ZNOTES.

ORG

UPDATED TO 2023-2025 SYLLABUS

CAIE IGCSE
ICT
SUMMARIZED NOTES ON THE PRACTICAL SYLLABUS
CAIE IGCSE ICT

1. Document Production
1.1. Word Processing (MS Word)
Serif – with flicks, e.g. Cambria
Sans-serif – without flicks, e.g. Calibri
One part of the document is 1 column, and the rest is in
two columns. a → section break.
the option All Caps
When you want to move text to the next column, a →
To set certain bullets to a list style → click on format →
column break.
click on Numbering → Bullets tab → choose the required
To force all further text onto the next page → page break
option
A widow= single line that appears on the next page or
To indent text for a style → click on format → Paragraph
column, separated from the rest of the paragraph
and input required indents under the Indentation section.
An orphan = a single line that appears on the previous
Choose hanging indents to indent the whole paragraph
page or column, separated from the rest of the
and the first line indents to indent only the first line of a
paragraph.
paragraph.
To add page numbers in the header/footer ------→ Place
your cursor where you want to put the number → Go to
insert tab → Quick parts → Select Numbering category 3. Mail Merge
→ Select Page in field names → Click Ok
Add the file size/name (including file path) → click on
Quick Parts in the Insert tab → click on Field → select File 3.1. Mail Merge
Size or File name. For file path →, check the box to include
file path. For file size →, choose whether Kilobytes or Create a master document, which is mainly given as a
Megabytes. source file
Include date → click on Date & Time in Insert tab → choose In the master document, click on the Mailings tab
an appropriate format as specified. (If the date/month In the start mail merge section, click on select recipients
format is flipped →, change your region/ language → select use an existing list → choose the source file
settings on your computer to the United Kingdom.) Select records to be used, filter if necessary
Update fields if required (select auto-update while
inserting fields.)

2. House Styles
2.1. House Styles
Insert merge fields where indicated with chevrons, i.e.
Remember to follow all the instructions given to avoid Place automated current date and/or time, as well as your
losing easy marks name, centre number and candidate number where
Type in the name of the style exactly as it is in the paper specified. Ensure the date is in the correct format
Click on the drop-down arrow in the Styles section → specified.
select Create a new style
Always base your styles on the Normal font
­S etting the line spacing → click on format → then
paragraph → select required options
From the same tab, you can change the spacing before
and after the paragraph
Spell-check and proofread the document.
Setting all capital letters → click on format → font → tick Save the master document, and click finish and merge.
Preview results and ensure that they look as required.
While printing:
Check all merge fields are placed
Field codes are visible if necessary. (Go to Advanced
settings so they are displayed when printing. Proof of

WWW.ZNOTES.ORG
CAIE IGCSE ICT

date inserted may be asked, right-click and toggle field Average of fields in a report =AVG(\[Field_name\])
codes, or just use the shortcut Alt+F9.) Minimum of fields in a report =MIN(\[Field_name\])
Maximum of fields in a report =MAX(\[Field_name\])

) | | Yes | Find values that are Yes/True | | No | Find values

that are No/False | | #01/01/2009# | Find a specific date | |
4. Data Manipulation >01/03/2009 | Find dates after a given date | | <01/03/2009
| Find a date before a given date | | Between 01/03/2009
and 31/03/2009 | Find dates in a given range |
4.1. Data Manipulation (MS Access)
While importing files, make sure you select text file and 5. Presentations
not excel file, as .csv files are plain text.
When they ask for a set number of decimal places in a
field, choose Fixed in Format. 5.1. Presentation Authoring (MS
PowerPoint)
To open a given outline, click the “New slide” arrow and
click “slide from outline...”
Printing presenter notes, click print “Notes pages."
Ensure that the dates displayed in the table are in the
Printing audience notes, click print “Handouts.”
correct format under Table Design view.
When printing evidence of slide transitions, go to slide
sorter and then PrntScr

For all bullets to enter the screen at once →, click on the

Custom Animation under the Animations tab → Then
To form a relationship between two tables, go to the
select all the bullet points and Add Effect in the side pane
Relationships section of the Database Tools tab and
and choose the required style.
choose the required tables.

For the bullets to enter the screen one by one, → Select

The calculations will ONLY work if placed in the report the first bullet point and animate as required from Add
footer. If Σ Total is used, then it appears automatically in Effects. Repeat for the remaining points.
the report footer.

