Week 6: Google Sheets Class Note
Topic: Google Sheets
Duration: 1 Hour
Objective: By the end of this lesson, students should be able to create and manage
spreadsheets, apply basic formulas and functions, and use charts and graphs for data
visualization.
1. Introduction to Google Sheets (10 minutes)
● What is Google Sheets? Google Sheets is a cloud-based spreadsheet application that
allows users to create, manage, and collaborate on spreadsheets online.
● Getting Started with Google Sheets:
○ Access via Google Workspace (Google Drive > New > Google Sheets).
○ Interface Overview:
■ Menu Bar: File, Edit, View, Insert, etc.
■ Toolbar: Formatting, inserting functions, chart options, etc.
■ Cells, Rows, Columns: Fundamental components of a spreadsheet.
Practical:
● Open Google Sheets in your browser.
● Familiarize students with the layout and important menu options.
2. Creating and Managing Spreadsheets (15 minutes)
● Creating a Spreadsheet:
○ Start with a blank spreadsheet.
○ Rename the file by clicking on the title at the top.
○ Add data by typing into individual cells (A1, B2, etc.).
● Managing Spreadsheets:
○ Inserting and Deleting Rows/Columns:
■ Right-click on a row/column number/letter > Insert or Delete.
○ Adjusting Column Width and Row Height:
■ Drag the borders between letters/numbers, or right-click > Resize.
○ Freezing Rows/Columns:
■ Useful for locking headers while scrolling.
■ View > Freeze > Rows or Columns.
● Saving and Sharing:
○ Automatic saving in Google Drive.
○ Share with others by clicking on the "Share" button > Adjust permissions (View,
Comment, Edit).
Practical:
● Have students create a spreadsheet and input sample data (e.g., names, scores).
● Practice adding/deleting rows, adjusting sizes, and sharing the sheet with a partner.
3. Basic Formulas and Functions (20 minutes)
● Introduction to Formulas:
○ A formula starts with an equals sign (=), followed by the desired operation (e.g.,
=A1 + B1).
○ Example Operations:
■ Addition: =A1 + B1
■ Subtraction: =A1 - B1
■ Multiplication: =A1 * B1
■ Division: =A1 / B1
● Common Functions:
○ SUM: Adds up a range of cells.
■ Example: =SUM(A1:A10) adds values from A1 to A10.
○ AVERAGE: Calculates the average of a range.
■ Example: =AVERAGE(B1:B10)
○ COUNT: Counts the number of cells that contain numbers.
■ Example: =COUNT(C1:C10)
○ MIN/MAX: Finds the smallest/largest value in a range.
■ Example: =MIN(D1:D10), =MAX(D1:D10)
● Cell Referencing:
○ Relative Reference (default): When copied, changes relative to new position
(e.g., A1 becomes A2 if copied down).
○ Absolute Reference: Stays fixed when copied by using $ (e.g., $A$1 always
refers to cell A1).
Practical:
● Use a sample dataset (e.g., student scores or sales data).
● Have students apply SUM, AVERAGE, and MIN/MAX functions to columns of numbers.
4. Data Visualization (Charts and Graphs) (15 minutes)
● Why Visualize Data? Charts and graphs make it easier to see patterns, trends, and
relationships in data.
● Creating Charts in Google Sheets:
○ Select the data range to be visualized.
○ Insert > Chart.
○ Google Sheets automatically suggests a chart type, but you can change it from
the "Chart Editor" sidebar.
● Common Chart Types:
○ Bar Chart: Compare data across categories.
○ Line Chart: Show trends over time.
○ Pie Chart: Display proportions or percentages.
○ Scatter Plot: Show relationships between two variables.
● Customizing Charts:
○ Edit chart title, labels, and colors from the Chart Editor.
○ Adjust axis labels and gridlines for clarity.
○ Add data labels to display values directly on the chart.
Practical:
● Using the sample dataset, create a bar chart to visualize student scores or sales data.
● Encourage students to experiment with different chart types and customize them.
5. Conclusion and Q&A (5 minutes)
● Summarize the key points:
○ Creating and managing spreadsheets.
○ Basic formulas and functions like SUM, AVERAGE, and MAX.
○ Data visualization with charts and graphs.
● Open the floor for any questions or clarifications.
Assignment:
● Create a spreadsheet with sample data and apply at least three different functions.
● Create a chart to visualize the data, and share the spreadsheet with the instructor for
feedback.
