Basic Excel Interview Questions

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Q1) What are the basic components of an Excel spreadsheet? +

Workbook: An entire Excel file containing one or more worksheets.
Worksheet: A single sheet within the workbook where data is entered and manipulated.
Cells: Individual boxes where data is entered, organized into rows and columns.
Rows and Columns: Horizontal (rows) and vertical (columns) lines that organize cells.
Ribbon: Toolbar at the top with various tabs and commands.
Formula Bar: Bar where you can enter or edit data and formulas.
Status Bar: Bar at the bottom showing information about the worksheet.

Q2) How do you create a new workbook in Excel? +

Open Excel and click on “File” > “New” > “Blank Workbook.”

Q3) How can you add or delete a worksheet in Excel? +

Add: Click the “+” icon at the bottom of the workbook next to existing sheet tabs.
Delete: Right-click on the sheet tab and select “Delete.”

Q4) What is the difference between a workbook and a worksheet? +

A workbook is an Excel file containing one or more worksheets. A worksheet is a single page within the workbook.

Q5) How do you resize columns and rows in Excel? +

Drag the boundary of the column or row header to resize manually. Double-click the boundary to auto-fit the content.

Q6) Explain how to use the AutoFill feature. +

Drag the fill handle (small square at the bottom-right corner of a selected cell) to copy data or extend a series.

Q7) What are cell references, and how do you use them? +

Cell references refer to the address of a cell (e.g., A1). They are used in formulas to refer to the data in those cells.

Q8) What is the difference between relative and absolute cell references? +

Relative references (e.g., A1) change when copied to another cell.
Absolute references (e.g., $A$1) do not change when copied.

Q9) How do you create a simple formula in Excel? +

Type “=” followed by the formula (e.g., =A1+B1).

Q10) Explain how to use the SUM function. +

Type =SUM(, select the range of cells you want to sum, then press Enter.

Q11) How can you merge and center cells? +

Select the cells to merge, then click “Merge & Center” on the Home tab.

Q12) How do you format cells in Excel (e.g., number, text, date)? +

Select the cells, right-click, choose “Format Cells,” and select the desired format.

Q13) What are the different types of data that can be entered into a cell? +

Text, numbers, dates, times, formulas, and Boolean values (TRUE/FALSE).

Q14) How do you use the Find and Replace feature? +

Press Ctrl+F for Find or Ctrl+H for Replace, then enter the search terms and options.

Q15) What are the basic steps to create a chart in Excel? +

Select the data, click on the “Insert” tab, and choose a chart type.

Q16) How do you save an Excel workbook as a PDF? +

Click “File” > “Save As,” select “PDF” from the file type dropdown, and click “Save.”

Q17) How do you use the Undo and Redo commands? +

Press Ctrl+Z for Undo and Ctrl+Y for Redo.

Q18) What are Excel templates, and how do you use them? +

Pre-designed workbooks for various purposes. Access them via “File” > “New,” then choose a template.

Q19) How do you add comments to cells? +

Right-click the cell and select “New Comment,” then type the comment.

Q20) How do you adjust the zoom level in Excel? +

Use the zoom slider at the bottom-right corner or click “View” > “Zoom.”

Q21) How do you freeze and unfreeze panes? +

Go to the “View” tab, click “Freeze Panes,” and choose an option. To unfreeze, click “Unfreeze Panes.”

Q22) How do you hide and unhide rows and columns? +

Right-click the row or column header and select “Hide.” To unhide, right-click the adjacent headers and select “Unhide.”

Q23) Explain how to use the SUMPRODUCT function. +

Type =SUMPRODUCT(array1, array2, ...) to multiply corresponding elements and sum the results.

Q24) What is the difference between the MIN and MAX functions? +

MIN returns the smallest value, and MAX returns the largest value in a range.

Q25) How do you use the DATE function? +

Type =DATE(year, month, day) to create a date value.

Q26) What are the basic text functions in Excel (e.g., LEFT, RIGHT, MID)? +

LEFT: =LEFT(text, num_chars) extracts characters from the left.
RIGHT: =RIGHT(text, num_chars) extracts characters from the right.
MID: =MID(text, start_num, num_chars) extracts characters from the middle.

Q27) How do you apply borders to cells? +

Select the cells, go to the “Home” tab, click “Borders,” and choose a border style.

Q28) What is the use of the Fill Handle in Excel? +

Drag the fill handle to copy data or create a series.

Q29) How do you use the TODAY and NOW functions? +

=TODAY() returns the current date.
=NOW() returns the current date and time.

Q30) What are the different data types available in Excel? +

Numbers, text, dates, times, Boolean values (TRUE/FALSE), and errors.

Q31) How do you adjust cell alignment and orientation? +

Use the alignment options in the “Home” tab to align text horizontally or vertically and rotate text.

Q32) How do you create a hyperlink in Excel? +

Select the cell, click “Insert” > “Hyperlink,” enter the link, and click “OK.”

Q33) How do you insert and format a table in Excel? +

Select the data range, click “Insert” > “Table,” and choose the desired style.

Q34) What is the purpose of the CONCAT function? +

=CONCAT(text1, text2, ...) joins multiple text strings into one.

Q35) How do you wrap text in a cell? +

Select the cell, go to the “Home” tab, and click “Wrap Text.”

Q36) How do you format numbers as currency in Excel? +

Select the cells, right-click, choose “Format Cells,” select “Currency,” and set the desired options.

Q37) What is the Quick Access Toolbar, and how do you customize it? +

A customizable toolbar for frequently used commands. Customize it via the dropdown menu at the end of the toolbar.

Q38) How do you use the Format Painter tool? +

Select the cell with the desired format, click “Format Painter,” then select the cells to apply the format to.

Q39) What are the steps to insert a picture or image in Excel? +

Click “Insert” > “Pictures,” select the image, and use the “Picture Tools” to format.

Q40) How do you create and use cell styles? +

Go to the “Home” tab, click “Cell Styles,” choose a style, or create a new one.

Q41) Explain the use of the FIND and SEARCH functions. +

=FIND(find_text, within_text, [start_num]) finds the position of text (case-sensitive).
=SEARCH(find_text, within_text, [start_num]) finds the position of text (not case-sensitive).

Q42) How do you set up page layout and print settings in Excel? +

Go to the “Page Layout” tab to set margins, orientation, size, and print area. Use “File” > “Print” to access print settings.

Q43) What is the purpose of the Text to Columns feature? +

Splits text in a cell into multiple columns. Access it via “Data” > “Text to Columns.”

Q44) How do you create and use named ranges? +

Select the range, go to “Formulas” > “Define Name,” enter a name, and click “OK.” Use the name in formulas.

Q45) How do you create a drop-down list using data validation? +

Select the cell, go to “Data” > “Data Validation,” choose “List,” and enter the list items.

Q46) What is the use of the TRIM function? +

=TRIM(text) removes extra spaces from text.

Q47) How do you lock and protect cells in Excel? +

Select the cells, right-click, choose “Format Cells,” go to the “Protection” tab, and check “Locked.” Then, protect the sheet via “Review” > “Protect Sheet.”

Q48) How do you use the ISNUMBER and ISTEXT functions? +

=ISNUMBER(value) checks if a value is a number.
=ISTEXT(value) checks if a value is text.

Q49) How do you create and use a scatter plot? +

Select the data, go to “Insert” > “Scatter,” and choose a scatter plot style.

Q50) What is the purpose of the REPT function? +

=REPT(text, number_times) repeats text a specified number of times.