Office Productivity Tools (Word Processing, Spreadsheet, Presentation)
What this domain tests
This domain tests practical use of word processing, spreadsheet and presentation software: formatting, formulas, cell references, charts, slide masters and print settings.
Word processing rules
- Use styles and headings for consistent formatting; manually bolding every heading is error-prone.
- Page setup controls margins, orientation and paper size; headers and footers repeat on pages.
- Mail merge combines a main document with a data source to produce personalised letters.
- Track Changes records edits; comments do not alter the text itself.
Spreadsheet rules
- Every formula starts with =. A cell reference can be relative (A1), absolute ($A$1) or mixed ($A1, A$1).
- SUM, AVERAGE, COUNT, MAX, MIN and IF are common functions. SUM ignores text and blank cells.
- Charts display data; sorting rearranges rows; filtering hides rows without deleting them.
Presentation rules
- A slide master controls the theme and layout of all slides.
- Transitions move between slides; animations act on objects within a slide.
- Notes help the presenter; handouts print slides for the audience.
Worked example
Cell D3 contains =$B$2C3. Copy it down to D4. The absolute part $B$2 stays fixed, while relative C3 becomes C4, giving =$B$2C4. If B2 holds 10 and C4 holds 7, the result is 70.
Traps that cost marks
Transitions are not animations. Deleting a cell shifts data; clearing removes content only. A formula typed without = is treated as text. An absolute reference needs both dollar signs.