ZNOTES.

ORG

UPDATED TO 2019 SYLLABUS

CAIE IGCSE
ICT (0417)
SUMMARIZED NOTES ON THE SYLLABUS
CAIE IGCSE ICT (0417)

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 document as 1 column and the rest in two
columns a → section break.
When you want to move text to the next column a →
column break. To set certain bullet to a list style → click on format →
To force all further text onto the next page → page break click on Numbering → Bullets tab → choose required
A widow= single line that appears on the next page or option
column, separated from the rest of the paragraph To indent text for a style → click on format → Paragraph
An orphan = single line that appears on the previous page and input required indents under the Indentation section.
or column, separated from the rest of the paragraph. Choose hanging indents to indent the whole paragraph,
To add page numbers in the header/footer------→ Place and first line indents to indent only the first line of a
your cursor where you want to put the number → Go to paragraph.
insert tab → Quick parts → Select Numbering category
→ Select Page in field names → Click Ok
Add the file size/name (including file path) → click on 3.Mail merge
Quick parts in Insert tab → click on Field → select File
Size or File name. For file path → check the box to Create a master document, which is mostly given as
include file path. For file size → choose whether Kilobytes a source file
or Megabytes. In the master document, click on the Mailings tab
Include date → click on Date & Time in Insert tab → In the start mail merge section, click on select recipients
choose an appropriate format as specified. (If the → select use an existing list → choose source
date/month format is flipped → change your region/ file Select records to be used, filter if necessary
language settings on your computer to United Kingdom.)
Update fields if required (select auto update while
inserting fields.)

2.House Styles
Remember to follow all the instructions given, to avoid
losing easy marks Insert merge fields where indicated with chevrons, i.e.
Type in the name of the style exactly as it is in the paper <Field>
Click on the drop-down arrow in the Styles section → Place automated current date and/or time, as well as
select create a new style your name, centre number and candidate number where
Always base your styles on the Normal font specified. Ensure date is in the correct format specified.
Setting 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
Setting all capital letters → click on format → font → tick
the option All Caps
Spell check and proof read the document.
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
date inserted may be asked, right click and toggle field
codes or just use the shortcut Alt+F9.)

WWW.ZNOTES.OR
CAIE IGCSE ICT (0417)

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

values that are No/False | | #01/01/2009# | Find a specific
date | |
>01/03/2009 | Find dates after a given date | | <01/03/2009
4.Data Manipulation | Find a date before a given date | | Between
01/03/2009 and 31/03/2009 | Find dates in a given
While importing files, make sure you select text file and range |
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.Presentation Authoring (MS
PowerPoint)
To open a given outline, click “New slide” arrow and
click “slide from outline...”
Ensure that the dates displayed in the table are in the Printing presenter notes, click print “Notes pages"
correct format under Table Design view. Printing audience notes, click print “Handouts”
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 this then it apperars Effects. Repeat for the remaining points.
automatically in 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.
To loop a slide show so it plays continuously until the Esc
key is pressed. Under the Slide show tab, click on Set Up
Slide Show under Set Up. It is in the Show options
section of the option box that appears.

=COUNT(\[Primary_field\])
Count number of fields in
Always use primary field as it
a report
is the only unique field
Sum of fields in a report =SUM(\[Field_name\])
Average of fields in a report =AVG(\[Field_name\])
Minimum of fields in a report =MIN(\[Field_name\])
Maximum of fields in a =MAX(\[Field_name\])
report

WWW.ZNOTES.OR
CAIE IGCSE ICT (0417)

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.

To colour a range of cells that contain certain values →

under 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
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. Data Analysis
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 spreadsheet:

check the fields required to show
When you are using another file as a source file (ego for a
if they want it showing formulae. (To show formulas
LOOKUP function), make sure it is open until the end,
instead of values, select Show Formulas under the
else the spreadsheet will no longer be able to access that
Formula Auditing section of the Formulas tab.)
data.
To make cell reference absolute, press F4
while highlighting it

DESCRIPTION FORMULA
Add, Subtract, Multiply,
=A1+B1
Divide

WWW.ZNOTES.OR
CAIE IGCSE ICT (0417)

DESCRIPTION
DESCRIPTION FORMULA FORMULA
SUM = Adding a range of =AVERAGEIF($D$4:$D$64,G3,
Average IF – it searches for=SUM(A1:A4)
numbers $E$4:$E$64)$D$4:$D$64
criteria and makes an
AVERAGE - Find the average =AVERAGE(A1:A4)
is the range, G3 is the
average of the range
MIN - Find the low value criteria, $E$4:$E$64 is the
=MIN(A1:A4)
according to the criteria
MAX - Find the highest value =MAX(A1:A4)average range
SQRT – Square
COUNT - Finding how many root of a
=SQRT(B3)B3 is the number
=COUNT(A1:A4)
number
numbers are in a range
COUNTA - Counting the
=COUNTA(A1:A4)
number of items in a range
INT - Converts to the lowest
=INT(A1)
whole number
=ROUND(A1,2) The 2 is the
ROUND - Rounding numbers
number of decimal places
ROUNDUP - Rounding =ROUNDUP(A1,2) The 2 is the
numbers up number of decimal places
ROUNDDOWN - Rounding =ROUNDDOWN(A1,2) The 2 is
numbers down the number of decimal places
=VLOOKUP(A1,$B$1:$C$8,2)A
1 is the cell to 7.Website Authoring (HTML)
VLOOKUP - Looking up what check$B$1:$C$8 is the array
particular values mean from to look in2 is column 2 7.1. HTML
a table arranged vertically from $B$1:$C$8 meaning
return the value in column 2 Anchors: help navigate throughout a webpage
in that section. Highlight the destination of the anchor, and set a
=HLOOKUP(A1,$B$1:$G$2,2) bookmark
A1 is the cell to You can use
HLOOKUP - Looking up check$B$1:$G$2 is the array tags in your code around this text
what particular values mean to look in2 is row 2 <div id="top"> Destination text </div>
from a table arranged from $B$1:$G$2 meaning Highlight the word or image that will be the hyperlink,
horizontally return the value in row 2 and click insert hyperlink and type the address of the
in website or the bookmark or the email address
that section. provided in the respective places.
=SUMIF($B$1:$C$8,A1, $D$1: If the link needs to open in a new window select New
$D$8)Checks if any cells Window from target frame. This will give you a target
SUMIF – adding up
in $B$1:$C$8 = A1 and if they setting of "_blank"
specific values in a
do then it adds them
range
together
=COUNTIF(A2:A4,">4") Checks
COUNTIF - Counts the that cells have a value greater
number of cells in a range than 4=COUNTIF(A2:A4, A1)
that satisfy the given criteria Checks that the cells are
equal to the value in cell A1
=IF($B$1:$B$8=A1,”A”)IF the
IF – Deciding what will go
value in A1 appears in the
into a cell
range of cells then write A
=IF($B$1:$B$8=A1,”A”,
IF($B$1:$B$8=A2,”B”,
IF($B$1:$B$8=A3,”C”,D)))IF
Nested IF the value in the range equals
A1 then write A, if it equals A2
write B, A3 write C and none
of them D
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.OR
CAIE IGCSE ICT (0417)

