New Perspectives Excel 2013
Tutorial 3: Calculating Data with Formulas and Functions
Key Terms
absolute reference A cell reference that remains fixed when the cell formula is copied
to a new location. (EX 133)
approximate match lookup A lookup where the lookup value falls within a range of
numbers in the compare values in the lookup table. (EX 176)
argument The numbers, text, or cell references used by the function to return a value.
(EX 133)
AutoFill A feature that copies content (text, values, or formulas) and formats from a cell
or range into an adjacent cell or range. (EX 162)
compare values The categories used for matching to a specified lookup value in a
lookup table. (EX 160)
comparison operator A symbol that indicates the relationship between two values. (EX
172)
constant A value in a formula that doesn’t change. (EX 135)
COUNT function The Excel function that tallies how many cells in specified range
contain numbers or dates. (EX 161)
COUNTA function A function that tallies how many cells in specified range are not blank
(contain numbers, dates, or text). (EX 161)
date function A function that inserts or calculates dates and times. (EX 166)
error value A message in a cell that indicates some part of a formula is preventing Excel
from returning a calculated value. (EX 150)
exact match lookup A lookup where the lookup value must match one of the compare
values in the lookup table. (EX 176)
fill handle A small black square in the lower-right corner of a selected cell or range that
you drag over an adjacent cell or range to copy the original content and formatting into
the selected range. (EX 162)
Goal Seek A feature that automates the trial-and-error method by allowing you to
specify a value for the calculated item, which Excel uses to determine the input value
needed to reach that goal. (EX 180)
IF function A logical function that tests a condition and then returns one value if the
condition is true and another value if the condition is false. (EX 161)
logical function A function that works with statements that are either true or false. (EX
161)
lookup function A function that finds a value in a table of data and inserts it in another
location in the worksheet, such as a cell or in a formula. (EX 176)
lookup table A table that stores the data you want to retrieve with a lookup function in
categories. (EX 160)
lookup value The category you want to find in a lookup table. (EX 160)
MAX function A function that displays the maximum value in a range. (EX 132)
Median function A function that determines the middle value in a range. (EX 132)
median The middle value in data. (EX 145)
MIN function A function that displays the minimum value in the range. (EX 132)
mixed reference A cell reference that contains both relative and absolute references;
for example, the mixed reference for cell D2 can have an absolute row (such as $D6) or
an absolute column (such as D$6). (EX 154)
nest To place one thing inside another, such as a function inside another function. (EX
142)
optional argument An argument that is not required for the function to return a value.
(EX 133)
relative reference A cell reference that is interpreted in relation to the location of the
cell containing the formula. (EX 133)
required argument An argument that is needed for the function to return a value. (EX
133)
return values The data values you want to retrieve from a lookup table. (EX 160)
significant digits The number of digits that should be displayed for a calculation; they
indicate the accuracy of the measured and calculated values. (EX 140)
TODAY function A date function that displays the current date. (EX 167)
trial-and-error method A way to perform what-if analysis by changing one or more of
the input values to a value you estimate to see how it impacts the calculated results. (EX
179)
what-if analysis A way to explore the impact that changing input values has on the
calculated values in a workbook. (EX 179)
WORKDAY function A function that displays the date of a weekday that is specified
number of weekdays past a starting date. (EX 161)
VLOOKUP function A function that returns values from a vertical lookup table. (EX 160)