mobile device safe from malicious activity.

Application software

Programs that help you perform specific tasks when using your computer or smartphone. They are also called software applications or apps.

Pros and Cons of Mobile Apps

Pros Mobile web apps can be created quickly compared to native apps. You can access your information on the go. Voice input and smart on-screen keyboard simplify interactions. Cons Mobile web apps are not as fast and have fewer features than native web apps or desktop apps. Poorly designed apps can turn people away. Typing using a small on-screen keyboard can be cumbersome.

Common Spreadsheet Functions

SUM, AVERAGE, COUNT Calculate the sum, average, or count of cells in a range RATE, PMT Calculate interest rates and loan payments DATE, TIME, NOW Obtain the current date, time, or date and time IF, AND, OR, NOT Perform calculations based on logical conditions MAX, MIN Calculate largest and smallest values in a group of cells VLOOKUP Look up values in a table

apps

Short for "application," a computer program that performs specific tasks; also called a program.

Format Presentation Content

Slides can contain text, graphics, audio, video, links, and other content. You also can select the theme, or design, for the entire presentation, by choosing a predefined set of styles for backgrounds, text, and visual designs that appear on each slide, or modifying predefined elements to make them your own. Other formatting features include: Formatting text using tools like those in word processing software to choose fonts, sizes, colors, and styles such as bold or italics Setting a slide's dimensions, aspect ratio (standard or widescreen), and orientation (portrait or landscape) Changing text direction, aligning text on a slide or within a text box, and adding shadows or reflection effects Resizing graphics to make them larger or smaller; rotating, mirroring, or cropping images Adding SmartArt graphics that display text in predesigned configurations to convey lists, processes, and other relationships Formatting charts and worksheets to present numerical data, like those found in spreadsheets Moving objects to different locations on a slide, aligning objects, and grouping objects

conditional formatting

Special formatting that is applied if values meet specified criteria.

Identify the Key Features of Spreadsheets

Spreadsheet software often includes many additional features, such as: Formatting tools to change a worksheet's appearance Page layout and view features to change the zoom level, divide a worksheet into panes, or freeze rows or columns, to make large worksheets easier to read Printing features to control whether you want to print entire worksheets or only selected areas Web capabilities to share workbooks online, add hyperlinks, and save worksheets as webpages Developer tools to add customized functions Tools to analyze data in a spreadsheet

Include Transitions in Presentations

Transitions are visual effects that occur as you move from one slide to another. For example, you can "push" an existing slide off the right edge of the screen as a new one slides in from the left or apply a "cube" effect that will make the new slide appear as if it was on the side of a rotating cube. You can set many options for transitions, such as sound effects, direction, and duration. You can set transitions for individual slides or for the entire presentation, to begin automatically after a preset amount of time, or manually with a screen tap or mouse click.

Adding Content to Slides

Text in a paragraph or bulleted list Click a placeholder and type, or copy and paste text from another file, or insert text from a document file. Content; most programs offer a variety of bullet styles, including number and picture bullets Graphics such as line art, photographs, clip art, drawn objects, diagrams, data tables, and screenshots Click a content placeholder, draw directly on the slide, or copy and paste a graphic from another file. Illustrations to convey meaning and information for the slide content Media clips, such as video and audio, including recorded narrations Click a content placeholder and choose a file, or insert the file directly onto a slide by recording it. Media content to enhance a slide show Links Click content placeholder, copy and paste links from a website or type the link directly. Links to another slide, another document, or a webpage Embedded objects Click menu commands or a content placeholder. External files in a slide Charts Link or embed a worksheet or chart from Excel or create a chart directly within PowerPoint. Graphic display of data to support your presentation

cell

The box formed by the intersection of a column and a row.

page orientation

The direction in which content is printed on the page.

Transitions

The manner in which a slide appears on the screen in place of the previous slide during a slide show.

format

The process of changing the appearance of text and objects.

Sort

To organize data, such as table rows, items in a list, or records in a mail merge, in ascending or descending order, based on criteria such as date, alphabetical order, file size, or filename.

Filter

To specify a set of restrictions to only display specific database records, online images, or files.

cross-platform

Tools that developers can use to build apps that work on multiple platforms, rather than writing different code for Android or iPhone devices.

Document management tools

Tools that protect and organize files and let you share documents with others.

