ICDL Spreadsheets (ICDL) key terms

Software that arranges data in a grid of rows and columns so numbers, text and formulas can be entered, calculated and analysed. Examples include Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets and LibreOffice Calc.

The file a spreadsheet program creates and saves. It holds one or more worksheets plus any charts or stored settings, and is saved under a name with a file extension such as .xlsx.

The strip of tabs across the top of the program window that groups commands by purpose, such as Home, Insert and Formulas. Clicking a tab shows the buttons for that group.

The coded structure in which a workbook is saved, shown by its extension, for example .xlsx, .csv or .pdf. Choosing the right format controls whether formulas, formatting and multiple sheets are kept.

The single box where a row and a column meet, holding one piece of data such as a number, label or formula. Every cell has its own address and formatting.

The address that identifies a cell by its column letter and row number, such as B7. References can be typed into formulas or inserted by clicking the cell.

The one selected cell that currently receives typing or commands, marked by a thicker border. Its address appears in the Name Box and its content in the Formula bar.

A rectangular block of cells identified by its corner addresses, for example A1:C10. A range can be selected, formatted, printed or used inside a formula as a group.

The small field at the left of the Formula bar that displays the address of the active cell or selected range, and accepts a typed address to jump straight to it.

The long input field near the top of the window that shows the true content of the active cell, including the underlying formula rather than its displayed result, and allows editing.

The small square at the bottom-right corner of a selection. Dragging it copies content or continues a series such as months, dates or numbers into neighbouring cells.

Rearranging rows so records appear in a chosen order, such as alphabetically by surname or smallest to largest amount. Sorting can use one key or several levels.

A temporary view that hides rows which do not match criteria you set, without deleting them. Clearing the filter brings every row back into view.

One page of the grid inside a workbook, made of columns and rows and named on a tab. A workbook can hold many worksheets, each with its own data.

The labelled tab at the bottom of the window that names a worksheet and lets you switch between sheets, rename, colour, move, copy or delete them.

A setting that locks chosen rows or columns in place so headings stay visible while you scroll through the rest of a large sheet.

Temporarily removing rows, columns or whole worksheets from view without deleting their data, and restoring them later through the same menu command.

An instruction typed into a cell that begins with an equals sign and calculates a result from values, cell references or functions, for example =A1*B1.

A built-in named calculation such as SUM or IF that takes one or more inputs and returns a result, saving you from writing the whole calculation yourself.

A value, cell reference, range or text supplied to a function inside its brackets, separated by commas, that the function uses to work out its answer.

A cell address in a formula that shifts automatically when the formula is copied to another position, because it records the offset rather than a fixed location.

A cell address locked with dollar signs, as in $B$4, so it stays pointed at the same cell no matter where the formula is copied.

The fixed sequence a spreadsheet follows when evaluating a formula: brackets first, then powers, then multiplication and division, then addition and subtraction.

A function that adds together all the numbers in the ranges or values given to it, such as =SUM(B2:B20), and ignores any text found there.

A function that returns the arithmetic mean of the numbers supplied, adding them and dividing by how many there are; empty cells and text are not counted.

A logical function that tests a condition and returns one value when the condition is true and a different value when it is false.

Paired counting functions: COUNT tallies cells containing numbers only, while COUNTA tallies any non-empty cell, including text and dates.

A message such as #DIV/0!, #REF! or #NAME? shown instead of a result when a formula cannot be calculated, pointing to a problem in the formula or its inputs.

A setting that controls how a value is displayed, such as decimal places, thousands separators, currency symbols, percentages or dates, without changing the stored value.

Combining two or more selected cells into one larger cell that spans them, often used for a title. Only the content of the top-left cell is kept.

A cell setting that breaks a long entry onto several lines inside the same cell rather than letting it spill over into neighbouring cells or be cut off.

Formatting that is applied automatically when a cell's value or a formula meets a rule you set, for example turning dates that have passed red.

A visual picture of worksheet data, such as a column or pie chart, that makes patterns, comparisons and trends easier to see than a table of numbers.

The set of related values from a worksheet plotted together on a chart, for example one line showing the monthly sales of a single product.

The key beside or below a chart that matches each colour or pattern to the data series it represents, so readers can tell the series apart.

The style of chart chosen to display data, such as column, bar, line, pie or scatter; the right choice depends on what the chart needs to show.

The part of a worksheet you mark for printing, so that other data on the same sheet is left out when the document is sent to a printer.

Whether a printed page is set up tall (portrait) or wide (landscape); the choice depends on how many columns the printed range contains.

Text or fields printed in the top and bottom margins of every page, often holding the sheet name, date, page number or file path.