IGCSE ICT: Layout — Revision Notes

Layout in Cambridge IGCSE ICT 0417 (Topic 13) covers creating and editing a document, placing objects such as images and charts with the right text wrapping, building and formatting tables, and using headers and footers with automated fields like page numbers. The syllabus notes that “document” here means any of the applications in sections 16 to 21, so these skills are tested across the practical tasks in Papers 2 and 3.

Condensed for revision. For the full explanation, use the layout study guide, then try the layout practice questions.

Syllabus coverage

Syllabus ref	You should be able to
13.1 Create or edit a document	Enter and modify text and numbers with total accuracy; highlight, delete, move, cut, copy, paste, drag and drop; place objects (text, image, screenshot, shapes, table, graph or chart, spreadsheet extract, database extract); wrap text around a table, chart or image (above, below, square, tight)
13.2 Tables	Create a table with a set number of rows and columns; place text or objects in it; insert and delete rows and columns; merge cells; set horizontal alignment (left, right, centre, fully justified) and vertical alignment (top, middle, bottom); show or hide gridlines; wrap text in a cell; shade cells; adjust row height and column width
13.3 Headers and footers	Create or edit headers and footers; align contents to the left margin, right margin or centre; place text and automated objects (file information, page number, total pages, date, time). Know the purpose of headers and footers

13.1 How do you create and edit a document accurately?

• Total accuracy means every character, space and number matches the source; examiners check text entry letter by letter.
• Editing techniques: highlight (select), delete, move, cut (remove and keep on the clipboard), copy (duplicate to the clipboard), paste, drag and drop.
• Placing objects: insert from a file or the clipboard — text, image, screenshot, shapes, table, graph or chart, spreadsheet extract, database extract.

Text wrapping options

Wrap	Effect
Above and below (top and bottom)	Text stops above the object and continues below it; nothing beside it
Square	Text wraps around the rectangular box of the object
Tight	Text follows the outline of the object itself, closer to its shape

13.2 How do you work with tables?

Skill	Key points
Create	Insert a table with the exact number of rows and columns given
Edit	Insert or delete rows/columns where instructed; merge cells (for example to make a title row across the whole table)
Horizontal alignment	Left, right, centre, fully justified
Vertical alignment	Top, middle, bottom of the cell
Gridlines	Show (visible borders) or hide them as instructed
Wrap text in a cell	Text moves to a new line within the cell instead of widening it
Shading	Fill a cell or row with a colour or shade, often for a header row
Size	Adjust row height and column width so that all data is visible and fits the page

13.3 What are headers and footers for?

Purpose: a header or footer appears in the top or bottom margin of every page (or every page of a section), so information such as page numbers, the title, the author, the file name and the date is shown consistently without being typed on each page. It helps readers navigate a document and identify printouts.

Automated objects

Field	Why use it
File information (file name and path)	Identifies where the document is saved
Page number	Updates automatically if pages are added or removed
Total number of pages	Lets you show “Page 3 of 10”
Date	Shows when the document was created or printed
Time	Shows when it was printed or saved

Alignment: header and footer items can be placed at the left margin, centred within the margins or at the right margin. Keep the same alignment on every page. A common instruction is “page number centred in the footer, file name right-aligned in the header”.

Worked example: following a layout instruction

Instruction: “Insert a table with 4 columns and 6 rows. Merge the cells in the top row. Centre the title in that row. Shade the top row light grey. Right-align the numbers in column 4. Hide the gridlines.”

Steps: insert a 4 × 6 table → select row 1 → merge cells → type the title → align centre → apply grey shading → select column 4 data cells → align right → remove borders/gridlines. Check: 4 columns, 6 rows (including the merged top row), shading only on row 1.

Common mistakes and exam traps

• Typing errors in data entry — a single wrong letter or extra space can lose the accuracy mark.
• Creating the wrong number of rows or columns, or forgetting the header row when counting.
• Typing the page number by hand instead of inserting an automated field, so it does not update.
• Placing the footer item at the wrong side, or aligning it differently on different pages.
• Using square wrap when “tight” or “above and below” was asked.
• Leaving text cut off in a cell instead of wrapping it or widening the column.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between square and tight text wrapping? Square wrapping flows the text around the rectangular boundary of the object. Tight wrapping follows the actual outline of the object, so text sits closer to its shape.

Why use an automated page number rather than typing it? An automated field updates itself when pages are added, removed or moved, so numbering stays correct. A typed number would have to be changed by hand on every page.

What does merging cells do? Merging joins two or more neighbouring cells into a single cell, often to create a title across the top of a table.

Do headers and footers apply only to word processing? No. In 0417 they are used in documents, database reports, presentations and spreadsheets, which is why Topic 13 applies to sections 16 to 21.

Self-test

1. Name the four text-wrapping options listed in the syllabus.
2. Give the four horizontal alignments for a table cell.
3. State two automated objects that can be placed in a footer.
4. State one purpose of a header.
5. Distinguish between cut and copy.

Answers: 1 above, below, square, tight; 2 left, right, centre, fully justified; 3 any two of file information, page number, total pages, date, time; 4 shows the same information, such as title or author, on every page; 5 cut removes the original and stores it on the clipboard, copy leaves the original in place.

Official syllabus

Cambridge International, Cambridge IGCSE Information and Communication Technology (0417) syllabus for 2026, 2027 and 2028, Version 3, Topic 13 “Layout” (13.1–13.3).