LEARNING ALLIANCE
FAISALABAD COMPUTER
ICT Starters Module 3: Exploring Spreadsheets
Handout
What is a spreadsheet?
A spreadsheet is a piece of software made up of a grid that allows you to
enter text and numbers, and lets you make calculations using formulas. You
can also use it to make graphs and charts.
Keywords:
1. Calculate To mathematically work out the result.
2 Formula A mathematical calculation in spreadsheets that uses symbols to
calculate results.
It begins with = sign. It can include cell reference and operators
(+, -, *, /).
3 Cell A single box in the grid in a spreadsheet.
4 Columns The vertical lines in a spreadsheet, represented by letters.
5 Rows The horizontal rows in a spreadsheet, represented by numbers.
6 Cell reference The column letter and row number for one cell e.g. C3
7 Numeric Data that is made up of numbers, eg 22, 4 , 16
8 Total The whole amount, added together.
9 Function A set of instructions that are followed when a keyword is
entered.
10 SUM A function in a spreadsheet that adds together several numbers.
11 AVERAGE Finds the average (mean) value from a list. It is used to find a
central value of a list of numbers.
12 MIN Finds the minimum (or smallest) value from a list.
13 MAX Finds the maximum (or largest) value from a list.
14 Replicate To make a copy of something, eg, a formula
15 Data A single number or word that has no meaning on its own e.g. 10
16 Fill Handle A small square at the bottom right corner of the cell.
17 What if A question you can ask, and answer, by changing data values in
a spread sheet to see what they affect and how they change the
spreadsheet.
Things to remember…
LEARNING ALLIANCE
FAISALABAD COMPUTER
● A spreadsheet is made up of cells, rows and columns.
● The rows are horizontal and columns are vertical.
● Columns are represented by letters.
● Rows are represented by numbers.
● Each cell has a cell reference.
● Cell reference is made up of column letter and row number, eg A6.
● You can enter text and numbers into a spreadsheet.
● A label is a piece of text that describes what is being entered; eg. it might be
a heading or a title.
● Data can be text or numeric.
● A formula must start with an equals sign (=).
● In a spreadsheet you do not need to type the numbers you want to use in a
formula. You can use the cell reference (for example, A1)
● Spreadsheets have functions that let you make specific calculations without
having to type in the symbols, or without having to type the cell reference for
lots of cells.
● SUM allows you to add together a range of cells that are next to each other.
You could not use this formula if the cells are not in a sequence.
● You can use the AutoSum button instead of typing the formula.
● You can copy data from one place to another and can also copy formulas.
● When you copy a formula, it changes the cell references that it uses.
● The Fill Handle is useful when you need to copy a formula lots of times.
● You can use a spreadsheet to create a graph like a bar chart or a pie chart.
● Graphs can be found under the Insert tab.
● A bar chart is called a Column chart in Microsoft Excel.
● The X-axis is horizontal, and the Y-axis is vertical.
● To change the width of the columns, drag the line between the column letters.
1. Always 2. Enter the 3. Add the cell 5. Add the cell
4. Add a : reference of the
start the name of the reference of the (colon)
formula function first number. last number and
with = sign close bracket )
after it.
= =SUM =SUM(A1 =SUM(A1: =SUM(A1:A3)
Output
