New
New
Year 11

Visualising data using charts in a spreadsheet

I can create and customise charts to present data effectively.

New
New
Year 11

Visualising data using charts in a spreadsheet

I can create and customise charts to present data effectively.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Charts are used to show data in a visual format.
  2. Charts make it easier to compare values, identify patterns or understand trends.
  3. Different types of charts are suitable for different purposes.
  4. Charts can be created and formatted in a spreadsheet to present information clearly and effectively.

Keywords

  • Chart - a visual way to show data

  • Data - facts and figures in their raw form

Common misconception

The type of chart you select doesn't matter, all charts will represent data effectively.

Different types of chart present different types of data effectively. For example, a pie chart is used to represent data that makes up a whole part or 100%.


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

Files needed for this lesson

  • RSC charts solution 22.21 KB (XLSX)
  • RSC charts 8.45 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 ion 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

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
Write the formula to calculate the average of the values in cells A1 to A5.
Correct Answer: =AVERAGE(A1:A5)
Q2.
What is the purpose of the VLOOKUP function?
to calculate totals
to create a chart
to delete data
Correct answer: to retrieve data from another sheet based on a matching value
Q3.
What does the IF function do in spreadsheets?
Correct answer: checks a condition and gives outcomes
retrieves data from another sheet
creates a chart
deletes incorrect data
Q4.
What is the role of a function in spreadsheets?
to store data
Correct answer: to perform calculations quickly
to format data
to delete incorrect entries
Q5.
What is a key benefit of using functions in spreadsheets?
they make data look better
Correct answer: they allow quick calculations
they reduce file size
they create charts automatically
Q6.
What spreadsheet feature changes the appearance of cells based on rules?
Correct Answer: conditional formatting

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
What is the purpose of a chart?
to store data
to calculate totals
Correct answer: to visually represent data
to delete data
Q2.
Which chart is best for showing parts of a whole?
Correct answer: pie chart
bar chart
line chart
Q3.
What type of chart is best for showing trends over time?
pie chart
Correct answer: line chart
bar chart
Q4.
What is the best chart for comparing multiple categories?
Correct answer: bar chart
line chart
pie chart
Q5.
Match the following examples with the correct chart type:
Correct Answer:comparing sales across regions,bar chart

bar chart

Correct Answer:showing monthly revenue over a year,line chart

line chart

Correct Answer:showing the percentage of expenses,pie chart

pie chart

Q6.
Arrange the steps to create a chart into the correct order:
1 - Select the data to be visualised.
2 - Choose the type of chart.
3 - Insert the chart into the spreadsheet.
4 - Customise the chart’s appearance.