Homework on Homeworks!
sinister670Respond to discussion 150 words minimum
This week we discuss the creating of tables and how we can use them in word 2013 to sort of spruce up a document with either data or calculations. Word 2013 has come along way with giving the user an endless amount of tools to really be an all in one solution when creating things whether it be for school or your career. Being able to add tables is great as using a program like excel can become a lot more tedious at times if all you want to do is show a few figures to people. Being able to make tables of any size or format you like can go along way to make your document look more professional to the reader. I think myself and also for large companies that using the table options in word can simplify everything into 1 document instead of having multiple charts and figures in different places. For me personally I still find excel to be the better option for very large groups of data or figures, as for me it is easier to enter data into.
Really inserting a table in word is an easy task and the only struggle I can really see for myself in the future is just the shear amount of options available. Thankfully word has many auto format options for tables that takes all of the tedious work out of sizing, coloring, and formatting your table. Other feature I did not know about that I may find very useful in the future are the ability to create nesting tables also to provide even more detailed figures in a table. I also love the ability to add a chart if you table included data figures as this really gives a visual example to the reader instead of them just sifting through a bunch of numbers.
Respond to Discussion 150 words minimum
Once a table has been created in Word you are able to use formulas to perform various calculations based upon the data you are putting together. To be completely honest before this week I had never used this function. I am a huge Excel nerd and that has always been my go to when working with tables and charts. From compiling numbers to making staff contact lists and so much more. I have enjoying learning about all you can accomplish within tables with Word. The main difference that stands out to me is the way in which you enter formulas. In excel as long as you know the formula you are using to perform calculations you can type it directly in the cell and hit enter. With word you have to go to the layout tab and use the formula dialog box to type the formula that you need to use.
An advantage of using tables in Word that an organization may find beneficial would be seen when putting together a report that requires data to back up your point. With Word you can easily work on your main document, insert a table showing data supporting your research and then continue on without having to reformat something you have cut and pasted out of another program.
I struggled with working with formulas for the first time and had to find a cheat sheet of the available formulas that can be used in order to play with that function on Word. I have to be completely honest, with my job and the tasks I have to complete Excel will always be my go to for tables. I do look forward to creating tables and converting them into charts all in the same document.