| | | Warning: You are viewing this page with an unsupported Web browser. This Web site works best with Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 or later, Firefox 1.5, or Netscape Navigator 8.0 or later. Learn more about supported browsers.

 |
"Cell", "Worksheet", and "Workbook" have come up in the explanation so far, but I don't really understand. Will you explain them a little bit more?
|
|
|
|
 |
These concepts are very important as we learn Excel.
It's important for you to understand them thoroughly.
|
|
Top of Page
What this page covers
About Cells
 |
What is a cell? What can you do with a cell?
|
|
|
|
 |
A cell is a worksheet square. You can enter text and numbers and formulas. Rows are represented by numbers, and columns are represented by the alphabet. See the figure below.
|
|

 |
I get it! The numbers are written already in the rows. And A, B, and C are written in the columns. Oh, there are text and numbers in them, right?
|
|
|
|
 |
Yes. That's a cell. You can enter text or numbers in the cells like this, and you can enter formulas as well.
|
|
 |
It seems difficult. The text and numbers are all mixed up.
|
|
|
|
 |
It seems difficult at first look, but once you understand a few points, you'll be fine.
For example, let me explain the cell in which "Apple" is written. "Apple" is in the cell where the alphabet column and the number row intersect, isn't it? Therefore, when you are asked what word is written in "A2", you answer "Apple". So, where is "Company" written?
|
|
 |
Let me see. It's where the letter B and the number 1 intersect, so is it "B1"?
|
|
|
|
 |
Yes, that's right! Okay. Look at the figure shown below again. If you type "A" using the keyboard, which cell is displayed?
|
|

 |
Oh, that's difficult. The cell is enclosed in a black border, so is it "B3"?
|
|
|
|
 |
Correct! If you look closely at the figure, "B3" is written in the upper left, isn't it? This is the address of the cell into which you currently are entering text or numbers. The cell is indicated by a black border that encloses it, and it is called a "cell address".
|
|

 |
So, what do you call the cell that is enclosed in the black border? It's a cell, but it is different from other cells.
|
|
|
|
 |
If it has a black border, it is called the "active cell". There is always one active cell only in the worksheet you are working in. If it were a map, it would be the "You are Here" mark. In other words, the "cell address" indicates the address of "You are Here", and the active cell is your current location.
|
|
Top of Page
About Worksheets
 |
I've got it. So, a "worksheet" is like a map?
|
|
|
|
 |
That's right. A "worksheet" is something which holds a lot of "cells" so let's think of it as one page in a book of maps.
In the figure below "Sheet1", "Sheet2", and "Sheet3" are in the sections outlined in blue, aren't they? They are like "Page 1", "Page 2", and "Page 3" of a book.
|
|

Top of Page
About Workbooks
 |
So, a "workbook" is similar to the book of maps?
|
|
|
|
 |
Exactly! A "workbook" is something that holds "worksheets" so it is like a book that has many pages.
|
|
Top of Page
|
|