Module 1: Introduction to Excel

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers the foundational concepts, terminology, interface elements, and specific data limits of Microsoft Excel based on the Module 1 lecture notes.

Spreadsheet

A digital tool used for organizing, analysing, and storing data in a tabular format consisting of rows and columns.

Microsoft Excel

A spreadsheet software developed by Microsoft as part of the Microsoft Office suite, used to store, organize, calculate, and analyse data.

Workbook

The term used for an Excel file; it typically contains one or more worksheets.

Worksheet

A table within a workbook that acts as a collection of cells organized into rows and columns.

Cell

The smallest unit in Excel where data (text, numbers, or formulas) is entered, formed by the intersection of a row and a column.

Title Bar

The area at the top of the window that displays the name of the workbook (e.g., Book1.xlsx) and includes the Minimize, Maximize/Restore, and Close buttons.

Quick Access Toolbar (QAT)

A small, customizable toolbar located at the top-left corner providing shortcuts to frequently used commands like Save, Undo, and Redo.

Ribbon

The wide toolbar across the top organized into Tabs (like Home or Insert) and Groups (like Font or Alignment).

Formula Bar

The bar located below the Ribbon that shows the contents of the active cell and allows for the entry or editing of formulas.

Name Box

The box found next to the formula bar that displays the address of the active cell, such as $A1$.

Sheet Tabs

Labels located at the bottom of the screen used to navigate between, add, delete, rename, or move worksheets within a workbook.

Status Bar

The bar at the bottom of the window displaying information like page numbers, selected data summaries (Average, Sum, Count), and the current cell mode.

Zoom Controls

Controls located at the bottom-right used to zoom in for bigger details or zoom out to see more cells simultaneously.

Row

A horizontal collection of cells identified by numbers; a worksheet contains exactly $1,048,576$ rows.

Column

A vertical collection of cells identified by letters; a worksheet contains exactly $16,384$ columns, labelled from A to Z, then AA to ZZ, and so on.

Range

A group of two or more cells selected together, such as $A1:A10$.

Macros (VBA)

A feature in Excel used to automate repetitive tasks.

Wrap Text

A feature that makes text appear on multiple lines inside a single cell when the content is too long to fit the cell width.

Merge & Centre

A feature that combines multiple selected cells into one single cell and centers the content within it.

AutoFit

A function activated by double-clicking a row or column boundary that automatically adjusts the size to fit the content.

Scientific Number Format

An Excel number format used for exponential notation, such as $1.23E+03$.

Total Cells

The total number of cells in a single Excel worksheet is $17,179,869,184$.

Excel File Extension

The default file type for an Excel Workbook is $.xlsx$.