Now that certain features of Ribbon Interface (such as tabbed pages, contextual tabs and dialog launcher) have been explained, let’s take a global look at Excel’s workbook.

A workbook (as previously explained here) actually is an Excel file that contains many objects with their specific functions (Fig. 1).

Figure 1. Excel's Workbook

These are the objects in a workbook:

1. Office Button
   This acts as a drop-down list with general commands to choose from.
2. Quick Access Toolbar
   This is a collection of frequently accessed commands represented in icons. As the name implies, it provides a “shortcut” to certain commands.
3. Title Bar
   It displays the active program (which is Excel) and the name of the file (or workbook) being worked on. When the file is not saved yet, by default Excel will entitle it as “Book1″.
4. Tabs
   Starting from Microsoft Excel 2007, menu-driven interface is “converted” into tab pages, which is called Ribbon Interface.
5. Control Buttons
   These are the buttons that control the appearance of window. There are two rows of buttons. The upper buttons (three bigger buttons) control how the application window (or Excel) appears, while the lower ones (three smaller buttons) control how the workbook appears. The minus sign is used to minimize window, the square sign functions to restore window to its original size or to maximize it, while “x” sign is used to close the window. The help window will open if “?” sign is clicked.
6. Toolbars (or Group of Commands)
   This groups together a few commands with similar functions. Besides the name of toolbar (or group), it may contain dialog launcher icon.
7. Dialog Launcher
   This will launch a window for specific, yet detailed commands not included on the toolbar. This generally acts as a replacement for Format menu on previous versions of Microsoft Excel.
8. Name Box
   This displays the address of active (or clicked) cell. Upon the press of a mouse button when highlighting several cells, it will display how many rows (R) and columns (C) being highlighted on (e.g. 4R x 3C)
9. Insert Function
   In order to write a formula, this will launch a window with all functions to choose from.
10. Formula Bar
    This is where the contents or formula on an active cell will be displayed. This also serves as an editing pad.
11. Column Header
    The title of the column. Letters are representing columns (e.g. “A”, “B”, “C”).
12. Row Header
    The title of the row. Numbers are representing rows (e.g. “1″, “2″, “3″).
13. Active Cell
    The highlighted or clicked cell. Its location or address is an intersection between column and row. Here the cell address is B3, where second column (B) intersects with third row (3).
14. Cells (or Grids)
    They are what constitute a worksheet. The place where data or formula are put in.
15. Vertical Scrollbar
    The bar to scroll the display vertically.
16. Sheet PaneI
    Its main functions are to move along different sheets or to modify one or more sheet.
17. Status Bar
    This contains information about active worksheet.
18. Horizontal Scrollbar
    The same as vertical one but this goes horizontally.
19. View Modes
    When clicked, this would change the display into one of view modes, i.e. Normal, Page Layout or Page Break Preview.
20. Zoom and Zoom Slider
    This contains information about zoom level and a slider to change the zoom level. Sliding it to left would zoom out the display, while sliding it to right would zoom in.