New
New
Year 11

Formulas in a spreadsheet model

I can use formulas to perform calculations in a spreadsheet model and replicate formulas across a range of cells.

New
New
Year 11

Formulas in a spreadsheet model

I can use formulas to perform calculations in a spreadsheet model and replicate formulas across a range of cells.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Relative and absolute cell references are used in spreadsheet formulas to control how cell addresses change when copied.
  2. A relative reference changes automatically when the formula is copied to another cell.
  3. An absolute reference stays fixed on one cell, even when the formula is replicated.
  4. Using the correct type of reference helps ensure formulas calculate correctly when using tools like the fill handle.

Keywords

  • Replicate - to copy or repeat something

  • Relative - a cell reference that changes when a formula is copied or replicated to another cell

  • Absolute - a cell reference that remains constant no matter where it is copied or replicated

Common misconception

The fill handle can only be used to replicate formulas.

The fill handle can replicate formulas, text and numbers.


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

Files needed for this lesson

  • Tuck shop 5.29 KB (XLSX)
  • RSC seat sales 9.4 KB (XLSX)
  • RSC seat sales solution 10.1 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

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6 Questions

Q1.
What is a cell in a spreadsheet?
Correct answer: a rectangular box used to store data
a tool for formatting data
a mathematical operation
a type of spreadsheet model
Q2.
What is the purpose of spreadsheet formatting?
to delete data
to create new formulas
to change the spreadsheet structure
Correct answer: to modify the appearance of data
Q3.
What does a formula do in a spreadsheet?
stores data
modifies formatting
Correct answer: performs calculations
creates new rows
Q4.
What is a function in a spreadsheet?
Correct answer: a ready-made instruction for a specific job
a way to format data
a type of spreadsheet model
a tool for creating new columns
Q5.
Type the calculation to add the values in cells A1 to A5. Make sure you use a function.
Correct Answer: =SUM(A1:A5)
Q6.
What formula would you use to multiply the values in cells B2 and B10?
Correct Answer: =B2B10, =B10B2

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
What can the fill handle in a spreadsheet be used for?
to replicate formulas only
Correct answer: to replicate formulas, text and numbers
to delete data
to create new rows
Q2.
What happens to a relative reference when a formula is copied to another cell?
It stays fixed.
Correct answer: It changes automatically.
It deletes the formula.
It creates a new formula.
Q3.
When should you use an absolute reference in a formula?
when the reference needs to change automatically
when copying text across cells
when formatting data
Correct answer: when the reference must remain constant
Q4.
Match the terms with their descriptions:
Correct Answer:relative reference,changes automatically when copied

changes automatically when copied

Correct Answer:absolute reference,stays fixed when copied

stays fixed when copied

Correct Answer:fill handle,tool to replicate formulas

tool to replicate formulas

Correct Answer:formula,performs calculations in cells

performs calculations in cells

Q5.
How do you indicate an absolute reference in a spreadsheet formula?
by using brackets [ ]
by using quotation marks " "
Correct answer: by using a dollar sign ($)
by using an asterisk (*)
Q6.
What formula would you use to divide the value in cell A3 by the value in cell B10, ensuring that the reference to cell B10 remains constant?
Correct Answer: =A3/$B$10