Creating a spreadsheet

Revise Creating a spreadsheet for Information Technology 9626 (AS Level) — revision notes, 3 practice questions and instant AI marking.

📖 Revision notes · preview

8.1 · Chapter 8 · AS Level IT · Hodder Education

Creating a Spreadsheet

Structure, formulas, functions, validation, and formatting — every concept and technique you need to know for the exam and the practical.

📐 Structure

🔢 Formulas & Functions

✅ Validation

🎨 Formatting

The Big Idea: A spreadsheet is a structured grid where cells hold numbers, labels, or formulas. Understanding how to structure it properly, reference cells correctly, use functions efficiently, validate input, and format output cleanly is the foundation of everything in Chapter 8.

BasicsSpreadsheet Fundamentals

Term	Meaning
Cell	The individual box at the intersection of a row and column. Each has a unique address (e.g. C6, E9).
Cell address	Column letter + row number (e.g. B3, A1). Always column first, then row.
Worksheet / Sheet	A single grid of cells. Also called a spreadsheet or sheet.
Workbook	A file containing one or more worksheets (e.g. a .xlsx file). Multiple sheets held within one workbook.
Cell can contain	Number · Text / label (including hyperlinks) · Formula (always starts with `=`)
.csv file	Comma Separated Values — a common import format. Can be opened in almost all spreadsheet packages. Does NOT preserve formulas.
.pdf export	Portable Document Format — used to export the values view of a spreadsheet. Preserves layout but not formulas.

8.1.1Create the Structure

Page Setup

📄 Page Size

Set via Page Layout tab. Common sizes: A4 (default for UK), A3, Letter. Choose the size that suits the printout — must show all data clearly.

🔄 Orientation

Portrait — taller than wide. Landscape — wider than tall. Choose whichever keeps all data visible and readable.

📏 Margins

The whitespace between data and page edge. Wider margins = more professional look. Smaller margins = more data fits per page. Set via Page Layout → Margins → Custom Margins.

📋 Headers & Footers

Text printed at top (header) and bottom (footer) of every page. Can include: your name, date, time, filename (with or without path), page number, number of pages, worksheet name.

📊 Gridlines

The lines between cells. Tick "Print" under Sheet Options in Page Layout to include them in the printout. Useful for reading formulas.

🔢 Row/Column Headings

The row numbers (1, 2, 3…) and column letters (A, B, C…). Tick "Print" under Sheet Options to include in printout. Useful for checking cell references.

Editing the Structure

Operation	What it does	Key point
Insert cell/row/column	Adds space by pushing existing content right or down	Right-click on row/column heading → Insert
Delete cell/row/column	Removes content by pulling remaining content left or up	Right-click → Delete. Warning: can break formulas if cells are referenced
Resize rows/columns	Drag the handle between headings; double-click to auto-fit content	Select multiple columns then drag one to make them all the same width
Hide/Unhide	Hides rows or columns from view (data still exists)	Right-click heading → Hide. To unhide: select surrounding rows/columns → Unhide
Merge cells	Combines multiple cells into one (e.g. A1:C1 becomes one wide cell)	Home tab → Alignment group → Merge & Center. Use for titles spanning columns.
Wrap text	Makes text wrap to the next line within the same cell

Protecting Cells

🔓 Read the full Creating a spreadsheet note → You're seeing the preview · sign in to read it all

Also in the full note

📋 Summary & Review
✅ Concepts Checklist
🧠 What to Memorise
🎯 Exam Tips

What's inside

📖 Revision notes ◉ 3 practice questions 🎯 Learn mode ✦ AI flashcards ✓ Instant AI marking 🧊 3D explorers 🧪 Experiments & simulations 📈 Progress tracking

Past papers that test Creating a spreadsheet

Real Information Technology 9626 papers with questions on this topic — open one and get it marked instantly, free.

9626 Mar 2020 · Paper 1 · Variant 2 Cambridge · mark scheme Open → 9626 Mar 2019 · Paper 1 · Variant 2 Cambridge · mark scheme Open → 9626 Jun 2018 · Paper 1 · Variant 1 Cambridge · mark scheme Open →

All Information Technology 9626 past papers →

Read the full Creating a spreadsheet notes free

That's the preview — create a free account to read the rest, plus flashcards and 3 practice questions with instant AI marking. No credit card.

Unlock the full notes free →

Creating a spreadsheet

Creating a Spreadsheet

Past papers that test Creating a spreadsheet

More Information Technology topics