Computing · Stage 5

Formulas in a Spreadsheet

Programs & Judgement · data — write formulas that calculate from other cells, and watch the answer update by itself when a number changes

✦ Computing📘 Stage 5 · S5⏱ ~12 min🧒 Ages 9–10★ Free to start

I can use formulas that calculate and update.

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Kavi's Count That Fixes Itself

Kavi was counting treasure in a spreadsheet and groaned: "Every time I find one more acorn I have to add the whole row again!" Then Kavi tried a formula — in the total cell Kavi typed =B2+B3, and the cell worked out the answer all by itself. "Now watch," Kavi hooted, changing one of the numbers — "the total updates on its own! A formula calculates and keeps itself right."

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What your child will learn

1What makes a formulaA formula is a rule you put in a cell so the spreadsheet does the maths for you. It doesn't hold a plain number — it holds the rule for working one out. Tap each part to see its job.

2Type the answer, or type a formula?You could work out 4 + 3 in your head and type 7. But if that 4 later becomes a 9, the cell still says 7 — now it's wrong. A formula uses the cells, so it fixes itself.

3Change a cell — predict the new answerA formula recalculates the moment a cell it uses changes. Read each one, then pick what the cell will show after the change.

4How to write a formula that updatesMaking a formula is a little program — steps in order. Press ▶ Run and watch Kavi build a total that fixes itself.

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A peek inside

Cell B4 holds the formula =B2+B3. B2 is 6 and B3 is 2. What does B4 show?

a + formula adds the cells it names: 6 + 2

Try this at home: Every formula begins with the ____ sign.

Ready to play and learn?

Start the free interactive lesson, or print the handout for screen-free play.

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Part of Computing · Stage 5 · S5 on KAVI Academy — a secular, whole-child learning platform for ages 5–12.