Spreadsheet Vocabulary

Front

The selected cell in which data is entered when you begin typing. It is bounded by a heavy border.

Back

Active cell

Front

The sheet that you're working on in a workbook.

Back

Active Sheet

Front

A decorative line that can be applied to worksheet cells or objects, such as charts, pictures, or text boxes. It distinguishes, emphasizes, or groups items.

Back

Border

Front

A box formed by the intersection of a row and column in a worksheet, or a table, in which you enter information.

Back

Cell

Front

The set of coordinates that a cell occupies on a worksheet. For example, the reference of the cell that appears at the intersection of column B and row 3 is B3.

Back

Cell Reference

Front

Appear vertically and are identified by letters at the top of the worksheet window.

Back

Column

Front

The lettered or numbered gray area at the top of each column.

Back

Column Heading

Front

The small circle in the lower-right corner of the active cell. When you hover it, the pointer changes to a black cross.

Back

Fill Handle

Front

A sequence of values, cell references, names, functions, or operators in a cell that together produce a new value. It always begins with an equal sign (=).

Back

Formula

Front

Displays the constant value or formula stored in the active cell.

Back

Formula Bar