The Unauthorized Guide to Using Spreadsheets in Chemical Engineering (Spreadsheet Techniques) Reference Page

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DOFPro group

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Intro to Using Spreadsheets in Chemical Engineering

Spreadsheets are one of the most widely used computational tools in engineering practice. They allow engineers to organize data, perform calculations, explore parameter changes, and visualize results without writing full computer programs.

In chemical and thermal process engineering, spreadsheets are commonly used for:

  • mass and energy balance calculations
  • parameter estimation and regression
  • uncertainty and error analysis
  • solving nonlinear equations
  • exploring the behavior of mathematical models

The videos in this section introduce spreadsheet techniques that support these types of engineering calculations.

The Unauthorized Guide to Using Spreadsheets in Chemical Engineering

This video introduces practical techniques for organizing engineering calculations in a spreadsheet. Topics include structuring calculations, separating input data from computed results, and designing spreadsheets that are easier to debug and maintain.

Visuals

How to Have a Quickie with Your Data — Part 1

This video introduces spreadsheet techniques for basic statistical analysis and data fitting, including calculating the mean, standard deviation, and performing linear least-squares regression.

Visuals

How to Have a Quickie with Your Data — Part 2

This video extends the analysis techniques from Part 1 and demonstrates how spreadsheets can be used for nonlinear regression and parameter estimation.

Visuals

Solving Nonlinear Equations with Spreadsheets

This video demonstrates how spreadsheet tools such as Goal Seek and iterative calculations can be used to solve nonlinear equations numerically.

Such methods are frequently used in engineering calculations when analytical solutions are not available.

Visuals

Examples and Definitions

Definitions

Spreadsheet
A software tool that organizes data in a grid of rows and columns and allows calculations to be performed using formulas and functions.
Cell
The basic unit of a spreadsheet, identified by a column letter and row number (e.g., A1). A cell may contain data, text, or a formula.
Reference
A way of identifying a cell or group of cells used in a formula. References may be relative, absolute, or mixed.
Function
A predefined calculation built into the spreadsheet software. Examples include SUM, AVERAGE, IF, and lookup functions.
Drag-Fill
A spreadsheet feature that allows users to copy formulas or extend patterns by dragging the fill handle across adjacent cells.