When printing evidence of animations, open the Custom

animations pane and then PrntScr
To show evidence of transitions, take a screenshot of the
slides pane, having a star beside the slides that have
transitions.
It plays continuously to loop a slide show until the Esc key
is pressed. Under the Slide Show tab, click on Set Up Slide
Show under Set Up. It appears in the Show options section
=COUNT(\[Primary_field\])
Count the number of fields in
Always use the primary field
a report
as it is the unique field
Sum of fields in a report =SUM(\[Field_name\])

WWW.ZNOTES.ORG
CAIE IGCSE ICT

Formula Auditing section of the Formulas tab.)

To set a cell as currency →, click on the popup box in the

Number section of the Home tab → select Currency and
pick the required symbol and number of decimal places
as specified on the paper.

of the option box.

To colour a range of cells that contain specific values →,

under the Styles section in the Home tab →, click on the
drop-down menu under Conditional Formatting. Choose
New Rule → Format only cells that contain. → add the rule
according to the instructions on the paper from the
6. Data Analysis Format tab (ego: less than 100, format: green). You can
add more than one rule to a range of cells by repeating
the same steps for the new rule.
6.1. Data Analysis (MS Excel)
Naming a range of cells → select the cells → right click and
select ‘Name a Range’. → type the name in the option box.
Ensure the range is correctly selected.

While printing the spreadsheet:

check the fields required to show
if they want it to show formulae. (To show formulas
instead of values, select Show Formulas under the

When you are using another file as a source file (ego for a
LOOKUP function), make sure it is open until the end, or

WWW.ZNOTES.ORG
CAIE IGCSE ICT

else the spreadsheet will no longer be able to access that DESCRIPTION FORMULA
data. =IF($B$1:$B$8=A1,”A”,
To make a cell reference absolute, press F4 while IF($B$1:$B$8=A2,”B”,
highlighting it IF($B$1:$B$8=A3,”C”,D)))IF
Nested IF the value in the range equals
DESCRIPTION FORMULA
A1 then write A, if it equals A2
Add, Subtract, Multiply, Divide =A1+B1 write B, A3 write C and none
SUM = Adding a range of of them D
=SUM(A1:A4)
numbers =AVERAGEIF($D$4:$D$64,G3,
Average IF – it searches for
AVERAGE - Find the average =AVERAGE(A1:A4) $E$4:$E$64)$D$4:$D$64 is
criteria and makes an
MIN - Find the low value =MIN(A1:A4) the range, G3 is the
average of the range
MAX - Find the highest value =MAX(A1:A4) criteria, $E$4:$E$64 is the
according to the criteria
average range
COUNT - Finding how many
=COUNT(A1:A4) SQRT – Square root of a
numbers are in a range =SQRT(B3)B3 is the number
number
COUNTA - Counting the
=COUNTA(A1:A4)
number of items in a range
INT - Converts to the lowest
=INT(A1) 7. Website Authoring
whole number
=ROUND(A1,2) The 2 is the
ROUND - Rounding numbers
number of decimal places 7.1. HTML
ROUNDUP - Rounding =ROUNDUP(A1,2) The 2 is the
Anchors: help navigate throughout a webpage
numbers up number of decimal places
Highlight the destination of the anchor, and set a
ROUNDDOWN - Rounding =ROUNDDOWN(A1,2) The 2 is bookmark
numbers down the number of decimal places You can use
=VLOOKUP(A1,$B$1:$C$8,2)A tags in your code around this text
1 is the cell to <div id="top"> Destination text </div>
VLOOKUP - Looking up what check$B$1:$C$8 is the array Highlight the word or image that will be the hyperlink,
particular values mean from to look in2 is column 2 click insert a hyperlink, and type the address of the
a table arranged vertically from $B$1:$C$8 meaning website, the bookmark, or the email address provided
return the value in column 2 in in the respective places.
that section. If the link needs to open in a new window, select New
=HLOOKUP(A1,$B$1:$G$2,2) Window from the target frame. This will give you a
A1 is the cell to target setting of "_blank."
HLOOKUP - Looking up what check$B$1:$G$2 is the array
particular values mean from to look in2 is row 2
a table arranged horizontally from $B$1:$G$2 meaning
return the value in row 2 in
that section.
=SUMIF($B$1:$C$8,A1, $D$1
SUMIF – adding up specific :$D$8)Checks if any cells
values in a range in $B$1:$C$8 = A1 and if they
do then it adds them together
=COUNTIF(A2:A4,">4") Checks
COUNTIF - Counts the that cells have a value greater
number of cells in a range than 4=COUNTIF(A2:A4, A1)
that satisfy the given criteria Checks that the cells are
equal to the value in cell A1
=IF($B$1:$B$8=A1,”A”)IF the
IF – Deciding what will go into
value in A1 appears in the
a cell
range of cells then write A
If there are specified dimensions for a table, use the table
properties to set these values.
Check the code to ensure that the table is not set to 100%
width, if there are other values given.

