MS—SPREADSHEET
 

(Open only to members in grades 5-9 who have affiliated middle level division.)

Spreadsheet Applications allows members to demonstrate their ability to organize, analyze, and present business data using spreadsheet software. Through a production test, members apply essential skills in data management, formulas, and charting to solve real-world business problems.

 

Event Overview

Division: Middle School
Event Type: Individual
Event Category: Production
Event Elements: Production Test
Production Test Time: 1 hour, due by date specified in the SLC Registration Packet
Educational Alignments

Items Competitor Must Provide: Computer for Production Test, Printed Production Test Reference Guide, Attire that meets the Florida FBLA Dress Code
Items FBLA Provides: Production Test Tasks

 Production Test Competencies

· Data Organization Concepts

· Creating Formulas

· Functions

· Generate Graphs (for analysis purposes)

· Filter & Sort

· Format & Print Options

Production tests are based on the knowledge areas and competencies outlined for this event. Detailed competencies can be found in the study guide included in these guidelines.

State

Eligibility

• FBLA membership dues are paid by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on February 1 of the current program year.

• Members must be registered for the SLC and pay the state conference registration fee to participate in competitive events.

• Members must stay within the official FBLA housing block of the official FBLA hotel block to compete.

• Each chapter may submit one individual or team in this event.

• Members may only compete in an event at the SLC more than once if they have not previously placed in the top 10 of that event at the NLC. If a member places in the top 10 of an event at the NLC, they are no longer eligible to compete in that event, unless the event has been modified beyond a name change. Chapter events are exempt from this procedure.

• Only competitors are allowed to plan, research, prepare, and set up their presentations.

• Each competitor must compete in all parts of an event for award eligibility.

·         If competitors are late for a production test, they may be either disqualified or permitted to begin late with no extension of the time as scheduled.  If competitors are late for a presentation time, they may be disqualified or placed later in the schedule.  The decision is solely up to the judges.

·         Participants must adhere to the Florida FBLA dress code established by the Florida Board of Directors or they will not be permitted to participate in the competitive event.

Recognition

·         The number of competitors will determine the number of winners. The maximum number of winners for each competitive event is 4.

Event Administration

o   This event consists of a one-hour production test that is proctored and completed prior to the State Leadership Conference at a site designated by the District Director.
o   Competitors will complete a set of tasks aligned to the event knowledge areas and competencies.

o   Submission Deadline: Production problems must be uploaded in the conference registration system by the date specified in the SLC registration packet.

o   The production test is administered and proctored by a faculty or staff member at a designed school-site prior to the SLC. Administration procedures for the production test are determined by the state chair/adviser.

o   The production test is a set of tasks based on the competencies for the competitor to complete.

o   Documents produced for this event must be prepared by the competitor without help from the adviser or any other person.

o   The Production Test Reference Guide, available on the Competitive Events section of the FBLA website (www.fbla.org), may be used during the test.

Scoring

·         The event will be scored by a rating sheet provided to the judges.
·         The event will be judged prior to the State Leadership Conference.
·         All judging decisions are final. Results announced at the State Leadership Conference are considered official and will not be changed after the conclusion of the State Leadership Conference.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

·         FBLA complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by providing reasonable accommodations for competitors. Accommodation requests must be submitted through the conference registration system by the official registration deadline. All requests will be reviewed, and additional documentation may be required to determine eligibility and appropriate support.

Penalty Points

·         Competitors may be disqualified if they violate the Competitive Event Guidelines or the Honor Code.

Electronic Devices

·         Unless approved as part of a documented accommodation, all cell phones, watches, electronic devices, and headphones must be turned off and stored away before the competition begins. Visible devices during the event will be considered a violation of the FBLA Honor Code.

National

If you are competing on the National level, be sure to see the National guidelines at https://www.fbla.org/collegiate/competitive-events/

Study Guide: Knowledge Areas & Competencies 

A. Formulas 

  • Create basic formulas with addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. 

  • Use SUM, MIN, MAX, COUNT, PMT, IF and AVERAGE functions while completing a spreadsheet template. 

  • Use and change mathematical functions and formulas, including absolute and relative cell references and what-if analysis. 

  • Construct arithmetic formulas to solve typical business-oriented problems. 

  • Create named ranges to be used in formulas and printing. 

  • Evaluate formulas and locate invalid data and formulas. 

  • Use cells from other worksheets inside a formula. 

  • Use the fill handle with formulas. 

 

B. Functions 

  • Demonstrate the functions and terminology of spreadsheet software. 

  • Open, save, print, and close a spreadsheet. 

  • Design, create, and edit spreadsheets using appropriate inputting, editing, and formatting skills. 

  • Navigate and enter values, labels, and dates within a worksheet. 

  • Demonstrate locking and freezing features. 

  • Use wrap text and fill alignment features to make cell entries. 

  • Import data from text files (insert, drag, and drop) and other applications. 

  • Export data to other applications. 

  • Create, edit, and remove a comment. 

  • Track changes (highlight, accept, and reject). 

  • Insert headers and footers in a spreadsheet. 

  • Manipulate multiple worksheets in a workbook. 

  • Use help features and reference materials to learn software and solve problems. 

 

C. Graphics, Charts, and Reports 

  • Create and modify charts and graphs to visually represent data. 

  • Import graphics elements in spreadsheet. 

  • Change colors and apply spot color to graphics and text. 

  • Add text boxes. 

  • Edit, resize, crop, and manipulate copy and graphics. 

  • Enhance and format charts. 

  • Create embedded charts. 

  • Add and format chart arrows. 

  • Explode pie charts. 

  • Create and format information in reports. 

 

D. Filter and Sorting Data 

  • Sort and filter spreadsheet data for specific information. 

  • Sort a list (ascending, descending, etc.). 

  • Search a list by using AutoFilter. 

  • Filter by numerical values, text, dates, etc. 

  • Analyze and edit data. 

 

E. Format and Print Options 

  • Format cell contents (font, color, alignment, shading, decimal). 

  • Insert, delete, copy, and paste cells. 

  • Enhance a spreadsheet by using formatting features (column width, justification, and values). 

  • Align the data and apply borders and/or shading to a cell or a range of cells. 

  • Apply number formats (accounting, currency, and number). 

  • Apply conditional formats. 

  • Create and modify custom data formats. 

  • Adjust page setup for landscape or portrait layout. 

  • Use print preview to view, proofread, and edit the spreadsheet. 

  • Print designated areas of the spreadsheet with or without gridlines. 

  • Use print scaling options (shrink to fit). 

  • Set print specifications for formulas, graphs, worksheets, etc. 

 

The Study Guide represents all knowledge areas that may be covered in the production test.