ECDL
ECDL is an important building block, equipping you
with the digital skills needed to progress to further
education and employment.
ECDL teaches you how to use a computer
confidently and effectively, building you into a
more productive, efficient learner and encouraging
problem-solving, creativity and communication.
ECDL is the benchmark for digital literacy in
educational systems around the globe.
ECDL Certificate in IT
Four modules:
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Word processing
Spreadsheet software
Presentation software
Improving productivity using IT
Assessment
Online testing:
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Distinction*
Distinction
Merit
Pass
Working with spreadsheets
Must be able to understand basic terms and
structures
Should be able to open a spreadsheet application
Could re-create a basic spreadsheet and save to a
location on a drive
Add the labels below to your
diagram
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Rows (numbers)
A worksheet
Cell
Text labels
Text labels
Numeric data
Columns (letters)
Why?
The exam you
will be taking at
the end of this
module will use
key words and
technical terms.
Extension: What would you put into cell
D4 to calculate the total?
A worksheet
Columns
(letters)
Rows
(numbers)
Text labels
Text labels
Numeric data
Each cell has a unique
cell reference e.g. B17
Column letter B
Row number 17
Other features
Quick access toolbar
Formula bar
Title bar
Ribbon tabs
Name of active cell
Active cell
Office button
Ribbon
Zoom (other options are available on the
View tab)
More facts!
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A worksheet contains 16,384 columns and 1,048,576
rows (17,179,869,184 cells!)
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Columns are labelled A, B, C and so on. The rows
are labelled 1, 2, 3 etc.
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The worksheet is divided into cells which can contain
a label, a number, or a formula.
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The workbook contains several worksheets, initially
named Sheet 1, Sheet 2 and Sheet 3. These names
are on the worksheet tabs and worksheets can be
added as required.
What are spreadsheets used for?
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Working with numbers
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Calculating and creating charts
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Planning budgets and working with financial
data
When used effectively, spreadsheets can
make calculations automatically.
Homework
• Read the Malpractice Policy carefully.
• Make sure that you understand what it says.
YOU WILL HAVE TO SIGN TO SAY THAT YOU HAVE
READ AND UNDERSTOOD THIS DOCUMENT!
Use you diagram to re-create the
spreadsheet
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Step one open Excel
Create an ECDL folder in your user area
Save as: Test results as the spreadsheet name
Following the diagram, create your
spreadsheet
• TIP make sure your information is in the
correct cell and has been entered accurately.
Remember: Formulae can
also be viewed and edited
here in the formula bar.
Formula
Start with =
then
create the formula
When you press Enter,
the formula will
automatically be
calculated.
What do you think the
answer will be?
The data can be
sorted in
alphabetical or
numerical order –
using the AZ icons
The data can be
displayed on a
chart, using the
Chart Wizard icon
By dragging the
fill handle, you can
copy and paste
the formula into
other cells
See the fill handle
(black square in bottom right of cell)
Self assessment
Learning intentions
• understand basic terms
and structures
• be able to open a
spreadsheet application
• re-create a basic
spreadsheet and save to
a location on a drive
Can I do this?
Working with spreadsheets
Must be able to use spreadsheet tools to maximise
efficiency
Should be able to change defaults and preferences
Could edit and add data accurately.
Spreadsheet tools
• Moving around a spreadsheet:
– Mouse click
– Arrow keys
– Page up/Page down keys
• What happens when you hold down the Ctrl key when
pressing the arrow keys?
• How many ways can you zoom in/out of a worksheet?
• How do you minimise the ribbon if you want to see more of
your worksheet.
Changing defaults and preferences
• By default (i.e. unless you tell it otherwise)
Excel saves your documents in a folder called
My Documents.
• Click the Office button, and then click Excel
Options.
• The saving preferences are located on the
Save tab.
Here you can
change the default
folder for opening
and saving files.
Getting help
To search the Microsoft Office
Excel Help, click on the
question mark button at the top
right of the screen.
When you start entering data into a
cell a
and a
appear in the
formula bar . You can click on them
to register the data or clear it.
Inserting rows/columns
Right click on the row header and
choose the insert option or locate
the insert option from the Home tab
of the ribbon.
Exercise
• Open a new Excel workbook and enter a title into
A1 Cost of Party.
• Immediately below the title enter the data
shown below:
Item
Catering
Magician
Party bag
Balloons
Cake
Cost
Total Cost
3
60
1
10
15
• Edit the last two column headings to read as
follows:
Cost (£)
Total Cost (£)
• Insert a blank row after the main title and
another after the column headings.
• Insert a new column between Item and Cost
to show the number of items:
Number
20
• Save your file as Birthday 1 and close
1
Excel.
20
1
1
Progress checklist
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Do I know what spreadsheets are used for?
Can I run and close Microsoft Excel?
Can I minimise and restore the ribbon?
Do I know how to move around within a worksheet and select
cells?
Can I create and a new worksheet and enter simple data?
Can I edit data in a spreadsheet?
Can I insert and delete rows and columns?
Do I know how to set Excel’s defaults and preferences?
Do I know how to get help?
Can I save a worksheet?