Meet the Spreadsheet: Cells, Rows and Columns

A spreadsheet is a grid of boxes where you can store numbers and text, and ask the computer to do calculations for you.

The basic parts

• A cell is one box in the grid.
• A row goes across and has a number: 1, 2, 3...
• A column goes down and has a letter: A, B, C...
• Every cell has an address made of its column and row, such as B3.
• A sheet is one grid. A file (a workbook) can contain several sheets, shown as tabs at the bottom.

Entering data

1. Click a cell and type.
2. Press Enter to go down, or Tab to move right.
3. Click a cell and press F2 on a computer, or double-click, to edit what is inside.

Spreadsheets treat numbers and text differently. Numbers can be added up. Text, such as a product name, cannot.

Set up a table the right way

Put column headings in the first row and one record per row beneath them.

Avoid empty rows and columns in the middle of your data, and avoid putting two pieces of information in one cell.

Save early and often

Give your file a clear name, such as Shop-Sales-2026. Turn on automatic saving if your program offers it, and keep a backup copy in cloud storage.

Your task

Create a new spreadsheet and enter ten items you sold or bought recently, with a date, item, quantity and price for each.