Total number of columns and rows in the spreadsheet 

The default number of rows in the MedCalc spreadsheet is 16382, and the default number of columns is 

520. However, you can configure MedCalc to contain a different number of rows and columns.  The 

number of rows and columns available in the spreadsheet can be set in the Options dialog box, described 

on page 41. 

How to enter data 

Data for the different variables are entered in different columns of the spreadsheet.  All data for a single 

subject or case are entered in one row in the spreadsheet.  In the top row of the columns you can enter the 

names of the variables.   

A variable name should not include any spaces.  If necessary, you can use the underscore character _ to 

separate words, e.g. GRADE_A.  Also the following characters cannot be used in a variable's name:  

   + / * = < > ^ ( ) $   ` : , .   

In addition, the variable name must not start with a number and must be different from reserved words 

such as TRUE, FALSE, ROW and COLUMN. 

The variable name should also not be equal to the address of a 

spreadsheet cell such as A1, S1, AB35, IL6, etc. 

In order to enter the variable name LENGTH in the top row of column A, you first position the mouse 

pointer on this cell, and click the left mouse button.  The cell pointer is now located in this cell, and you can 

type the variable's name on the keyboard.  Next, you press the 

 key to actually store the name in the 

computer's memory and move the cell pointer to cell A1.  You can now enter the first value 171 for the 

variable LENGTH in this cell, followed by pressing the 

 key to go to the next cell. 

The data are not stored in the computer's memory until you have 

pressed the Enter key, or have moved the cell pointer to another cell. 

When you want to change or edit the content of a cell, place the cell pointer on this cell and press function 

key F2.  You can now move the cursor in the cell's text by means of the arrow keys 

 and 

 and make 

the necessary changes.  After you have made the changes, press the Enter key or move the cell pointer to 

another cell to store the new cell content in memory. 

See notes on p. 160 on how to enter dates. 

While you are entering data you must, from time to time, save your data on the disk.  When you save the 

file for the first time then select the command Save as in the File menu, and next enter the file name in the 

file selector box described on page 7.  After you have given a name to your data file, you can select the 

Save command in the File menu to save your data under the same file name. 

If you do not save your data on the disk, your work will be lost when: 

  you exit the program 

  switch of the computer 

  there is a power failure or a system or hardware malfunction. 

The program automatically formats the numbers that you enter according to the number of decimals 

selected in the Format spreadsheet box (see p. 35). 

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