2.2.2 Databases and Spreadsheets

Absolute Cell Reference

A cell reference within a spreadsheet, which remains the same when copied (replicated) to another cell. (Uses '$' to lock formula)

Row

A group of cells that run horizontally on a spreadsheet/ is the horizontal portion of the spreadsheet.

Database Management System (DBMS)

A program that lets one or more computer users create and access data in a database

Record

A record contains all necessary information about an individual or thing.

Cell format (Date)

A specified date

Mail Merge

A type of process that combines a form letter with a list of names and addresses to produce individualized letters to each person in the mailing list and get multiple letters

Cell format (Function)

An equation that performs mathematical calculations on values in a worksheet.

Cell format (Number)

Changing the decimal place allowed for the value

Search

Looking for specific data needed

Cell format (Currency)

Money in any form when in actual use as a medium of exchange

Cell format (Value)

Numbers, text, dates, or times of day that you type into a cell.

Sort

Organizing data alphabetically or numerically

Cell format (Calculation)

Problem solving that involves numbers or quantities

Query

Queries are used to look for specific information in a database, and can be used to search for more than one thing

Cell

The intersection of a row and a column on the grid of a spreadsheet that deals with one type of data at a time.

Cell format

The way the spreadsheet cell looks, for example changing the column width or alignment.

Relative Cell Reference

When a formulae in a spreadsheet is changed relative to its position, during copying or replication.

Cell format (Text)

Will be treated as a text instead of a number

Range

a block or group of cell in a worksheet that have been selected or highlighted. An example is that when a particular cell is selected, there the black outlines are seen.

Field

a single category of information for what data is given for an individual's record.

Worksheet

a single page or sheet in an Excel spreadsheet (found as tabs on the bottom of the spreadsheet). By default, there are three worksheets per file.

Column

are a group of cells that run vertically/is the vertical portion of the spreadsheet.

Template

are ready-made layouts, which are easy to use and standardized. When you change a template, any regions that are based on that template are automatically changed as well. Examples include Billing Statements, Blood Pressure Trackers, Expense Reports, Loan Amortization, Sales Report, Time Card, and Personal Monthly Budget.

Replicate

can be used to copy numbers and formulas into different cells.

What If Questions

features calculation, graphing tools, pivot tables and a macro programming language called Visual Basic for Applications. Filling in data like `quantities', `descriptions', etc. It allows sectioning of data to view its dependencies on various factors from different perspectives under spreadsheet system. Finally, it has a variety of interactive features allowing user interfaces that can completely hide the spreadsheet from the user, so the spreadsheet presents itself as a so-called application, or decision support system (DSS), via a custom-designed user interface, for example, a stock analyzer, or in general, as a design tool that asks the user questions and provides answers and reports.

Macro

is a series of commands and functions that are run whenever you need to perform a task.

Label

is one type of data used in Excel and other spreadsheet programs. They are used for titles, headings, names, and for identifying columns of data.

Key field

used typically in relational databases to maintain the structural integrity of your tables. It is a field, or set of fields of a database table, which together form a unique identifier for a database record.