GoalRead a spreadsheet grid: columns, rows, cell names, sorting and simple formulas.
New words
cell · one box in a spreadsheet, named by its column and rowcolumn · a line of cells going down, named with a letterrow · a line of cells going across, named with a numberformula · a rule that starts with = and works out a result
Explanation
A spreadsheet is a big grid. Columns go down and have letters: A, B, C. Rows go across and have numbers: 1, 2, 3. Each box is a cell, and its name is its column letter and row number, like B3 or A8. Where the column B and row 3 cross is cell B3. A formula is a rule that tells the spreadsheet to work out a result for you. It always starts with an equals sign. For example = A2 + B2 + C2 adds the three cells. If you change a number, the answer changes by itself. You can also sort a list in alphabetical order, A to Z, so names line up like in a class register. Steps look different on each device; ask your teacher.
D2fx=A2+B2+C2
A
B
C
D
1
Mon
Tue
Wed
Total
2
4
6
5
15
Worked examples
A
B
1
Pages read
2
Mon
4
3
Tue
6
4
Wed
5
Youssef reads pages each day: 4 on Monday, 6 on Tuesday, 5 on Wednesday. In D2 he writes = A2 + B2 + C2. The spreadsheet shows 15, which is 4 + 6 + 5.
A
B
C
D
1
2
3
4
5
X
Which cell is in column C and row 5? It is C5. Which cell is in column A, row 8? It is A8. Column letter first, row number second.
Mariam types her classmates in any order: Mariam, Hana, Farida, Karim. After sorting A to Z, the list reads Farida, Hana, Karim, Mariam.
Class activity
Spreadsheet on paper. Draw a grid with columns A, B, C and rows 1 to 4. In A1, B1 and C1 write three numbers. In D1 write the formula = A1 + B1 + C1 and write the result next to it. Change one number and work out the new result. Then plan a small table for your report from Week 7, choose where to share it (intranet or open web) and say why.
Practice
1
What is the name of the cell in column B, row 3?
B3.
2
What symbol does every formula start with?
An equals sign (=).
3
A1 is 7, B1 is 5 and C1 is 3. What does = A1 + B1 + C1 give?