WWW.ZNOTES.ORG
CAIE IGCSE ICT

To hide bullets from your webpage, add hidden after your

7.2. CSS
tag selector.

h2 {font-family: “Times New What is CSS?

Font type
Roman”}
Cascading style sheet
Text size h2 {font-size: 16pt} Used to style webpages
Aligning text h2 {text-align: center} Two types
‘Bold’ text h2 {text-weight: bold} Embedded/inline
‘Underline’ text h2 {text-decoration: underline} External
h2 {font-family: “Times New
Second choice of font Embedded
Roman, Verdana”}
h2 {font-family: “Times New Used to apply style properties within HTML sheet
Adding generic fonts
Roman, serif”}h2 {font-family: Format:
(either serif or sans-serif)
“Calibri, sans-serif”} …style = “attribute: specification”>
Changing colour h2 {color: #000000} Inline CSS for e.g. <table border=”1” style=
Using classes to set styles. “width:200px”>
It can be used by many right {text-align: right} To add several attributes, add a semicolon to separate
selectors them and then use the same format
For e.g. < table style= “width:29%; margin-left:
Comment in HTML - text
auto**;**”>
that is not read by the
computer, only for users For inline CSS, adding -style= “….”- is mandatory.

Comment in CSS - text that External

is not read by the /* Enter comment here */
computer, only for users External CSS sheets are separate sheets that style the
webpage.
Colour codes have three parts: To use, they are required to be attached to the main
HTML file using the tag:
(RED, GREEN, BLUE)
<link rel=“stylesheet” type=”text/css”
Amount of Light (colour) Hex code href=”sourcefile.css”>
Fully on FF The tag is placed in the head tag of the html file.
¾ on C0 Several html sheets can be attached.
½ on 80 Preference is given to the sheet placed last in the
head tag
¼ on 40
Format for external CSS
Off 00 h1 { property: value ;}
for e.g. h1 { color:#000000;}
Examples: ↑ Element source is taken from HTML script linked
Pure red is (FF0000)
Pure green is (00FF00) CSS Tags
Pure blue is (0000FF)
Pure yellow is (FFFF00) Colours
Pure black is (000000)
Pure white is (FFFFFF) Colours can be in hexadecimal
hashtag before the hexadecimal is mandatory
HTML tag e.g. #000000
Opening/closing head tag F full capacity
Page title 0 is the least capacity
<link rel=“stylesheet” Some colours can be written in words. Such as black or
Attaching a CSS file type=“text/css”href=“mystyle.c white.
ss”>
Fonts
Defining anchor tag
Setting default target window Fonts are given priority from first to last in order
Opening of the body/content To add multiple fonts, add commas.
Table tag | border width as 1 Eg. h1 { font-family: Arial, Calibri, sans-serif;}
| alignment centre

WWW.ZNOTES.ORG
CAIE IGCSE ICT

Tables 11.2 Explain the need to reduce file sizes for storage or
transmission:
Tables have many attributes to help style them Smaller files upload and download faster than larger
Cell padding: creates space between text and cell ones and thus are better for transferring data on the
border internet and between computers and other devices
Cell spacing: creates space between individual cells like printers.
Borders 13 Explain why headers and footers are needed:
Background colour: background tags in the tables only Headers and footers ensure each page has all the
apply to the tables. required information like the page numbers, company
Individual td or th headings can also be specified in CSS logo and name etc. It makes the document more
reliable, professional, and consistent, as the
Table tags format information appears on every page. This saves time
cell padding Table { padding :40px;} and reduces errors as they are only typed once.
cell spacing Table { spacing : 30px;} 14 Explain what is meant by corporate branding/house
Table { border-width:3px;} style:
Table { border-color: #000098;} It refers to a specific style of fonts and formats used in
borders the making of ICT solutions by organisations.
Table { border-style: solid;}
Table { background-color: #009499;} 14 Explain why consistent styles are required:
Consistent styles enable users to associate a
td { font-size: 3;}
particular organisation with a style. They look
Td/th tags td { font-family: Calibri;}
professional.
td { color: #000000;}
15.1 Explain why the automated suggestions given by
table { width:50px;} spell check software do not always give the correct
Dimensions
table { height:60px;} response:
Some words, e.g. proper nouns, are not found in the
body { background-repeat: no-repeat;} dictionary. This makes spell checkers less efficient.
body {background-position: top/left/right/bottom;} Spell checkers do not identify names and places
h1 {text-align: left/right/top/bottom;} 15.1 Explain why validation checks must be appropriate to
the data that is being checked:
An inappropriate check can lead to error messages
8. Editing Images and altered data, as it may accept or reject wrong
data.
8.1. Editing Images 15.2 Describe the importance of accuracy and the
potential consequences of data entry errors:
To save a picture with 8 bits - of colour depth, save it as a Accurate data ensures the results obtained by the
gif processing of data is relevant, which is essential to the
Open it in Paint and save it as usability of the model
To compress the size of a picture, open it in the picture 15.2 Define the term verification:
manager A way of preventing errors when data is copied from
Edit picture one medium to another
Compress pictures 15.2 Describe visual verification:
Choose the most suitable option Visual comparison of data entered with a data source
To change the colour options of a picture, use picture Checking for errors by comparing entered data on the
manager screen with the data in the original document (not the
Edit picture same as proof reading)
Colour 15.2 Describe double data entry:

