Computer Skills
Beginner
60 mins
Teacher/Student led
+60 XP
Pupils work on their own device
What you need:
Chromebook/Laptop/PC or iPad/Tablet

The Numbers: Spreadsheets for Real Decisions

Turn your project proposal into a working spreadsheet with real formulas. Learn to build budgets, inventories, and data summaries that update automatically when numbers change.

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    1 - Introduction ~5 mins

    Illustration for Introduction

    Today you will

    • Build a practice budget for a class trip to Galway.
    • Write formulas that add up the numbers for you.
    • Make a spreadsheet for your own Something Real project. We call this your Numbers Sheet.
    Warm-up

    Think of one question about your project that starts with "how much" or "how many". Write it down now. At the end, you will check it against your spreadsheet.

    2 - Key Concepts ~5 mins

    TermWhat it meansExample
    CellOne box in the grid. Its address is its column letter and row number.{{cell:B2}} is column B, row 2. It holds 25, the coach hire cost per person.
    FormulaA calculation you type into a cell. It always starts with =.{{formula:=B2*C2}} in {{cell:D2}} shows 600.
    AutofillCopies a formula down a column. Each row then works out its own answer.Drag {{cell:D2}} down to {{cell:D6}} to get every item's total.
    FunctionA ready-made formula, such as SUM, AVERAGE, COUNT, MIN or MAX.{{formula:=SUM(D2:D6)}} adds up the five totals in column D to give the whole trip cost.

    3 - Step-by-step Task: Galway Trip Budget ~20 mins

    You will build a budget for a pretend TY trip to Galway. Follow the steps in the box below and tick each one as you go.

    4 - Common Issues ~3 mins

    If something goes wrong

    • If a cell shows the formula instead of a number, change its format to Number and type the formula again.
    • If autofill gives the same number in every row, check that {{cell:D2}} starts with = and drag again.
    • If you see $ instead of €, open the currency menu again and choose Euro (€).

    5 - Pick Your Shape ~2 mins

    Which shape fits your project?

    Your Something Real is the one real project you picked in lesson 1 to plan and pitch. Next you will build a spreadsheet for it, your Numbers Sheet.

    A shape is a plan for that sheet: the four headings to type into row 1, and the summary formulas to put at the bottom of one column. Pick the shape that fits your project.

    • Budget, for what a trip, event or fundraiser will cost. Row 1: Item, Cost per person (€), Quantity, Total (€). Work out each total with {{formula:=B2*C2}} and autofill it down, as in the Galway sheet. At the bottom of the Total column, use SUM, MAX and AVERAGE.
    • Inventory, for what you need to buy or borrow. Row 1: Item, Unit price (€), Quantity, Total price (€). Work out each total price with {{formula:=B2*C2}} and autofill it down. At the bottom of the Total price column, use SUM, COUNT and MIN.
    • Timeline, for the jobs to do before your launch or event. Row 1: Task, Person responsible, Week, Hours needed. At the bottom of the Hours needed column, use SUM, COUNT and MAX.
    • Survey results, for what people told you in a survey. Row 1: Question, Yes, No, Maybe. At the bottom of the Yes column, use SUM, MAX and AVERAGE.

    Or make up your own, with at least 5 rows of real data and three different summary formulas.

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