Microsoft Excel Vocabulary

Data Marker

A bar, area, dot, slice, or other symbol in a chart that represents a single data point or value that originates from a worksheet cell.

Fill Handle

A black box on the lower-right corner of the selected cell or range that you can use to fill (copy) a series or formula.

Chart Area

A chart object that contains all of the chart objects.

Column Chart

A chart that compares values across categories over time.

Pie Chart

A chart that describes the relationship of parts to the whole.

Area Chart

A chart that shows the relative importance of values over a period of time.

Workbook

A collection of related worksheets saved in a single Excel file.

Filter

A command that displays only the data that you want to see in an Excel worksheet based on criteria you set.

Sort

A command that organizes columns in an Excel spreadsheet or a Word table numerically or alphabetically, and in ascending or descending order.

Formula Bar

A floating element below the menu bar in which users, enter, edit, or display a formula or data in the selected cell.

Complex Formulas

A formula in Excel that contains more than one mathematical operator and performs more than one calculation at a time.

Line Chart

A graph of data mapped by a series of lines.

Data Table

A grid in a chart that contains the chart's underlying worksheet data, and that is usually placed below the x-axis.

Row

A horizontal group of cells in a worksheet identified by numbers.

Chart Style

A predefined set of chart colors and fills that can be applied to any chart.

Range

A selected are of adjacent cells in an Excel worksheet.

Formula Builder

A tab on the Excel Toolbox that helps users create mathematical calculations.

Column

A vertical group of cells in a worksheet identified by letters.

Chart

A visual representation of selected worksheet data.

Worksheet

An Excel spreadsheet comprised of rows and columns of information that is used for performing various purposes.

Spreadsheet

Another word for a workbook or worksheet.

Legend

Area in a chart that explains what the labels, colors, and patterns of the chart represent.

AVERAGE

Calculates the average value of the arguments in a list.

MAX

Calculates the largest value in the list of arguments.

MIN

Calculates the smallest value in a list of arguments.

COUNT NUMBERS

Counts the number of values in the list of arguments.

Labels

Descriptive text used to identify worksheet data in Excel.

Formulas

Equations that calculate new values from existing values.

Cell Address

In Excel, a column letter followed by a row number that specifies the location of a cell.

Formula AutoComplete

In Excel, a feature that helps you enter a formula in a cell by suggesting a listing of functions as you type letters and providing syntax information to help you write the formula correctly.

AutoFilter Arrows

In Excel, arrows to the right of each column heading that appear when AutoFilter is selected for a list.

Criteria

In Excel, conditions or qualifications that determine whether data is chosen for a filter.

Values

In Excel, data entered into a cell, such as numbers or dates.

Name Box

In Excel, displays the name or address of the currently selected cell in the worksheet.

Conditional Formatting

In Excel, formatting that is applied to cells in a spreadsheet when specified criteria are met.

Column Headings

In Excel, the boxes containing letters that appear above every column.

Row Headings

In Excel, the boxes containing numbers that appear in front of each row.

SUM

In Excel, the function used to calculate the total of the arguments.

Plot Area

In a chart, the area that contains the data markers.

Active Cell

In an Excel worksheet, the current location of the cell pointer.

Chart Objects

Individual components of a chart, such as the chart background or legend, that can be moved or resized independently.

Functions

Prewritten formulas you can use instead of typing a formula from scratch.

Cell References

The addresses of a cell in an Excel worksheet that defines its location in the worksheet by column letter and row number.

TODAY Function

The function that is a date-related function that places the current date in a cell.

Cell

The intersection of a row and a column in an Excel worksheet or a Word table.

X and Y axis

The x axis is the horizontal number line on a coordinate plane; the y axis is the vertical number line on a coordinate plane.

What-if Analysis

Type of analysis you can perform in Excel where you can change the formula input numbers and instantly see the effect on the formula result.

Arguments

Values, cell references, or text used in an Excel function.