Present data

Mark schemes require that all data, labels AND formulae are FULLY VISIBLE on the printed evidence. A column left too narrow cuts a value or formula off, or shows it as ####, and loses the mark even when the underlying formula is correct. Before printing, widen columns, adjust row height or wrap text so nothing is truncated.

When a task asks for the formulae as evidence, printing only the calculated VALUES does not prove that a working formula (rather than a typed-in number) produced each result. Switch to formula view and print that as well, making sure the formulae themselves are not truncated. Printing values alone is the common slip.

"Format numeric data appropriately" means setting the EXACT number of decimal places and the EXACT currency symbol the task states — not applying some currency format and leaving the software default. A value showing 1 decimal place, or none, when 2 were required loses the formatting mark even though the stored number is correct. Check every affected cell, not just one.

A rule meant to highlight negative numbers must test the cell's numeric VALUE, e.g. less than 0 (< 0). Searching the cell's DISPLAYED text for a minus sign fails whenever the format shows negatives differently: accounting/bracket format displays minus 150 as (150.00), with no minus character at all, so the text search finds nothing and nothing is highlighted.

Replicating a formula down a range copies the CALCULATION but does not reliably carry the DISPLAY formatting — replicated cells can revert to a different number of decimal places or lose the currency symbol. After replicating, select the whole range and re-apply, or check, the currency and decimal-place formatting on every affected cell rather than assuming it copied.

Hiding a row or column only removes it from view and from printing; the data and any formulae that reference it are kept, and it can be shown again. Deleting permanently removes the data and breaks any formula that referenced it (#REF!). To keep columns out of a printout without losing data, hide them — never delete.

The print area is the specific range chosen to be sent to the printer; every cell outside it is simply not printed, even though it still exists in the worksheet. Forgetting to set the print area prints the whole sheet — including working cells the task did not ask for — while setting it too small omits required data.