To hide bullets from your webpage, add hidden after your

tag selector.

h2 {font-family: “Times New

Font type
Roman”}
Text size h2 {font-size: 16pt}
Aligning text h2 {text-align: center}

WWW.ZNOTES.OR
CAIE IGCSE ICT (0417)

h2 {font-family: “Times New

Font type What is CSS?
Roman”}
Cascading style sheet
‘Bold’ text h2 {text-weight: bold} Used to style
‘Underline’ text h2 {text-decoration: underline} webpages 2 types
h2 {font-family: “Times New Embedded/inline
Second choice of font
Roman, Verdana”} External
h2 {font-family: “Times New
Adding generic fonts
Roman, serif”}h2 {font-family:
(either serif or sans-serif)
“Calibri, sans-serif”}
Embedded
Changing colour h2 {color: #000000}
Using classes to set Used to apply style properties within html sheet
styles. Can be used for right {text-align: right} Format:
many
…style = “attribute: specification”>
selectors
Inline CSS for e.g. <table border=”1” style=
Comment in HTML - text
“width:200px”>
that is not read by the
To add several attributes, add semicolon to separate and
computer, only for users
then use same format
Comment in CSS - For e.g. < table style= “width:29%; margin-
text that is not read /* Enter comment here */ left: auto**;**”>
by the
For inline CSS adding -style= “….”- is mandatory.
computer, only for users
Colour codes have three parts:

(RED, GREEN, BLUE)

External
Amount of Light (colour) Hex code
Fully on FF External CSS sheets are separate sheets that style
¾ on C0 the webpage.
½ on 80 To use the are required to be attached to the main html
file using the tag:
¼ on 40
<link rel=“stylesheet” type=”text/css”
Off 00
href=”sourcefile.css”>
Tag is placed in head tag of html file. Several
Examples:
html sheets can be attached.
Pure red is (FF0000)
Preference given to sheet placed last in head
Pure green is (00FF00)
tag Format for external CSS
Pure blue is (0000FF)
h1 { property: value ;}
Pure yellow is
for e.g. h1 { color:#000000;}
(FFFF00) Pure black is
↑ Element source taken from html script linked
(000000) Pure white is
(FFFFFF)
HTML tag <html></html>
Opening/closing head tag <head></head> CSS Tags
<title>HTML
Page title Colours
REFERENCE</title>
<link rel=“stylesheet”
Colours can be in hexadecimal
Attaching a CSS file type=“text/css”href=“mystyle.
hashtag before the hexadecimal is mandatory
css”>
e.g. #000000
Defining anchor tag <a name=“top”></a>
F full capacity
Setting default target window <base target=“_self”>
0 is least capacity
Opening of the body/content <body></body> Some colours can be written in words. Such as black
Table tag | border width as 1 <table border=“1” or white.
| alignment center align=“center”></table>
Fonts

Fonts are given priority from first to last in

7.2. CSS
order To add multiple fonts, add commas.

WWW.ZNOTES.OR
CAIE IGCSE ICT (0417)

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

9. Answers to theory verification: Validation only ensures that data entered

is in the accepted format. Verification is needed to

questions ensure that the data entered is correct. Data entered

may be in the right format but of the wrong value. Or
it may be copied correctly but does not match the
11.1 Explain why generic file formats are needed: criteria.
They can be opened by any software to access 17.1 Explain why it is necessary to use page, section and
the data on them. column breaks, to adjust pagination and to avoid widows
11.2 Explain the need to reduce file sizes for storage or and orphans?
transmission: Page breaks and column breaks help remove widows
Smaller files upload and download faster than larger and orphans, by forcing text onto the next page/
ones and thus are better for transferring data on column so it is all together.
the

WWW.ZNOTES.OR
CAIE IGCSE ICT (0417)

Does not disrupt reader by breaking the flow.

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

WWW.ZNOTES.OR
CAIE IGCSE ICT (0417)

21.1 Identify and describe the three web development

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

WWW.ZNOTES.OR
CAIE IGCSE
ICT (0417)

Copyright 2021 by ZNotes

These notes have been created by Disha Garg, Aishwarya Girish Kumar and Abdul Majeed for the 2019 syllabus
This website and its content is copyright of ZNotes Foundation - © ZNotes Foundation 2022. 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.