Excel Beginner Level Test Questions
This section covers fundamental Excel concepts and operations.
Instructions: For each question, choose the best answer or provide the requested information.
Basic Navigation & Interface
Question: What is the name of the file type that Microsoft Excel typically saves its workbooks
as?
A) .DOCX
B) .PPTX
C) .XLSX
D) .PDF
Answer: C) .XLSX
Question: What is the intersection of a row and a column called in Excel?
A) Sheet
B) Book
C) Cell
D) Range
Answer: C) Cell
Question: How are columns identified in an Excel worksheet?
A) By numbers (1, 2, 3…)
B) By letters (A, B, C…)
C) By symbols (!, @, #...)
D) By Roman numerals (I, II, III…)
Answer: B) By letters (A, B, C…)
Question: How are rows identified in an Excel worksheet?
A) By numbers (1, 2, 3…)
B) By letters (A, B, C…)
C) By symbols (!, @, #...)
D) By Roman numerals (I, II, III…)
Answer: A) By numbers (1, 2, 3…)
Question: What is the “Ribbon” in Excel?
A) The scroll bar at the bottom of the screen.
B) The main set of tabs and commands at the top of the Excel window.
C) A specific type of chart.
D) The area where you enter formulas.
Answer: B) The main set of tabs and commands at the top of the Excel window.
Entering & Editing Data
Question: What must every formula in Excel begin with?
A) #
B) $
C) =
D) @
Answer: C) =
Question: To select an entire column, what should you click on?
A) The row number
B) The column letter
C) Any cell in the column
D) The “Select All” button
Answer: B) The column letter
Question: What is the quickest way to adjust the width of a column to fit its contents?
A) Right-click the column header and select “Column Width.”
B) Double-click the boundary between the column headers.
C) Drag the column header boundary to the right.
D) Go to the “Format” menu and select “Column Width.”
Answer: B) Double-click the boundary between the column headers.
Question: If you see “########” in a cell, what does it most likely mean?
A) There’s an error in your formula.
B) The cell contains text that is not recognized.
C) The column is not wide enough to display the full number.
D) You have entered too many characters.
Answer: C) The column is not wide enough to display the full number.
Question: What is the keyboard shortcut to undo the last action in Excel?
A) Ctrl + Y
B) Ctrl + S
C) Ctrl + Z
D) Ctrl + C
Answer: C) Ctrl + Z
Basic Formatting
Question: Which tab on the Ribbon contains the “Font,” “Alignment,” and “Number” groups for
basic cell formatting?
A) Insert
B) Data
C) Home
D) View
Answer: C) Home
Question: How do you apply bold formatting to text in a cell?
A) Click the “I” icon on the Home tab.
B) Click the “U” icon on the Home tab.
C) Click the “B” icon on the Home tab.
D) Press Ctrl + I.
Answer: C) Click the “B” icon on the Home tab.
Question: What does the “Merge & Center” button do?
A) Merges selected cells and aligns the content to the left.
B) Merges selected cells and centers the content.
C) Centers text within a single cell.
D) Splits a merged cell.
Answer: B) Merges selected cells and centers the content.
Question: To change the number of decimal places displayed for a number, which group on the
Home tab would you use?
A) Font
B) Alignment
C) Number
D) Styles
Answer: C) Number
Question: What is the purpose of “Wrap Text” in Excel?
A) To reduce the font size of text in a cell.
B) To make text fit within a column by displaying it on multiple lines within the cell.
C) To add a border around the text.
D) To rotate the text in a cell.
Answer: B) To make text fit within a column by displaying it on multiple lines within the cell.
Simple Formulas & Functions
Question: What is the formula to add the values in cells A1, A2, and A3?
A) =A1+A2+A3
B) SUM(A1:A3)
C) ADD(A1,A2,A3)
D) Both A and B are correct.
Answer: A) =A1+A2+A3 (While SUM(A1:A3) is also correct and more efficient, for beginner
level, direct addition is a fundamental understanding.)
Question: Which function would you use to find the average of a range of numbers?
A) MAX()
B) MIN()
C) SUM()
D) AVERAGE()
Answer: D) AVERAGE()
Question: If cell A1 contains “5” and cell A2 contains “10”, what will the formula =A1*A2
return?
A) A1*A2
B) 50
C) 15
D) Error
Answer: B) 50
Question: Which feature allows you to quickly fill a series of data (like numbers or dates) or
copy a formula down a column?
A) Copy & Paste
B) Format Painter
C) AutoFill Handle
D) Find & Replace
Answer: C) AutoFill Handle
Question: What is a “range” in Excel?
A) A single cell.
B) A group of selected cells.
C) The entire worksheet.
D) The name given to a formula.
Answer: B) A group of selected cells.
