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How to Use This Manual

There are several ways to use this manual depending on what kind of user you are.

  • New users

    If you are new to computers or to spreadsheets consider reading Chapter 3 ― A Quick Introduction, titled "A Quick Introduction", which explains the basics of spreadsheets in general and Gnumeric in particular.

  • Users who want specific help

    Quickly finding help for a particular question can be quite hard. We suggest first reading the explanations of the contents of each chapter which are given below to try to figure out where your question might be answered, and then go directly to that section.

The chapters of this version of the Gnumeric manual are organized as follows:

  • Chapter 3 ― A Quick Introduction: A Quick Introduction

    The best way to learn how to use Gnumeric is to begin exploring the program yourself. This chapter will help you get started trying new things and seeing what happens. The chapter explains the fundamentals of spreadsheets in general and of Gnumeric in particular. The chapter attempts to help new users get started with Gnumeric and provides background for the more detailed explanations given in the rest of the manual.

  • Chapter 4 ― Gnumeric Elements: Gnumeric Elements

    This chapter describes all of the pieces of Gnumeric which a user can manipulate. The chapter provides explanations for each of the menus, menu entries, toolbar buttons and other elements of the graphical user interface.

  • Chapter 5 ― Working with Data: Working with Data

    This chapter explains the core functionality of Gnumeric including the basic types of data manipulated by Gnumeric, the methods of entering, altering and formatting data, and the basic tools for analysis of these data. More advanced analysis is described in Chapter 6 ― Advanced Analysis.

  • Chapter 6 ― Advanced Analysis: Advanced Analysis

    This chapter explains the advanced analytic tools available in Gnumeric including linear algebra calculations, the goal seek tool, simulation analysis, and scenarios.

  • Chapter 7 ― The Solver: The Solver

    This chapter explains how to use Gnumeric's linear programming Solver.

  • Chapter 8 ― Statistical Analysis: Statistical Analysis

    This chapter explains the various statistical analysis tools available in Gnumeric including tools to create descriptive statistics, as well as parametric and non-parametric hypotheses tests.

  • Chapter 9 ― Graphics: Images, Widgets, and Drawings: Graphics: Images, Widgets, and Drawings

    This chapter explains how to add graphical elements to a Gnumeric worksheet, including images from external files, graphical user interface widgets which interact with worksheet data, and simple drawing elements.

  • Chapter 10 ― Graphs: Graphs

    This chapter explains how to add data graphs to a Gnumeric worksheet, that can be used to plot worksheet data.

  • Chapter 11 ― Using Worksheets: Using Worksheets

    This chapter explains the use and manipulation of worksheets in Gnumeric. The chapter explains how to move around a worksheet, how to alter the appearance and display organization of the worksheet contents, how to manipulate entire worksheets and how to protect worksheet contents.

  • Chapter 12 ― Workbook Settings: Workbook Settings

    This chapter explains the contents of a Gnumeric workbook which are not part of the worksheets. This includes several settings which apply to the workbook and are saved in the Gnumeric file. Settings which apply to the Gnumeric program itself are called `preferences' and are explained in Chapter 13 ― Configuring Gnumeric.

  • Chapter 13 ― Configuring Gnumeric: Configuring Gnumeric

    This chapter explains how to change the default behaviour of Gnumeric including the startup behaviour and default locale (language and number display).

  • Chapter 14 ― Working with Files: Working with Files

    This chapter explains how to use files in Gnumeric. The chapter provides an extensive description of the file formats used by Gnumeric. The chapter also explains how to open files, import data from text files, save files, export data to text files, send data to others via electronic mail, and convert files from one format to another.

  • Chapter 15 ― Printing: Printing

    This chapter explains how to print spreadsheets, tables and plots from Gnumeric to a printer directly or into PostScript or PDF (both are page description languages).

  • Chapter 16 ― Getting More Help: Getting More Help

    This chapter describes other sources of help which are available to users including the Gnumeric web site, the mailing list, and the internet relay chat (IRC) discussion channel. The chapter also explains how to tell the project about a problem with the program.

  • Chapter 17 ― Reporting a Problem: Reporting a Problem

    This chapter explains how to report a problem with Gnumeric so that the problem can be fixed. The same procedure can be used to file a report requesting an enhancement or a new feature.

  • Chapter 18 ― Extending Gnumeric: Extending Gnumeric

    This chapter explains how to go about extending Gnumeric to provide extra functionality. Because Gnumeric is Free Software this is quite easy to do.

  • Appendix A ― Function Reference: Function Reference

    This appendix provides a list of all the functions which are currently defined in Gnumeric.

  • Appendix B ― Keybinding Reference: Keybinding Reference

    This appendix lists the keyboard shortcuts which are defined by default in Gnumeric.

Welcome! A Quick Introduction

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