Lesson 4: Start Spreadsheet Records

A spreadsheet is not only a grid.

A spreadsheet is a way to store records, apply rules, and produce evidence from data. If the records are messy, the formulas and charts will be messy too.

Today you will build the first version of a classroom spreadsheet.

Records before charts

A record is one row about one item.

A field is one column that describes the same kind of information for every row.

For example:

This table is useful because each column has one job.

A weak version would mix several ideas in one cell:

Home page, done, revised twice, needs better links

That is harder to count, sort, filter, or chart.

Choose a simple dataset

Use one of these approved options:

• your portfolio artifacts;
• a teacher-supplied class sample;
• a fictional project inventory; or
• another approved classroom dataset.

Do not use private student information. No grades, phone numbers, addresses, personal identifiers, or private account data.

Plan columns intentionally

Your spreadsheet needs at least four columns.

A good starter structure:

Artifact
Category
Status
Revision Count

Possible status values:

Not started
Draft
Revised
Ready for review

Keep the values consistent. If one row says Ready and another says ready for Review, a formula or filter may treat them as different categories.

Add formulas

Create at least two formulas.

Examples:

COUNT the number of artifacts
COUNTIF the number marked Ready for review
SUM the total revision count
AVERAGE the revision count

The exact formula syntax depends on your spreadsheet tool. Use Excel or the approved fallback your teacher gives you.

The important idea is the same:

A formula is a repeatable rule applied to selected cells.

Lab 4: Build a spreadsheet evidence table

Create a spreadsheet with at least six records and four columns.

Then add:

• one formula that counts records;
• one formula that summarizes a category, status, or revision count;
• a clear title for the sheet; and
• column names that explain the fields.

Example evidence table:

Check the formula range

A formula can be syntactically valid and still answer the wrong question.

If your formula accidentally ignores the last row, the result may look reasonable but be wrong.

Check:

• What cells does the formula read?
• Does the range include every needed row?
• Does the range include the header by accident?
• Would the formula still work if you add one more record?

Evidence checkpoint

Save:

• the spreadsheet file or approved classroom equivalent;
• a screenshot or written record of the column names;
• the two formulas you used;
• the cell ranges each formula reads; and
• one sentence explaining what the spreadsheet result proves.

Do not claim more than the data supports. A spreadsheet can show that six portfolio artifacts were listed. It cannot prove the artifacts are high quality unless your evidence fields actually measure quality.