data visualization: basics

By Len De Groot   ·   Updated Nov 3, 2010   ·   Print Print

Using Google Docs

Google offers a free office suite that you access with free registration. This includes a spreadsheet application. Google Docs uses the same login used for Google Mail, Google Reader and other Google sevices.

Go to google.com

Go to Google Start page

 

Login to Google Accounts

Screen shot of how to log into Google Accounts

 

Navigate to Google Docs

Use the menu to navigate to Google Docs

 

Note the Create New and Upload buttons. All of your docs will be listed on the right.

Overview of the Google Docs interface

 

Click on the create New button and select Spreadsheet. A new window should open. Note the following features: The menu bar lets you select different commands to change your spreadsheet. Use this instead of your browser's menu bar. Shortcuts are additional menus of commands that you can use.  A cell is and individual square where you can double-click and type in information. The cells are organized into rows (assigned numbers) and columns (assigned letters).

Anatomy of a Google Docs spreadsheet

Filed under: Data Visualization