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Year 7

Sorting and searching data

I can use spreadsheet tools to sort and search data to find and analyse information.

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New
New
Year 7

Sorting and searching data

I can use spreadsheet tools to sort and search data to find and analyse information.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Data can be sorted in ascending or descending order.
  2. Filters can be applied to hide data that is not needed for a purpose.
  3. A sort or filter can be applied to a data set to make it easier to analyse or visualise information.
  4. A function is a predefined formula in a spreadsheet that can help with calculations.

Keywords

  • Sort - arranging data into a meaningful order

  • Filter - given criteria used to show a subset of a data set

  • Function - a predefined formula that performs a calculation

Common misconception

When a filter is applied to a data set the data that is filtered is removed permanently.

A filter can be applied to data to remove selected data from a data set. However, this data is not permanently removed, if the filter is taken off the data will still be there.


To help you plan your year 7 computing lesson on: Sorting and searching data, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

additional-material

File needed for this lesson

  • Olympic medal data 215.07 KB (XLSX)

Download this file to use in the lesson.

The file available for this lesson is based on data from a previous Olympic Games. The data set can be easily changed if you feel pupils in your school would relate better to a different example.
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Teacher tip
equipment-required

Equipment

Pupils will require access to a device with software that provides spreadsheet capabilities.

copyright

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
What symbol must you use at the beginning of a cell when you want to use a function or a formula in that cell?
Correct Answer: =, equals
Q2.
Name the function that tells you the highest value in a range of cells.
Correct Answer: MAX
Q3.
Name the function that tells you the lowest value in a range of cells.
Correct Answer: MIN
Q4.
Name the function that tells you the number of non-blank cells.
Correct Answer: COUNTA
Q5.
Give the cell range for the first 10 cells of column B.
Correct Answer: B1:B10
Q6.
Give the cell range for all of the cells in column A.
Correct Answer: A:A

4 Questions

Q1.
Applying a to data arranges it into a different order.
Correct Answer: sort
Q2.
When a filter is applied to a data set the data that is filtered is removed permanently.
true
Correct answer: false
Q3.
Match the function to its description.
Correct Answer:MIN,returns the lowest value in a range of cells
tick

returns the lowest value in a range of cells

Correct Answer:MAX,returns the highest value in a range of cells
tick

returns the highest value in a range of cells

Correct Answer:SUM,returns the total value of a range of cells
tick

returns the total value of a range of cells

Correct Answer:COUNTA,returns the total number of non-empty cells in a range of cells
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returns the total number of non-empty cells in a range of cells

Correct Answer:COUNTIF,returns the total number of cells that meet set criteria
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returns the total number of cells that meet set criteria

Correct Answer:IF,returns different things depending on a criterion
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returns different things depending on a criterion

Q4.
What is the function that adds up all the values in a selected range and then divides by how many items there are in the range?
Correct answer: AVERAGE
SUM
MIN
MAX