← Years 5–6 Data & Information

Formulas start with =

A spreadsheet formula starts with = and works out a result from cell values. This one adds A1 and B1, and the answer shows in the cell.

Part of: 5-6 Digital Technologies Vic Curric - Data, Information and Privacy — Module 22, VCE Applied Computing - U1O1 - Data analysis — Module 6, VCE Data Analytics - U3O1 - Data Analytics — Module 59, 7-8 Digital Technologies: Acquiring, storing and validating data — Module 8, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8 — Acquiring and Storing Data — Module 43, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8 — Analysing and Visualising Data — Module 10

Understanding Formulas start with = in Years 5–6 Data & Information

What it does: The = at the start makes this a formula. It subtracts B4 from B3 and shows the result in the cell. Typing 12 puts the number 12 in the cell. A formula like =A1+B1 would work it out instead. Every formula starts with =. This tells the spreadsheet to calculate instead of just showing what you typed. 15 is a typed value that you entered yourself. =A1+B1 is a formula that calculates its answer from other cells. Only =A1+B1 is a formula, so it calculates 2 + 7 = 9. Without the =, C1 would just show the text A1+B1.

Common mistakes: The cell shows the result of the formula, not the formula itself. C1 should show 12, which is 5 + 7. A formula must start with an equals sign. Without it the spreadsheet treats A1+B1 as plain text. It should be =A1+B1.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 21–30) and word search (Modules 21–56).

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Learning
Duo
Which one is a spreadsheet formula?
=A1+B1A1+B1
Matches
A1+B1
↓
The equals sign is missing at the start, so the spreadsheet does not calculate. It just shows the text A1+B1. Fix: =A1+B1
Applying
Meanings
Term
=A1+B1
Meaning
A spreadsheet formula starts with = and works out a result from cell values. This one adds A1 and B1, and the answer shows in the cell.
Practice
=A1+B1
Testing
Gaps
A1+B1
Check Answer
Spots
3C1: =A1+B1
4C1 shows: =A1+B1

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Quick Questions

1. Which one is a spreadsheet formula?
A. =A1+B1 ✓
B. A1+B1
A formula must start with an equals sign (=). Without it, the spreadsheet just shows the text A1+B1.
2. What do you type first to tell a spreadsheet you are writing a formula?
A. The equals sign = ✓
B. The plus sign +
Every formula starts with =. This tells the spreadsheet to calculate instead of just showing what you typed.
3. A1 holds 4 and B1 holds 6. You type =A1+B1 in C1. What shows in cell C1?
A. =A1+B1
B. 10 ✓
The cell shows the result of the formula, which is 4 + 6 = 10. The formula itself stays in the formula bar.
4. Which cell contains a typed value, not a formula?
A. A cell where you typed 15 ✓
B. A cell where you typed =A1+B1
15 is a typed value that you entered yourself. =A1+B1 is a formula that calculates its answer from other cells.
5. A1 holds 3 and B1 holds 5. You type =A1+B1 in C1. Then you change A1 to 10. What happens to C1?
A. It stays at 8
B. It updates to 15 ✓
A formula uses the current cell values. When A1 changes, the result in C1 is recalculated and becomes 10 + 5 = 15.

Match the Pairs

=A1+B1 → A formula that adds the values in cells A1 and B1 and shows the total in the cell
=C2*D2 → A formula that multiplies the values in C2 and D2 and shows the answer in the cell
A formula starts with an equals sign so the spreadsheet calculates a result from cell values → =B3-B4
A typed value is just stored as it is. It does not calculate anything because it has no equals sign → 12
A1+B1 → The equals sign is missing at the start, so the spreadsheet does not calculate. It just shows the text A1+B1. Fix: =A1+B1
A1+B1= → The equals sign is at the end instead of the start. A formula must begin with =. Fix: =A1+B1

Key Term

=A1+B1
A spreadsheet formula starts with = and works out a result from cell values. This one adds A1 and B1, and the answer shows in the cell.

Fill in the Blanks

1. =A1+B1
Hint: Type the symbol every spreadsheet formula must start with
2. =A1+B1
Hint: Type the operator that adds the two cells together
3. =A1+B1
Hint: Type the cell reference for column A, row 1
4. =A1+B1
Hint: Type the cell reference for column B, row 1
5. =A2*B2
Hint: Type the operator that multiplies the two cells

Spot the Error

Question 1
A A1: 5
B B1: 7
C C1: =A1+B1
D C1 shows: =A1+B1
Line D — The cell shows the result of the formula, not the formula itself. C1 should show 12, which is 5 + 7.
Question 2
A C1: A1+B1
B A1: 4
C B1: 6
D C1 shows: 10
Line A — A formula must start with an equals sign. Without it the spreadsheet treats A1+B1 as plain text. It should be =A1+B1.
Question 3
A A1: 3
B B1: =A1x2
C B1 shows: 6
Line B — Spreadsheets use * to multiply, not the letter x. The formula should be =A1*2.
Question 4
A A1: 10
B B1: A1-4=
C B1 shows: 6
Line B — The equals sign goes at the start of a formula, not the end. It should be =A1-4.
Question 5
A A1: 5
B B1: 6
C C1: =A1+B2
D C1 shows: 11
Line C — The formula uses B2, which is empty, instead of B1. It should be =A1+B1 to give 11.

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