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Today you will
- learn six words for the parts of a spreadsheet
- see that a column is a field and a row is a record
- write a page with an example of each word from your own sheets
Warm-up
Which one would never repeat on a class list, Student name or Student number? Why?
- A character is one letter, digit or symbol, like €.
- A field is a column. Every cell in it holds the same kind of fact.
- A record is a full row about one thing, like one product.
- A file is the whole saved workbook, like {{code:sm3_vat_calc}}.
- A data type is the kind of value in a cell, like text, number or date.
- A key field is a column where no value repeats, like Order ID.
In a database, a key field is called a primary key.
As a class, you will match six bits of real spreadsheets to the six words you just learned.
Match each example to the right term
Common snags
- If you mix up field and record, remember that a field is a column and a record is a row.
- If you called a sheet tab the file, remember that the file is the whole saved workbook. A sheet is one page inside it.
- If you picked a name column as your key field, pick another, because names can repeat. Use a unique code like Order ID.
Independent Practice
Your goal: Make a page that explains the six words, with a real example of each from your sheets.
Time: ~20 minutes
Task:
- Open one of your Module 3 workbooks, like {{code:sm3_vat_calc}} or {{code:sm3_time_tracker}}. If you don't have one, use the sample sheet below.
- In Word or Google Docs, make a new document in {{code:Project_Portfolio/09_specialism/sm3/}} called {{code:sm3_spreadsheet_terminology}}.
- Type your project name as the heading.
- Copy the six sentence starters below and fill in each blank from your sheet.
- Write "sample sheet" beside any example you take from the sample.
Sample stock sheet
| Item ID | Item | Unit cost | Qty sold | VAT rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TB-01 | Tote bag | €6.50 | 40 | 23% |
| MG-02 | Mug | €4.20 | 25 | 23% |
| ST-03 | Sticker pack | €1.80 | 60 | 23% |
| NB-04 | Notebook | €2.95 | 18 | 23% |
| PN-05 | Pen | €0.90 | 75 | 23% |
- Character: A character is ___. On my ___ sheet I can see the character ___ in cell/column ___.
- Field: A field is ___. On my ___ sheet the field is the ___ column.
- Record: A record is ___. On my ___ sheet one record is the full row for ___.
- File: A file is ___. My example file is ___ in {{code:Project_Portfolio}}.
- Data type: Data type means ___. On my ___ sheet, ___ is stored as ___ (not as ___).
- Key field: A key field is ___. On my ___ sheet the key field is ___ because ___.
Success criteria:
- My page is saved in {{code:sm3/}}.
- All six words are explained in my own words.
- Each word has a real example from a sheet.
- My key field example never repeats.
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Copyright Notice
This lesson is copyright of Coding Ireland 2017 - 2026. Unauthorised use, copying or distribution is not allowed.
This lesson is copyright of Coding Ireland 2017 - 2026. Unauthorised use, copying or distribution is not allowed.