Excel XP

The Excel Window

Many items you see on the Excel XP screen are standard in most other Microsoft software programs like Word, PowerPoint and previous versions of Excel. Some elements are specific to Excel XP.

Workbook

Also called a spreadsheet, the Workbook is a unique file created by Excel XP.

Title bar

The Title bar displays both the name of the application and the name of the spreadsheet.

Menu bar

The Menu bar displays all the menus available for use in Excel XP. The contents of any menu can be displayed by clicking on the menu name with the left mouse button.

Toolbar

Some commands in the menus have pictures or icons associated with them. These pictures may also appear as shortcuts in the Toolbar.

Column Headings

Each Excel spreadsheet contains 256 columns. Each column is named by a letter or combination of letters.

Row Headings

Each spreadsheet contains 65,536 rows. Each row is named by a number.

Name Box

Shows the address of the current selection or active cell.

Formula Bar

Displays information entered-or being entered as you type-in the current or active cell. The contents of a cell can also be edited in the Formula bar.

Cell

A cell is an intersection of a column and row. Each cell has a unique cell address. In the picture above, the cell address of the selected cell is B3. The heavy border around the selected cell is called the cell pointer.

Navigation Buttons and Sheet Tabs

Navigation buttons allow you to move to another worksheet in an Excel workbook. Used to display the first, previous, next or last worksheets in the workbook.

Sheet tabs separate a workbook into specific worksheets. A Workbook defaults to three worksheets. A Workbook must contain at least one worksheet.