Intermediate
60 mins
Teacher/Student led
+65 XP

Unit 1 Recap and Multi-sheet Workbook Workshop

Review your multi-sheet workbook to confirm it meets Unit 1 spreadsheet outcomes. Work with your teacher to spot gaps, make fixes, and reflect on a technique that has improved your project data handling.

Teacher Class Feed

Load previous activity

    1 - Introduction ~5 mins

    Welcome

    Unit 1 teaching is done. Today is a check-and-fix workshop: does your multi-sheet workbook actually show the Unit 1 skills, and can you name one technique that already changed how you handle numbers on your Something Real project?

    SEC means the exam and course outcomes your teacher has on the board. In plain words, Unit 1 asks you to show: a multi-sheet file with clear jobs, clean data entry, formulas including at least one IF, and sensible file formats when you share work.

    Your teacher will run a short outcome check on the class screen using one shared demo file, then you fix gaps in your own workbook and write a short Unit 1 reflection for your portfolio.

    By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

    • Demonstrate Unit 1 SEC outcomes on a multi-sheet workbook
    • Fix gaps identified in a teacher check of your workbook
    • Reflect on one Unit 1 technique that changed how you think about spreadsheets

    Warm-up

    Look at the class screen: Aoife's phone-case workbook shows three tabs named {{code:data}}, {{code:summary}}, and {{code:charts}}. Thumbs up if your own file already has three clearly named tabs. Thumbs sideways if you still have {{code:Sheet1}} or only one sheet. No need to shout names out: this is a private self-check so we know who needs pair support before the audit.

    2 - Key Concepts ~6 mins

    Key point

    Unit 1 is complete when your workbook shows these habits, not when you can only name them. Today you will mainly fix three things:

    • Named sheets with clear jobs (not Sheet1)
    • Clean data on the source sheet (headings, no blank mid-table rows)
    • Summary formulas including at least one IF that answers a real question
    Tip

    Use this short checklist while you work. Your teacher will point at the fuller board version during the demo.

    ConceptWhy it mattersExample
    Multi-sheet workbook — one file with several named worksheets, each with a clear jobAssessors find answers faster when raw numbers, totals, and visuals are not piled on one sheetTabs named {{code:data}}, {{code:summary}}, {{code:charts}}
    Data input best practice — headings in row 1, no blank rows mid-table, one fact per row, consistent types per columnSort, filter, charts, and formulas fail quietly when the table is messyEuro prices in one column, whole-number quantities in the next
    Standard functions on a summary sheet — SUM, AVERAGE, COUNT/COUNTA pulled from the data sheetThe spreadsheet stops being a list and starts answering your project question{{formula:=SUM(data!C2:C6)}} for total stock
    Logical formula (IF) — a formula that makes a decision from a conditionUnit 1 wants decisions, not totals alone{{formula:=IF(B2>=40,"Stock healthy","Top up soon")}} on the summary sheet

    3 - Step-by-step Task ~15 mins

    With your teacher, walk the shared sample multi-sheet workbook {{code:sm3_unit1_demo}} against the Unit 1 checklist. Stay on the class demo for this step: you will confirm sheet jobs, check data hygiene, test one logical formula, and jot one personal gap to fix on your own project file in Independent practice.

