This tutorial explains how you can work with Calc, the spreadsheet program of LibreOffice, by learning its basic formula examples. In this first part, we will learn the most basic ones namely SUM, COUNT and AVERAGE. Let's start!

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How To Play

To work with LibreOffice Calc's formula, we do as the following:

• Put cursor in a cell.
• Type part of formula like this =SUM(
• Click the initial part of data, like the first row of scores.
• By holding Shift, click the last part of data, like the last row of scores.
• The formula now completed, like this =SUM(E1:E5), assuming E1 is first and E5 is last part of scores.
• Press Enter. 
• Formula calculated successfully.

Data

To exercise this tutorial, you need to write a dataset like pictured below. 

Then, you add three sheets name them SUM, COUNT, and AVERAGE respectively. To do so, click plus button at bottom, double click the new Sheet, then name it, repeat for another sheets. Preparations completed.

1. Sum

Enable SUM sheet and do:

• Put cursor in E10
• Do the formula =SUM(E3:E9)
• Formula calculated. 

This formula calculates the total of several numerical values. In this example, it calculates total scores of all students based on numbers in E3 to E9. The result is 526.

2. Count

Enable COUNT sheet and do:

• Put cursor in E10.
• Do the formula =COUNT(E3:E9)
• Formula calculated.

This formula calculates number of individual numeric values. You cannot calculate number of names (non-numeric values) with it. In this example, it is how many students' scores involved. The result is 7.

3. Average 

Enable AVERAGE sheet and do:

• Put cursor in E10.
• Do the formula =AVERAGE(E3:E9)
• Formula calculated.

This formula calculates average of several numeric values. That is, total of all members divided by number of members. In this example, it is the average score of seven students. The result is 75. 

to be continued Part II ...