Be able to create a table with a specified number of rows and columns

ICT 0417 – Layout: Creating Tables (and Related Layout Skills)

Learning Objective

Students will be able to create a table with a specified number of rows (r) and columns (c) using a word‑processor or spreadsheet, apply appropriate table‑specific formatting, use a house‑style, proof the table, and manage the file in line with the Cambridge IGCSE ICT (0417) syllabus.

Key Concepts

• Table structure: a grid of rows (r) and columns (c); each intersection is a cell.
• Table parts

  • Header row – first row, contains column headings.
  • Body rows – rows that hold the main data.
  • Footer row – optional, often used for totals or notes.

• Table‑specific formatting (required by the syllabus)

  • Merging & splitting cells
  • Applying borders, shading, and colour
  • Horizontal & vertical alignment of text
  • Setting column width and row height
  • Using built‑in table styles and creating a custom house‑style

• Layout context: tables sit within a broader document layout that includes:

  • Headers & footers (with automatic page numbers)
  • Page size, orientation, margins and gutter
  • Pagination and section breaks

• Proofing within tables: spell‑check, grammar check, data validation, and visual verification of totals directly in the table.
• Linking to a spreadsheet: importing data, refreshing linked tables, and using spreadsheet formulas for calculations.
• File management: naming, saving, exporting (PDF), and compressing evidence files for the practical exam.
• E‑safety: keep personal data secure; store files on a password‑protected device and avoid sharing sensitive information.

Step‑by‑Step Procedure – Creating a Table

1. Start the application

   • Open a desktop word‑processor that can be used offline (e.g., Microsoft Word, LibreOffice Writer, OpenOffice Writer) or a spreadsheet program (e.g., Microsoft Excel, LibreOffice Calc).

2. Set up the page layout (optional but recommended)

   • Insert ► Page Setup → choose A4 (or Letter), set Portrait orientation.
   • Define margins (e.g., 2 cm all sides) and a gutter of 1 cm if the document will be bound.
   • Insert ► Header/Footer → add a header with the document title and a footer with automatic page numbers ({PAGE}).

3. Insert the table

   • Insert ► Table ► Insert Table… (or use the grid selector).
   • Enter the required number of rows r and columns c in the dialog box and click OK.

4. Define the header row

   • Type column headings in the first row.
   • Apply a Table Header style: bold, centred, shaded (e.g., light grey).

5. Table‑specific formatting

   • Merging cells: select the cells to merge ► Table ► Merge Cells (useful for a title that spans all columns).
   • Splitting cells: select a merged cell ► Table ► Split Cells.
   • Borders & shading: select the whole table ► Table ► Table Properties ► Borders & Shading – choose line style, colour, and apply shading to alternate rows (banded rows).
   • Alignment: select a column ► Table ► Cell ► Alignment – set horizontal (left/centre/right) and vertical (top/middle/bottom) alignment.
   • Column width: drag column borders or set an exact width in Table Properties → Column.
   • House‑style for tables:

     1. Open the Style Manager (e.g., Home ► Styles).
     2. Create a new style called “Table‑House‑Style”**.
     3. Define font, size, colour, cell padding, border style, and shading that match the document’s overall house‑style.
     4. Select the whole table ► apply the newly created style.

6. Enter data

   • Populate the body rows with the required information.
   • If the table is linked to a spreadsheet, use Insert ► Object ► Spreadsheet (or Paste Special ► Link) and then edit the data in the linked sheet.

7. Proof the table (integrated step)

   • Run Spelling & Grammar while the cursor is inside the table – the check will highlight errors in headings and data cells.
   • Use Data Validation (in a spreadsheet) to restrict entry types (e.g., whole numbers, dates) and to display error messages.
   • Visually verify that:

     • All headings are correct.
     • Totals or formulas calculate correctly.
     • Shading, borders and alignment are consistent with the house‑style.

8. Save, export and compress

   • File ► Save As – use a clear naming convention, e.g., TimetableStudentName.docx or SalesDataStudentName.xlsx.
   • Export a copy as PDF for submission (File ► Export ► PDF).
   • Place the native file, the PDF, and any linked spreadsheet in a folder named Evidence_StudentName, then compress the folder to .zip for the practical exam.

Example – 3 × 4 Table (Header + 3 Data Rows)

The table below has r = 3 data rows and c = 4 columns. The header row is not counted in r but forms part of the overall table.

Diagram – Table Grid

Practice Activity – Weekly Timetable

Create a table that records a student’s weekly timetable.

• Columns: 7 – one for each day (Monday – Sunday).
• Rows: 5 – one header row for the days and four rows for Period 1 to Period 4.

Follow the step‑by‑step procedure above, ensuring you apply a house‑style, proof the table, and save both the native and PDF versions.

1. How many total cells does the table contain?
2. If you need to add a “Break” column between Period 2 and Period 3, how many columns will the table have?
3. Write the LaTeX expression for the total number of cells in terms of r and c.
4. Evaluation (AO3): Discuss how you would modify this timetable for a different audience (e.g., a teacher vs. a parent) and why those changes improve communication.

Answer Key (Teacher Use)

Additional Layout Skills (Brief Overview)

Common Mistakes to Watch

• Counting only data rows and forgetting the header row – the header also counts as a row.
• Leaving cells blank unintentionally; use a placeholder such as “–” if no data applies.
• Neglecting to apply the house‑style, resulting in inconsistent fonts, colours or borders.
• Forgetting to merge cells for a table title or to split cells when a layout change is needed.
• Saving only in the native format and omitting a PDF copy for the exam.
• Including personal or sensitive data in the evidence file – this breaches e‑safety rules.

Summary

Creating a table for the IGCSE ICT exam requires you to:

1. Specify the number of rows r and columns c.
2. Insert the table and add a header row.
3. Apply table‑specific formatting (merge, borders, shading, alignment) and a consistent house‑style.
4. Enter data, optionally link to a spreadsheet, and proof the table using spell‑check and data validation.
5. Save, export as PDF, and compress the evidence folder.

Mastery of these steps, together with related layout functions (headers/footers, margins, pagination, styles, proofing, file management, and e‑safety), equips students to meet the AO2 (apply skills) and AO3 (analyse/evaluate) requirements of the Cambridge IGCSE ICT practical examinations.