New to Excel, or teaching someone who is? These are the terms you'll meet in every tutorial, from workbook and cell reference to spill range and Power Query, each in one or two plain sentences.
Terms40
LevelBeginner to intermediate
Applies toExcel for Windows, Mac and the web
The basics
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Workbook | An Excel file (.xlsx). It holds one or more worksheets. |
| Worksheet (sheet) | One page of cells in a workbook, shown as a tab at the bottom. |
| Cell | One box in the grid, where you type a value or formula. |
| Row / Column | Rows run across and are numbered 1, 2, 3…; columns run down and are lettered A, B, C… |
| Active cell | The selected cell, with a thick border. What you type goes here. |
| Range | A block of cells, written as the first and last cell: A1:E10. |
| Ribbon | The tabs and buttons at the top: Home, Insert, Formulas and so on. |
| Formula bar | The box above the grid that shows and edits the active cell's contents. |
| Name Box | Left of the formula bar. Shows the active cell's address; type an address to jump there. |
| Status bar | The bar at the bottom; select numbers to see their sum, average and count. |
| Quick Access Toolbar | A small row of your favourite buttons, above or below the ribbon. |
Formulas and functions
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Formula | Anything starting with = that calculates a result, such as =B2*C2. |
| Function | A built-in formula with a name, such as SUM or XLOOKUP. See all Excel functions. |
| Argument | A value a function needs, inside its brackets: in =ROUND(A1,2) the arguments are A1 and 2. |
| Cell reference | A cell's address used in a formula, such as B2. |
| Relative reference | A1: changes when the formula is copied. |
| Absolute reference | $A$1: stays fixed when copied. Press F4 to add the $ signs. |
| Mixed reference | $A1 or A$1: only the column or the row is fixed. |
| Named range | A name given to a cell or range, such as TaxRate, to use in formulas. |
| Error value | A code like #N/A or #DIV/0! that tells you what went wrong. See formula errors. |
| Array | A list or block of values used together in one formula. |
| Dynamic array / spill | In Microsoft 365 a formula can return many results, which spill into the cells below or beside it. |
| Spill range | The cells a spilled result fills. If anything is in the way you get #SPILL!. |
Data tools
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Excel Table | A range turned into a table with Ctrl + T. It grows automatically and has its own name. See Excel Tables. |
| Structured reference | A formula that refers to table columns by name, such as Sales[Amount]. |
| Sort / Filter | Reorder rows, or show only the rows that match a condition. |
| AutoFill / fill handle | The small square at a selection's corner. Drag it to copy or continue a series. |
| Flash Fill | Fills a column by following an example you type. Ctrl + E. |
| Data Validation | Limits what can be typed in a cell; used to make drop-down lists. |
| Conditional Formatting | Changes a cell's colour or style automatically when a rule is true. |
| PivotTable | A summary table you build by dragging fields, to total and group data quickly. |
| Slicer | A panel of buttons that filters a table or PivotTable. See slicers. |
| Power Query | The tool on the Data tab for importing, cleaning and combining data. See Power Query Editor. |
| Chart | A picture of numbers: column, line, pie and so on. |
Files and automation
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Template | A workbook saved as a starting point for new files (.xltx). |
| CSV | A plain-text file of comma-separated values that Excel can open. |
| Macro | A recorded or written set of steps that runs with one click. See Excel macros. |
| VBA | Visual Basic for Applications, the language macros are written in. |
| Macro-enabled workbook | An .xlsm file, needed to save a workbook with macros. |
| Add-in | An extra feature installed into Excel, such as Analysis ToolPak. |
| Protect Sheet / Workbook | Locks cells or the sheet structure so others can't change them. |