CSC 105 MT1 Deck 2: Information Systems & Excel Basics

Data

Raw facts that have not yet been processed or organized into meaningful information.

Example: Individual test scores of 65, 78 and 92.

Information

Data that has been organized or processed to answer questions or support decisions.

Example: "The class average is 78%."

Data vs. Information

Data = raw facts.

Information = processed data that has meaning.

Example: Individual student grades are data; the calculated class average is information.

Information System

A system that collects, organizes, processes or analyzes data to produce useful information.

Examples: Excel, Google Calendar and Brightspace.

Spreadsheet

A software application that organizes and analyzes data in a grid of rows and columns.

Examples: Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets.

Spreadsheet Analysis

Using spreadsheet tools to examine data, identify patterns and understand relationships.

Examples: Calculating grades, tracking expenses and analyzing sports statistics.

What-If Analysis

Changing input values to see how the results of a calculation would change.

Example: Increasing ticket prices by $5 to see how total revenue changes.

Data Visualization

Representing data graphically to make information easier to understand.

Examples: Bar charts, line graphs and pie charts.

Database Management System (DBMS)

Software used to store, organize, retrieve and manage large collections of data.

Example: A system managing student records.

E-Commerce System

An information system used to conduct commercial transactions over the internet.

Example: An online store processing purchases.

Microsoft Excel (MS Excel)

Spreadsheet software used to organize data, perform calculations and analyze information.

Example: Automatically calculating your course average.

Excel 365 (Web Version)

The browser-based version of Excel that allows users to access and edit spreadsheets online through OneDrive.

Some advanced features may differ from the desktop application.

Workbook

An Excel file containing one or more worksheets.

The standard file extension is .xlsx. Example: CSC105_Grades.xlsx.

Worksheet (Sheet)

A single spreadsheet within an Excel workbook, consisting of rows and columns.

Example: One worksheet for quizzes and another for exams.

Workbook vs. Worksheet

Workbook = the entire Excel file.

Worksheet = an individual sheet inside that file.

One workbook can contain multiple worksheets.

Cell

The intersection of a row and column in a spreadsheet. A cell can contain text, numbers or formulas.

Example: Cell B3.

Cell Reference

The address identifying a cell using its column letter and row number.

Example: C4 means column C, row 4.

Active Cell

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

It is usually outlined by a visible border.

Range

A group of adjacent cells identified using a colon between the first and last cell references.

Examples: B2:B4 (column), B2:D2 (row), B2:D4 (block).

Ribbon

The toolbar at the top of Excel containing commands organized into tabs such as Home, Insert and Formulas.

Used to access formatting and editing tools.

Formula Bar

The area above the worksheet that displays the contents or formula of the selected cell.

Example: Selecting B2 may show =SUM(C2:C10).

Numeric Value

A number stored in a spreadsheet cell that can be used in calculations.

Examples: 85, 92.5 and 100.

Text Value

A word, label or combination of characters stored in a cell. Text is generally not used directly in arithmetic calculations.

Examples: "Quiz 1" and "Midterm".

Formula

A user-defined expression that performs a calculation in Excel. Formulas begin with =. Example: =B2+B3.

Function

A predefined calculation or operation built into Excel. Functions can be used inside formulas.

Examples: SUM(), AVERAGE() and IF().

Formula vs. Function vs. Argument

Formula = the complete expression beginning with =.

Function = a built-in operation such as SUM().

Argument = the information supplied to the function.

Example: In =SUM(B2:B4),

SUM is the function and B2:B4 is the argument.

Cell Selection

Clicking a cell to make it active so you can enter, edit or view its contents.

Example: Clicking B2.

Row Selection

Clicking a row number selects every cell in that row.

Example: Clicking 5 selects the entire fifth row.

Column Selection

Clicking a column letter selects every cell in that column.

Example: Clicking B selects the entire B column.

OneDrive

Microsoft's cloud storage service used to save, access and share files online.

Example: Saving a CSC 105 workbook in Documents → CSC105 → Week2