Excel Basics
What is the intersection of a row and a column called?
A Cell
What function do you use to add a range of numbers?
SUM()
What is the difference between sorting and filtering?
Sorting arranges data in a specific order; filtering hides rows based on criteria.
What is a pivot table used for?
To summarize and analyze large amounts of data.
Which type of chart is best for showing parts of a whole?
A pie chart.
What symbol do you start every formula with in Excel?
The Equal Sign (=)
How do you check if a condition is met, and return one value if true and another if false?
IF () Function
In Excel, what does ascending order mean?
Sorting from smallest to largest or alphabetically A-Z.
Which tab in Excel contains the Pivot Table option?
The “Insert” tab.
What tab in Excel do you use to insert a chart?
The “Insert” tab.
What is the name of the bar where you can see and edit a cell’s contents?
The formula bar.
Which function is used to find the highest value in a range?
MAX()
Which tab contains the sorting and filtering options?
The “Data” tab.
What is the purpose of dragging a field into the “Rows” section of a pivot table?
It organizes data into rows based on that field.
How can you change the chart type after you’ve created it?
Right-click the chart and select “Change Chart Type.
What is the difference between absolute and relative cell referencing in Excel?
Relative referencing changes based on the position when copied or filled (e.g., A1 becomes B1), while absolute referencing remains constant (e.g., $A$1 stays the same no matter where it is copied).
Which function is used to find data from another table by matching a value?
VLOOKUP()
Can you filter data in more than one column at the same time?
Yes, you can apply filters to multiple columns simultaneously.
Can you create a pivot table from data that includes blank cells?
Yes, but it’s best to ensure that data is clean for accurate results.
What are the horizontal and vertical lines on a chart called?
Axes (X-axis for horizontal, Y-axis for vertical).
How do you merge cells in Excel, and what is the purpose of merging cells?
To merge cells, select the cells, then use the “Merge & Center” button in the toolbar. Merging cells is used to combine multiple cells into one, often for creating headings or titles across columns.
What function would you use to count the number of cells that meet a specific condition?
COUNTIF()
Name a situation where filtering data would be useful.
When you want to view only sales from a specific region or only products over a certain price.
What is the difference between a pivot table and a regular table in Excel?
A pivot table is used to summarize and analyze data, while a regular table is for organizing data.
What is the purpose of a legend in a chart?
It identifies what each color or symbol in the chart represents.