Enter data twice and compare them either after data has
9. Answers to Theory been entered or during the entry process.

Questions 15.2 Explain the need for validation as well as verification:

Validation only ensures that the data entered is in the
accepted format. Verification is needed to ensure that
9.1. Answers to Theory Questions the data entered is correct. Data entered may be in
the right format but of the wrong value. Or it may be
11.1 Explain why generic file formats are needed: copied correctly but does not match the criteria.
They can be opened by any software to access the 17.1 Explain why it is necessary to use page, section and
data on them. column breaks, to adjust pagination and to avoid widows

WWW.ZNOTES.ORG
CAIE IGCSE ICT

and orphans? Charts: A graphical representation of (usually

Page breaks and column breaks help remove widows tabulated) data
and orphans by forcing text onto the next page/ 20.1 Explain the importance of accurate data entry in
column so it is all together. spreadsheets
It does not disrupt the reader by breaking the flow. Ensures the results obtained by the processing of data
17.3 Explain why mail-merged documents are created is relevant, which is essential.
Mail merged documents save time typing out 20.1 Define the terms formula, function, absolute
individual letters, as the computer can personalize reference, relative reference, ranges, named cell, named
them. Typing errors are also reduced since the master range, and nested formulae/functions.
document is only typed once. They can also be Formula: does the user define mathematical
emailed using the address in the source file. operators to perform a function
18.1 Define the terms flat-file database and relational Function: predefined logical and mathematical
database. operations use can be used in a spreadsheet
Flat-files databases are tables that have data sorted in Absolute reference: is made when the cell referenced
rows and columns. stays constant, but the cell referred to in changes.
Relational databases are several tables linked Relative reference is made when the cell reference is
together, preventing unnecessary repetition of data. supposed to change when the cell it refers to changes.
18.1 Explain that other field types, such as placeholders It aids more efficient designing of models.
for media, including images, sound bites and video clips Ranges: A group of cells in a table
are used in commercial databases Named cell: A cell in a table that is given a name (like
They are not studied in depth in this syllabus. They are ‘profit margin’) and can be referred to using that name
used in web applications where a back-end database in functions
holds the media to be displayed in another application, Nested formulae/functions: A formula/function used
such as a webpage. inside a formula/function as an argument
18.1 Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using 20.1 Explain the difference between a formula and a
relational tables rather than a flat-file database function
The user types in formulas. They include simple
Relational Database Flat file Database mathematical operators like +, -, *, or /, or can be as
Better security Poor at complex queries complex as the user wants. A function is a
Cater for future requirements Poor at limiting access predesigned code that calculates specific values, e.g.
MAX, VLOOKUP. While functions can be used inside
Harder to update, so it is
Data is only stored once formulas, formulas cannot be used inside functions.
inherently inefficient
20.1 Explain the function of absolute and relative
Requires more planning Potential duplication referencing.
Easy to design Absolute referencing is used when the cell referred
Non-unique records needs to stay the same, even when the formula/
It is harder to change the data function is copied.
format. When a formula/ function is copied and relative
referencing is used, the cell refers changes with the
18.1 Define and understand the terms primary and foreign cell in which the function is.
keys and their role in a relational database. 20.2 Define the terms testing, test data, expected
outcome, actual outcome, normal data, abnormal data,
Primary key: The key field of a table which is unique and extreme data, what if
identifies each record Testing: Checking that the designed model shows or
Foreign key: The field linked to the primary field of the previews the the expected outcome when data is
table linked to a relationship entered
Test data: The input data used for testing a model
20.1 Define the terms cells, rows, columns, sheets, tabs, Expected outcome: the output a model is supposed to
pages, charts give with the test data
Cell: A space for data to be entered into a table, a box Actual outcome: the output the model gives when
formed by the intersection of columns and rows. tested in real time
Rows: Horizontal boxes that divide the table Normal data: data within the given range ego: 50,
Columns: Vertical boxes that divide the table Range: 0-100
Sheets: A table of data Abnormal data: data outside the given range ego: 120,
Pages: Divide a piece of data into sections range: 0-100
Tabs: A module of a database program that holds the Extreme data: data that is the limit of the range ego: 0
tables on the computer or 100, range: 0-100

