Spreadsheets/Operating a spreadsheet application

ICAU1130A

From the official document:

"This unit defines the competency required to correctly operate spreadsheet applications and perform basic operations."

A spreadsheet in action

Basically, that means you'll be able to open a spreadsheet program (such as Microsoft Excel or Open Office) and enter data (text, numbers or symbols) into rows and columns. You will be able to perform simple calculations on or create graphs from the data – quickly and easily.

For more details about what you'll be able to demonstrate, please read the official Operate a spreadsheet application document.

This unit forms part of the Foundation units for Australian IT Qualifications

How this unit will help you

After learning and applying the skills required by this unit you'll be able to demonstrate your skills in:

• Entering text, numbers an symbols into a new spreadsheet and saving your spreadsheet in an appropriate place.
• Formatting your spreadsheet to use different fonts, margins, headers and footers etc. as required (even copying the formatting from another spreadsheet!).
• Configuring toolbars for the spreadsheet application.
• Adding formulas to perform simple calculations in your spreadsheet (and correcting errors when things go wrong!).
• Using a number of common tools such as autofill.
• Creating charts that visualise your data and adding pictures to improve the visual appearance of your spreadsheet (You'll need to be able to modify their settings too).
• Saving your spreadsheet in a different format (such as OpenDocumentFormat or Excel 2000 format).
• Printing your spreadsheet (or selected worksheets) and modifying basic printer settings.

Ideas for learning the required skills

Classroom tuition and activities will be provided by your facilitator, but before long you will want to start experimenting with your own ideas and learning! A good textbook might be helpful (your facilitator may recommend one) There are also plenty of great online resources (see the Microsoft tutorials below) that you might like to try when you feel ready.

Recommended tutorial series

• Roadmap to Excel 2003 training from Microsoft - these tutorials are excellent quality with audio and practical exercises to help you practise.
• Spreadsheets/Spreadsheet challenges - Challenges 1,2 and 6 are ready to go!

Text books

The following text books are developed specifically for this unit of competency:

• Operate a spreadsheet application (Excel 2003)

If you want to test your knowledge with some questions, try the Spreadsheets/Spreadsheet quiz questions

Ideas for demonstrating this unit

The best way to demonstrate these skills is show your assessor that you can create spreadsheets with all the criteria outlined in the official document for this unit (and summarised above).

You might complete an assignment for handing in, or book a time with your facilitator to demonstrate your skills on the spot with a practical demonstration. Chat with your own facilitator to find out what options are available to you.

Notes and discrepancies

• ...