Excel

What is Microsoft Excel?

Definition

Excel is a spreadsheet application used to organise, calculate, and analyse data in a grid of rows and columns. It matters because it allows users to work with numbers, lists, and calculations in a structured and flexible way.

Frayer Model Overview

Frayer model diagram explaining the computer term “Excel,” divided into definition, characteristics, examples, and non-examples.

Characteristics

  • Organises information into cells arranged in rows and columns

  • Designed for calculations, lists, and data analysis

  • Part of the Microsoft Office or Microsoft 365 suite

  • Uses formulas and functions to work with data

  • Saves work as spreadsheet files

Examples

  • Creating a budget with numbers and totals

  • Entering grades or attendance in a spreadsheet

  • Using formulas to calculate sums or averages

  • Opening a .xlsx file in Excel

  • Sorting or filtering a list of data

Non-Examples

  • A word processing document in Word

  • A presentation slide in PowerPoint

  • A web page in a browser

  • A PDF document

  • A physical ledger or notebook

Related Terms

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