How to Enter Math Formulas in Microsoft Works

Microsoft Works offers two programs to help you keep track of data. Works Spreadsheet and Works Database can be used to store various types of information, and have the tools to help you perform many types of calculations. Read on to learn how to enter math formulas in both Spreadsheet and Database.

Things You'll Need

• Microsoft Works Spreadsheet
• Microsoft Works Database

Instructions

Microsoft Works Spreadsheet

1. 

   Launch the Microsoft Works Spreadsheet program.

2. 

   Review the blank spreadsheet, and note that columns are represented by upper case letters and rows are listed as numbers. Each cell is represented by a combination of the uppercase letter and number in regard to its location on the spreadsheet, which is listed near the upper right-hand corner of the sheet. This information will be important as formulas are developed.

3. 

   Open the spreadhseet that you want to enter formulas into, or populate the blank spreadsheet with data.

4. 

   Click once in the cell that you want to enter a formula into.

5. 

   Click once on the "Tools" menu and select "Easy Calc."

6. 

   Click once on the type of calculation, or "formula," that you need to use to for the cell. "Subtract" is used in the example, as the "Amount Owed" will be determined by subtracting the "Amount Paid" from the "Amount Due."

7. Click once on the "Next" button.

8. 

   Click once in each of the cells that contain the values you need for the calculation. The cell names (letters, numbers) will appear in the "List of values" field, and the formula will be listed in the "How your formula will look" field.

9. Click once on the "Next" button when you've finished entering the cell names involved in the formula.

10. Click once on the "Finish" button on the "Easy Calc" window. Make certain that the cell where you want the formula result to appear is in the "Result at" field. The result of the formula will appear in the cell.

11. Repeat Steps 4 through 10 for each formula or calculation that you want in your spreadsheet. To copy the same formula for each following cell in a column, click once in the cell. Place your cursor on the small, solid square in the lower right-hand corner of the cell. Drag the cursor to the last cell in the column where you want the formula to appear while holding the left mouse button down.

Microsoft Works Database

1. 

   Launch the Microsoft Works Database program.

2. Open the database that you want to enter formulas into, or populate the blank database with data.

3. 

   Highlight a column into which you want enter a formula. Since Works Database deals with "fields" and "records," rather than columns and rows as with Works Spreadsheet, you can enter a formula for every record in the field at the same time.

4. 

   Click once in the formula bar above the field names. Note that a red "X," a green "check" and a question mark appear to the left of the field.

5. 

   Type an equal sign in the field, followed by the field name, the operator that will perform your desired calculation (e.g. /, *, -, +) and the other field name that will complete your formula. Do not use spaces. In this example, the "Amount Paid" is subtracted from the "Amount Due" to determine the "Amount Owed."

6. 

   Click once on the green check mark or press the "Enter" button on your keyboard when you've finished entering the formula. Note that the formula appears in all records in the field. Repeat Steps 3 through 6 for each field for which you need to enter a formula.