An Excel cell reference that refers to a cell in a specific location and that doesn't change when you move or copy a formula containing the reference.
active cell
A selected cell in a worksheet.
add-in
A component that can be added to Microsoft Office products to provide additional functionality.
alignment
Data's horizontal and vertical positioning within a cell.
Analysis Toolpak
In Excel, an add-in that provides advanced analytical capabilities.
argument
A parameter used by an Excel function.
aspect ratio
The relationship between a picture's width and height that, when maintained, ensures a picture can be resized without distortion.
auditing
A method applied to Excel workbooks to investigate the validity of formulas and the appropriateness of data used in formulas.
author
The person who creates a file or document.
AutoCalculate
An Excel feature that enables you to perform a function without inserting it into a worksheet. AutoCalculate can be used via the status bar.
AutoComplete
An Excel feature that automatically completes text entries based on other entries in the same column and that provides options for completing formulas the user starts to type.
AutoCorrect
In Microsoft Office applications, a feature that automatically detects and corrects misspelled words, typographical errors, and incorrect capitalization.
AutoFill
An Excel feature that enables users to select one or more cells and drag the final cell's borders to automatically add content into other cells based on a pattern in the selected cell(s).
AutoFilter
An Excel feature that enables you to filter a defined selection of data in a worksheet.
AutoFit
An Excel feature that enables you to alter the width of a row or column to accommodate the data contained in its cells.
AutoFormat
A feature for applying a consistent style to a form.
AutoRecover
In Microsoft Office 2016, a feature that automatically saves user data to prevent loss of work in the case of an unexpected shutdown.
AutoReplenish
A feature in Excel that allows a web link to be automatically updated any time the workbook is saved.
In Microsoft Office 2016 applications, a view that includes common file management commands such as Save, Save As, Open, and Close, as well as Info, Recent, New, Print, and Share tabs. Many of the tabs are standard across the Microsoft Office 2016 applications, whereas others are application specific.
border
The edge of a table, page, worksheet, or table cell. Different styles and colors can be applied to borders.
An Excel field created from other fields in a PivotTable.
category axis
The axis showing the categories of a chart. It lies along one side of the plot area, usually on the x-axis.
cell
A location in an Excel worksheet at which a column and row intersect.
cell address
The location of a cell in a spreadsheet. For example, cell A1, this cell would be located in column A of row number 1.
cell comment
In Excel, text notations that can be added to any cell. A cell that contains a comment is denoted by a red square in the upper right corner of the cell. You can view a comment by moving your mouse over the commented cell.
cell pointer
In Excel, a heavy rectangular border that indicates the active cell. Also known as a highlighter.
cell range
A series of adjacent and related cells.
cell reference
The location of a cell in a worksheet, identified by the letter of the column and the number of the row containing the cell.
Chart Recommendation feature
An Excel feature that provides various suitable chart types based on the selected data.
charts
A graphical representation of numerical data. Charts come in various forms, such as bar, pie, and line charts.
circular reference
In Excel, a reference to the cell that contains the reference.
Clip Art
Graphics that are pre-fabricated and shipped with Microsoft Office applications for use in documents. Web collections of Clip Art can also be downloaded from the Internet.
Clip Organizer
In Microsoft Office applications, an area where clip art, sound, and video file shortcuts can be placed for easy access and storage.
color scale
In Excel, a method of conditional formatting that displays a background color for each cell in a range, based on how the cell's value compares to the values in the other cells in the range.
column
A set of related data values, entered in a vertical range of cells.
Compatibility Checker
A tool for determining how an Excel 2016 workbook will perform when opened in previous versions of Excel.
conditional formatting
An Excel feature for automatically formatting cells based on their contents.
conditional formula
A formula used in conditional formatting that determines the conditions that, when true, format certain cells in a specified way.
constant
Any fixed number, date, or text value. In Excel, a constant in a formula doesn't change depending on the location of the cell in which the formula is entered.
content placeholder
See placeholder.
contextual tab
A tab or menu of options that appears on the ribbon only when you select an object of a particular type. For example, it may contain tools specifically for working with a table, picture, or drawing.
An Excel method that lets you gather data from multiple worksheets or workbooks into a master worksheet that acts as a summary.
data series
A set of related data entries.
Dialog Box Launcher
An arrow button that launches a dialog box containing more options for a group of commands on the ribbon.
digital signature
A security mechanism used on the Internet that relies on two keys – one public and one private – that are used to encrypt messages before transmission and to decrypt them on receipt.
In Microsoft Office, a feature that allows you to insert data from one file into another file, even if the two were created using different applications. This data appears as an object, and becomes accessible for editing if you double-click the object.
encryption
The process of encoding a file so that unauthorized users can't read it. Encrypted data must be decrypted before being used.
error code
Code that appears in the cell that's supposed to display the result of a formula when the formula contains an error. Different codes appear for different types of errors.
