ACCT 133 – Spreadsheet Accounting Using Excel
Some Excel Terminology
- Spreadsheet
: The computer equivalent of a paper ledger sheet. It consists of a
grid made from columns and rows. It makes number manipulation much easier. If spreadsheets
are constructed properly, they automatically will re-calculate without having to change
formulas. They are very useful for what-if scenarios. Spreadsheets are comprised of columns,
rows, and cells.
- Columns
: The vertical space that is going up and down the window. Letters
are used to designate each column’s location
- Rows
:The horizontal space that is going across the window. Numbers are
used to designate each row’s location.
- Cells
:The space where a specified row and column meet. Each cell is assigned a
name according to the Column Letter and the Row Number.
- Data
:There are three basics types of data that can be entered; labels,
constants, and formulas.
- Labels
:Text with no numerical values. They are usually descriptive and help us
to identify information.
- Constants:
Just a number – it has a constant value.
- Formulas
:A mathematical equation used to calculate something. All formulas must
begin with an equal (=) sign. You can create formulas or use built in functions.
- Formatting
:Spreadsheets can be pretty dry, so this is how we dress them up. You
can format the text (bold, italics, underline, change the color, align, change the font or
the size and/or format the numbers (change the decimals, add or delete dollar signs,
align, etc.)
- Charts or Graphs
:The representation of data in a picture format. Excel has a
chart wizard built into the program that allows you draw a chart from the data that you
select. There are many types of chars but the two most widely used are the bar chart and
the pie chart.
-
- Icons
:Pictorial representations of built in commands. For example, one way to
print is to click on the picture of the printer or the Print icon.
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