Chapter 01 - Getting Started with Excel

Workbook

An Excel file made up of a collection of worksheets.

Worksheet

An electronic ledger where you enter data in Excel (also called a sheet). The worksheet appears as a grid made up of rows and columns where you can enter and then manipulate data using functions, formulas, and formatting.

Row

A horizontal group of cells. Rows are identified by numbers. For example, the third row is labeled with the number 3.

Column

A vertical group of cells. Columns are identified by letters. For example, the fourth column is labeled with the letter D.

Cell

The intersection of a row and column in a spreadsheet.

Cell address

The column and row position that defines a cell. For example, the cell at the intersection of column B and row 4 has a cell address of B4.

Cell range

A contiguous group of cells. A cell range is identified by the address of the cell in the upper left corner of the range, followed by a colon, and then the address of the cell in the lower right corner of the range. The cell range B3:D5 includes cells B3, B4, B5, C3, C4, C5, D3, D4, and D5.

Formula bar

Data entry area directly below the Ribbon and above the worksheet grid.

Name box

Appears at the TOP LEFT side of the formula bar and displays the address of the selected cell or the name of a named range.

Status bar

Appears at the BOTTOM RIGHT of the worksheet grid and can display information about the selected data, including the number of cells selected that contain data (count) and the average and sum (total) of the selected values (when appropriate).

Row selector

The box with the row number at the left side of the worksheet grid. Clicking this box will select the entire row.

Column selector

The box with the column letter at the top of the worksheet grid. Clicking this box will select the entire column.

Protected View

Provides a read-only format that protects your computer from becoming infected by a virus or other malware.

Message Bar

Displays a warning at the top of the window, below the Ribbon, when a file is opened in Protected View.

Ready mode

The data entry method used in Excel to change the contents of the entire cell by clicking the cell once and then typing the data.

Edit mode

The data entry method used in Excel to change only part of the cell data by double-clicking the cell, and then moving the cursor within the cell to insert or delete data.

General number format

Number format that right-aligns numbers in the cells but does not maintain a consistent number of decimal places (43.00 will appear as 43, while 42.25 appears as 42.25) and does not display commas (so 1,123,456 appears as 1123456).

Accounting Number Format

Aligns the $ at the left side of the cell, displays two places after the decimal, and aligns all numbers at the decimal point. Zero amounts are displayed as dashes (-).

Percent Style format

Displays numbers as % with zero places to the right of the decimal point.

Comma Style format

Includes commas, no currency symbol.

Number Format

Two decimal places, no commas.

Short Date format

Excel number format that displays the one- or two-digit number representing the month, followed by the one- or two-digit number representing the day, followed by the four-digit year (6/30/2027).

Term: Long Date format definition

Excel date format that displays the day of the week, and then the name of the month, the two-digit date, and the four-digit year (Sunday, June 30, 2027).

AutoFill

Feature used to fill a group of cells with the same data or to extend a data series.

Fill Handle tool

Appears at the lower-right corner of a selected cell or group of cells and can be used to implement the AutoFill feature.

Data series (worksheet)

A sequence of cells with a recognizable pattern (used with the AutoFill feature).

Data markers

Columns, bars, pie pieces, or other visual elements in a chart that represent data point values.

Data series (chart)

A group of related data points plotted on a chart.

Legend

A key for a chart defining which data series is represented by each color.

Term: Plot area definition

The area of the chart where the data series are plotted.

Chart area

Encompasses the entire chart including the plot area and optional layout elements, such as title and legend.

Order of operations (precedence) definition

REMEMBER PEMDAS (Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction)

Relative reference

A cell reference that adjusts to the new location in the worksheet when the formula is copied.

Absolute reference

A cell reference whose location remains constant when the formula is copied. The $ character before a letter or number in the cell address means that part of the cell's address is absolute (nonchanging).

Mixed reference

A combination cell reference with a row position that stays constant with a changing column position (or vice versa).

Auto Sum

Automatically enters totals for you (insert common functions with a single mouse click)

Status Bar

Appears at the bottom of the worksheet grid and can display information about the selected data, including the number of cells selected that contain data (count) and the average and sum (total) of the selected values (when appropriate).

Function

Preprogrammed shortcuts for calculating complex equations (like the average of a group of numbers).

Argument

The part of the formula (input) that the function uses to calculate a value.

Quick Analysis tool

Feature that helps you easily apply formatting, create charts, and insert formulas based on the selected data.

Tiled window arrangement

Places the windows in a grid pattern.

Horizontal window arrangement

Places the windows in a row next to each other.

Vertical window arrangement

Places the windows in a stack one on top of the other.

Cascade window arrangement

Places the windows in a staggered, overlapping, diagonal arrangement.