New
New
Year 11

Formatting in a spreadsheet model

I can format a spreadsheet model to improve readability and usability.

New
New
Year 11

Formatting in a spreadsheet model

I can format a spreadsheet model to improve readability and usability.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Formatting improves clarity, usability and presentation of data in a spreadsheet.
  2. Merge and wrap can help to present and organise text in a cell effectively.
  3. Conditional formatting highlights key data points automatically based on set conditions.

Keywords

  • Formatting - modifying the appearance of data in a spreadsheet

  • Wrap - automatically break long text within a cell onto multiple lines

  • Merge - combining two or more adjacent cells into one larger cell

  • Conditional formatting - applies a style or format to a cell based on whether a cell matches a certain criteria

Common misconception

Conditional formatting needs to be applied each time a value in a cell changes.

Conditional formatting will automatically update if the value in a cell changes, as soon as a value meets the condition, the formatting will be appplied.


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

Files needed for this lesson

  • Rockstar challenge results solution 5.82 KB (XLSX)
  • Rockstar challenge results 5.33 KB (XLSX)
  • RSC seat allocation 58.9 KB (XLSX)
  • RSC seat allocation solution 58.98 KB (XLSX)

Download these files to use in the lesson.

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 schools 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

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
What does the term "replicate" mean in spreadsheets?
Correct answer: to copy or repeat data
to delete data
to format cells
to calculate totals
Q2.
Which of the following is an example of an absolute reference?
A1
Correct answer: $A$1
A1:A10
SUM
Q3.
What happens when you drag the fill handle with a relative reference?
the reference creates a new formula
the reference deletes the formula
the reference remains fixed
Correct answer: the reference changes based on the new location
Q4.
Why is it important to use absolute references in formulas?
Correct answer: to keep a reference constant when copied
to format data correctly
to ensure references adjust automatically
to delete unnecessary formulas
Q5.
What is the formula to divide the value in cell C1 by the value in D1, keeping the reference to D1 constant?
Correct Answer: =C1/$D$1
Q6.
Match the terms to their correct descriptions:
Correct Answer:formula,performs a specific calculation in a cell

performs a specific calculation in a cell

Correct Answer:function,a pre-built instruction for a specific task

a pre-built instruction for a specific task

Correct Answer:relative cell reference,adjusts automatically when copied to another cell

adjusts automatically when copied to another cell

Correct Answer:absolute cell reference,remains fixed, even when copied

remains fixed, even when copied

Correct Answer:format,changes the appearance of data in a cell

changes the appearance of data in a cell

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
Match the spreadsheet actions to their outcomes:
Correct Answer:apply formatting,improves clarity and usability

improves clarity and usability

Correct Answer:merge cells,combines multiple cells into one

combines multiple cells into one

Correct Answer:wrap text,organises long text into multiple lines

organises long text into multiple lines

Correct Answer:conditional formatting,highlights key data points automatically

highlights key data points automatically

Q2.
Which number format would be most appropriate for displaying monetary values in a spreadsheet?
percentage
general
Correct answer: currency
date
Q3.
Arrange the steps to wrap text in a cell:
1 - select the cell or range of cells
2 - open the formatting menu
3 - choose the "Wrap Text" option
4 - apply the changes
Q4.
Which of the following is an example of conditional formatting?
changing the font size of all cells manually
merging two cells into one
wrapping text within a cell
Correct answer: highlighting cells with values greater than 100 automatically
Q5.
What is the purpose of applying conditional formatting to a spreadsheet?
to organise text within a cell
Correct answer: to highlight specific data based on rules
to combine multiple cells
to wrap text across lines
Q6.
What happens to conditional formatting when the value in a cell changes?
Correct answer: the formatting updates automatically if the value meets the condition
the formatting must be reapplied manually
the formatting is deleted and needs to be reapplied
the formatting changes the condition itself