New
New
Year 11

Spreadsheet project II

I can use a spreadsheet to model different scenarios for an event and use the model to make recommendations.

New
New
Year 11

Spreadsheet project II

I can use a spreadsheet to model different scenarios for an event and use the model to make recommendations.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. A spreadsheet model can be used for what-if analysis.
  2. Different types of charts are suitable for different purposes.
  3. The COUNTIF function can be used to count how many cells meet a set criterion.

Keywords

  • Scenario - where different sets of input values are used within a spreadsheet to explore various potential outcomes

  • COUNTIF - function used to count how many cells meet a set criterion

Common misconception

The COUNTIF function is the same as the COUNT function.

A COUNTIF function returns the total number of cells based on a set criterion, whereas the COUNT function returns the number of cells that contain a number in a range.


To help you plan your year 11 computing lesson on: Spreadsheet project II, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Files needed for this lesson

  • prom-planning-v2 1.14 MB (XLSX)
  • prom-ticket-sales 1.23 MB (XLSX)

Download these files to use in the lesson.

Consider how this project could be used as part of other subjects. Spreadsheets are useful in many different applications and pupils would benefit from understanding this.
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 SUM function do in a spreadsheet?
finds the largest number
Correct answer: adds a group of numbers together
changes cell colour
checks for errors
Q2.
What is a cell reference in a spreadsheet?
the colour of a cell
the value in a cell
Correct answer: the address of a cell, like A1 or B2
the size of a cell
Q3.
Match each function to what it does:
Correct Answer:SUM,adds numbers

adds numbers

Correct Answer:AVERAGE,finds the mean

finds the mean

Correct Answer:MIN,finds the smallest value

finds the smallest value

Correct Answer:MAX,finds the largest value

finds the largest value

Q4.
Match each feature to its purpose:
Correct Answer:cell reference,identifies a cell’s location

identifies a cell’s location

Correct Answer:conditional formatting,changes cell appearance based on value

changes cell appearance based on value

Correct Answer:data validation,restricts what data can be entered

restricts what data can be entered

Correct Answer:formula,calculates values using cell data

calculates values using cell data

Q5.
What formula would you use to find the mean value of the numbers in cells A1 to A20 in a spreadsheet?
Correct Answer: =AVERAGE(A1:A20)
Q6.
If you want to highlight all cells with values over 100, what should you use?
data validation
cell reference
AVERAGE function
Correct answer: conditional formatting

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
What is the main purpose of a spreadsheet model in what-if analysis?
Correct answer: to test different input values and see possible outcomes
to write essays
to print documents
to create games
Q2.
Why would you use a chart in a spreadsheet model?
to format text
to check spelling
to count numbers
Correct answer: to make data easier to understand and compare
Q3.
Which chart type is best for showing parts of a whole?
Correct Answer: pie, pie chart
Q4.
Arrange these steps for modelling a scenario:
1 - decide what you want to test
2 - enter different input values
3 - observe the results
4 - make recommendations based on the outcomes
Q5.
Match each function to what it counts:
Correct Answer:COUNT,counts cells that contain numbers

counts cells that contain numbers

Correct Answer:COUNTA,counts all non-empty cells

counts all non-empty cells

Correct Answer:COUNTIF,counts cells that meet a set condition

counts cells that meet a set condition

Q6.
Put these steps in order for using COUNTIF in a spreadsheet:
1 - select the cell for the result
2 - type =COUNTIF(
3 - choose the range and set the criterion
4 - close the bracket and press Enter