Microsoft Excel General Knowledge 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which keyboard shortcut opens the Format Cells dialog box in Excel?
- Ctrl+1 (Correct answer)
- Ctrl+F
- Ctrl+Shift+F
- Alt+Enter
Correct answer: Ctrl+1
Ctrl+1 opens the Format Cells dialog where you can set number formats, alignment, font, borders, and fill.
Question 2: What does the CONCATENATE function (or the & operator) do in Excel?
- Joins two or more text strings into one (Correct answer)
- Counts the number of characters in a string
- Searches for one text string within another
- Converts numbers to text format
Correct answer: Joins two or more text strings into one
CONCATENATE (or the & operator) combines multiple text values into a single string, for example =A1&" "&B1.
Question 3: When you sort a table by a column in Excel, what happens to the other columns in the same row?
- They move together with the sorted column to keep each row's data intact (Correct answer)
- They remain in their original position
- They are sorted alphabetically as well
- They are hidden until the sort is cleared
Correct answer: They move together with the sorted column to keep each row's data intact
Excel sorts entire rows together, so related data in each row stays aligned regardless of which column is sorted.
Question 4: What is the maximum number of columns in a single Excel worksheet?
- 16,384 (Correct answer)
- 1,024
- 32,768
- 256
Correct answer: 16,384
Since Excel 2007, worksheets support 16,384 columns (2^14), labeled A through XFD.
Question 5: Which function calculates the average of values that meet a specific condition?
- AVERAGEIF (Correct answer)
- AVERAGE
- AVERAGEIFS
- COUNTIF
Correct answer: AVERAGEIF
AVERAGEIF calculates the average of cells in a range that meet a single specified criterion.
Question 6: What does pressing F4 do when editing a cell formula in Excel?
- Toggles between absolute and relative cell reference modes for the selected reference (Correct answer)
- Repeats the last action
- Opens the Find and Replace dialog
- Closes the formula bar
Correct answer: Toggles between absolute and relative cell reference modes for the selected reference
While your cursor is on a cell reference in a formula, F4 cycles through all four reference types: relative, absolute, mixed row, and mixed column.
Question 7: Which of the following best describes an Excel 'Table' (created with Ctrl+T)?
- A structured data range with automatic filtering, sorting, and dynamic formula references (Correct answer)
- A static grid of data with no special features
- A chart that displays tabular data visually
- A locked range that prevents editing
Correct answer: A structured data range with automatic filtering, sorting, and dynamic formula references
Excel Tables automatically expand when you add data, include filter drop-downs, support structured references, and apply consistent formatting.
Microsoft Excel General Knowledge 5
Which keyboard shortcut opens the Format Cells dialog box in Excel?