Intermediate
60 mins
Teacher/Student led
+90 XP
Pupils work on their own device

Everyday Functions for Your Budget

You will learn to use everyday spreadsheet functions including rounding numbers, inserting dates and adjusting text. Practise testing them in a scratch area then apply one to enhance your budget sheet for better clarity.

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    1 - Introduction ~5 mins

    Today you will

    • Try three handy functions: ROUND, TODAY and UPPER.
    • Pick the one that helps your budget most.
    • Add that function to {{code:05_project_budget}} and type a label beside it.

    Warm-up

    Illustration for IntroductionWhere in your budget would a clean euro amount, today's date or tidy product names help a reader?

    If you don't have {{code:05_project_budget}} yet, make it now and type in three costs.

    2 - Key Concepts ~5 mins

    A function is a small ready-made formula. You start it with {{code:=}} like any other formula.

    • Scratch area: empty cells where you test formulas without touching your real budget.
    • ROUND rounds a number, so {{code:=ROUND(B2,2)}} turns €12.678 into €12.68.
    • TODAY shows today's date and changes by itself each day.
    • UPPER turns text into capitals, so "Matte Black Case" becomes "MATTE BLACK CASE".

    Example

    Niamh has a phone-case budget. She tested all three, then kept ROUND and TODAY on her budget.

    3 - Step-by-step Task ~14 mins

    You will build a small Function Lab in empty cells beside your budget. Follow the steps in the box below. Your real budget rows stay the same for now.

    4 - Common Issues ~3 mins

    Common problems

    • You see the formula, not the answer. Make sure it starts with {{code:=}} and has no space before it.
    • TODAY shows a number like 46093. Change the cell's number format to Date.
    • UPPER shows an error. Point it at a cell that has text in it.
    • You typed over an item name. Undo it, then put the capitals in a new Display name column.
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