Excel Chapter 2

SUM function

A predefined formula that adds all the numbers in a selected range of cells.

Function

A predefined formula--a formula that Excel has already built for you--that performs calculations by using specific values in a particular order or structure.

Excel table

A series of rows and columns that contains related data that is managed independently from the data in other rows and columns in the worksheet.

COUNT function

A statistical function that counts the number of cells in a range that contains numbers.

COUNTIF function

A statistical function that counts the number of cells within a range that meet the given condition and that has two arguments--the range of cells to check and the criteria.

Paste

The action of placing cell contents that have been copied or moved to the Clipboard into another location.

Filter

The process of displaying only a portion of the data based on matching a specific value to show only the data that meets the criteria that you specify.

Navigate

The process of moving within a worksheet or workbook.

Drag and drop

The action of moving a selection by dragging it to a new location.

Data bar

A cell format consisting of a shaded bar that provides a visual cue to the reader about the value of a cell relative to other cells; the length of the bar represents the value in the cell--a longer bar represents a higher value and a shorter bar represents a lower value.

Freeze panes

A command that enables you to select one or more rows or columns and freeze (lock) them into place; the locked rows and columns become separate panes.

Find and Replace

A command that searches the cells in a worksheet--or in a selected range--for matches and then replaces each match with a replacement value of your choice.

Conditional format

A format that changes the appearance of a cell--for example, by adding cell shading or font color--based on a condition; in the condition is true, the cell is formatted based on that condition, and if the condition is false, the cell is not formatted.

IF function

A function that uses a logical test to check whether a condition is met, and then returns one value if true, and another value if false.

Paste Options gallery

A gallery of buttons that provides a Live Preview of all the Paste options available in the current context.

Logical functions

A group of functions that test for specific conditions and that typically use conditional tests to determine whether specified conditions are true or false.

Pane

A portion of a worksheet window bounded by and separated from other portions by vertical and horizontal bars.

Volatile

A term used to describe an Excel function that is subject to change each time the workbook is reopened; for example, the NOW function updates itself to the current date and time each time the workbook is opened.

Summary sheet

A worksheet where totals from other worksheets are displayed and summarized.

Print Titles

An Excel command that enables you to specify rows and columns to repeat on each printed page.

AVERAGE function

An Excel function that adds a group of values, and then divides the result by the number of values in the group.

MAX function

An Excel function that determines the largest value in a selected range of values.

MIN functions

An Excel function that determines the smallest value in a selected range of values.

MEDIAN function

An Excel function that finds the middle value that has as many values above it in the group as are below it.

NOW function

An Excel function that retrieves the date and time from your computer's calendar and clock and inserts the information into the selected cell.

Logical test

Any value or expression that can be evaluated as being true or false.

Criteria

Conditions that you specify in a logical function.

Scale to Fit

Excel commands that enable you to stretch or shrink the width, height, or both, of printed output to fit a maximum number of pages.

Statistical functions

Excel functions, including the AVERAGE, MEDIAN, MIN, and MAX functions, which are useful to analyze a group of measurements.

Flash fill

Recognizes a pattern in your data, and then automatically fills in values when you enter examples of the output that you want. Use it to split data from two or more cells or to combine data from two cells.

Split

Splits the window into multiple resizable panes that contain views of your worksheet. This is useful to view multiple distant parts of your worksheet at one time.

Comparison operators

Symbols that evaluate each value to determine if it is the same (=), great than (>), less than (<), or in between a range of values as specified by the criteria.

Sheet tabs

The labels along the lower border of the workbook window that identify each worksheet.

Sort

The process of arranging data in a specific order based on the value in each field.

Paste area

The target destination for data that has been cut or copied using the Office Clipboard.

Arguments

The values that an Excel function uses to perform calculations or operations.

Detail sheet

The worksheets that contain the details of the information summarized on a summary sheet.