Spreadsheets: Advanced Formulas & Functions is one of 9 topics in the Grade 12 Computer Applications Technology CAPS syllabus, covered across 3 lessons on Study Vault. Below are real practice questions from this topic with full worked answers.
Sample practice questions
Easy
1. Which function searches for a value in the first COLUMN of a table range and returns a value from a specified column in that same row?
VLOOKUP
HLOOKUP
SUBTOTAL
RANDBETWEEN
Answer: VLOOKUP — VLOOKUP (vertical lookup) searches for a value in the first column of a defined table range and returns a corresponding value from a specified column in that same row.
Easy
2. What error does VLOOKUP, HLOOKUP or XLOOKUP return if no matching value is found?
#N/A
#DIV/0!
#REF!
#VALUE!
Answer: #N/A — A lookup function returns #N/A if no matching value is found in the lookup range, meaning "value not found" rather than a general formula error.
Medium
3. Name the spreadsheet feature that assigns a meaningful, readable name (like "TaxRate") to a cell or range, usable directly inside formulas instead of a plain cell reference.
Answer: named range — A named range assigns a meaningful, readable name to a cell or range of cells, which can be used directly inside formulas instead of a plain cell reference, improving formula readability.