WWW.ZNOTES.ORG
CAIE IGCSE ICT

What if: changing values in cells to see how the CSS files have a “.css” extension
outcome of formulas change 21.3 Explain the hierarchy of multiple attached
20.2 Explain the need to test a model before it is used stylesheets and in-line styles within a web page
Reduces the number of possible errors when using Internal CSS have more preference over Inline CSS.
real data Inline CSS overrides externally attached stylesheets.
21.1 Identify and describe the three web development If several external stylesheets are attached to one
layers web page, the stylesheet attached last (at the bottom
Content layer: Holds the content of the webpage of that part of the code) is given preference (over the
structure. other ones). Priority increases as you go down a list.
Behaviour layer: scripting language of a web page or 21.3 Explain why relative file paths must be used for
an individual element the attached stylesheets
Presentation layer: responsible for the formatting of a They should be attached using relative file paths, as
webpage(s) or elements (using a stylesheet). they are stored along with the webpage since they are
21.1 Understand the function of: stored in the same folder.
Content layer: enter the content of a web page 21.4 Explain how to upload and publish the content of a
structure website using FTP
Behaviour layer: enter scripting language to a web
page or an individual element Used to upload website files to the web hosting space. To
Presentation layer: format whole web page(s) or upload these files successfully, the user needs:
individual elements FTP client software
21.2 Explain why tables are used to structure elements All files in one folder
within a web page Host Name/URL/IP address for FTP
Host port to be used for upload
Tables make the basic structure of a webpage and Username and password
organise page layout.
21.4 Create a test plan to test a website including web
21.2 Define and understand the terms relative file path page elements are visible, navigation within/from a web
and absolute file path page
Relative file path: A path referring to a file in the same Open the webpage in different browsers to check that
directory relative to the page the reference is made in. all elements appear as they should.
Absolute file path: The full path of a file which is not Click all hyperlinks to ensure that they direct users to
relative to anything. the correct pages, using functional testing. Check that
21.2 Explain why absolute file paths must not be used for both internal and external links are functional. Check
hyperlinks to locally saved web pages/ objects that fonts and background colours are appropriate to
Absolute paths always include the domain name of the the purpose of the website and its users (audience)
website Perform user testing on a group from the target
These should not be used to refer to locally saved web audience, gain feedback from their usage, and use it
pages as the computer the webpage is stored on (the to improve the website before publishing it
server) is not the same as where the webpage was 21.4 Justify the choice of test plan
developed, and an absolute file path would point to the The test plan used to test a webpage must be justified
wrong address. based on the tested elements. e.g. If hyperlinks are
21.3 Explain what is meant by the term cascading being tested, it checks if all the hyperlinks are
stylesheets redirecting the user to the correct webpage/ section of
CSS (cascading stylesheet) is a text-based language the webpage.
which is attached to web pages to set their format.

WWW.ZNOTES.ORG
CAIE IGCSE
ICT

Copyright 2024 by ZNotes

These notes have been created by Disha Garg, Aishwarya Girish Kumar, Abdul Majeed, Sarah Bassiouny and Aliza
Mirza for the 2023-2025 syllabus
This website and its content is copyright of ZNotes Foundation - © ZNotes Foundation 2024. All rights reserved.
The document contains images and excerpts of text from educational resources available on the internet and
printed books. If you are the owner of such media, test or visual, utilized in this document and do not accept its
usage then we urge you to contact us and we would immediately replace said media.
No part of this document may be copied or re-uploaded to another website without the express, written
permission of the copyright owner. Under no conditions may this document be distributed under the name of
false author(s) or sold for financial gain; the document is solely meant for educational purposes and it is to remain
a property available to all at no cost. It is current freely available from the website www.znotes.org
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommerical-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.