Use Common Features of Productivity and Graphics Apps

When you are writing a letter or report, maintaining a budget, creating slides for a presentation, or managing the membership list for an organization, you are using productivity apps. Productivity apps include word processing apps for creating documents, spreadsheet apps for creating worksheets, presentation apps for creating slides, and may include email, database, note-taking, and other apps for creating a variety of documents. To create digital sketches, resize or add special effects to digital photos, or add titles and credits to a video, you will want to use graphics apps. Graphics apps include tools for creating drawings, modeling three-dimensional objects, and editing photos and videos. Graphics apps let you create multimedia to include in letters and reports, presentations, spreadsheets, and other documents. Many vendors bundle their individual apps into a productivity suite, or collection of productivity apps. You can share text, graphics, charts, and other content among projects you create with individual apps and download additional templates for creating specialized projects. For example, you could include a chart created in a spreadsheet app as part of a slide in a presentation, or as a figure in a word processing document. Several productivity suites provide versions to install on a desktop or laptop computer, to install on a mobile device, and to run in the cloud in a browser. You can install software on your computer by downloading it from a provider's website. After you download the software, you will need to run an installer. The installer will guide you through setting up and configuring the apps. You can install mobile apps from your device's app store. Some productivity suites are free, while others require you to purchase a license or subscription. When you use a productivity app in a browser as a web app, or on your mobile device, you generally store the documents and files you create in the cloud using the provider's cloud storage service. Storing the files on the cloud makes them available to access them from many devices. You can collaborate with others who can view or edit the same document. Desktop- or laptop-installed versions of the apps generally provide the most complete and advanced capabilities. Web and mobile versions are often simpler, or lightweight, and contain the most basic and most popular basic features. Some vendors offer versions of their apps for multiple platforms.

Use Presentation Software to Create and Share Presentations

When you want to display information in a slide show, presentation software can help you organize your content and create professional-looking digital slide shows. You might create a presentation for work or school, show slides of photos from your vacation to friends, or create digital signs. Slide shows can be printed; viewed on a laptop, desktop, or mobile device; projected on a wall using a multimedia projector connected to a computer; or displayed on large monitors or information kiosks. With presentation apps you can create slides that visually communicate ideas, messages, and other information. A presentation contains a series of slides. Each slide has a specific layout based on its content (such as titles, headings, text, graphics, videos, and charts), and each layout has predefined placeholders for these content items (such as title layout, two-column layout, and image with a caption layout).

Use Spreadsheet Software to Manage Basic Workbooks

When you want to manipulate numbers or display numerical data, a spreadsheet is the tool you want. Keeping to-do lists, creating a budget, tracking your personal finances, following the performance of your favorite sports teams, and calculating payments on a loan are all tasks you can accomplish using a spreadsheet. Businesses often use spreadsheets to calculate taxes or payroll. Spreadsheet apps let you interact with numbers, charts, graphics, text, and data. Spreadsheets can perform calculations on data stored in a grid of cells and recalculate values automatically when the data changes. Spreadsheet software originated as an electronic alternative to paper ledgers used by bookkeepers to track sales and expenses. Use of the software expanded to other business departments, such as sales, marketing, and human resources. Spreadsheets are used widely outside of the business world, in science, mathematics, economics, and finance, and by home users, students, and teachers. Spreadsheets allow you to organize data stored in rows and columns and perform simple or complex calculations on that data.

Describe Types of Apps

While all apps allow you to accomplish a task, the device on which you access them and the way you obtain the app can determine its capabilities. For example, local applications are apps that you install on your computer's hard drive. These programs often have many features and capabilities. For example, Microsoft Office is a suite of applications for word processing, spreadsheets, databases, email, and presentations that you can install locally on your computer. Portable apps run from a removable storage device such as an external hard drive or flash drive, or from the cloud. When using an external hard drive or flash drive, you connect the storage device to your computer and then run the application. When installed in the cloud, you can access portable apps from a folder in your cloud storage. Portable apps are useful when you have limited storage space on your computer. OpenOffice.org Portable is a portable open source productivity suite offering programs with capabilities like those found in Microsoft Office products. Web-based applications, or web apps, are programs that you access over the Internet, in a browser on your computer or on your mobile device. Because these programs run over the Internet, web apps often offer collaboration features, and store the files or documents you create in the cloud. Microsoft Office 365 and Google's G Suite are web-based productivity applications for creating documents, spreadsheets, presentations, email, and calendars. Microsoft Office Online is a free web-based version offering basic features of word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation software. Apps that you access on a smartphone or tablet are called mobile applications, or mobile apps. Usually you download and install these from your device's app store. Many people use mobile apps to increase their personal productivity on the go: using mobile apps, you can check email, maintain an online calendar and contact lists, and obtain maps and travel directions on your mobile device without having to use a desktop or laptop computer. Because screens on mobile devices tend to be small, mobile apps usually focus on a single task, such as checking email, searching the web, or sending a text message.

