Basic Microsoft Excel Concepts and Terminology

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering basic components, definitions, history, and features of Microsoft Excel from the lecture notes.

Microsoft Excel

An electronic spreadsheet application developed by Microsoft used to organize, calculate, analyze, and visualize data.

Jabe Blumenthal

The project manager who led the team at Microsoft that developed Microsoft Excel.

Doug Klunder

The lead developer at Microsoft for Microsoft Excel.

September 30, 1985

The official first release date of Microsoft Excel on the Apple Macintosh platform.

Anatomy of a Spreadsheet

Refers to the basic parts and components that make up a spreadsheet application such as Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets.

Worksheet (Sheet)

A single page within a workbook made up of rows and columns.

Rows

Horizontal lines of cells, identified by numbers (1, 2, 3, …).

Columns

Vertical lines of cells, identified by letters (A, B, C, …).

Cell

The intersection of a row and a column where data is entered.

Workbook

The entire spreadsheet file that contains one or more worksheets.

Cell Reference

The address of a cell, such as B5 or D10.

Active Cell

The currently selected cell where data can be entered or edited.

Name Box

Displays the reference of the active cell (e.g., A1) and can be used to jump to a specific cell.

Range

A group or collection of two or more cells selected together.

Ribbon (Toolbar)

Contains tabs and commands used for formatting, editing, inserting charts, formulas, and other spreadsheet functions.

Formula Bar

Displays the contents or formula of the active cell and allows you to edit it.

Quick Access Toolbar (QAT)

A small toolbar that provides quick access to frequently used commands, regardless of which Ribbon tab you are currently using.

Launch Button

The small button with an arrow located at the bottom-right corner of some groups on the Ribbon.

Sheet Tabs

Located at the bottom of the workbook and used to switch between different worksheets.

Zoom Slider

A tool located at the bottom-right corner of the Excel window that allows you to increase or decrease the size of the worksheet displayed on the screen.

Scroll Bars

Tools that allow you to move horizontally and vertically through the worksheet.

Formula

An equation created by the user (e.g., =A1+B1).

Function

A built-in formula that performs calculations (e.g., =SUM(A1:A10)).

Status Bar

Displays information such as the average, sum, and count of selected cells, along with zoom controls.

Home tab

Provides tools for cutting, copying, pasting, formatting cells, aligning text, inserting or deleting cells, applying styles, and editing data.

Fill Handle

A small square located at the bottom-right corner of the active (selected) cell or range of cells.

Relative cell reference

A type of cell reference in a spreadsheet that automatically changes when a formula is copied or moved to another cell.

Absolute cell reference

A cell reference that remains fixed when a formula is copied or filled to another cell, written with dollar signs ($) before both the column letter and row number (e.g., $A$1).

Mixed cell reference

A type of cell reference in a spreadsheet where either the column or the row is fixed, while the other changes when the formula is copied.

Chart

A graphical representation of data that helps users visualize information to compare values, identify trends, and understand patterns.

ALT + F1

The shortcut key used for creating a Chart in Microsoft Excel.

Format Cells

Feature used to change the appearance, alignment, and display of data in selected cells without changing the actual values.

AutoFill Options

Settings that appear after using the Fill Handle to copy or fill data, allowing you to choose how the data should be applied.

Insert Copied Cells

An Excel feature that inserts copied cells into a new location without replacing existing data by shifting current cells.

Merge & Center

A feature in Microsoft Excel that combines two or more selected cells into one cell and places the content in the center.

AutoSum

A feature in Excel that automatically adds a group of numbers and inserts the SUM formula for you.