Purpose
This workshop empowers delegates to:
This unit standard is intended for people who need to enhance spreadsheet appearance using a Graphical User
Interface (GUI)-based spreadsheet application either as a user of computers or as basic knowledge for a career
needing this competency, like the ICT industry.
People credited with this unit standard are able to:
• Create and edit a graph/chart.
• Load data from an external data source to produce a given spreadsheet result.
• Insert and edit objects in a spreadsheet.
The performance of all elements is to a standard that allows for further learning in this area
Learning assumed to be in place and recognition of prior learning
The credit value of this unit standard is calculated assuming a person is competent in:
• Mathematical literacy and communication skills at least at NQF level 3.
• Use generic functions in a Graphical User Interface (GUI)-environment (ID 117902 – NQF level 1).
• “Use a Graphical User Interface (GUI)-based spreadsheet application to solve a given problem” (ID 116940 – NQF
level 3).
Unit Standard Range
• This standard is applicable to any spreadsheet application that runs on any Graphical User Interface (GUI)
operating system.
• Where wording are not exact for the chosen operating system, the learner can choose the equivalent item or
option to demonstrate competence in the specific outcome or assessment criteria.
Learning Outcomes
1. Create and edit a graph.
• The major graph types are defined in terms of their purpose.
• A graph is created from a given data source.
• A graph is edited.
• The graph type is changed.
• A graph is copied and moved based on given specifications.
• A graph is resized.
• A graph is deleted from a spreadsheet.
2. Load data from an external data source to produce a given spreadsheet result.
• The external data file is checked to ensure that the input into a spreadsheet will achieve the required results.
• The format of the input file is determined to ensure correct input into a spreadsheet.
• The data is copied into the spreadsheet.
• The resulting spreadsheet is in accordance with the given spreadsheet result.
3. Insert and edit objects into a spreadsheet.
• An object is inserted into a spreadsheet.
• A selected object is manipulated in a spreadsheet.
• Use a drawing tool to draw an object in the spreadsheet.
Unit Standard Essential Embedded Knowledge
• Performance of all elements is to be carried out in accordance with organisation standards and procedures,
unless otherwise stated. Organisation standards and procedures may cover: quality assurance, documentation,
security, communication, health and safety, and personal behaviour.
• Performance of all elements complies with the laws of the country operating, especially with regard to copyright,
privacy, health and safety, and consumer rights.
• All activities must comply with any policies, procedures and requirements of the organisations involved, the
ethical codes of relevant professional bodies and any relevant legislative and/or regulatory requirements.
• Performance of all elements is to be completed within the normal range of time and cost that would be
expected in a professional environment (e.g. In a commercial or government organisation).
Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO):
Unit Standard CCFO Identifying
• Identify and solve problems in which responses display that decisions using critical and creative thinking have
been made by using a spreadsheet application to perform calculations.
Unit Standard CCFO Organising
• Organise and manage oneself and one`s activities responsibly and effectively by using a spreadsheet application
to organize information into rows and columns for a specific purpose.
Unit Standard CCFO Collecting
• Collect, analyse, organise, and critically evaluate information by using a spreadsheet application to organize and
perform calculations.
Unit Standard CCFO Communicating
• Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written
persuasion when engaging with the subject by using a spreadsheet application to organize information into rows
and columns for a specific purpose to each communication.
Unit Standard CCFO Science
• Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health
of others by using a spreadsheet application effectively.
Unit Standard CCFO Demonstrating
• Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by understanding the application of
formats, effects and graphics in documents.
Use a Graphical User Interface (GUI)-based spreadsheet
application to solve a given problem
NQF Level 3 SAQA ID 116940 6 Credits
Duration of Programme – 1 Day SETA – MICT SETA Accreditation – LPA/00/2014/01/3154
Certification – On successful completion of the programme and relevant assessments, internal moderation and
quality assurance processes, learners will be awarded a Certificate of Completion
Purpose
This unit standard is intended for people who need to plan, produce, use and spreadsheets to solve problems using a
Graphical User Interface (GUI)-based spreadsheet application either as a user of computers or as basic knowledge
for a career needing this competency, like the ICT industry
People credited with this unit standard are able to:
• Prepare and produce a spreadsheet to provide a solution to a given problem.
• Adjust settings to customise the view and preferences of the spreadsheet application.
• Work with multiple worksheets.
• Apply formulae to worksheets to provide alternative solutions to a problem.
• Apply simple built-in functions of the spreadsheet application to the given problem.
• Apply formatting to a spreadsheet applicable to the given problem.
• Use special effects to improve the presentation of the spreadsheet.
• Evaluate a spreadsheet.
The performance of all elements is to a standard that allows for further learning in this area.
Learning assumed to be in place and recognition of prior learning
The credit value of this unit standard is calculated assuming a person is competent in:
• Mathematical literacy and communication skills at least at NQF level 2.
• ID 117902: Use generic functions in a Graphical User Interface (GUI)-environment, NQF level 1.
