MIS Concept Questions

What type of error alert prevents a user from storing an entry in a workbook?

A Stop error alert

What is a data validation rule? When should you create one?

A data validation rule specifies what data is valid in a particular cell. Use a data validation rule to help minimize the errors users make as they enter data into worksheets.

What is a macro? How could you use one in an Excel workbook?

A macro is a series of commands that you store and then run when you need to perform a task.

Explain the difference between precedent and dependent cells.

A precedent cell contains a value that is used in a formula. A dependent cell uses the value in the active cell in its formula.

What is a decision support system?

A workbook designed to help managers solve problems and make decisions related to business strategies is a decision support system (DSS), a type of information system that helps managers model business scenarios, especially through what-if analysis.

How does an Excel application differ from other types of Excel workbooks?

A workbook that can function as an information system, a system that is used to collect, organize, and process data and to communicate and distribute the results in a coordinated manner is an Excel application.

What is the difference between an input message and an error alert?

An input message appears in an active cell to help prevent a user from entering data that doesn't satisfy the validation rule for a cell. The input message identifies the kind of data the user should enter. To guide users who do enter invalid data, you can display an error alert, a dialog box that displays a message of varying severity.

What are false positives and false negatives, and which are harder to detect in worksheets?

False positives are items that are flagged as incorrect, but are, in fact, correct. False negatives are items that are, in fact, incorrect, but are not flagged as such. False negatives are harder to detect because they are not flagged at all.

Explain the two steps you must perform to protect the contents of a worksheet.

First you use the Locked property of a cell to determine whether users can change the data in that cell. To engage the Locked property of the cells, you then protect the worksheet.

Before using the tools on the Formula Auditing toolbar, what three troubleshooting tasks can you perform to audit formulas?

Fix obvious errors, use the Error Alert button, and examine the formula.

Identify three ways to run a macro in Excel

Press the shortcut key assigned to the macro, use the Macro dialog box, or click a button to which a macro is assigned.

What does it mean to protect the structure of a workbook?

Protecting the structure means users cannot insert, delete, or rename worksheets.

Describe two ways to document a workbook.

Provide step-by-step instructions for entering data and performing calculations and include notes or comments that define terms, explain calculations, and describe assumptions.

Under what circumstances would you work in the Visual Basic Editor window?

To view or edit the VBA code of a macro

What is VBA?

VBA stands for Visual Basic for Applications, a programming language Excel uses to create macros.