AccountsISC Class 12 · Accounting Application of Electronic Spread Sheet

Spreadsheet Charts, Sorting, Querying and Filtering: ISC Class 12 Accounts

Q: Do I need to know a specific chart wizard?

No. The syllabus names the wizard generally; describe the steps in plain terms.

Q: What is a field and a record?

A field is a column heading with its data; a record is a row for one item.

Q: Why must a database list have no blank rows?

Blank rows can break the list into two parts for sorting and filtering.

Q: Can I print only a chart?

Yes, select the chart and print, after previewing.

Updated 17 October 2026 · Draft, not yet fact-checked

Charts present spreadsheet data visually: column or bar charts compare values, line charts show trends over time, and pie charts show each part's share of a whole. A spreadsheet database is a list with a heading row of field names and one record per row. Sorting rearranges the records in order of a field; a query or filter displays only the records meeting stated criteria and hides the others.

Match the chart to the question: columns compare, lines show change over time, pie slices show shares, with angle = Value ÷ Total × 360°.

Illustration drawn for QuestionBuddy.

Understand Spreadsheet Charts, Sorting, Querying and Filtering a Database

Part 1: Graphs and charts

Using the chart wizard. Select the data, including the headings that will become labels. Choose the chart command, then the chart type, check the data range and series, add titles, labels, gridlines and legend, and choose where to place the chart (on the sheet or a new sheet). Preview, then print the chart or the sheet.

Types and uses

Column / bar chart: compares values of different items (sales of each region).
Line chart: shows change over time (monthly sales).
Pie chart: shows the share of each part in the whole, for one data series only. The angle of a slice = Value ÷ Total × 360°.
Others: area, scatter, combined charts; choose the one that answers the question.

Formatting. Chart title and axis titles; grid lines (horizontal lines across the plot area that help read values; major and minor); legend (the key that tells which colour or pattern belongs to which series); data labels; colours and fonts. Chart colours and size can be changed after creation.

Part 2: Database in a spreadsheet

Creation. A database (data list) holds data in rows and columns. Each column is a field with a unique heading in the first row; each row is a record. Keep the list free of blank rows and columns and of merged cells so that sorting and filtering work.

Sorting. Rearranges records by one or more fields: ascending (A to Z, smallest to largest, earliest to latest) or descending. A multi-level sort uses a second field to break ties. Sorting changes the order of whole records, not just one column.

Query and filtering. A filter (for example AutoFilter) displays only records that meet criteria and hides the rest; hidden rows are not deleted and reappear when the filter is cleared. Criteria can be combined: AND needs both conditions true; OR needs at least one. A query asks the data a question, such as "which South region salesmen sold more than ₹40,000?", and the filtered rows are its answer.

Chart or table? Use a chart for patterns and comparison, a table when exact figures matter.

Spreadsheet Charts, Sorting, Querying and Filtering a Database: key facts

Pie chart slice angle: Value ÷ Total × 360° | for each part; The angles add to 360°.
Pie chart share: Value ÷ Total × 100 | per cent; The shares add to 100%.
Chart choice: Comparison column or bar
Trend over time line
Share of whole pie; Common usage.
Filter criteria: AND: both conditions true | OR: at least one true; Combine criteria carefully.
Database structure: Field = column with a heading | Record = row of data; No blank rows or columns.

Comparison	column or bar
Trend over time	line
Share of whole	pie

How to answer Spreadsheet Charts, Sorting, Querying and Filtering a Database questions

Read the question: is it asking for a chart type, a chart calculation, a sort result or a filter result?

1For chart-type questions, state the purpose (compare, trend, share) and match the chart.
2For pie questions, total the parts and compute each angle.
3For sorting, list the records in the new order and handle ties with the second key.
4For filters, test each record against every criterion; AND must satisfy all, OR any.
5Count rows or add values if the question asks.

Spreadsheet Charts, Sorting, Querying and Filtering a Database in real life

The idea, met in an everyday situation. Answer the question in your own words, then compare with the model answer. The one-line hook is what to remember.

Picking the right chart

Suppose a canteen owner has monthly sales for a year and also wants to show how the year's total sales divide between snacks, meals and drinks.

Which chart should be used for each purpose?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Monthly sales over a year show a trend: a line chart.
The division of the year's total between three categories is a share of a whole: a pie chart.

Answer: A line chart for the monthly trend and a pie chart for the category shares.

