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Let's learn basic worksheet concepts

Person asking question

"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?

Doctor

These concepts are very important as we learn Excel.
It's important for you to understand them thoroughly.

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What this page covers


About Cells

Person asking question

What is a cell? What can you do with a cell?

Doctor

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.

Cell

Person who understands

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?

Doctor

Yes. That's a cell. You can enter text or numbers in the cells like this, and you can enter formulas as well.

Person who is speaking

It seems difficult. The text and numbers are all mixed up.

Doctor

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?

Person who is speaking

Let me see. It's where the letter B and the number 1 intersect, so is it "B1"?

Doctor

Yes, that's right! Okay. Look at the figure shown below again. If you type "A" using the keyboard, which cell is displayed?

Cell

Person asking question

Oh, that's difficult. The cell is enclosed in a black border, so is it "B3"?

Doctor

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".

Cell address

Person asking question

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.

Doctor

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.

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About Worksheets

Person asking question

I've got it. So, a "worksheet" is like a map?

Doctor

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.

Worksheets

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About Workbooks

Person asking question

So, a "workbook" is similar to the book of maps?

Doctor

Exactly! A "workbook" is something that holds "worksheets" so it is like a book that has many pages.

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