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Year 11

Data validation in a spreadsheet model

I can apply data validation techniques to improve data accuracy.

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New
New
Year 11

Data validation in a spreadsheet model

I can apply data validation techniques to improve data accuracy.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Data validation is a tool in spreadsheets that controls what kind of data can be entered into a cell.
  2. It is used to help prevent mistakes, such as typing the wrong word or entering numbers outside a set range.
  3. Various types of criteria can be used in data validation, such as text, dates and number ranges.
  4. Data validation can show helpful messages when users make an error.
  5. Using data validation helps keep data accurate and consistent.

Keywords

  • Data validation - a tool that controls what kind of data can be entered into a cell

  • Citeria - the rules set in data validation that decide what data is allowed in a cell

Common misconception

Data validation can only check values entered into a cell. It cannot be used to stop a user from leaving a cell blank.

Data validation can be used to prevent users from leaving required cells blank.


To help you plan your year 11 computing lesson on: Data validation in a spreadsheet model, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Files needed for this lesson

  • Judging Panel 49.66 KB (XLSX)
  • Judging Panel Solution 8.7 KB (XLSX)

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This lesson contains downloadable spreadsheet files that pupils will need for the lesson. You could download these files prior to the lesson and make available to pupils on your school's shared drive or cloud storage area.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Pupils will need access to spreadsheet software.

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What is the purpose of formatting in a spreadsheet?
to create new formulas
Correct answer: to improve clarity, usability and presentation of data
to add more rows and columns
to delete unnecessary data
Q2.
What does the merge function do in a spreadsheet?
Correct answer: combines two or more cells into one larger cell
splits a cell into multiple smaller cells
copies data from one cell to another
deletes data in a cell
Q3.
What does the wrap function do in a spreadsheet?
deletes long text in a cell
combines text from multiple cells into one
Correct answer: automatically breaks long text onto multiple lines within a cell
highlights important data
Q4.
What is conditional formatting used for?
to create new formulas in a spreadsheet
to delete unnecessary data
to merge and wrap text in cells
Correct answer: to highlight key data points based on set conditions
Q5.
Which of these is an example of formatting?
Correct answer: changing the font size of text in a cell
adding a new row to the spreadsheet
creating a formula to calculate totals
deleting unnecessary data
Q6.
Put these steps in order for applying conditional formatting:
1 - Select the cells you want to format.
2 - Choose the conditional formatting option.
3 - Set the condition or rule.
4 - Apply the formatting style.

Assessment exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What is the term for the data or information entered into a system or program?
Correct Answer: input
Q2.
Match the term with its definition:
Correct Answer:data validation,a tool that controls what kind of data can be entered into a cell

a tool that controls what kind of data can be entered into a cell

Correct Answer:criteria,the rules that decide what data is allowed in a cell

the rules that decide what data is allowed in a cell

Correct Answer:error message,a notification shown when data doesn’t meet the criteria

a notification shown when data doesn’t meet the criteria

Correct Answer:accuracy,ensuring data is correct and consistent

ensuring data is correct and consistent

Q3.
Which of these is an example of data validation?
highlighting cells with incorrect data
Correct answer: allowing only numbers between 1 and 100 in a cell
automatically calculating totals in a column
changing the font size in a cell
Q4.
How can data validation improve data accuracy?
by automatically formatting data
by creating new rows for data
by adding formulas to calculate totals
Correct answer: by ensuring only valid data is entered into cells
Q5.
Which of these statements about data validation is false?
Data validation can check values entered into a cell.
Data validation can stop users from leaving required cells blank.
Correct answer: Data validation can automatically fix incorrect data.
Data validation can ensure data accuracy and consistency.
Q6.
Arrange these steps in order for correcting an error using data validation:
1 - The user enters invalid data.
2 - Data validation displays an error message.
3 - The user corrects the data.
4 - The program accepts the corrected data.