Google Sheets and logger Pro
Google Sheets
Google Sheets is a spreadsheet application. Spreadsheets allow us to
organize repetitive data by type in columns and rows,
re-organize data after we've entered it to better understand it or to look for patterns
calculate new values from data that can be automatically updated when the data changes, and present the new values in the spreadsheet
Spreadsheet Terminology:
Column: All data in a vertical column, labeled by a letter of the alphabet (A, B, C, etc.) across the top.
Row: All data in a horizontal row, labeled by a number (1, 2, 3, etc.) across the left side.
Cell: a box in a specific column and row that holds information (text, numbers, or calculations)
Cell Reference: designates the column and row where a cell is located (Ex: A3 is in column A, row 3)
Sort: this command will re-organize the data of entire spreadsheet or of a specific range in the spreadsheet (a block of columns and rows). The Sort command is found under the Data menu.
Function: a common, named mathematical calculation such as average or sum.
Range: a block of cells across one or more columns and/or rows. Usually identified by the top left and bottom right cell references linked with a colon. For example, B5:D12 is the block of cells from column B to column D, and row 5 to row 12. This block has 3 columns and 8 rows in it.
Re-organizing data after it has been entered is one of the wonderful powers of a spreadsheet. You can re-order an entire sheet based on the values in a single column - from low-high, or from high-low values. For data analysis, this is particularly powerful when looking for trends based on a particular column's value (EX: sorting from lowest to highest for a certain mass, sorting by classification names from A-Z, organizing by class period, etc.).
Sort by one column: (most commonly used for simple tasks)
Click filter button from menu (if needed),
Click the down-arrow in the header of the column which you wish to sort (or filter) by to bring up a drop-down menu.
Select Sort A-Z for ascending order, or Sort Z-A for descending order. The whole spreadsheet will re-order according to the data in the column you selected while keeping the data together in each row.
You can undo your last Sort command by using Command-Z if you make a mistake or decide it isn't helpful.
Sort by range: (for more sophisticated sorting tasks)
Select the range to be re-ordered (sorted) by click-and-drag across ALL columns for the rows you want re-ordered. You MUST include every column in each single row of data you select, or the data in each row will not stay together!
Under the Data menu, select sort by range. Select the column in the dialog box you wish you organize the data on, and then select the sort order (A to Z, or Z to A).
Calculations on Data:
Insert or select a column to hold the new calculated values (use Insert menu or the drop-down menu at the column header). Select the first cell to enter a calculation or function. This should be the highest cell in the column where you wish to enter a calculated value.
Simple math calculations: In the top cell, type an equal sign followed by the desired calculation (cell references and math operations in normal math order). Values needed are entered as a cell reference (like B3 or F22) so they can be applied to other rows (see "Copying Calculations" below). Examples:
=A3+D3
=(D22+E22)*A22 + B22 (follows standard order of operation!)
=A3^2
Functions: Special functions simplify more complex calculations into a single command. They generally follow this format: =function_name (range, conditions). A range of cells can be identified as A3:A10, which will cause the function to act on all cells in the A column from cell 3 to cell 10 (inclusively). These can be typed in or by placing the cursor behind the first parenthesis and then clicking and dragging across the desired range of cells. Examples of common functions are:
=sum(range)
=average(range)
=median(range)
=quartile(range, quartile label) quartile label is 1, 2, or 3 for Q1, Q2, or Q3
Go to Insert, function in the menu for additional options
Copying Calculations and Functions: Once a calculation is entered for one row of data, it can be copied down a column to repeat the calculation for every row. The cell references will automatically update to fit each row. Ex: A3+D3 will become A4+D4 in the next row, and so on.
Using Fixed Cell References: If you need to use the value in a specific (fixed) cell in every calculation, type its cell reference with dollar signs. EX: type $A$3 instead of A3. When $A$3+D3 is copied to the next row it will become $A$3+D4. A3 remains constant and the D3 changes to D4 to match the next row. This allows you to use or change the value in the fixed cell without retyping it into every formula. [BTW: $A locks the cell reference to column A, and $3 locks the cell reference to row 3. The row and column can be locked individually for more sophisticated calculations.]
Tutorials for Sheets: use links below to learn more about working with Sheets for data analysis.
Sorting and Filtering Data:
Calculating new values from data in the spreadsheet:
Logger pro
Transferring data from Sheets to Logger Pro:
Open a new Logger Pro file AND your data in Sheets
Highlight the data column in Sheets you want to copy to Logger Pro data table
Use the copy command (command-C) to copy the data - as you would in Word or Docs.
Place your cursor in the first cell of the column in Logger Pro and paste it in (command-V)
Repeat for each column of data you need to copy.
Label your column headings in Logger Pro (double click heading) to match the data you entered in each column.
Graphing
Graph Options Dialog Box: double click on the graph and use the dialog box to edit axes and/or graph display parameters in a single location. Select either Graph Options or Axes Options as needed from the top of the dialog box.
Graph Options:
add title to the graph
edit data points protectors (data point dots), connecting lines, grid lines, error bars,
make a bar graph instead of X-Y graph
Axes Options:
changing the name of an Axis Label
autoscaling options
setting axis ranges
Quick edit options:
Selecting an existing data set for each axis - quick:
Click on X-axis label on the graph. Select your independent variable's data set from menu.
X-axis will only allow 1 data set to be displayed.
Click on Y-axis label on the graph. Select your dependent variable's data set from menu.
Y-axis will allow multiple data sets to be displayed (each a different color).
Changing scaling on either axis (select one of the following options):
To quickly change the upper end of the range
Click once on the highest scale value displayed on either axis
Type the new value into the box that is displayed. Type enter when done.
To quickly change the lower end of the range
Click once on the lowest scale value displayed on either axis
Type the new value into the entry window that is displayed. Type enter when done.
Click-and-drag axis edits:
Compress or expand range: hover cursor over axis near the top or bottom until a single-headed, squiggly arrow appears; click and hold on axis and drag the axis to increase or decrease the range on the one end (used mostly for fairly small changes in range).
Shift whole axis to higher or values: hover cursor over axis near the middle until a double-headed, squiggly arrow appears; click and hold the axis, and drag to shift the whole axis up or down. Scaling size won't change, but max and min values will shift in one direction.
To make multiple edits to any axis range at once
Double click on any part of the graph to open the Graph Options dialog box
Select Axes Options at the top of the dialog box, and enter the new values for the upper and lower values on each axis range. You may also Autoscale from 0 to cause the axis range to match the data range and also display the origin to the graph. [Autoscale will not keep the origin in your graph, which is less desirable for data interpretation.]