JIFIS INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
Computing — Year 4 Study Notes
Numbers and Data: Working with Values
Name: _____________________________ Date: _______________
What you will learn
• How to change a decimal into a percentage.
• How to make a pie chart from spreadsheet data.
• How to make a bar chart from spreadsheet data.
• How to copy a chart into another document.
Key Vocabulary
Word What it means
Percentage A way of writing a fraction out of 100. It uses the % sign.
Decimal A number written with a point, like 0.12
Pie chart A round chart split into slices to show how a total is made up of
different parts.
Segment One slice of a pie chart.
Bar chart A chart that uses bars of different heights to compare values.
Column chart Another name for a bar chart in spreadsheet programs.
Legend / Key The part of a chart that explains what each colour means.
Formula A calculation typed into a spreadsheet cell, always starting with =
1. Turning a Decimal into a Percentage
When you divide two numbers in a spreadsheet, the answer is shown as a decimal, for example 0.12. You can
change this decimal into a percentage.
Steps
1. Click on the cell that holds the decimal number.
2. Go to the Home tab.
3. Click the % button (the percentage symbol).
4. The cell will now show the value as a percentage, for example 12%.
Remember:
A percentage is just a different way of writing a fraction out of 100.
2. Making a Pie Chart
A pie chart is a round chart split into slices. Each slice is called a segment. The bigger the fraction, the bigger the
slice.
Steps to make a pie chart
5. Select the data you want to show. Choose the labels (words) and the numbers.
6. Do NOT select the percentages or the total.
7. Click the Insert tab.
8. Click the pie chart symbol and choose a pie chart style, for example 3-D Pie.
9. Click on the Chart Title and type a new title.
The legend (key) tells you what each colour on the chart means.
3. Making a Bar Chart
A bar chart (also called a column chart) uses bars of different heights to compare values. Bar charts make it easy
to compare numbers quickly, just by looking.
Steps to change a chart into a bar chart
10. Click on the chart to select it.
11. Open the Design tab.
12. Click Change Chart Type.
13. Choose Column chart, then pick a style.
14. Click OK to finish.
4. Using Charts in Other Documents
You can copy a chart from a spreadsheet and paste it into another document, such as a word processor or a
presentation.
Steps
15. Click on the chart to select the whole chart.
16. Right-click and choose Copy (or press CTRL+C).
17. Open the other document.
18. Paste the chart (CTRL+V).
Digital citizen tip:
Charts should always look good AND be easy to understand. Add a title, labels and a key so readers know
what the chart shows.
Revision Questions
19. What is a percentage?
20. What symbol do you type before a formula in a spreadsheet?
21. Name the two types of chart you have learned about in this unit.
22. What is a segment?
23. What does a legend (key) show you on a chart?
24. Change 0.5 into a percentage. Change 0.25 into a percentage.
25. Why is it useful to use charts instead of just numbers to show data?
26. How would you copy a chart from a spreadsheet into a word processor document?
Quick Self-Check
• I can turn a decimal into a percentage. ☐
• I can make a pie chart from spreadsheet data. ☐
• I can make a bar chart from spreadsheet data. ☐
• I can copy a chart into another document. ☐