Organise data before calculating

1 · Learn

A spreadsheet arranges cells into rows and columns. A reference such as B3 identifies column B, row 3. Headings should explain each field and its units. Put one meaningful value in each data cell when you want reliable calculations.

Numbers stored as text may not behave like numbers in calculations. A missing value is not always the same as zero. Keep the distinction clear instead of filling blanks with invented values.

2 · Worked example

For an invented stall, column A holds item names, B quantity and C price in pounds. I keep units in the heading instead of typing 'three items' into a numerical quantity cell.

3 · Your turn

Which cell is in column C and row 4? Why should an unknown quantity not automatically become 0?

4 · Apply your learning

Create a small fictional table with explicit headings and inspect how text, numbers and blanks behave.