← Years 5–6 Data & Information

Spreadsheet rows, columns and cells

A grid of columns (letters, running down) and rows (numbers, running across). A cell is where a column and row meet, like B3. Each worksheet holds one grid.

Part of: 5-6 Digital Technologies Vic Curric - Data, Information and Privacy — Module 14, VCE Applied Computing - U1O1 - Data analysis — Module 1, 7-8 Digital Technologies: Acquiring, storing and validating data — Module 3, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 5–6 — Representing Data with Numbers — Module 23, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8 — Acquiring and Storing Data — Module 31, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8 — Analysing and Visualising Data — Module 2, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 9–10 — Acquiring and Validating Data — Module 52

Understanding Spreadsheet rows, columns and cells in Years 5–6 Data & Information

What it does: B3 is the cell where column B and row 3 meet. Columns run down and are named with letters like A, B and C. Rows run across and are named with numbers. The column letter comes first, then the row number, so it is B3. Column headings are letters. Row headings are numbers, so 4 is a row. A worksheet is one page of a spreadsheet. It holds a whole grid with many cells.

Common mistakes: Columns run down the sheet, not across. Rows are the ones that run across. Line 1 should say: Columns run down: A, B, C. Rows are labelled with numbers (1, 2, 3). Letters are used for columns. Line 1 should say: Rows have numbers: 1, 2, 3.

Class: _____________________  ·  Name: _____________________  ·  Date: _________

Free printable worksheet with full answer key — or add this module to a class and your students practise it interactively.

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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 way do columns run in a spreadsheet?
Down the sheet, labelled with lettersAcross the sheet, labelled with numbers
Matches
Cell 4C
↓
The row number was written before the column letter. A cell name puts the column letter first, so it should be C4.
Applying
Meanings
Term
spreadsheet
Meaning
A grid of columns (letters, running down) and rows (numbers, running across). A cell is where a column and row meet, like B3. Each worksheet holds one grid.
Practice
Columns have letters and run down.
Testing
Gaps
Columns run down and are named with
Check Answer
Spots
1Columns run across: A, B, C
2Rows run across: 1, 2, 3

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Quick Questions

1. Which way do columns run in a spreadsheet?
A. Down the sheet, labelled with letters ✓
B. Across the sheet, labelled with numbers
Columns run down and are named with letters like A, B and C. Rows run across and are named with numbers.
2. Which way do rows run in a spreadsheet?
A. Across the sheet, labelled with numbers ✓
B. Down the sheet, labelled with letters
Rows run across the sheet from left to right and have numbers like 1, 2 and 3.
3. What is a cell in a spreadsheet?
A. The whole grid of columns and rows
B. The box where a column and a row meet ✓
A cell is one box in the grid. It sits where a column and a row meet. The whole grid is the worksheet.
4. Which cell is where column B meets row 3?
A. B3 ✓
B. 3B
The column letter comes first, then the row number, so it is B3.
5. Which one is a column heading?
A. 4
B. D ✓
Column headings are letters. Row headings are numbers, so 4 is a row.

Match the Pairs

B → A column letter - it names a column that runs down the grid
3 → A row number - it names a row that runs across the grid
A cell is where a column and a row meet, and its name is the column letter then the row number → B3
The very first cell in a worksheet is in column A and row 1 → A1
Cell 4C → The row number was written before the column letter. A cell name puts the column letter first, so it should be C4.
Rows have letters and columns have numbers → The letters and numbers are swapped. Columns have letters (A, B, C) and rows have numbers (1, 2, 3).

Key Term

spreadsheet
A grid of columns (letters, running down) and rows (numbers, running across). A cell is where a column and row meet, like B3. Each worksheet holds one grid.

Fill in the Blanks

1. Columns run down and are named with letters
Hint: Type what columns are labelled with: A, B, C and so on.
2. Rows run across and are named with numbers
Hint: Type what rows are labelled with: 1, 2, 3 and so on.
3. Column B and row 3 meet in cell B3
Hint: Type the cell reference: the column letter first, then the row number.
4. A cell is where a column and a row meet
Hint: Type the word for one box in the spreadsheet grid.
5. Each worksheet holds one grid of cells
Hint: Type the word for the page in a spreadsheet that holds one grid.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A Columns run across: A, B, C
B Rows run across: 1, 2, 3
C Cell = column + row
D Example cell: B3
Line A — Columns run down the sheet, not across. Rows are the ones that run across. Line 1 should say: Columns run down: A, B, C.
Question 2
A Rows have letters: A, B, C
B Rows run across the sheet
C Columns have letters: A, B
D Cell C2 is column C, row 2
Line A — Rows are labelled with numbers (1, 2, 3). Letters are used for columns. Line 1 should say: Rows have numbers: 1, 2, 3.
Question 3
A Column B holds the names
B Row 1 holds the headings
C Cell B1 is row B, column 1
Line C — In a cell name the letter is the column and the number is the row. B1 is column B, row 1, not row B, column 1.
Question 4
A Column C runs down the sheet
B Row 4 runs across the sheet
C Cell C4 is in column 4, row C
Line C — Columns have letters and rows have numbers. Cell C4 is in column C and row 4, where the two meet.
Question 5
A Worksheet: Class Scores
B Column A: student names
C Column B: scores
D Each worksheet has many grids
Line D — Each worksheet holds just one grid of columns, rows and cells. The line should say: Each worksheet holds one grid.

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