What is ExcelThis section covers
Components of the Excel
Window (a quick view)
Excel is the most commonly used spreadsheet
software program.
Entering numbers, text or even a formulas into the
Excel spreadsheet (or a worksheet, as it is known in Excel) is quick and
simple.
Excel allows
easy ways to calculate, analyze and format data.
The calculation
is instantaneous and allows the user to change data and see the result immediately
in a dynamic “what if “ scenario.
Excel also helps the user to get a quick graphical representation of
the worksheet contents.
An Excel document is called a workbook. Workbooks are assigned default names such as Book1, Book2, etc. (You may change these names).
Each workbook may contain multiple pages, in the form of worksheets (and also
charts). The active worksheet is displayed in the document
window of Excel.
The default names of worksheets in a workbook are Sheet1, Sheet2 and so on.
The names of all sheets are displayed in the sheet tab at the bottom of the workbook, with the name of the active sheet shown in bold.
Each worksheet in Excel is made up of rows and columns.
The rows are identified by numbers.
Each
worksheet can have a maximum of 65,536 rows.
The columns are identified by letters.
Each worksheet can have
a maximum of 256 columns.
The intersection of a row and a column defines a cell.
A cell is the smallest unit to store a data element,
a formula or a function.
Each cell is identified by a Cell Address (or Cell Reference), which is made
up of a column and a row number. (Cell B4 is at the junction of Column B and
Row 4).
The cell, which is currently in use, is called the Current Cell or
the Active Cell.
Selection of a number of adjacent cells defines a Range.
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Microsoft Excel can be started in many different ways.
The two most frequently used methods are:
| 1. | Choose Start
=> Programs => Microsoft
Excel
(This notation will be used to mean: From the Windows "Start" menu, click on "Programs" and then click on "Microsoft Excel") |
| 2. | Double-click on Microsoft Excel shortcut if |
When you're ready to quit Excel, you may
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Choose File => Exit, OR |
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Click the "x" (Close) button at the right side of the Title Bar. |
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It contains a set of other components, which make Excel a versatile documentation
tool.
These components will be discussed in a subsequent section.
The following animation demonstrates a quick view of the Excel window
components.
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