Excel is the popular spreadsheet software developed by Microsoft. Excel offers a wide range of features and functions to manage and analyze data effectively. It’s important to know the terminology used within the software to navigate the world of Excel with confidence. This comprehensive glossary provides an alphabetical listing of common Excel terms for making it easy to understand the terminology. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned Excel user, this glossary will serve as a valuable reference guide.
Glossary of Excel Terms:
- Active Cell: The currently selected cell in which data entry or modification takes place.
- Auto Calculate: A feature in Excel that automatically performs basic calculations, such as sum or average, for a selected range of cells.
- AutoFilter: A tool that enables filtering data based on specific criteria, displaying only the relevant rows in a worksheet.
- AutoFit: A feature that automatically adjusts the width of a column or the height of a row to fit the contents of the cells.
- AutoSum: A function that automatically calculates the sum of a selected range of cells.
- Border: A line or outline that is applied to cells or ranges in Excel to highlight the data.
- Cell: The intersection of a row and a column in a worksheet. Cells are used to store and manipulate data.
- Cell Reference: A way to identify and refer to a specific cell or range of cells in a worksheet. Cell references can be absolute (fixed) or relative (changing when copied).
- Chart: A presentation of data that provides a clear and concise way to present the information.
- Clipboard: It’s a temporary storage area in Excel where the copied or cut data is held until the data is pasted elsewhere.
- Conditional Formatting: A feature that allows you to apply formatting to cells based on specific conditions or rules, enhancing data visualization.
- Copy: The action of duplicating selected cells or ranges. An identical copy can be pasted elsewhere.
- Cut: The action of removing selected data in cells or ranges from their original location for pasting elsewhere.
- Data Validation: A feature that allows you to define rules or restrictions on the type and format of data that can be entered in a cell or range.
- Fill Handle: A small square located in the bottom-right corner of a selected cell or range that can be dragged to fill adjacent cells with a series or pattern.
- Filter: A tool that enables you to display specific data based on the criteria.
- Font: The style, size, and appearance of characters in a cell, range, or worksheet.
- Footer: Text or information that appears at the bottom of every printed page, typically including page numbers, date, file name or any custom text.
- Format: The layout or presentation styles applied to cells, ranges or worksheets. Formatting includes elements such as font, color, alignment, borders and much more.
- Formula: An equation or expression that performs calculations using cell references to produce a result.
- Freeze Panes: A feature that allows you to lock specific rows or columns in place while scrolling through a worksheet, ensuring important data remains visible.
- Header: Text or information that appears at the top of every printed page, often including titles, subtitles or other specific details.
- Hide: The action of making selected cells, rows or columns invisible within a worksheet, temporarily removing them from view.
- Hyperlink: A clickable link within a worksheet that directs users to another location, such as a different worksheet, file or website.
- Merge Cells: The process of combining multiple cells into a single larger cell. It is often used for formatting or presenting data in a more visually appealing manner.
- Paste: The action of inserting copied or cut cells or ranges from the clipboard into a new location within a worksheet or workbook.
- PivotTable: A dynamic summary report that allows you to analyze and summarize large amounts of data from different perspectives using drag-and-drop functionality.
- Print Area: The specific range of cells or ranges designated to be printed on a physical sheet of paper.
- Range: A group of cells selected together. It can be a rectangular block of cells or a combination of multiple non-adjacent cells.
- Redo: The action of reversing the effects of an “UNDO” operation, restoring the changes that were previously undone.
- Row: A horizontal series of cells identified by numbers on the left side of the worksheet.
- Sort: The process of arranging data in a worksheet based on specific criteria, such as alphabetical order, numerical value or custom sorting options.
- Template: A pre-designed and formatted file that serves as a starting point for creating new worksheets or workbooks with a good layout and structure.
- Undo: The action of reverting to the most recent change made in Excel. This allows you to restore previous versions or undo mistakes.
- Workbook: A file or document in Excel that contains one or more worksheets.
- Worksheet: A single sheet within a workbook where data is entered and organized in cells. Worksheets are identified by tabs at the bottom of the Excel window.
This glossary ensures you have a clear understanding of the essential terminology used in Excel. By familiarizing yourself with these essential terms, you can enhance your proficiency and maximize the potential of Excel.