Be a Data Designer Chapter Notes | Year 3 Computing IGCSE (Cambridge) - Class 3 PDF Download

Tables

• In this unit, students will learn how to use spreadsheet software to organize and analyze data effectively.
• Students will learn:
  • About spreadsheets: Understanding the structure and purpose of spreadsheets for data organization.
  • How to format cells in a spreadsheet: Applying appropriate formats to data for clarity and functionality.
  • To select data to solve problems: Choosing relevant data to address specific questions or tasks.
• Spreadsheets are powerful tools for presenting data in a tabular format, making it easier to interpret and analyze compared to unorganized data lists.

Spreadsheets

Rows and columns of cells

• A spreadsheet is software that displays data in a table format, consisting of rows and columns.
• Structure of a spreadsheet:
  • Rows: Run horizontally from left to right and are identified by numbers (e.g., 1, 2, 3).
  • Columns: Run vertically from top to bottom and are identified by letters (e.g., A, B, C).
  • Cells: Formed where a row and column intersect, used to store data.
  • Cell address: The unique identifier of a cell, combining the column letter and row number (e.g., A1, B5).
• Data entry:
  • Data, such as text or numbers, is entered into cells.
  • Example: In a table with headings “Name” and “Age”:
    • Text data: Names like Jill, Shawn, Camille, Sameera.
    • Number data: Ages like 5, 10, 6, 8.
    • Cell address example: The age “8” is in cell B5.
• Spreadsheet features:
  • Headings: The first row typically contains labels (e.g., “Name,” “Age”) to describe the data in each column.
  • Active cell: The currently selected cell, highlighted with a border.
  • Name box: Displays the cell address of the active cell (e.g., A1).
• Spreadsheet software:
  • Various programs exist (e.g., Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets), but they share similar functionality for organizing and analyzing data.
• Example: A spreadsheet with 5 rows and 2 columns:

  Name	Age
  Jill	5
  Shawn	10
  Camille	6
  Sameera	8

  • Headings: “Name” (A1), “Age” (B1).
  • Data: Names in column A, ages in column B.
  • Cell address example: “Sameera” is in A5, “8” is in B5.

Entering data in a spreadsheet

• Data entry involves inputting text or numbers into specific cells in a spreadsheet.
• Steps to enter data:
  1. Open the spreadsheet software.
  2. Click on cell A1 and type the heading “Name.”
  3. Press Enter or the down arrow key to move to the next cell in column A (A2).
  4. Enter each name in subsequent cells in column A (A2, A3, A4, A5).
  5. Click on cell B1 and type the heading “Age.”
  6. Press Enter or the down arrow key to move to B2.
  7. Enter each age in subsequent cells in column B (B2, B3, B4, B5).
• Example: Entering data from the table:

  Name	Age
  Jill	5
  Shawn	10
  Camille	6
  Sameera	8

  • Result: Names in cells A2:A5, ages in cells B2:B5, with headings in A1 and B1.

Formatting cells

Data formats

• Spreadsheets allow users to format data to control its appearance and functionality.
• Common data formats:
  • Text:
    • Used for words, letters, or combinations of letters and numbers (e.g., names, codes).
    • Cannot be used in calculations.
    • Example: “Order Code” or customer names.
  • Number:
    • Used for numerical data that can be used in calculations (e.g., quantities).
    • Example: Number of pizzas ordered.
  • Date:
    • Automatically displays data in a date format (e.g., 02/09/2024).
    • Example: Date an order was placed.
  • Currency:
    • Adds a currency symbol (e.g., $) to numerical data.
    • Used for monetary values that can be calculated.
    • Example: Total cost of pizzas.
• Keywords:
  • Format: The way data appears in a spreadsheet.
  • Range: A group of selected cells (e.g., E2:E4).
• Example: A spreadsheet with formatted data:
  • Columns:
    • Column A: “Order Code” (Text format, e.g., letters and numbers).
    • Column B: “Name of Customer” (Text format, e.g., names).
    • Column C: “Number of pizzas” (Number format, e.g., quantities).
    • Column D: “Date Ordered” (Date format, e.g., 02/09/2024).
    • Column E: “Total cost of pizzas” (Currency format, e.g., $50.00).
• How to format a range of cells:
  1. Select the cells to format (e.g., E2, E3, E4), which will highlight in grey.
  2. Navigate to the Number group in the Home Ribbon.
  3. Click the drop-down arrow in the Number group.
  4. Choose the desired format (Number, Text, Date, or Currency).

Choosing the right data

Solving problems

• Data in spreadsheets is used to solve specific problems, and selecting the appropriate data is critical.
• The format of data determines its usability for certain tasks:
  • Number and Currency formats: Can be used in calculations (e.g., summing quantities or costs).
  • Text and Date formats: Cannot be used in calculations but are useful for lists or records.
• Example: Using a spreadsheet to solve problems.
  • Spreadsheet data:

    Club code	Club name	Registration date	Registration fee	Number of members
    BOOK001	Book	01/09/2022	$5.00	15
    DRAM002	Drama	10/09/2022	$10.00	20
    SCIE003	Science	26/09/2022	$10.00	25

  • Problem 1: Find the total number of club members at school.
    • Requirements:
      • Data must be in Number format.
      • Data falls under the “Number of members” heading.
      • Requires a calculation (summing the values).
    • Solution:
      • Select Column D (cells D2:D4: 15, 20, 25).
      • Add the values to find the total (15 + 20 + 25 = 60 members).
  • Problem 2: Make a list of the registration fees.
    • Requirements:
      • Data must be in Currency format.
      • Data falls under the “Registration fee” heading.
    • Solution:
      • Select Column C (cells C2:C4: $5.00, $10.00, $10.00).
  • Problem 3: Make a list of the registration dates for the different clubs.
    • Requirements:
      • Data must be in Date format.
      • Data falls under the “Registration date” heading.
    • Solution:
      • Select Column B (cells B2:B4: 01/09/2022, 10/09/2022, 26/09/2022).
  • Problem 4: Find the names of the clubs.
    • Requirements:
      • Data must be in Text format.
      • Data falls under the “Club name” heading.
    • Solution:
      • Select Column B (cells B2:B4: Book, Drama, Science).

Did you know?

• The first electronic spreadsheet, VisiCalc, was created by Daniel Bricklin and Bob Frankston in 1979.
• VisiCalc revolutionized data management by introducing an electronic way to organize and analyze data in rows and columns.

What can you do?

• Understand that spreadsheets are composed of rows, columns, and cells, and use cell addresses to locate data.
• Format cells in a spreadsheet using Text, Number, Date, or Currency formats to suit the data’s purpose.
• Choose the appropriate data and cell ranges to solve specific problems, such as calculating totals or listing values.