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Spreadsheets: collecting and analysing data
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Spreadsheets turn lists of numbers into answers and charts. They are used everywhere, from club budgets to science experiments.
Cells and references
A spreadsheet is a grid of cells. Columns have letters and rows have numbers.
Each cell has a cell reference: B3 is column B, row 3.
A range is a block of cells, written with a colon: A1:A5 means A1, A2, A3, A4 and A5.
Each cell has a cell reference: B3 is column B, row 3.
A range is a block of cells, written with a colon: A1:A5 means A1, A2, A3, A4 and A5.
Formulas and functions
A formula starts with = and calculates a value, for example =B2*C2.
Functions save time:
=SUM(B2:B6) adds up the cells, =AVERAGE(B2:B6) finds the mean, =MAX finds the biggest and =MIN the smallest.
If a number changes, every formula that uses it updates automatically.
Functions save time:
=SUM(B2:B6) adds up the cells, =AVERAGE(B2:B6) finds the mean, =MAX finds the biggest and =MIN the smallest.
If a number changes, every formula that uses it updates automatically.
Collecting and presenting data
Data can be collected with an online form or survey, then analysed in a spreadsheet.
Sort and filter to find patterns, and use a chart to show results clearly: a bar chart to compare groups, a line graph for changes over time, a pie chart for parts of a whole.
Check the data is accurate: a typing mistake gives wrong answers.
Sort and filter to find patterns, and use a chart to show results clearly: a bar chart to compare groups, a line graph for changes over time, a pie chart for parts of a whole.
Check the data is accurate: a typing mistake gives wrong answers.
Using the table of quiz marks in B2:B6, what does =AVERAGE(B2:B6) give?
- Total: 12 + 15 + 9 + 18 + 11 = 65.
- Divide by 5: 65 ÷ 5 = 13.
Answer: 13
Cells are named by column and row (B3). Formulas start with =. SUM, AVERAGE, MAX and MIN work on ranges like B2:B6 and update automatically. Choose a chart that suits the data.
The interactive lesson includes the diagrams for this topic.
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