1 Detecting errors during the construction of mathematical formulas in a spreadsheet environment: An empirical study involving novice users Konstantinos Lavidas, Department of Educational Sciences and Early Childhood Education, University of Patras, Patras, Greece 26500, lavidas@upatras.gr * Vasilis Komis, Department of Educational Sciences and Early Childhood Education, University of Patras, Patras, Greece 26500, komis@upatras.gr Iro Voulgari, Department of Early Childhood Education, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece 10680, voulgari@ecd.uoa.gr * corresponding author ABSTRACT In this study we examine the familiarization of students with the basic functions for formula insertion in a general purpose spreadsheet software. Two teaching interventions and two respective follow-up tests were conducted to 124 students of Educational Sciences, with little prior experience in the use of spreadsheets. Through the data collected (test results, registration forms for the students to record any difficulties they had during the tests, video captures of the interactions of the students with the software during the tests) the errors the students made and also any attempts to correct these errors were identified. Our findings indicated that the software error messages and the unexpected results were the main events that prompted the students to recognize their errors. SCIREA Journal of Education http://www.scirea.org/journal/Education February 12, 2017 Volume 2, Issue 1, February 2017