Spreadsheet glossary
A quick reference for the words and formulas you meet while practicing. Search for a term, function, or example.
19 terms
Workbook
A spreadsheet document that holds one or more worksheets. A monthly budget file might contain a separate worksheet for each month.
Worksheet
A single grid inside a workbook. Use the tabs along the bottom of the workbook to switch sheets.
Cell
One box in the grid. Its address combines a column letter and row number. B2 is in column B, row 2.
Range
A group of cells. B2:B4 includes B2, B3, and B4. A2:C4 covers three columns and three rows.
Formula
An instruction that calculates a result. Start with an equals sign. For example, =B2+B3 adds the values in two cells.
Function
A named operation used in a formula. In =SUM(B2:B4), SUM is the function and B2:B4 is its argument.
Relative reference
A cell reference that adjusts when a formula is copied. Copying =B2*2 down one row changes the reference to B3.
Absolute reference
A reference with dollar signs to keep the row or column fixed when copied. $B$2 fixes both. $B2 fixes the column, and B$2 fixes the row.
SUM
Adds numbers. =SUM(B2:B4) returns 35 when the cells contain 12, 8, and 15.
AVERAGE
Finds the arithmetic mean of numeric values. =AVERAGE(B2:B4) returns 10 for 8, 10, and 12. Empty cells and text in the range are skipped; a numeric zero is included.
COUNT
Counts numeric cells in a range. =COUNT(B2:B4) returns 2 when the cells contain 120, Pending, and 84. Zero also counts as a number.
COUNTIF
Counts cells that meet one condition. =COUNTIF(B2:B4,"Paid") counts how many cells contain Paid. Put text conditions inside double quotes.
IF
Chooses between two results. =IF(B2>=10,"In stock","Reorder") returns In stock when B2 is at least 10, and Reorder otherwise.
XLOOKUP
Finds an item in one range and returns the corresponding value from another. =XLOOKUP("Pen",A2:A4,B2:B4) searches A2:A4 for Pen and returns the price from the same row in B2:B4.
Formula errors
An error explains why a formula cannot return its expected result. #DIV/0! indicates division by zero or an empty divisor. #REF! indicates an invalid reference. #N/A often means a lookup found no match. Check the referenced cells and function arguments.
Number formatting
Changes how a value appears, such as currency, percentage, or a date. A cell formatted as currency can display $12.00 while its underlying numeric value remains 12.
Sort and filter
Sorting rearranges rows by a chosen value. Filtering hides rows that do not match a condition. Keep related columns together when sorting a dataset.
XLSX
Excel's standard workbook file format. Sheetstep's basic file exchange supports worksheet names, cell values, and common formulas. Keep the original file when it contains advanced formatting or features.
Practiced and mastered
Practiced means you completed the guided lesson. Mastered means you answered the corresponding quiz question correctly at least once. Both labels help you choose your next review activity.