Spreadsheets & Business: Microsoft Excel Basics

Spreadsheets and Business

• Spreadsheets organize data in rows and columns.
• Electronic spreadsheets are computerized versions of paper spreadsheets.
• What-if analysis allows users to change a value and instantly recalculate results, useful in financial forecasting.
• Microsoft Excel is a powerful program to store, present, manipulate, and analyze data.
• A worksheet is an electronic spreadsheet for entering, storing, and analyzing data in Excel, as individual pages.
• A workbook is an Excel file that stores related Excel worksheets.
• Commands are instructions based on actions that can be accessed.
• Contextual tabs appear on the Ribbon with special commands for selected objects.
• A cell is the intersection of a row and a column.
• A cell reference is a cell's address, consisting of the column letter followed by the row number (e.g., C7).
• The active cell is the cell available to be edited.
• A value is a numeric constant that remains the same unless you edit the cell contents.
• The displayed value is the computed result shown in the cell.
• A cell range is a group of cells containing related data, identified by at least two cell references such as C2:F6.
• Formulas are mathematical equations for calculations or data analysis and are dynamic.
• The Formula Bar allows editing of cell contents, selection, navigation, and viewing of contents.
• A function is a named, pre-programmed formula.
• Sum calculates the sum of all values in a range.
• Max finds the highest value in a range.
• Min finds the lowest value in a range.
• Average calculates the average of values in a range.
• The IF function supplies values based on whether a conditional expression is true or false.
• Now inserts the current date and time.
• The Function Library contains menus that organize Excel functions by category.
• Relative references change when a formula is moved or copied.
• Absolute references, indicated by a dollar sign ($), do not change when formulas are moved or copied.
• "#####" error indicates that a column is too narrow to display the content.
• "#VALUE!" indicates an Excel formula has encountered an unexpected value.
• "#DIV/0!" means a formula is trying to divide by zero.
• "#REF!" indicates an invalid reference, often due to a deleted cell.
• "#NULL!" means there is an intersecting range of two ranges that do not actually intersect.
• Headings can be created as wide columns using merged cells.
• Formatting text involves using different fonts and font sizes to change appearance.
• Alignment controls the placement of data within cells, like centering.
• Formatting number controls decimal places and how negative numbers are displayed.
• Currency controls decimal places, currency symbols, and negative number display.
• Dates and times can be displayed in various long and short formats.
• Decoration includes adding borders, changing their style, adding color, shading, patterns, and clip art.
• Security features allow cell protection via password so complex formulas aren't accidentally destroyed.
• Sorting reorders data in a worksheet based on criteria like alphabetical or value, to organize data logically.
• Filtering makes data easier to work with by hiding entries that don't match criteria.
• Business graphics represent data in a visual, easily understood format.
• Analytical graphics help users analyze data with simple charts and few formatting options.
• Presentation graphics produce professional-looking charts with clarity and appeal.
• Line graphs illustrate multiple comparisons by plotting data connected by a line.
• Bar graphs illustrate comparisons using rectangular bars from the x-axis to the data point.
• Pie charts show each data point's contribution to the total, representing the whole as a circle.
• The vertical (y-axis) represents values or amounts.
• The plot area is where the data is plotted.
• A data point is each dot or symbol on a line graph.
• Labels identify the axes.
• Titles summarize information in a graph.
• Print preview shows how workbook pages will look when printed.
• Margins determine the space between worksheet content and the edge of the paper.
• Page orientation sets whether pages print in portrait or landscape mode.
• Portrait orientation means the page height is greater than the width.
• Landscape orientation means the page width is greater than the height.

Web Editing

• A webpage is a document displayed in a web browser, with file extensions .html or .htm.
• A website is a collection of grouped and connected web pages, also called a "site."
• A web server is a computer hosting a website on the Internet.
• Web designers are responsible for the look, layouts, information flow, and visual aspects of a website.
• UI (User Interface) design is creating the visual appearance of web pages for user interaction.
• UX (User Experience) design provides positive user experience and satisfaction, guiding website or app layout with wireframes.
• A wireframe is a page-by-page visualization of a complete, smoothly operating system.
• A web developer designs, codes, and modifies websites based on client specifications.
• A front-end developer (client-side) creates HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and JQuery for user interaction.
• A back-end developer (server-side) uses languages like PHP, Python, and SQL to build complicated programs.
• A web administrator manages and maintains websites, addressing functionality, appearance, content, and performance.
• A web analyst analyzes website visitor behavior to attract more visitors, or increase customer spending.