In a PivotTable, a collective term that summarizes multiple rows of data.
fill handle
In Excel, a small square symbol in the lower right-hand corner of the active cell. Users can click and drag the fill handle to copy cell contents or create a series.
fill pointer
In Excel, the form the mouse pointer takes when the user places it over the fill handle of an active cell, indicating that the pointer is in the correct position for the user to click and drag the handle.
filter
To hide or display certain data in a column. Often used to make it easier to find specific data in a large workbook.
Find
A command in Microsoft Office applications that enables users to search for instances of specific text or numerical data in workbooks or documents.
Find and Replace
A command in Microsoft Office applications that enables users to search workbooks or documents for specific words or characters, and to replace these with other data.
Flash Fill
An Excel tool that automatically completes the data being inserted, following a pattern it recognizes in the data.
font
A typeface variation that defines how text appears. Letters, symbols, numbers, and punctuation marks can all be modified by changing the font applied to them.
Format Painter
A tool in Microsoft Office 2016 applications that copies the formatting of one piece of text to another.
formula
In Excel, a sequence of values, cell references, and operators that produces a new value from existing values and displays it in a worksheet cell. A formula always starts with an equals sign (=).
Formula Bar
The area of the Excel interface where you type a formula to enter it in a cell, and that displays any formula in a selected cell.
freezing
In Excel, the action of locking rows and columns in place so that they remain onscreen as the viewer scrolls through a workbook.
function
In Excel, a built-in formula for performing an operation on data. Excel provides functions for performing a wide range of calculations, as well as for modifying text and displaying date and time values.
In Excel, a feature that enables a user to jump to a specific cell or cell range in a worksheet by providing its reference or name.
goal seeking
In Excel, a process that allows a user to determine what value or set of values must be entered to return a required result.
gradient
A color scale passing gradually from one color to another. Using conditional formatting in Excel, you can specify a two- or three-color gradient when configuring a color scale for a range of cells.
grammar checker
A Microsoft Office feature that can detect grammatical errors in a document and suggest corrections for them.
graphic
Any image used to illustrate or convey information, or to add visual interest to a document or presentation.
group
A category of command buttons on a tab of the ribbon.
A section that appears at the top of each page of a Microsoft Office document. It can contain text, usually providing a title or description of what is in the document.
hiding
In Excel, the action of temporarily concealing columns or rows to prevent them from displaying in a worksheet.
To rest the mouse pointer over an object, such as a command button, for a couple of seconds to display more information about the object, such as a ScreenTip or submenu.
HTML
Abbreviation for Hypertext Markup Language, an authoring language used to create and control the display of items on a web page.
HTTP
Abbreviation for Hypertext Transfer Protocol, a set of rules for exchanging files on the World Wide Web.
hyperlink
A linked object, such as a word, phrase, symbol, or image, that you can click to move to a different place in the same document, another document, or a web site; or to open an e-mail message window.
A representation of an object created in another program and still stored in the original file.
Live Preview
A feature for checking how formatting options like fonts and Quick Styles will look before committing the changes.
locked cell
A cell that is protected so that users cannot change, delete, or format the data it contains.
logical operator
An operator that represents a logical function. Examples are AND, OR, and NOT. Using these operators, you can create expressions to test whether data meets conditions you specify.
In Excel, an alias for a cell or range reference. Names enable users to identify cells or ranges using words rather than their column and row identifiers.
named range
A range of cells that can be referred to in a formula or table by its name that defines it. Also used to navigate quickly around a workbook
Normal view
In Excel, the default view of a worksheet.
number format
In Excel, any format that can be applied to numeric data. For example, this data can be formatted to display as currencies or percentages.
In Excel, a view that shows the positions in a worksheet at which page breaks occur. Page breaks mark the separation between pages in the printed version of a worksheet.
Page Layout view
In Excel, a view that displays a worksheet as a series of pages.
page orientation
The vertical or horizontal positioning of a page. With the portrait orientation, a page is positioned vertically and its length is greater than its width. With the landscape orientation, the page is positioned horizontally, and its width is greater than its length.
Paste Special
In Microsoft Office, a command for accessing options you use to paste only particular aspects of copied data into a document or worksheet. For example, you can past only the formatting of data you've copied.
permissions
Rights that determine what system users are authorized to access or do to particular folders and files.
Personal Macro Workbook
In Excel, a hidden workbook that contains only macros and that is loaded each time Excel is opened. This file is named personal.xlsb.
PivotChart
A flexible, interactive graphical representation of the data in a PivotTable.
PivotChart Wizard
A wizard for creating a form in PivotChart view.
