using spreadsheet as text

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Summary:

Can I put text info into the spreadsheet, then call that information?

using spreadsheet as text

Buddhahead 21 Dec 2012 05:59

I had a super-clunky program on my TI-84 to call on kids' names. It was just awful: pick a randint, If x = 1 disp "bubba", if x=2 disp "wanda". Etc. But it worked, and I could call on kids in class randomly.

Now I see the nspire, and it's got the spreadsheet, and I think, "sheesh there has to be a way to put kids' names into the spreadsheet, and name the column "hg1" or something, then pick a random number and display the name in that entry. Does this make sense?

Thanks to any who can help out. Very NewB here.

Re: using spreadsheet as text

Mr Dino 21 Dec 2012 06:22

I don't know how to program an nSpire, but you could've used an inString() - sub() combination on the 84. Actually, I'm lazy now, so just sub(). Have a string with each name 5 characters long all strung together - use spaces as fillers - ex: Disp sub("BubbaWandaBobSamDaisySarah",5randInt(0,5),5
But again, this isn't for nSpire and you probably don't care… sorry then.

Boba Foxx (guest) 21 Dec 2012 19:20

Unfortunately, I don't know how to nSpire coding either. However, I can give you something like this:

While z ≠ 45
repeat ans
getkey -> Z
end
disp sub("Student1__Student2__Student3__etc",10randint(1,{numberofstudents})-9,10
end

Should work. you can change the 10 and 9 in "10randint(1,{numberofstudents})-9),10" to the length of the names and one less than that length. Also, each students' name should be the same number of characters, with spaces or other filler characters at the end of each name if needed.

Also, this is all Ti 84 code, so you'll need to use the Ti-84 keyboard on your nspire to run this stuff.

Buddhahead 25 Dec 2012 19:25

Thanks for the ideas, but I'm using an nspire CX—no '84 keyboard. ???

Buddhahead 25 Dec 2012 19:31

So I'd have a list in the spreadsheet, like in the first cell it's "Alex", 2nd cell it's "Kate", 3rd cell is "Sedona", and the list has 25 entries. Whoops, forgot to say that in the first space in the list it's "24"—-that's the number of kids. Then I want the calculator to look at the first cell, see that the 24 and know that there's 24 kids in the list, pick a number from 1-24 (or 2-25), find the name of the kid, then return the contents of that cell. So if it picked from 2-25 and got "2", on the screen it would say, "Alex".

Piece of cake on the 84, but really clunky. now I've got a spreadsheet but an awful programming environment. Hm.

Thanks for the help!

Re: Using Spreadsheet as text.

Piaf 02 May 2013 18:49

@ Buddha
Perhaps a late response: I have made an address.tns program that will fit the purpose. It holds a spreadsheet containing 1st name, surname etc. some programs and a calc page for running programs. Its output is a text box and all of it is standard programming, that is, without scripting. It is quite easy. If you want the full address book program, just let me know. I rewrote some code for your request.

How (new program):
(1) Create a blank calculator.
(2) Create a spreadsheet page with a column named "s_name" . From another spreadsheet, import the student names. (In Excel: copy a range in a column, then in TI Nspire, right click in the first cell (A1) and press 3 Paste). Make sure the originating text, in Excel, is formatted as text so, after pasting, it is in quotes when accessing the cell. Otherwise, type the 24 names, using a quote to start a name, then a letter or space to enter the name.
(3) In the third page, input a program (name it whatever you like; I used programs named a00_… to a21… to get them on top of the var list). I rewrote some stuff to adapt it to your needs. Don't forget to check syntax and store, then save the .tns as "choice.tns", something like that.
(4) On the calculator page, press Var and select a_09_show(). A random name will appear in a text box.

The program:

Define a09_show()=
Prgm
Local i,s,d
d:=dim(s_name) © dimension of s_name, the variable representing 
                       © the spreadsheet column holding the student's names
i:=Randint(1,d)
If i>0 and i≤d Then
    s:=s_name[i]
    Text s,0         © show all in a text box only
Else
    Text "That record doesn't exist",0   © if result of randint  > d just to make sure
EndIf
EndPrgm

Now, by the way, if you add names to the spreadsheet, you don't need to change the program, because d:=dim(s_name) takes care of that…
Good luck.

Last edited on 02 May 2013 19:14 by Piaf Show more