Microsoft Excel Online is more than just numbers, it is a powerful tool for data handling, visualisation, and problem-solving.
🔍 What does it do?
Microsoft Excel is a spreadsheet application. While often seen as a tool for accountants, in the classroom it is a powerful canvas for organising information, performing calculations, and turning raw data into visual charts and graphs. As part of Glow, it is available online, allowing pupils to collaborate on the same spreadsheet in real-time.
🎓 Why is it useful?
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Visualising Data: Instantly turn a table of survey results (like traffic surveys or favorite foods) into colorful bar charts or pie graphs to help pupils spot trends.
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Real-Time Collaboration: Multiple pupils can enter data into a single shared spreadsheet simultaneously – perfect for whole-class experiments.
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Maths in Action: It brings numeracy to life by using formulas to solve real-world problems, from managing a budget to tracking fitness results in PE.
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Anywhere Access: Works on iPads, PCs, and through any web browser via Glow, so learning can continue at home.
⚙️ How does it work?
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Log In: Access Excel via the OneDrive or Teams tile on your Glow Launchpad.
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Create a Table: Enter your labels in the top row and your data in the cells below.
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Insert Chart: Highlight your data, go to the Insert tab, and choose a chart type (e.g., Column or Pie).
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Collaborate: Use the Share button (top right) to invite others to edit the document with you.
Check out this handy Sway with detailed instructions on how to set up and use an Excel document online:
🚀 Beyond the Basics
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Automatic Graphs: After a class survey, have pupils use Excel to generate different types of graphs to see which one displays their data most clearly.
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Data Types: Type a list of countries or cities, then use the “Geography” Data Type (under the Data tab) to automatically pull in facts like population, area, and capital cities.
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Fitness Tracking: Record heart rates before and after exercise directly into a spreadsheet and use the “AutoSum” or “Average” formulas to analyse the class results instantly.
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Budgeting: Give pupils a “Virtual Budget” for a class trip. They can use Excel to track costs and see how changing one item (like the bus price) affects their total spend.
Quick Links
Microsoft Excel support webpage
Microsoft Basic Tasks in Excel