Memory hook: Trend means line; share means pie.

Tricks to remember Spreadsheet Charts, Sorting, Querying and Filtering a Database

Short memory aids. Say each one aloud once, then use it on a question the same day.

T-C-S
Trend is line, Compare is column, Share is pie.
Use it when: Choosing a chart.
Field is a column, record is a row
Fields run down; records run across.
Use it when: Database terms.
AND narrows, OR widens
AND gives fewer rows; OR gives more.
Use it when: Filter criteria.

Spreadsheet Charts, Sorting, Querying and Filtering a Database: solved examples

Ordered from board level to HOTS. Try each one before you open the solution.

Example 1: Which chart shows shares? · 1 mark · MCQBoard level

A chart best suited to show the share of each part in a total is:
(a) line chart
(b) pie chart
(c) scatter chart
(d) area chart for time series

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

A pie chart divides a circle into slices proportional to each part.

Answer: (b) pie chart

Example 2: Steps to create a column chart · 3 marks · Short answerBoard level

List the steps to create a column chart of the sales of five branches and to add a legend and grid lines. (3 marks)

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Select the branch names and sales including headings.
Choose the chart wizard, pick column chart, check the data range and series.
Add chart and axis titles, turn on grid lines and the legend, choose the location, then preview and print.

Answer: Select data with headings; chart wizard, column type, confirm range; add titles, grid lines and legend; choose location; preview and print.

Example 3: Pie chart calculation · 6 marks · Long answerHarder board level

Sales of eight salesmen are: Asha (North) 45,000; Bilal (South) 62,000; Chirag (North) 38,000; Divya (East) 54,000; Esha (South) 47,000; Farhan (East) 71,000; Gita (North) 62,000; Hari (South) 29,000. Prepare the data for a pie chart of sales by region: the total for each region, share and angle of each slice. (6 marks)

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

North = 45,000 + 38,000 + 62,000 = ₹1,45,000. South = 62,000 + 47,000 + 29,000 = ₹1,38,000. East = 54,000 + 71,000 = ₹1,25,000.
Total = ₹4,08,000.
Angle = value ÷ 4,08,000 × 360: North 127.9°, South 121.8°, East 110.3°; they add to 360°.

Answer:

Region	Sales (₹)	Share of total	Angle of slice
North	1,45,000	35.54%	127.9°
South	1,38,000	33.82%	121.8°
East	1,25,000	30.64%	110.3°
Total	4,08,000	100%	360°

Example 4: Multi-level sort · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level

Sort the eight records above by Sales in descending order, and by Name in ascending order where sales are equal. Give the resulting order. (3 marks)

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Highest sales first: Farhan 71,000.
Bilal and Gita both have 62,000; Name ascending puts Bilal before Gita.
Then Divya 54,000, Esha 47,000, Asha 45,000, Chirag 38,000, Hari 29,000.

Answer:

Rank	Name	Region	Sales (₹)
1	Farhan	East	71,000
2	Bilal	South	62,000
3	Gita	North	62,000
4	Divya	East	54,000
5	Esha	South	47,000
6	Asha	North	45,000
7	Chirag	North	38,000
8	Hari	South	29,000

Example 5: AND versus OR in a filter · 3 marks · Short answerHOTS / competency

Apply two filters to the eight records. (a) Region = South AND Sales > 40,000. (b) Region = South OR Sales > 60,000. State the number of rows and total sales displayed in each, and explain why (b) shows more rows. (3 marks)

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

(a) Bilal 62,000 and Esha 47,000 satisfy both: 2 rows, total ₹1,09,000.
(b) South: Bilal, Esha, Hari; sales above 60,000: Bilal, Farhan, Gita. Union: Bilal, Esha, Farhan, Gita, Hari = 5 rows, 62,000 + 47,000 + 71,000 + 62,000 + 29,000 = ₹2,71,000.
OR accepts a record meeting either condition, AND needs both, so OR cannot show fewer rows.

Answer: (a) 2 rows, ₹1,09,000. (b) 5 rows, ₹2,71,000. OR includes every record that meets at least one condition.

Where students lose marks in Spreadsheet Charts, Sorting, Querying and Filtering a Database

The slips examiners see most often, and what to write instead.

