Ch 12 -- Glossary

Microsoft® Excel 97 Quick Reference

- 12 -
Glossary
This glossary contains the terms that appear italicized throughout this book. Look them up
as you go along or scan for any terms with which you are not familiar.

A
absolute reference A cell reference in a formula that doesn't change when you copy that
formula to another cell or range. You use dollar signs to indicate absolute references, such
as $B$7.

alignment How a cell entry is positioned in a cell, both horizontally and vertically.

arguments Inputs used to calculate functions.

AutoCalculate An Excel feature that supplies a quick total in a worksheet.

AutoComplete An Excel feature that makes it easy to enter repeated text items in a
column.

AutoCorrect An Excel feature that automatically corrects common typographical or

AutoFill An Excel feature that enables you to enter sequences of values automatically.

AutoFilter An Excel feature that enables you to filter data in a list without moving or
sorting the list. The field names at the top of the list become drop-down lists from which
you can choose the data you want to view.

AutoFormat An Excel feature that applies a set of predefined formatting choices to

AutoShapes Ready-made shapes provided with Excel (such as stars and flowchart
symbols) that you can add to worksheets.

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AutoSum An Excel feature that enables you to sum adjacent columns or rows
automatically.

C
chart A graphical representation of data in an Excel worksheet.

Chart Wizard An Excel feature that automates the creation of a chart.

clip art A collection of graphics and pictures that is available for use in programs such as
Excel.

Clipboard A temporary storage area for cut or copied items in Windows applications.

concatenation Combining text, numbers, or dates within a single cell. In Excel, you use
the ampersand (&) symbol to join the contents of multiple cells.

controls Data-entry objects commonly used in Excel forms, such as scrolling lists or check
boxes.

D
database In Excel, information that contains similar sets of data, organized in records and
fields.

data form A dialog box which enables you to quickly insert records in a list or database,
as well as search for and delete existing records.

data labels Identifiers that you can attach to data points on a chart.

data mapping An Excel feature that enables you to see the relationships between numbers
and geographic features.

dependents Cells that contain formulas that refer to other cells.

F
field The information in one column of a list or database.

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form An organized and formatted worksheet that facilitates data entry.

formula Calculations you enter in a worksheet.

formula palette A pop-up window that appears under the Formula bar when you use Paste
Function to enter a formula or function.

function A predefined formula that performs a specific operation in Excel.

G
Goal Seek An Excel feature that produces a specific value in a formula cell by adjusting
one input cell that influences a value.

H
hyperlink A link in an Excel workbook that enables you to quickly jump to Internet or
intranet sites, or to other Excel workbooks or Office documents.

L
legend A chart or map element that explains the markers or symbols used in a chart.

list See database.

M
macro A stored list of commands and keystrokes that are automatically executed by Excel.

mixed reference A cell reference in a formula in which only the row number or column
letter (but not both) remains fixed when you copy that formula to another cell or range.

O
Object Linking and Embedding (OLE) A Windows feature that enables you to create
work in one application and share that work with another application.

Office Assistant An on-screen, interactive program that provides tips and Help

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information, and also interprets what Help you might need based on your current actions.

orientation How a cell entry or chart object is positioned in a cell or chart, rotating
between -90 and 90 degrees. Also refers to how text is printed on a page--across the short
edge of the page (portrait) or across the long edge of the page (landscape).

outlining An Excel feature that enables you to expand or contract information contained in
worksheets or reports so that you see more or less detail.

P
Paste Function An Excel feature that automates the process of entering a function.

pivot table A feature that enables you to summarize and analyze data in lists and tables.
Pivot tables are called such because you can quickly rearrange the position of pivot table
fields to give you a different view of the table.

PivotTable Wizard An Excel feature that automates the creation of a pivot table.

precedents Cells that are referred to by a formula.

R
record The information in one row of a list or database.

relative reference A cell reference in a formula that automatically adjusts when you copy
that formula to another cell or range.

S
ScreenTips The small pop-up labels that appear next to a toolbar button when you move
the mouse pointer onto the button and pause.

serial number The value used to store a date or time in Excel. Days are numbered from
the beginning of the century--the date serial number 1 corresponds to the date January 1,
1900. Time serial numbers are stored as a decimal fraction.

sheet See worksheet.

Solver An Excel add-in program that finds an optimal solution by adjusting input cells,

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while ensuring that other formulas in the worksheet stay within specified limits.

T
Template Wizard An Excel feature that enables you to quickly create professional-
looking data entry forms.

tracer lines Lines showing the flow of data through the worksheet by connecting the
active cell with related cells; used with the Excel auditing feature.

W
workbook The Excel file in which you work and store data. A workbook can contain one
or more sheets of varying types: worksheets, chart sheets, MS Excel 4.0 Macro sheets, and
MS Excel 5.0 Dialog sheets.

worksheet The document you use in Excel to enter and edit data (also sometimes referred
to as a sheet).

worksheet frame The column and row headings that appear in the workbook window.

workspace A collection of open workbooks that Excel can save and then redisplay when
you start the program. Excel saves information such as the workbook names, screen
locations, and window sizes.

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