← Years 5–6 Data & Information

Cell references like A1

A cell reference. It names one spreadsheet cell by its column letter (B) then its row number (3). A range like A1:A5 names a group of cells.

Part of: 5-6 Digital Technologies Vic Curric - Data, Information and Privacy — Module 15, VCE Applied Computing - U1O1 - Data analysis — Module 2, 7-8 Digital Technologies: Acquiring, storing and validating data — Module 4, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 5–6 — Representing Data with Numbers — Module 24, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8 — Acquiring and Storing Data — Module 32, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8 — Analysing and Visualising Data — Module 3

Understanding Cell references like A1 in Years 5–6 Data & Information

What it does: Write the column letter C first and then the row number 7 to get C7. The active cell is the one you have clicked. The name box shows its reference, such as D4. The number in a cell reference is the row. D2 is in column D and row 2. A range uses a colon to name a group of cells. A1:A5 includes A1, A2, A3, A4 and A5. The range A1:A5 starts at A1 and ends at A5. That is A1, A2, A3, A4 and A5, which makes 5 cells.

Common mistakes: Rows are labelled with numbers (1, 2, 3), not letters. Letters label the columns. The line should be: Row numbers: 1, 2, 3. A cell reference gives the column letter first, then the row number. It should be D5, not 5D.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 11–20) and word search (Modules 1–20).

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Learning
Duo
Which cell reference names the cell in column B, row 3?
B33B
Matches
3B
↓
The row number is written before the column letter. It should be B3, with the letter first.
Applying
Meanings
Term
B3
Meaning
A cell reference. It names one spreadsheet cell by its column letter (B) then its row number (3). A range like A1:A5 names a group of cells.
Practice
B3 = column B, row 3
Testing
Gaps
Column C, row 4 is cell
Check Answer
Spots
1Column letters: A, B, C
2Row numbers: A, B, C

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Quick Questions

1. Which cell reference names the cell in column B, row 3?
A. 3B
B. B3 ✓
A cell reference always puts the column letter first, then the row number. So column B and row 3 is B3.
2. Which one is a correct cell reference?
A. A1 ✓
B. 1A
The column letter comes before the row number. A1 is column A, row 1.
3. Cell C5 is in which column?
A. Column C ✓
B. Column 5
The letter in a cell reference shows the column. The number shows the row. C5 is in column C, row 5.
4. Cell D2 is in which row?
A. Row 2 ✓
B. Row D
The number in a cell reference is the row. D2 is in column D and row 2.
5. You click a cell and the Name Box shows B4. What does this tell you?
A. The whole of column B is selected
B. B4 is the active cell ✓
The active cell is the cell you have selected. Its reference, such as B4, shows in the Name Box.

Match the Pairs

B3 → The cell in column B, row 3
A1:A5 → A range of cells from A1 down to A5 in column A
The cell reference for the cell where column C meets row 7 → C7
The active cell is the selected cell, and its reference shows in the name box → Name box: D4
3B → The row number is written before the column letter. It should be B3, with the letter first.
A1-A5 → A range uses a colon, not a hyphen. It should be A1:A5.

Key Term

B3
A cell reference. It names one spreadsheet cell by its column letter (B) then its row number (3). A range like A1:A5 names a group of cells.

Fill in the Blanks

1. Column C, row 4 is cell C4
Hint: Type the cell reference: the column letter first, then the row number.
2. Cell B3 is in column B and row 3
Hint: Type the row number that comes after the column letter.
3. Cells A1 to A5 are written A1:A5
Hint: Type the symbol that goes between the first and last cell in a range.
4. Active cell: B3, column letter: B
Hint: Type the column letter from the active cell's reference.
5. Range A1:A5 starts at A1 and ends at A5
Hint: Type the reference of the last cell in the range.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A Column letters: A, B, C
B Row numbers: A, B, C
C Cell reference: B3
Line B — Rows are labelled with numbers (1, 2, 3), not letters. Letters label the columns. The line should be: Row numbers: 1, 2, 3.
Question 2
A Click column D, row 5
B That cell is now active
C The Name Box shows its address
D Active cell reference: 5D
Line D — A cell reference gives the column letter first, then the row number. It should be D5, not 5D.
Question 3
A Cell C4 is in column 4
B Cell C4 is in row 4
C Its reference is C4
Line A — Columns are named with letters. The C in C4 is the column, and 4 is the row. The line should say column C.
Question 4
A Range A1:A5 names a group
B It starts at cell A1
C It ends at cell B5
D It has 5 cells in column A
Line C — The range A1:A5 ends at cell A5, which is in column A. B5 is in a different column, so it is not the end of this range.
Question 5
A A1 holds 4
B A2 holds 6
C In B1 type =A+A2
D B1 shows 10
Line C — A cell reference needs a column letter and a row number. A on its own is not a cell. It should be =A1+A2.

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