Summarize Current Trends in App Development

With the growth and popularity of mobile devices, today more people access apps on mobile devices than on laptop or desktop computers. Recent studies found that mobile Internet usage now exceeds desktop usage, and mobile device users now download over 254 billion free mobile apps each year. This increased usage requires designers and developers to design apps with mobile devices in mind first, and to take advantage of the connectivity and new business opportunities that mobile devices enable. Mobile first design means that designers and developers start building apps to work on mobile devices first because these typically have more restrictions, such as smaller screens. Then, they develop expanded features for a tablet or desktop version. This approach causes app designers and developers to prioritize the most important parts of their websites and apps and implement them first. Mobile first design requires designers to streamline how people interact with their apps by placing content first and providing a simplified user experience. By using cross-platform development tools, developers can build apps that work on multiple platforms, rather than writing different code for Android or iOS devices. iOS developers write apps in Swift or Objective-C, and Android developers write apps in Java. Some cross-platform development tools rely on HTML5, JavaScript, and CSS to create a common web app that runs on multiple platforms. Other cross-platform development tools provide a compiler that can translate code into the different native formats for iOS and Android devices. The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to objects ("things"), such as a thermostat or coffee maker, that have the capability to send data from attached electronic sensors. As IoT continues to become more relevant, many apps can report data. Fitness trackers have sensors to track your heart rate; digital cameras have sensors for remote controls; "smart" home devices such as your Nest Thermostat have temperature sensors; and your Google Home or Amazon Alexa smart speakers have sensors that detect your voice. All these IoT objects send or receive data that you can examine using apps on your smartphone or tablet. When you shop online you can use Internet banking in mobile apps. Mobile commerce, or m-commerce, apps let you use your mobile device to make online purchases of goods and services. Mobile payment capabilities are built into apps such as Uber or Lyft for taxi rides, and online retailers such as Amazon or Walmart.

Use Word Processing Software for Basic Word Processing Functions

Word processing software is one of the most widely used types of application software. You can use it to create documents and reports, mailing labels, flyers, brochures, newsletters, resumes, letters, and more. You can change font and font sizes, change the color of text and backgrounds, add photos and shapes, and use provided templates to give a professional appearance to your documents.

Manage Word Processing Documents

Word processing software offers document management tools to edit, share, protect, and save documents. You also can copy text and graphics from one document (or spreadsheet or database) to another. By storing documents in the cloud, you can share documents with several people who can read, edit, and comment on the same document at the same time. If they are unsure of the edits, they can discuss the changes in comments and tracked changes to compare versions, without creating multiple copies of the same file. This process of collaboration is often more efficient than exchanging multiple versions of the same file by email, and then merging each person's changes together. When sharing a document, you can restrict access to a document by providing a view-only link, or read-only access. A person who has read-only access to the file can read, but not change it.

Format Spreadsheets

You can change how a worksheet looks by using formatting features as well as by inserting elements such as graphics. Formatting highlights important data and makes worksheets easier to read; graphic elements enhance a worksheet. When you format a number, the value remains the same, even if the way it appears in a cell changes.

Use Mobile Apps

You touch or tap the screen to interact with mobile apps. You also can use an on-screen keyboard to enter information in an app on your mobile device, by tapping or swiping over the keys to type. Many on-screen keyboards assist you by predicting words and phrases you might want to type based on context, or by providing automatic corrections. Some on-screen keyboards include voice recognition capabilities, so you can speak the words to be typed. Users who need to type significant amounts of information may opt for a portable keyboard that they can connect to their smartphones using Bluetooth. Many mobile devices come pre-installed with apps for managing email, contacts, calendars, a photo gallery, a web browser, sending and receiving text messages, a camera, a voice recorder, mobile payments, and more. You can organize apps into groups by category, such as Games or Social Media, to make them easier to find. Apps are represented by icons on your screen.

Define Worksheets and Workbooks

You use spreadsheet software to create, edit, and format worksheets. To create a worksheet, enter values, labels, and formulas into cells. Worksheets are laid out in a grid of rows and columns; they use letters or pairs of letters, such as A or AB, to identify each column, and consecutive numbers to identify each row. You can see only a small part of the worksheet on your screen at once. Adjust the scroll bars along the bottom or right side of the spreadsheet app to view other parts of a worksheet. You can insert or delete entire rows and columns. A cell in a worksheet is the location formed by the intersection of a column and a row. For example, cell K11 is located at the intersection of column K and row 11. In cell K11 contains the number 15,800, which represents the number of total projected production of skateboards in Year 10. You can refer to a cell by its cell address, or location in the worksheet. A workbook is a collection of related worksheets contained in a single file.