Microsoft Office Basics Vocabulary

Contextual Tab A tab added to the Ribbon for certain activities. Examples: when a picture or table is added

Dialog Box A small window that ‘pops up’ with options for completing an action.

Double-Click Pressing the left mouse button twice in rapid succession.

Drop-down Arrow A feature that can be clicked to display a list of items to choose from.

Dialog box launcher (arrow) When clicked, will show a dialog box for a certain ‘group’

Microsoft Excel The Office spreadsheet application. Used to store and analyze data Completes math functions Charts & graphs

Extension Indicates the file type and is used by the application to recognize files. Example: Word=.docx

File A collection of related data Stored either on the computer memory or an external device (flash drive, disc)

Folder Used to organize commonly related files.

Input Device A device used to communicate with a Windows application. Examples: keyboard, mouse, microphone

Insertion Point A blinking vertical line in a document that indicates where the next character typed will be placed. Also known as the CURSOR

Keyboard Shortcut A sequence of keys that executes a command. Examples Ctrl+C=copy Ctrl+V=paste Ctrl+S=save

Mouse Pointer An image on the screen, usually in the shape of an arrow, that indicates the position of the mouse.

Multitasking An operating system feature that allows more than one application to run at a time.

PowerPoint The Office presentation application.

Publisher The Office desktop publishing application. Projects may include: Newsletters Brochures Postcards Fliers

Ribbon Related commands that are divided into tabs.

Right Click Pressing and releasing the right mouse button quickly.

Scroll To bring unseen parts of a document into view. Scroll bars Mouse roller button

Scroll Bar Dragged to bring unseen parts of the document into view.

Status Bar Displays information about a file. Where you are in the file Word count View buttons Zoom slider

Taskbar Displays buttons for each open file or application.

Text Box An element in a dialog box that allows the user to enter information.

Title Bar A horizontal bar at the top of the window that displays the name and type of file.