Computer separated by gridlines (light gray lines).

Also called a
spreadsheet
Lesson 3: Microsoft Excel
3. Cell - The intersection of a column and a row on a
Microsoft Excel is a spreadsheet software developed
worksheet. You enter data into cells to create a
by the Microsoft Company. Microsoft Excel usually
worksheet
comes bundled with other programs that make up the
Microsoft Office suite. 4. Active Cell - The active cell contains the cell
pointer. There is a dark outline around the active cell.
Default Tabs in Microsoft Excel
5. Formula Bar - As you enter data into a cell, it
 Home: Most of the tools and options that are
simultaneously appears in the Formula bar, which is
found under the home tab are used to format
located above the worksheet
data entered into a worksheet. The groups found
under the home tab are clipboard, Font, 6. Cell Reference - The location of a cell in a
Alignment, Number, Styles, Cells, and Editing. worksheet as identified by its column letter and row
 Insert: Most of the tools and options that are number.
found under the Insert tab are used to insert
7. Scroll - A way to view locations on the worksheet
objects such as tables, pictures, and shapes. The
without changing the active cell.
groups found under the Insert tab are Tables,
Illustrations, Charts, Links,and Text. 8. Sheet Tabs - Tabs that appear at the bottom of the
 Page Layout: Most of the tools and options that workbook window, which display the name of each
are found under the Page Layout tab are used to worksheet
format the workbook. The groups found under
the Page Layout tab are Themes, Page Setup, 9. Tab Scrolling Buttons - Buttons that appear just to
Scale to Fit, Sheet Options, and Arrange. the left of the sheet tabs, which you to scroll hidden
 Formulas: Most of the tools and options that are tabs into view.
found under the Formulas tab are used to insert 10. Blank Workbook - A new, empty workbook
and edit worksheet formulas. The groups found contains three worksheets (sheets)
under the Formulas tab are Function Library,
Defined Names, Formula Auditing, and 11. Defaults - The standard settings Excel uses in its
Calculation. software, such as column width or number of
 Data: Most of the tools and options that are worksheets in a workbook.
found under the Data tab are used to import, 12. Undo - The command used to reverse one or a
organize, and analyze workbook data. The groups series of editing actions
found under the Data tab are Get External Data,
Connections, Sort & Filter, Data Tools, and 13. Redo - The command used to redo an action you
Outline. have undone.
 Review: Most of the tools and options that are
14. AutoComplete - A feature used to complete an
found under the Review tab are used to proofread
entry based on previous entries made in the column
and secure a workbook. The groups found under
containing the active cell.
the Review tab are Proofing, Comments, and
Changes. 15. Pick from Drop-Down List - A shortcut used to
 View: Most of the tools and options that are insert repeated information.
found under the View tab are used to adjust or
16. AutoCorrect - A feature used to automate the
change the workbook view.
correction of common typing errors.
Terms to Know
17. Spelling Checker - A tool used to assist you in
finding and correcting typographical or spelling errors.

1. Workbook - An Excel file with one or more 18. Value - A number entered in the worksheet
worksheet
19. Numeric Label - A number entered in the
2. Worksheet - The work area for entering and worksheet as a label, not as a value - such as the year
calculating data made up of columns and rows 2005 used as a column label.
20. Label Prefix - An apostrophe () used to indicate 37. Percent Format - A style that displays decimal
that a number is a label and not a value. numbers as a percentage.

21. Series - A list of sequential numbers, dates, times, 38. Comma Format - A style that displays numbers
or text. with a thousand separator.

22. Standard Column Width - The default number of 39. Currency Format - A style that displays dollars
characters that display in a column based on the signs ($) immediately preceding the number and
default font. includes a thousand separator.

23. Formula - An instruction Excel uses to calculate a 40. Fill Handle - Dragging this handle, located in the
number lower-right corner of the active cell, will copy cell
contents, formatting, or a formula to adjacent cells.
24. Mathematical Operators - Symbols used in
mathematical operations: for addition, for 41. Format Painter - A button on the Home tab that
subtraction, for multiplication, for division, and for allows you to copy formatting from a selected object
exponentiation. or cell and apply it to another object or cell.

25. Order of Mathematical Operations - The order in 42. Relative Cell Reference - A cell address expressed
which Excel performs the calculation specified in a in relation to the cell containing the formula.
formula.
43. Absolute Cell Reference - A cell address, such as
26. Range - A block of cells in an Excel worksheet $E$14, referenced in a formula that does not change
based on the location of the cell that contains the
27. Contiguous Range - A block of adjacent cells in a
formula.
worksheet
44. Cut - The command used to remove data from a
28. Noncontiguous Range - Cells in worksheets that
cell or range of cells and place it on the Clipboard.
acts as a block, but are not necessarily adjacent to
each other. 45. Paste - The command used to place data from the
Clipboard to a location on the worksheet.
29. Format - To apply attributes to cell data to change
the appearance of the worksheet. 46. Drag-and-Drop Feature - A method used to move
or copy the contents of a range of cells by dragging
30. Theme - A collection of coordinated fonts, colors,
the border of a selection from one location in a
and effects for graphic elements such as charts and
worksheet and dropping it in another location.
images that can be quickly applied to all sheets in a
workbook. 47. Grouping - Worksheets that are selected as a unit;
any action performed on this unit will affect all the
31. Font - The typeface or design of the text.
worksheets in the group.
32. Fill- A color that fills a cell, appearing behind the
48. Active Sheet Tab - The selected worksheet; the
data.
tab name of an active sheet is bold.
33. Cell Styles - A combination of a font, text color,
49. Function - A predefined formula that uses the
cell color, and other font attributes applied to a single
values in the cells you select to calculate its answer.
cell. Cell styles are called Quick Styles in other Office
programs 50. Function Name - The name given to one of Excel's
predefined formulas.
34. Font Size - The measurement of a typeface in
points (one point equal 1/72 of an inch). 51. Argument - The parts of a formula that are
variable. You select the cell or cells for each
35. Number Format - A format that controls how
argument, and Excel calculates the answers based on
numerical data is displayed, including the use of
their values.
commas, dollar signs (or other symbols) and the
number of decimal places. 52. Auto Calculate - A feature that temporarily
performs the following calculations on a range of cells
36. Accounting Format - A style that vertically aligns
without making you write a formula; AVERAGE,
with dollar signs ($), thousands separators (,), and
COUNT, COUNTA, MAX, MIN, OR SUM.
decimal points.
53. Excel Table - Data arranged in columns and
specially formatted with column headers that contains
commands that allow you to sort, filter and perform
other functions on the table.

54. Range Name - An identification label assigned to a

group of cells. Also known as defined name.

55. Name Box- The text box located to the left of the
Formula bar.

56. Criteria - A Value, some text, or an expression that

defines the type of cells you're looking for.

57. Expression - A sort of equation (such as B6>25)

that returns a value, such as TRUE or FALSE. Excel uses
expressions to identify cells to include in certain
formulas, such as IF and SUMIF.

58. Nesting - Using a function as an argument within

another function.