• ID 116937 Use a Graphical User Interface (GUI)-based spreadsheet application to create and edit spreadsheets,
NQF level 2.
Unit Standard Range
This standard is applicable to any spreadsheet application that runs on any Graphical User Interface(GUI) operating
system:
• Where wording are not exact for the chosen operating system, the learner can choose the equivalent item or
option to demonstrate competence in the specific outcome or assessment criteria.
The performance of all elements is to a standard that allows for further learning in this area.
Learning assumed to be in place and recognition of prior learning
The credit value of this unit standard is calculated assuming a person is competent in:
• Mathematical literacy and communication skills at least at NQF level 2.
• ID 117902: Use generic functions in a Graphical User Interface (GUI)-environment, NQF level 1.
• ID 116937 Use a Graphical User Interface (GUI)-based spreadsheet application to create and edit spreadsheets,
NQF level 2.
Unit Standard Range
This standard is applicable to any spreadsheet application that runs on any Graphical User Interface(GUI) operating
system:
• Where wording are not exact for the chosen operating system, the learner can choose the equivalent item or
option to demonstrate competence in the specific outcome or assessment criteria.
Learning Outcomes
1. Prepare and produce a spreadsheet to provide a solution to a given problem.
• An outline solution is developed to meet the requirements of a given brief.
• The spreadsheet produced addresses the given problem.
2. Adjust settings to customise the view and preferences of the spreadsheet application to suite the solution
created for the given problem.
• Toolbar menus are switched off and on.
• The view of the spreadsheet is enlarged and made smaller.
• The way that the spreadsheet is viewed is changed.
• Cells are frozen to prevent scrolling.
• The default file location is changed.
• A user name is added to the file.
3. Work with multiple worksheets to suite the solution to the given problem.
• The purpose of using multiple worksheets within one spreadsheet file are explained with examples.
• New worksheets are opened.
• Worksheets are renamed in terms of their purpose within the solution to the given problem.
• Cells are manipulated between worksheets.
• A worksheet within a workbook (or spreadsheet) is deleted.
4. Apply formulae to worksheets to provide alternative solutions to the given problem.
• Formulae are entered taking into consideration the natural order of operation.
• Formulae are entered to deliberately change the natural order of operation.
• Formula error messages are correctly interpreted and the formula corrected accordingly.
• The difference between relative and absolute cell addressing is demonstrated by using it in a formula.
• Data are changed to test possible solutions to the given problem without having to change formulae.
• Scenarios are created that demonstrate different possible outcomes.
5. Apply simple built-in functions of the spreadsheet application to the given problem.
• Functions are explained in terms of their purpose, use and construct.
• Simple Mathematical functions are applied to the given problem.
• Statistical functions are applied that achieve the anticipated result.
6. Apply formatting to a spreadsheet applicable to the given problem.
• Methods of automatically formatting a spreadsheet are explained.
• A spreadsheet is created using a template.
• Cells are formatted using styles.
• Formats are copied between cells.
7. Use special effects to improve the presentation of the spreadsheet.
• Text is centered across a cell range.
• Orientation of text within a cell is changed.
• A border is applied to cells and removed from cells.
• Fill (shading) is applied to cells and removed from cells.
8. Evaluate a spreadsheet to comply with the given problem.
• The spreadsheet is evaluated for compliance with a given problem, appropriate formatting, readability,
legibility, presentation, accuracy, and data integrity.
• The spreadsheet is modified if required and compliance with the brief is confirmed.
Unit Standard Essential Embedded Knowledge
• Performance of all elements is to be carried out in accordance with organisation standards and procedures,
unless otherwise stated. Organisation standards and procedures may cover: Quality assurance, documentation,
security, communication, health and safety, and personal behaviour.
• Performance of all elements complies with the laws of the country operating, especially with regard to copyright,
privacy, health and safety, and consumer rights.
• All activities must comply with any policies, procedures and requirements of the organisations involved, the
ethical codes of relevant professional bodies and any relevant legislative and/or regulatory requirements.
• Performance of all elements is to be completed within the normal range of time and cost that would be
expected in a professional environment (e.g. In a commercial or government organisation).
Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO):
Unit Standard CCFO Identifying
• Identify and solve problems in which responses display that decisions using critical and creative thinking have
been made by using a spreadsheet application to perform calculations.
Unit Standard CCFO Organising
• Organise and manage oneself and one`s activities responsibly and effectively by using a spreadsheet application
to organize information into rows and columns for a specific purpose.
Unit Standard CCFO Collecting
• Collect, analyse, organise, and critically evaluate information by using a spreadsheet application to organize and
perform calculations.
Unit Standard CCFO Communicating
• Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written
persuasion when engaging with the subject by using a spreadsheet application to organize information into rows
and columns for a specific purpose to each communication.
Unit Standard CCFO Science
• Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health
of others by using a spreadsheet application effectively.