# or Symbol

#####

Indicated that a spreadsheet cell is too narrow to show its contents

#REF!

Indicates that there is a problem with the cell references in a formula in a spreadsheet cell

A

absolute reference

cell reference which will not change if cells are moved. Has the format $A$1.

active

the cell which receives the action or keystrokes. It has a wider, dark border 

adjacent

parts that are next to each other

argument

a value needed to calculate a function. For example, the function COUNT needs cell references as the arguments: =COUNT(A2:D6) or =COUNT(B1, C2, D3, D4, F5)

assumed values

The values that are fixed in formulas on a sheet, like interest rate or commission rate.

AutoCalculate

A special feature of Excel which shows a calculation on the status bar. You may select from several, including SUM and COUNT.

AutoComplete

A feature of Excel which automatically completes certain words or phrases.

AutoFill

A feature of Excel which automatically copies a cell into cells that are dragged across, or which automatically continues a pattern of values in cells that are dragged across.

AutoFit

Clicking the edge of a column heading or a row heading makes the column or row as wide or tall as needed to show contents of the cell that needs the most space

AutoFormat

a set of formatting choices that can be applied all at once

AutoSum

a toolbar button which sets a formula to add up cells either in a row or in a column. Excel guesses which one you want.

Axes

edges of a chart which are marked off in even sections

B

C

cell

The intersection of a row and a column

cell reference

The columns letter followed by the row numbers, like A1 or BC575.

cell style

A combination of choices of formats that is named and can be used again for other cells.

chart area

The area that contain all of the parts of the chart, including the titles and legend.

chart tips

Popup tips that tell what each part of a chart is or its values.

chart title

The title assigned to the chart, usually at the top.

chart type

Type of chart, like column, pie, area, donut, etc.

Chart Wizard

A set of dialogs which guide you through the process of creating a chart based on your data .

circular reference

A formula that uses the cell reference of the cell that the formula itself is in.

Clear

A command that opens a menu of choices or what you want cleared: All, Formats, Contents, Comments.

clear data

Erase data from a cell. Formatting is still assigned to the cell and will be used for any new data. Clearing the data does not delete the cell itself, just the contents.

clear formats

Returns the selected cells to the default formatting.

Collapse Dialog button

 A button which collapses the dialog to show just a text box for cell references. Clicking or dragging in the spreadsheet puts those cell references in the text box.

collapse group

In a subtotals sheet, clicking the Collapse button will remove from view the rows in that level of the sheet

column

A vertical set of cells, running from the top of the sheet all the way to the bottom of the sheet

column chart

A chart which displays the data as a set of columns.
 

column heading

A button which shows the letter name of the column

column label

A title that you enter in a cell for a column of cells  

column width

The horizontal size of a columns of cells.

Comma

A button on the toolbar which will apply the comma number format to selected cells. In this format, groups of 3 digits to the left of the decimal point are separated by commas and 2 digits are shown to the right of the decimal point.

comment

An note attached to a cell. The default is a pale yellow rectangle. A comment can be hidden. The shape can be changed to any AutoShape. Text in a comment can be formatted. Comments often explain something about the source or formatting or use of the cell contents.

comment indicator

A small red triangle in the upper right corner of a cell indicates that there is a comment attached to the cell.

concatenation

Combining text and values into one text string.  If the formula in cell D10 is   ="Final Total is " + C4 + " ."  and the value of cell C4 is 560, then what you see in cell D10 is  The Final Total is 560. 

conditional formatting

Formatting that changes based on a logical test. Fonts, borders, and patterns can all be changed. Up to three different conditions can be set for a cell.

convert

To change the type of object or file. You might convert a Lotus 1-2-3 worksheet to a Microsoft Excel worksheet or to a picture.

copy

To make a duplicate of something. The Copy command puts the duplicate on the Windows Clipboard (a section of the computer's memory) until you paste it elsewhere. Excel will forget what it copied as soon as you do something else!

Currency

A button on the toolbar which applies the Currency number format to the selected cells. In this format numbers have a symbol for the particular currency chosen, such as $ or €. Two digits are shown to the right of the decimal point.

custom list

A sorting list that you create yourself.

customize toolbar

Add or remove items from a toolbar.