    4 - Common Issues ~4 mins

    Common Issues

    IssueSolution
    My tabs are still called Sheet1, Sheet2, Sheet3Double-click each tab and rename it to the job it does ({{code:data}}, {{code:summary}}, {{code:charts}}). Vague names fail the multi-sheet outcome even if the numbers are fine.
    Sort mixed up my prices and item namesYou probably sorted one column only. Select the full data block including headings (all columns in the table), then sort again so whole rows move together.
    My summary formula shows 0 or an errorCheck the sheet name in the reference matches the real tab name, and that the range points at number cells. In Sheets and Excel for the web, {{code:data!C2:C6}} only works if a sheet is actually named {{code:data}}.
    I cannot find {{code:sm3_from_template}} or the demoStart at {{code:Project_Portfolio}} → {{code:09_specialism}} → {{code:sm3}}. Own project work uses your {{code:sm3_from_template}} file there. The class audit uses the teacher file {{code:sm3_unit1_demo}} only.
    I have totals but no logical formulaAdd one simple IF that answers a project question (stock low, hours over target, cost over budget). Unit 1 wants standard functions and logical formulas, not totals alone.
    Which file format should I keep?Keep the working workbook in Excel for the web or Google Sheets. Export {{code:.csv}} only when someone needs plain values, and {{code:.pdf}} when a supervisor or club treasurer needs a finished one-page share without editable formulas.

    5 - Independent Practice ~20 mins

    Independent Practice

    Your goal: Bring your own multi-sheet project workbook up to a bankable Unit 1 standard, then capture a short honest reflection so your portfolio shows both the fixed file and how your spreadsheet thinking has changed. If your file still has Sheet1 tabs or no IF yet, that is normal: pick the biggest gap first and get that solid before polishing everything else.
    Time: ~20 minutes
    Task: Open your {{code:Project_Portfolio}} folder, go to {{code:09_specialism/sm3}}, and open your own {{code:sm3_from_template}} workbook (Excel for the web or Google Sheets). Work in this order so you bank solid evidence even if time runs short:

    1. Sheets (~8 min) — Rename to at least three clear tab names with real jobs (for example {{code:data}}, {{code:summary}}, {{code:charts}}).
    2. Data (~4 min) — Tidy the source block: headings in row 1, no blank mid-table rows, consistent types per column.
    3. Formulas (~5 min) — On the summary sheet, add at least one working SUM/AVERAGE/COUNT and one IF tied to a real Something Real question (stock, hours, or budget). If your live project data cannot support a decision flag yet, add a few sample stock/hours/budget rows today, build the IF on those, and note in the reflection that you will swap in live figures next week.
    4. Reflection (~3 min) — Create {{code:sm3_unit1_reflection}} in the same {{code:sm3}} folder.

    Create the reflection file
    Microsoft 365: In {{code:onedrive.com}}, open {{code:sm3}}, click {{btn:New}} then {{btn:Word document}}, and name it {{code:sm3_unit1_reflection}}.
    Google Workspace: In {{code:drive.google.com}}, open {{code:sm3}}, click {{btn:New}} then {{btn:Google Docs}}, and name it {{code:sm3_unit1_reflection}}.

    Paste these three headings, then write full sentences under each:
    (1) Three Unit 1 habits I can do
    (2) One habit still to practise
    (3) One concrete way Unit 1 improved a project decision

    Worked sample (adapt to your project, do not copy blindly):
    (1) I can name three sheets by job, keep headings in row 1, and use SUM across sheets.
    (2) I still need to practise IF formulas that use my live hours data.
    (3) A summary total showed my Work Experience travel cost was higher than I expected, so I cut one optional trip.
    Success criteria:
    • Must-fix: At least three clearly named sheets and a tidy data block with headings and no mid-table blank rows
    • Must-fix: Summary sheet shows at least one automatic total/average/count and one working IF-style decision line (project data or labelled sample rows are both acceptable today)
    • Should / Write: {{code:sm3_unit1_reflection}} sits in {{code:sm3}} with the three headings completed in full sentences (brief is fine; blank is not)
    123learn · Online learning platform

    Unlock the full learning experience

    You're previewing this lesson. Get full access to this lesson and hundreds more — each one ready to teach, with interactive activities, printable resources and pupil progress tracking built in.

    Hundreds of curriculum-aligned lessons
    Interactive activities in every lesson
    Printable resources & progress tracking
    Copyright Notice
    This lesson is copyright of Coding Ireland 2017 - 2025. Unauthorised use, copying or distribution is not allowed.
    🍪 Our website uses cookies to make your browsing experience better. By using our website you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more