Instructions and screenshots are from Excel but can easily be transferred to Google Docs email me if any issues amacleod2y@gnes.net
Changing Formatting
1. Click into the cell or select the range of cells (click once and drag down/across).
2. Right click and choose format cells.
3. Choose the appropriate format and click OK.
Basic Formulae
FORMULA
WHEN WOULD I USE IT?
ADDING
=C3+D3
SUBTRACTING
=E2-A12
MULTIPLYING
=A12*B15
DIVIDING
=B4/C4
SUM
=SUM(A3:G3)
MAX
=MAX(B2:H2)
MIN
=MIN(B2:H2)
To add two numbers together.
To take one number away from another.
To multiply one cell by another.
To divide one cell by another.
To add more than 2 numbers together.
To find the highest number in a list of cells.
To find the lowest number in a list of cells.
AVERAGE
=AVERAGE(B2:H2)
ABSOLUTE CELL
REFERENCE
=$B$4*C12
% OF A NUMBER
=C4*10%
To work out the average value in a list of cells.
Using F4 ‘protects’ cell for use in all future
formulas. If the formula is copied, it will always
use the same cell protected by the $ signs.
To find out a certain percentage of a number.
CELL AS A % OF
ANOTHER
To find what % a cell is of another cell.
E.g. What percentage a student got in a test.
If the test possible score is in B12 and the actual
=ACTUAL
NUMBER/POSSIBLE result is in D15 then you would do =D15/B12. If you
want to replicate this for a range of cells make
NUMBER
sure you F4/absolute the possible number (B12)
To find what percentage increase/decrease one
PERCENTAGE
figure is from another.
DIFFERENCE
E.g.
How
much
higher or lower As were this year
=(NEW NUMBER-OLD
compared to last?
NUMBER)/OLD
NUMBER
IFS
Automatically Convert a Percentage to a Grade Using a IFS Formula
To set up a formula that automatically converts a percentage into a grade:
1. Select the cell where you want the grade to appear.
2. Click the FX button to insert a formula.
3. In the search bar, type and select IFS.
Setting Up the Logic
The IFS function allows you to create multiple “if-then” conditions. Here’s how to use it:
●
●
Logical Test: This is what the computer checks — for example, A4 >= 70%.
Value if True: This is the result that appears if the condition is met — for example,
"A".
Important:
●
Click the cell containing the percentage (e.g., A4) before entering the
condition.
●
Always put quotation marks (" ") around the grade since it's a text
value.
●
Use the Tab key to move between conditions and values as you build
the formula.
Example: Converting Standard Percentages to Letter Grades (A to NA)
Here’s a sample structure using standard grading:
Conditional Formatting
Conditionally Format Grades with Colors
To make your grade data visually clear, you can apply conditional formatting to automatically
change the cell color based on the grade (e.g., A = green, NA = red).
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Select (click once and drag) the range of cells that contain the grades (e.g.,
B2:B100).
2. Go to the Home menu and choose Conditional Formatting.
3. Then choose manage rules and new rule.
4. Choose only cells that contain and from the drop down choose specific text and
containing.
5. Click format and then fill and choose the appropriate colour.
6. Set your rules like this:
For each condition:
○
Enter the grade.
○
Choose a fill color that represents it.
○
Click Done OK (Excel).