Beginner

30 mins

Teacher/Student led

+10 XP

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Chromebook/Laptop/PC

Introduction to Excel Formulas

Learning Goals Learning Outcomes Teacher Notes

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1 (re)Introduction to Excel Formulas
2 Excel Formulas Magic
3 The Basics of Formulas
4 Using Cell References
5 Formula Auditing: The Magical Detective Tool
Quiz

1 - (re)Introduction to Excel Formulas

Can you remember what we previously learn about using formulas in Excel? Well, that is what is great about creating a web of learning. We use a cyclical pattern (remember learning about that in data, patterns in our first few courses?). We now have a web of knowledge and now it's time to recap and learn something new. Are you ready?

2 - Excel Formulas Magic

We delved into the magical world of Excel, where formulas were likened to spells that wizards cast. We covered:

Basic Understanding of Formulas: We discussed how formulas are the backbone of Excel, allowing you to perform calculations and analyze data.

Cell References: We explored how to use cell references in formulas, ensuring that if the data in the referenced cell changes, the formula will automatically update.

Formula Auditing: We ventured into the realm of formula auditing, ensuring that our Excel "spells" were cast without any hitches. This involved checking formulas for errors, tracing the relationships between cells, and understanding how formulas are interconnected.

Parameterized Queries: We also touched upon the concept of parameterized queries, which allow you to set certain criteria as "variables" in Excel. This means you can adjust a single parameter to fetch different data sets without rewriting the entire query.

Throughout our journey, we used metaphors and analogies suitable for a younger audience, ensuring the concepts were relatable and easy to grasp.

3 - The Basics of Formulas

In the grand adventure of Excel, formulas are our magical tools. They're like the spells wizards use to conjure amazing feats!

Starting with the Equals Sign (=): Every time you want to cast a spell (or use a formula) in Excel, you start with an equals sign (=). This is like telling Excel, "Hey, I'm about to do some magic!"
Simple Arithmetic: Excel can handle all the basic maths operations you learned in school.
- Addition: =5+3 (This will show the number 8 because 5 plus 3 is 8.)
- Subtraction: =9-4 (This will show the number 5.)
- Multiplication: =6*2 (This will show the number 12.)
- Division: =8/2 (This will show the number 4.)

4 - Using Cell References

Imagine your Excel sheet as a big city, and each cell is a house in that city. Just like every house has an address, every cell in Excel has its own unique address, known as a cell reference.

What's a Cell Reference?:

A cell reference is like the address of a house. For example, "A1" means the cell in column A and row 1. It's like saying "1st Street, House A" in our city analogy.

Why Use Cell References?:

Let's say you're keeping track of the number of chocolates you and your friend eat. Today, you ate 5 chocolates, and your friend ate 3. Tomorrow, maybe you'll eat 7, and your friend will eat 4. Instead of changing the formula every time, you can just update the numbers in the cells, and Excel will do the maths for you!

How to Use Them in Formulas:

If you put the number 5 in cell A1 and the number 3 in cell B1, you can create a formula in another cell, say C1, like this: =A1+B1. When you press Enter, cell C1 will show the number 8. If you change the number in A1 or B1, the result in C1 will automatically update!

Mixing Numbers and Cell References:

You can also mix cell references and actual numbers in a formula. For example, if you want to add 2 to the number in A1, you'd write: =A1+2.

The Magic of Cell References:

Think of cell references as magic pointers. Instead of telling Excel, "add 5 and 3," you're saying, "add the number in the house A1 to the number in the house B1." This way, even if the numbers in those houses change, your formula still knows where to look!

Remember, using cell references is like having a magic map of your Excel city. No matter where you go or what changes you make, the map always guides your formulas to the right places!

5 - Formula Auditing: The Magical Detective Tool

In the world of Excel, while our formulas are powerful spells, sometimes we need a special magnifying glass to ensure they're working just as we intended. That's where formula auditing comes into play!

What is Formula Auditing?

Imagine you're a wizard detective. You've cast a spell, but you're not sure where all the magic is coming from or if it's working right. Formula auditing is like your magical map that shows you the path your spell takes. It helps you see which cells are involved in your formula and if they're doing what they're supposed to.

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Introduction to Excel Formulas

Teacher Class Feed

1 - (re)Introduction to Excel Formulas

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2 - Excel Formulas Magic

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3 - The Basics of Formulas

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4 - Using Cell References

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5 - Formula Auditing: The Magical Detective Tool

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