Mistake: Using a pie chart for a trend
Pie charts look attractive.
Wrong working
Pie chart of 12 monthly sales to show growth
Right working
Line chart of monthly sales
Do this: Use pie only for shares of a whole.
Usually costs: 1 mark.
Mistake: Pie angles that do not add to 360
Using percentages of the wrong total.
Wrong working
127.9 + 121.8 + 100 = 349.7
Right working
127.9 + 121.8 + 110.3 = 360
Do this: Total the parts first and re-add the angles.
Usually costs: 1-2 marks.
Mistake: Sorting one column only
Selecting a single column before sorting.
Wrong working
Sales sorted but Names left in place
Right working
Whole record sorted together
Do this: Sort the entire list so records stay intact.
Usually costs: 1-2 marks.
Mistake: Thinking a filter deletes rows
Hidden rows disappear from view.
Wrong working
Filtering removes the other records
Right working
The other rows are only hidden and return when the filter is cleared
Do this: Say hidden, not deleted.
Usually costs: 1 mark.

Exam tips

State the purpose of the chart before naming its type.
Draw a small table of values, shares and angles for pie chart questions.
For filters, say which criterion each record meets or fails.
Describe the legend as the key to series and gridlines as lines to help read values.

Practice questions on Spreadsheet Charts, Sorting, Querying and Filtering a Database

Write each answer on paper first. Open the hint only if you are stuck, and the answer only when you have finished.

Q1 · 1 mark · MCQBoard level
The best chart for showing the monthly trend of sales over a year is:
(a) pie chart
(b) line chart
(c) database list
(d) filter
Hint
Change over time.
Answer
(b) line chart
Q2 · 3 marks · Short answerBoard level
Distinguish between sorting and filtering a database in a spreadsheet. (3 marks)
Hint
Order versus display.
Answer
Sorting rearranges all the records in order of one or more fields and all rows stay visible. Filtering displays only the records that meet stated criteria and hides the rest without deleting them.
Q3 · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level
Expenses are: Rent ₹20,000; Salaries ₹50,000; Other ₹30,000. Find the percentage share and the angle of each slice in a pie chart. (3 marks)
Hint
Total is 1,00,000.
Answer
Rent 20% and 72°; Salaries 50% and 180°; Other 30% and 108°; total 100% and 360°.
Q4 · 6 marks · Long answerHarder board level
Students: Kabir (12A) 64; Lina (12B) 82; Mohan (12A) 71; Nisha (12B) 55; Omar (12A) 82; Pia (12B) 90; Raj (12A) 48; Tina (12B) 71. (a) Sort by Marks descending, then Name ascending. (b) Filter Class = 12A AND Marks >= 60 and give the average of marks displayed. (c) Filter Class = 12B OR Marks < 50 and give the names. (6 marks)
Hint
Handle ties with Name.
Answer
(a) Pia 90; Lina 82; Omar 82; Mohan 71; Tina 71; Kabir 64; Nisha 55; Raj 48. (b) Kabir 64, Mohan 71, Omar 82; average = 217 ÷ 3 = 72.33. (c) Lina, Nisha, Pia, Raj, Tina (5 records).
Q5 · 3 marks · Short answerHOTS / competency
A manager plots a pie chart of the monthly sales of a year (twelve months) to show whether sales are growing. Evaluate the choice, using the fact that one month had sales of ₹30,000 out of an annual ₹3,60,000. (3 marks)
Hint
What does one slice mean?
Answer
A pie chart shows each month as a share of the year; the month would be a 30° slice (30,000 ÷ 3,60,000 × 360), but twelve slices of similar size hide the direction of change. A line chart of the months shows growth, so it is the better choice.

Test your recall

Answer in your head or on paper first, then open the card. Pulling an answer out of memory makes it stick far better than re-reading.

1.Pie chart slice angle formula?Show answer
Value ÷ Total × 360°.
2.Which chart shows a trend over time?Show answer
Line chart.
3.What is a legend?Show answer
The key that shows which colour or pattern stands for which series.
4.What does a filter do to non-matching rows?Show answer
Hides them; they are not deleted.
5.AND or OR displays more rows?Show answer
OR.

Spreadsheet Charts, Sorting, Querying and Filtering a Database: frequently asked questions

Do I need to know a specific chart wizard?

No. The syllabus names the wizard generally; describe the steps in plain terms.

What is a field and a record?

A field is a column heading with its data; a record is a row for one item.

Why must a database list have no blank rows?

Blank rows can break the list into two parts for sorting and filtering.

Can I print only a chart?

Yes, select the chart and print, after previewing.