R. Craig Collins >Common > Excel Glossary

Excel Glossary© R. Craig Collins, 2005

cell: the intersection of a row and column, can be used to hold text (labels), numbers, formulas, or functions

cell reference: the column and row of a specific cell, such as A1 or S32

chart: a graphical representation of numeric information

chart wizard: guide through the process of creating a chart

column: vertical organization of a table, a column is as wide as the largest cell in the column

copy-paste special: a method of linking a chart into a Word document, rather than just using copy/paste. Using the edit menu, choose Paste Special, then Paste Link

formula: how simple math is entered in Excel, formulas always start with an = followed by the math, such as =5+2
function: simple one step solution for complex or compound formulas, such as average (sum, count, divide sum by count); begins with =function name(range)

mathematical operators: how Excel does math; add +, subtract -, multiply *, divide / and exponents ^

print menu items: used to indicate what is to be printed (print range); print preview includes print settings, where grids can be turned on or off, where header or footers can be set, etc.

range: a group of cells indicated as starting cell:ending cell

resize: making a row or column larger, by selecting the line between, and dragging; may also use format menu

row: horizontal organization of cells, the tallest cell set the height for the entire row

spreadsheet: a table used for numbers and math

table: information organized into rows and columns, the intersection is called a cell

xls or xlsx: the file type extension for Excel

##### : indicates the cell is not large enough to display the number, resize the column

[Ctrl] + [~] : used to reveal the formulas in cells, and to switch back to normal view