D

data block or region

A set of cells that contain data of some sort and which are surrounded by blank cells on all sides.

data labels

Words or numbers that are near a data point on a chart to explain it

data point

A single value on a chart, represented by a dot, bar, area, or pie wedge.
 

Decrease Decimal

A button on the toolbar which changes a number's format to show one fewer digits to the right of the decimal point.

E

edit data

To change existing data.

edit in place

To edit an object without having to switch to another program. The source program's toolbars in the existing window.

Edit mode

When in Edit mode, you can type directly in the cell instead of having to use the Formula Bar. Turn on Edit mode by double-clicking the cell you want to edit.

embedded object

A document or part of a document from one program that appears inside a document from another program. The embedded object does not show changes in the source document unless you manually update it.

End mode

Pressing the End key turns on End mode, which changes the action of certain keys.

enter data

Typing and then pressing the ENTER key makes the cell remember what you typed. To make changes after the data has been entered, you must edit or else your new typing will replace what was in the cell.

expand group

In a subtotal sheet clicking the Expand button brings into view that level of the sheet.

explode (pie chart)

Move the wedges that make up the pie away from each other.  

F

fill handle

a small black square at the bottom right corner of a selection

formula

An expression that calculates something, usually based on the values in cells. The formula = SUM(A1, B1, C1) adds the values in the three cells. The formula =D2/G4 divides the values in cell D2 by the value in cell G4.

Format Cells…

A command that opens a dialog where you can set formatting in selected cells for fonts and numbers.

Format Painter

Clicking the Format Painter button changes the pointer to the Format Painter shape. The formatting of the current cell is copied. When you click on another cell, the copied formatting is applies.

Formula Bar

A text bar at the top of the sheet. It shows what the currently selected cell contains. If the selection contains several cells, the Formula Bar shows what is in the upper left cell. If a cell's value is calculated with a formula, the Formula Bar shows the formula but the cell shows the value, unless you are in Edit mode.

Freeze panes

A command on the Window menu which makes the rows and columns above and to the left of the selected cell "freeze" in place when you scroll the window.

Full screen

A view which maximizes the amount of screen available for the sheet by hiding the toolbars, statusbar, etc.

function

a mathematical expression. In the case of spreadsheets, a function always starts with the equals sign, =. 

Examples: =SUM(e12:h22)    =COUNT(b14:g36)    =AVERAGE(A4,A6,A12,A42)

G

gridlines

The gray lines which outline the rows and columns on a sheet.

group (data)

To gather similar data together, such as moving rows with the same value in a certain column next to each other

group (sheets)

Selecting several worksheets at once groups the sheets, shown by the sheet tabs turning white. Actions done to one sheet are done to all sheets in the group.

H

I

icon link

A small icon that links to another document. Used in a document instead of embedding or linking

Increase Decimal

A button which will make numbers show one more digit to the right of the decimal. Rounded numbers will be rounded again to the new number of digits. A zero will be added if the number was not rounded to start with. For example, the number 2.5 would display as 2.50 if the actual number really is 2.5 exactly. If the actual number was 2.4789, then after clicking Increase Decimal, the new value will look like 2.48.

insert

To add rows or columns or cells in between existing ones, moving existing data out of the way.

J

K

L

legend

A list of the colors or symbols for different series on a chart

 

link

To connect cells on two different sheets so that data entered or calculated on one appears on the other.

linked object

An object that displays and prints in a document but is actually just a link to another document. A linked object always shows the latest version of the source. The source must be available, however, for this to happen.

M

Merge and Center

A command which merges selected cells and centers the data in the cell.

merge cells

Combines two or more selected cells into one cell. The data in the upper left cell of the selection is all that is saved into the new larger cell. All the other cells' data is lost.

Message area

The section of the Status Bar for displaying messages about what is going on

mode

In different modes the keys perform different actions.

mode indicators

A symbol or abbreviation that shows what mode is currently on.

move

To move data to another area of the sheet or to a different sheet.

N

name

A cell can have a name as well as a cell reference

Name Box

A text box at the upper left of the sheet which displays the cell reference of the currently selected cell or it's name, if it has one.

non-adjacent

Not right next to each other.

Normal View

The default view for a sheet, with the gray gridlines.

O

P

Page Break Preview

A view which shows clearly what parts of a sheet will print together on the same piece of paper. You can drag the outlines to keep certain areas from printing at all.

