Today you will
- make the answer cells stand out with a colour
- hide the working columns and rows
- clear messy colours without losing your numbers
Warm-up
Think of a spreadsheet you saved in {{code:Project_Portfolio}}, like a VAT sheet or a time tracker. If a stranger opened it, would they know which cells hold the final answers?
An answer cell holds a final result. Give it a calm colour so the reader finds it.
A hidden column or row still works, but the reader can't see it.
Clear formatting removes colours, bold and borders but keeps your numbers.
The ribbon is the strip of tools at the top, and you can hide it for more space.
Example
In a sheet for stickers, phone cases and lanyards, you hide the VAT column and colour the Gross column green.
You will make a small price sheet, then colour, hide and clear parts of it. Watch your teacher first, then follow the steps in the box below.
Copy this table and paste it into cell {{cell:A1}} of your new sheet.
| Product | Net (€) | VAT rate | VAT amount (€) | Gross (€) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sticker pack | 4.00 | 0.23 | ||
| Phone case | 12.50 | 0.23 | ||
| Lanyard | 3.20 | 0.23 | ||
| TOTAL |
Common issues
- A formula shows {{code:#REF!}}. You deleted a column instead of hiding it, so press {{kbd:Ctrl+Z}} to undo.
- I can't find the hidden column. Select the columns on both sides of the gap, right-click and choose Unhide.
- My numbers disappeared. You chose Clear All instead of Clear Formats, so press {{kbd:Ctrl+Z}} straight away.
Independent Practice
- Open {{code:Project_Portfolio}}, then {{code:09_specialism/sm3/}}.
- Open one of your own spreadsheets, such as {{code:sm3_vat_calc}} or your time tracker.
- Colour the answer cells with one calm colour.
- Hide at least one working row or column.
- Clear any messy trial colours.
If your sheet has no working column, use {{code:sm3_vat_calc}} instead. Keep the same file name.
- My answers stand out in one calm colour.
- At least one working row or column is hidden, and the answers still update.
- No messy trial colours are left.
- The file is saved in {{code:09_specialism/sm3/}} with the same name.
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