Instructions
Let's learn about a super cool computer program called Microsoft Excel! It's like a digital notebook with lots of boxes that help us organize words and numbers. Follow the activities below to become an Excel expert!
Part 1: Meet the Spreadsheet!
A spreadsheet is the big grid you see in Excel. It's made of a few important parts. Draw a line to match the word to what it means.
| Column | A single box where a row and a column meet. |
| Row | Goes up and down. It is named with a LETTER (A, B, C...). |
| Cell | Goes from side to side. It is named with a NUMBER (1, 2, 3...). |
Part 2: Find the Secret Address!
Every cell has a special name called a cell address. You find it by using the column letter first, then the row number. For example, the top-left cell is A1.
Look at the grid below and answer the questions.
| A | B | C | |
| 1 | 🌟 | 🚀 | |
| 2 | 🐶 | ||
| 3 | 🍎 | 😃 |
- What is the cell address of the dog 🐶? ____________________
- What do you see in cell C1? ____________________
- What is the cell address of the apple 🍎? ____________________
- What do you see in cell C3? ____________________
Part 3: The Active Cell
The cell you are clicked on is called the active cell. It has a special, dark border around it. Circle the active cell in the grid below.
Part 4: Super Speedy Shortcuts!
Shortcut keys help you do things fast! Match the action with its keyboard shortcut.
- Copy: Makes a copy of something. The original stays!
- Cut: Takes something to move it somewhere else. The original disappears!
- Paste: Puts the item you copied or cut into a new cell.
| Action | Shortcut |
| Copy | Ctrl + X |
| Paste | Ctrl + C |
| Cut | Ctrl + V |
Part 5: Magic Math with the SUM Function
Tired of adding numbers? The SUM function is like a magic spell that adds them up for you! The spell always starts with an equals sign (=).
Look at this list of party supplies. We want to find the total cost in cell B4.
| A | B | |
| 1 | Item | Cost |
| 2 | Balloons | 10 |
| 3 | Hats | 5 |
| 4 | Total | ? |
To find the total, you would type this formula into cell B4: =SUM(B2:B3)
This tells Excel to add the numbers from cell B2 through cell B3.
What number will appear in cell B4 after you type the formula? ________________
Answer Key
Part 1: Meet the Spreadsheet!
- Column → Goes up and down. It is named with a LETTER (A, B, C...).
- Row → Goes from side to side. It is named with a NUMBER (1, 2, 3...).
- Cell → A single box where a row and a column meet.
Part 2: Find the Secret Address!
- B2
- A rocket 🚀
- A3
- A smiley face 😃
Part 3: The Active Cell
The student should have circled the cell in the second row, second column, which has the thick black border.
Part 4: Super Speedy Shortcuts!
- Copy → Ctrl + C
- Paste → Ctrl + V
- Cut → Ctrl + X
Part 5: Magic Math with the SUM Function
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