Microsoft Excel Vocabulary

Data Marker

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

Chart Area

A chart object that contains all of the chart objects.

Column Chart

A chart that compares values across categories over 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, an 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 Formula

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

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.

Functions

A prewritten formula you can use instead of typing a formula from scratch. Each function includes the function name, a set of parentheses, and function arguments separated by commas and enclosed in parentheses.

Range

A selected area of adjacent cells in an Excel worksheet.

Formula Builder

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

Argument

A value, cell reference, or text used in an Excel function. Commas or a colon separate arguments and parentheses enclose them; for example, AVERAGE(A1,10,5)

Chart

A visual representation of selected worksheet data

Worksheet

An Excel spreadsheet comprised if rows and columns of information that is used for performing numeric calculation, displaying business data, presenting information on the Web, and other purposes.

Formula

An equation that calculates a new alue from existing values. Formulas can contain numbers, mathematical operators, cell references, and built-in equations called functions.

Spreadsheet

Another word for a workbook or worksheet.

Legend

Area in 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 Function

Calculates the largest value in the list of arguments.

MIN Function

Calculates the smallest value in a list of arguments.

Labels

Descriptive text used to identify worksheet data in Excel.

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.

Fill Handle

In Excel, a small square that appears on the lower-right corner of a selected worksheet cell that users can drag to the right or down to copy the cell's contents into adjacent cells.

AutoFilter arrows

In Excel, arrows to the right of each column heading that appear when AutoFilter is selected for a list; click the arrows to open a menu containing options for filtering and sorting the list data.

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 a numer or a date.

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 Function

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

Plot Area

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

Chart Object

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

Cell Reference

The address of a cell in an Excel worksheet that defines its location in the worksheet by column letter and row number, and that can be used in formulas and functions.

TODAY Function

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

X-Axis

The horizontal line at the base of a chart that contains a series of related values from the worksheet data. Also called the category axis.

Cell

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

Y-Axis

The vertical line in a chart that contains a series of related values from the worksheet data. Also called the value axis.

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