Page SetUp

A dialog which has 4 tabs for managing the printing of a spreadsheet: Page, Margins, Header/Footer, Sheet

Paste Link

A command that pastes copied data as a link. When the original cells change, so will the pasted ones.

Paste Special

A command that opens a set of choices for how you want to paste what you copied. For example, you can paste just the values or just the formats.

picture object

An object inserted into a document which is just an image of the source document. It can be edited only as an image.

pie chart

A chart which displays the data as parts of a whole circle.

Print as displayed

Choice on Sheet tab of Page Setup for Excel. Applies to cell comments. When chosen, the comments are printed just as they show on the screen.

Print at end

Choice on Sheet tab of Page Setup for Excel. Applies to cell comments. When chosen, the comments are printed all together at the end of the sheet's pages.

Print formulas

Display the formulas in cells with Tools| Options | Show formulas. Then print.
 

percentage

A number format which displays the selected number as a percentage. So the whole number 3 would display as 300%.

Print

A button which will cause the entire sheet to print, including cells that have no data but which were formatted.

Print Area

The part of a sheet will actually print out.

Print dialog

A dialog with which you can manage the actual printing process: choose a printer, access printer options, choose which pages to print, choose how many copies to print

Print Preview

A view that shows how the sheet will look after printing.

Q

R

range

A set of adjacent cells. The range reference has the form C3:E6 and refers to cells in the rectangle with C3 and E6 at opposite corners: C3, C4, C5, C6, D3, D4, D5, D6, E3, E4, E5, E6.

Regional Settings

An icon on the Control Panel opens a dialog which lets you choose a language and country for your regional settings. This affects what Windows and Windows programs use as a unit of measure for distances and currency and also how dates and times are displayed.

relative reference

Using normal cell reference form (like C3) is a relative reference. When the cell contents is moved, any formulas that refer to that cell are changed to use the new location.

Restore Dialog button

Restores the dialog that was collapsed with the Collapse Dialog.

row

A set of cells that runs across the page to the last column.

row heading

A button which shows the number of the row

row height

The height of the cells in the row. All cells in the same row must have the same height.

row label

A title which you enter for the row, often in the first cell in the row.

S

Scroll Lock mode

When the Scroll Lock key is pressed, certain keys start different actions.

selection

The cell or cells that will receive the actions of keys and commands. The selection is surrounded by a wide dark border.

series

Two or more cells whose contents form a pattern. AutoFill can continue the series.

sheet

Short for worksheet

sheet tab

An area at the bottom of a sheet that shows the name of the sheet.

shift data

When copying and pasting, you  may be asked if you want to shift the data down or to the right. Data is moved over enough cells for the pasted cells to fit.

sort

To rearrange rows of data in an order. The order can be alphabetical, numerical, or based on a custom list.

Sort Ascending

A button which will sort selected cells in a column into alphabetical or numerical order. If multiple cells are selected in each row or whole rows are selected, the sorting is based on the first cell in each row of the selection. 

Sort Descending

A button which will sort selected cells in a column into reverse alphabetical or numerical order. If multiple cells are selected in each row or whole rows are selected, the sorting is based on the first cell in each row of the selection. 

Sort dialog

A dialog which offers more choices than the Sort buttons. You can sort on 3 different columns. For each one you can choose to sort ascending, descending, or use a custom list.

split cell

To divide a cell that was formed by merging cells.

Split view

A view which allows you to see 2 or 4 parts of the sheet at the same time

spreadsheet

Sheet or worksheet- formed of rows and columns.

standard width

The default width for a column.

Subtotal

A total of part of a larger set of data, usually of a certain group.

T

title

The contents of a cell which label the sheet.

U

Unfreeze panes

The command on the Window menu which makes the whole sheet scroll together.

ungroup (sheets)

To separate grouped sheets. Click on a sheet that is not in the group, or right click on the group and select Ungroup from the popup menu

Unmerge

To return merged cells to their previous arrangement. Data that was lost in the merge is still lost.

V

W

What-If sheet

A spreadsheet that is used to try out various combinations of numbers to see what how the results change.

workbook

The file that is an Excel document. Usually it contains several worksheets

workbook window

The document window in Excel

worksheet

A single spreadsheet page. It may take several sheets of paper to print since one can be as wide as 256 columns and as tall as 65,536 rows.

X

.xls

The file extension used for Excel spreadsheets.

Y

Z

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