Getting Started with Microsoft Excel

The area within the Excel window where data is displayed and edited. It is structured as a grid with rows and columns.

A single box in the worksheet, representing the intersection of a column and a row. It holds a single data entry.

The unique identifier for a cell, composed of its column letter and row number (e.g., A1).

The cell where you are currently typing or editing data. It is highlighted with a heavier border.

The row labels running down the left side of the worksheet, starting from 1 and extending to 65536.

The column labels across the top of the worksheet, starting with A and going to IV.

Moving between cells using the keyboard arrow keys, Home, End, PgUp, and PgDn.

Moving the displayed worksheet content one screen at a time using PgDn, PgUp, Alt-PgDn, and Alt-PgUp.

Modifying a cell's contents by typing over the existing entry.

Undoing recent changes made to a cell by pressing a designated key combination.

Rearranging the worksheet by copying, moving, deleting, or inserting rows and cells.

Storing a workbook for later use, preventing data loss.

Retrieving a previously saved workbook for further access.

Protecting the contents of a workbook to restrict access and prevent unauthorized changes.

Setting a password to open a workbook, limiting access to authorized users.

Exiting the Excel program after completing your work.

A rectangular group of cells in a spreadsheet. The smallest range is a single cell, while the largest range encompasses all cells in the workbook.

Ranges are defined by the addresses of two opposite corner cells separated by a colon (:) or two dots (..). For example, A1:H4 or H4:A1.

To move to the first cell of the active area, press Ctrl-Home. To move to the last cell of the active area, press Ctrl-End.

To move one sheet at a time, use Ctrl-PgDn to go forward and Ctrl-PgUp to go backward.

A cell or range of cells can be selected using either the mouse or the keyboard.

To select a single cell with the mouse, simply click on it. To select a range, click and drag from the starting corner to the opposite corner.

To select a cell with the keyboard, press F5 and type the cell address in the dialog box. To select a range using the keyboard, select the cell in any corner of the range and hold down Shift while pressing the appropriate arrow keys.

To select an entire column with the mouse, click on the column header. To select an entire row, click on the row header.

A function in spreadsheets that calculates the total sum of values in specified cells. It accepts cell references, ranges of cells, and even individual numbers.

The SUM function ignores blank cells and treats them as zero when calculating the total.

The SUM function cannot process text data and will return an error (#VALUE!) if you try to include text cells in the calculation.

A function in spreadsheets that calculates the average of the specified data. It ignores blank cells and text entries.

The Average function only considers numeric data. It will ignore any blank cells or text entries when calculating the average.

A mathematical expression used to calculate a value in a spreadsheet, typically starting with an equal sign (=).

The process of using existing data within a spreadsheet instead of manually typing in values, making formulas more dynamic and easier to update.

The ability to instantly change the results of formulas and calculations by modifying the values in the referenced cells.

A data entry that is fixed and does not change, like a specific number or text.

The advantage of referring to cells in formulas instead of manually typing values, making calculations more flexible and efficient.

The action of changing formulas and calculations by updating the values in the referenced cells, allowing for easy adjustments within a spreadsheet.

In Excel, a reference can be a specific cell address like 'A2' or an actual number, used in functions like IF.

A built-in help tool in Excel, providing guidance on different functions and their usage.

The standard unit of angle measurement in Excel.

Excel calculates trigonometric functions in radians by default, but you can convert them to degrees for accurate results.

A standard toolbar in Excel that contains commonly used tools and controls, including a Function Wizard icon.

Entering a function into a cell directly from the keyboard, instead of using the Function Wizard.

A set of functions in Excel that perform mathematical operations on angles and lengths, such as sine, cosine, and tangent.