Spreadsheets and Presentation Software
What this domain tests
This domain tests spreadsheet calculation and presentation building. Expect questions on cell references, formulas, functions, charts, slide layouts, transitions, and animations.
Core rules
- A cell reference combines column and row, such as A1. A range is written A1:C10.
- Formulas begin with = and contain operators and references. Relative references (A1) change when copied; absolute references ($A$1) do not; mixed references lock only the column or row.
- Functions: SUM, AVERAGE, COUNT (numeric cells), COUNTA (non-empty cells), MAX, MIN, IF, and lookup functions.
- IF returns one value when a condition is true and another when false: =IF(B2>=50,"Pass","Fail").
- Charts visualise data: column, bar, line, pie, and scatter. Choose pie for parts of a whole and line for trends.
- Presentations use slides, layouts, and a slide master for consistent design. Transitions move between slides; animations move objects on a slide.
- Presenter notes are for the speaker; slide sorter view rearranges slides.
Worked example
A shop calculates a 10% discount in column C for prices in column B. Enter =B210/100 in C2, then copy down. Because B2 is relative, C3 becomes =B310/100. If a single tax rate is stored in E1, use =B2*$E$1 and copy down: the absolute reference keeps E1 fixed while B2 changes. Using B2*E1 instead would make row 3 refer to E2, producing wrong results.
Traps
- Typing a formula without the leading =, so it appears as text.
- Using relative references for a fixed rate.
- COUNT counts numbers only; COUNTA counts text too.
- Confusing transitions (slide to slide) with animations (objects within a slide).
- Circular references, where a formula refers to its own cell.