Introduction of Common Terms in Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet
Cell:
The intersection of a row and a column in a worksheet is called a cell. The arrow keys are used to move the cursor to a cell. A cell has two types. It can be an active cell or a passive cell. A cell is referred to by ‘ColumnRow’ notation. For example, the cell at the intersection of Column A and Row 8 has the address “A8”. The lower right corner of the cursor is called the Fill Handle. It is used to fill data in cells adjacent to the active cell. The data filled in the cells using the Fill handle depends upon the contents of the active cell.
Active Cell
The currently selected cell is called the active cell. The active cell is indicated by a dark border around the cell. The dark border is also called cursor. When data in entered into the worksheet, it enters in the active cell of the worksheet.
Passive Cell
The cell that is not currently selected is called passive cell or passive state of a cell. When data in entered into the worksheet, it enters in the active cell of the worksheet.
Worksheet
A Grid of rows and columns is called worksheet. In a MS Excel worksheet, columns are labeled with letters like A, B, C, D, etc. and rows are labeled with numbers like 1, 2, 3, etc. Worksheet is the area where data is entered. A worksheet consists of 256 columns and 65,536 rows. The first worksheet is named Sheetl, the second is Sheet2 and the third is named Sheet3. These worksheets can be re-named and new worksheets can also be added to the workbook. The number of sheets and their names are displayed at the bottom of the workbook.
Workbook
A worksheet is saved in a file on the disk. This file is called the workbook. When a new workbook is opened, it contains three worksheets by default. The first worksheet is named Sheet 1, the second is named Sheet2 and the third is named Sheet3. These worksheets can be re-named and new worksheets can also be added in the workbook.
Formulas
Formulas are the important features in MS Excel. Accounting work is not possible without formulas in a Spreadsheet Software. A formula is a mathematical expression that shows relationship of two or more cells in the worksheet. The formula is not shown in the cell in which it is entered. Instead, its value is displayed in the cell in which it is written. It uses numbers, cell references or both. A formula is entered in a cell. The cell in which a formula is entered shows value of the formula after calculations. When the active cell pointer is placed on the cell containing a formula, the formula is shown in the Formula Bar. The cell whose address is used in a formula is called reference cell. If a value in a cell referenced by the formula changes, the result of the formula updates instantly.
Function
A function is a built-in tool of a Spreadsheet Program that is used to perform an operation and return a value. It can be used with both numbers and text. It is used in formulas.
A function gets one or more input values and gives a single value as output. The values given to the function are called parameters or arguments. The output from the function is called return value.
Labels
Labels are used to identify a value or a series of values. They are used to give title and heading rows and columns. Labels cannot be used in formulas and functions.
Values
In Spreadsheet software, numbers are called values. Any value can be entered in a spreadsheet. It can be a whole number, decimal, fraction, negative number, etc. Values can be used in formulas and functions.
