Chapter 4: Application Package

MS-Word (Word Processor)

Introduction: Ms-Word is a text editing or word processing software develop by Microsoft Corporation, USA under MS-Office package. Word processing refers to use of computer to create, edit and print documents. A word processor enables us to create a document, store it electronically in a disk, display it on a screen, modify it by entering commands and characters from keyboard and print it on a printer. MS-Word is a windows based application it has many powerful and advance feature to manipulate the document, With the help of this program we can create any types of documents like letters, reports, thesis, manuals, brochures, advertisement an many other document. Beside creating, editing and modifying the documents MS-Word provides some special facilities such as checking spelling and grammatical error, to search for synonyms and antonyms, to work with columns, tables, special symbols, pictures, graphs, charts and many more. The document created with MS-Word have “.doc” extension. The newer version of MS-Word has newer extension “.docx”".

Features of MS-Word

a. Fast operation: Since, MS-Word is a digital text editing software there is no any mechanical movement associated. Hence, it is faster in operation.

b. Editing text feature (Character formatting): Any type of operation like insert, delete, modify the documents and undo/redo, find/replace can be perform very easily. Similarly, we can customize our text document in any form or style like bold, italic, underline, different font size, different font color, different font style can be perform etc.

c. Permanent storage: Using MS-Word file and documents can be electronically stored in a disk or any other storage media. So, we can retrieve it whenever require.

d. Graphics: Ms-Word allows us to insert several objects like pictures and graph anywhere in the document whenever required.

e. OLE (Object Linking and Embedding): OLE is a technology which are used to share information between program through object. Objects are saved entities of different type like charts, equations, picture, audio and video files etc.

f. Mail merge: Mail merge a useful tool that will allow us to easily produce multiple letters, labels, envelops and more using information stored in a list, database or spreadsheet.

g. Searching: Ms-Word allows us to search any word or text and replace or delete with other necessary ones throughout the entire document.

h. Printing: Ms-Word allows user to print the documents created by the user anytime, anywhere.

i. Formatting a document: Word has various tools which help format a document. Formatting refers to the process of enhancing the appearance of the document to make it more readable and attractive. We can search and replace, display ruler, change a paragraph alignment, change line spacing, creating bullets and numbering to show your information in list. To further enhances the appearance of the text and documents. We can add border and shading even more we can add watermark to denote some confidential information in a document.

j. Spelling and Grammar checker: Ms-Word provides you with several features that will help you to produce professional and error free document. To make your document appear professional, you want to make sure it is free from spelling and grammar error. Word also has feature of checking grammatical and spelling error and notifying users by different colored wavy lines either may be red or green.

k. Use of thesaurus: Ms-word thesaurus makes it possible to look up synonyms and antonyms to words with few clicks of mouse. We can automatically replace a word by a respective antonyms or synonyms.

MS-Excel (Spreadsheet)

MS-Excel is a spreadsheet software in the Microsoft office suite that allows user to store, organize and analyze numerical and text data. It is a part of MS-Office package. A spreadsheet program allows to present information in a clear way. It can be use to perform mathematical calculation using several mathematical formula and equations. Excel also allows us to convert spreadsheet data into various charts like bar-graph, columns and other. It can be use to calculate the data according to the need of the user such as salary sheet, income and expenses statement, balance sheet, budget preparation, grade and percentage calculation etc. Some application areas of excel are:

1. Basic mathematical calculation.
2. Financial modeling and analysis.
3. Statistical analysis
4. Scientific and engineering calculation.
5. Graphic presentation and more

The extension of MS-Excel file is “.xlsx” and “.xls”".

Common terminologies used in spreadsheet.

Worksheet(Spreadsheet): Worksheet is the collection of rows and columns which are use to list, organize and calculate data.

Workbook: The files that are used in spreadsheet are collectively known as workbook. Workbook are made up of several numbers of worksheet. By default, one workbook have three worksheet.

Cell: The intersection of rows and columns are called cell. In order to refer a cell, enter a column letter followed by row number. For eg, C2 The cell where intersection point is called active cell.

Features of MS-Excel

1. It facilitates us to work in a multiple worksheet at a time.
2. It allows us to create different types of charts and graphs.
3. It allows us to organize and manage large volume of data.
4. It allows us to perform any type of calculation automatically by using custom formula and equation.
5. It allows us to easily sort the data in ascending and descending order.
6. It supports high level features like object linking and embedding.
7. It allows us to format a data to make it more attractive by using tools like font size, font color etc.
8. Simple computing operation such as cut, copy, paste, find, replace can be easily done.
9. It includes internet features such as web tool bar.
10. It allows us to store data electronically in any storage medium.

Cell reference in Excel (V.imp)

A cell location in a spreadsheet is referred to as its cell reference. To find a cell reference, simply look at column heading to find which column the cell is in and across to find which row it is in. The cell reference is a combination of column letter and row number such as A1, B3, Z9 … When writing cell reference the column letter should always comes first. Specially cell reference is very important while writing formula or addressing the cell to evaluate the cell. For eg, if we want to add values 3 and 2 which are in A1 and A2 respectively, instead of writing A3=3+2 we write A3=A1+A2

There are two types of cell reference.

Relative cell reference: In excel, a relative cell reference identifies the location of the cell or group of cell. Cell reference are used in formula, functions, charts and other excel commands. By default a spreadsheet cell reference is relative cell reference. This means, the formula and functions can be copied and posted to other cell. A relative cell consist of column letter and row number and intersect at the cell location, An example of relative cell reference would be A1, B4, G9 etc.

Absolute cell reference: In Excel, an absolute cell reference identifies the location of cell or group of cell which also contain column letter and row number surrounded by dollar sign($). An example of absolute cell reference would be $A$2, $G$9, $Z$345 etc. An easy way to add dollar sign us to click on cell reference and then press “F4” key from keyboard. An absolute cell reference is use when you want a cell reference to stay fixed on a specific cell, which means formula and functions can be copied and posted to other cell the formula and function doesn't change.

MS-Powerpoint (Presentation)

Power point is the presentation software in the Microsoft office suite, with power point we can create dynamic and professional presentation by using pre-defined layouts, themes and templates. Powerpoint includes all the features we need to produce professional looking presentation. Powerpoint presentation consists of series of slides which contain information that we want to communicate with our audience, This information can include text, image, graph, charts, video, audio and many more. Presentation program can be used as  a supplement of older visual aid technology such as pamphlets, handouts, posters, chalkboard etc.

The extension of powerpoint file is “.ppt", later version use “.pptx”". Similarly magic point, apple keynote, IBM lotus, Harvard graphics etc are the alternative software for Ms-Powerpoint.

Features of MS-Powerpoint. 

1. Formatting of data helps to make document much more attractive, effective and interactive by using tools like font, font color, hyperlinks etc.
2. Simple computing operation such as cut, copy, paste, find and replace are supported,
3. It allows user to use pre-defined layout, themes and templates which helps in faster development and design of presentation.
4. Slide transition and effects can also be used for further requirement,
5. We can create our own custom animation.
6. It supports both internal and external hyperlink.
7. Different bar, graphs, charts can be used to convey, detailed and precise information.
8. Internet features such as web toolbar, online help, web linking can also be done.