Syllabus Goals for Module 4
Module 4, Spreadsheets, requires the candidate to understand the basic concepts of spreadsheets and to demonstrate the ability to use a spreadsheet application on a computer. The candidate will understand and be able to accomplish tasks associated with developing, formatting and using a spreadsheet of limited scope ready for distribution. He or she will also be able to generate and apply standard mathematical and logical formulas using standard formulas and functions. The candidate will demonstrate competence in creating and formatting graphs/charts.
What is a Spreadsheet?
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Imagine that you want to work out your personal finances, both income and expenses, for the next 12 months. Rather than writing everything down on a blank piece of paper, you decide to use ledger paper instead. Ledger paper is divided into columns and rows providing a page full of boxes into which you can write your numbers. This makes it much easier for you to organise your figures neatly and clearly on the page.
Spreadsheet programs, such as StarOffice Calc, are specifically designed for you to work with numbers. Instead of providing a blank document on the screen, you are presented with an electronic version of the ledger paper, known as a spreadsheet. The spreadsheet provides hundreds of empty boxes into which you can type your numbers or text. These boxes are referred to as cells.
Calculations
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One of the great advantages of using a spreadsheet program is that you can access a large number of functions to perform calculations. You can easily add up extensive columns or rows of numbers. You can use the spreadsheet to find out averages, calculate percentages and much more. Should you have to change any of the numbers in the spreadsheet, the calculations will automatically update themselves. You don’t have to do all the sums again.
Graphs
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In addition to the powerful calculating facilities within a spreadsheet, you can also use the information to compose a graphical representation of your data. For example, you may wish to print a bar graph showing your expenses for the next 12 months to highlight which months will have the greatest outgoings. A spreadsheet program makes it easy for you to quickly create any number of graphs relating to the data into your spreadsheet file.