PivotTable
An interactive summary of large amounts of data. PivotTable reports are used to subtotal and aggregate numeric data, and provide numerous methods for focusing results.
PivotTable Wizard
A wizard for creating a PivotTable.
placeholder
A marker designating an area for placing a table, chart, Smart Art diagram, picture, Clip Art image, or movie.
plot area
The internal area where data is recorded in a regular chart or PivotChart.
Power View
An Excel tool that creates interactive charts, slicers, and data visualizations.
PowerPivot for Microsoft Excel
A Microsoft Excel 2016 add-in that enables you to analyze and model very large data sets, with millions of rows of data from multiple sources.
Print Preview
In Microsoft Office applications, a feature that enables you to view a document or worksheet as it will appear once printed.
In Excel, a cell reference that is updated automatically when a formula or other element using the reference is moved. For example, the function SUM(B1:B12) would be automatically updated to SUM(D1:D12) when copied into column D of a worksheet.
ribbon
The area at the top of a Microsoft Office 2016 application window. It contains tabs with groups of commands for using the application's features.
row
In Microsoft Excel, a horizontal set of cells. By default, a number identifies the location of each row in a worksheet.
In Excel, a saved set of values used in what-if analysis.
Scenario Manager
In Excel, a feature used to simplify the automation of what-if models.
screen clipping
A feature that enables users to capture screenshots of their desktops and to add these to files. It was available in OneNote 2007, and is available in PowerPoint 2016, Excel 2016, and Word 2016.
ScreenTip
Descriptive or explanatory text that displays when you hover the pointer over command buttons or controls on an interface.
search filter
A filtering tool in Excel that lets you search through large amounts of data in tables, PivotTables, and PivotCharts so that you can find what you need quickly, hide data you don't need, and navigate around a workbook.
shapes
In Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, a collection of shapes that can be inserted into documents. Basic shapes such as rectangles and circles are available, as well as other non-conventional shapes such as connectors and flowchart icons.
shared workbook
In Excel, a workbook that has been configured to allow access to multiple users on a network.
sheet tab
A tab in the Sheet tab bar that, when clicked, displays a worksheet. By default, a new workbook contains three worksheets, or three Sheet tabs.
Slicers
A data-analysis feature in Microsoft Excel 2016 for dynamically filtering data. It enables you to segment PivotTable data, tables and query data, to display the data from a large data set and then compare it from different perspectives.
Smart Lookup
A feature in Excel that allows you to gather or obtain additional information on a selected word or phrase. It provides information such as definitions or articles by using the Internet to search for results.
Solver
In Excel, an add-in that allows users to determine multiple values that must be entered to return a required result.
sorting
The process of re-arranging data in columns – by date, alphabetically, or numerically. Data may be sorted in ascending or descending order.
Sparkline
In Microsoft Excel 2016, a tiny chart that fits inside a single worksheet cell, and that's used to represent data trends.
Status bar
In a Microsoft Office application, an area at the bottom of the application window that provides you with information about the current document and its settings.
The term for a structure that contains two or more cells, arranged horizontally in columns and vertically in rows. The individual cells of a table can contain text, graphics, and other items.
Tell me
A feature in Excel that allows you to quickly locate and use a feature or perform an action by entering a key word or phrase.
template
A file with a predefined structure and some content and formatting already applied, which can be used as the basis for creating new files.
theme
A built-in or customizable set of formatting options that determines a workbook's colors, fonts, and effects.
Total row
In Excel, a row that appears at the bottom of a table and that contains built-in functions. By default, cells in the row display the subtotals or total of numeric data in the table. However, you can choose to insert a different function – like AVERAGE – in each of the cells.
Track Changes
In Microsoft Office, a collaborative feature that tracks what changes were made to a file and by whom.
trendline
A line that displays the slope of data points in a chart.
An Excel tool that monitors certain cells in a workbook and tracks any changes made to them.
Web Apps
Free web-based versions of Microsoft Office 2016 applications. They enable users to access their documents directly from the Internet, and to share files and collaborate with other users online.
what-if analysis
A process of determining how changes to specified values will affect outcomes. In Excel, you can use what-if-analysis to predict the outcomes of formulas.
wizard
An interface-based guide through each step in a procedure, such as creating a table or a switchboard. Each step of a wizard enables users to specify parameters and takes these into account when creating the end result.
WordArt
In Microsoft Office applications, stylized text for enhancing titles and headings.
workbook
In Excel, a file containing one of more worksheets and used to organize related data.
worksheet
In Excel, part of a workbook and the primary document used for storing and analyzing data. Also known as a spreadsheet. Worksheets consist of rows and columns.
The horizontal plane in a chart; also called the category axis.
XML
Abbreviation for Extensible Markup Language, a file format that you can open in Excel 2016 as an XML table, as a read-only workbook, or using the XML source task pane.