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- absolute references
-
References to cells or ranges that remain fixed, no matter where
the cell containing the formula is moved or copied. Absolute
references are preceded with the dollar sign ($) before each
coordinate to be fixed, such as $A1 or $A$1 .
- accelerator
-
A key or sequence of keys (typically a modifier key such as
[Ctrl], [Shift], or [Alt] and some other key) that provides a
shortcut to use a program function.
- active window
-
The window that is affected by keyboard and mouse actions. Only
one window can be active at a time.
- annotate
-
Adding text to the data area of a graph.
- application program interface (API)
-
A separate product which provides the NExS connections library,
a set of callable subroutines, for creating real-time data
exchange with NExS spreadsheets.
- argument
-
A parameter appended to a function statement, specifying the
values that NExS should use in calculating the function.
- BIFF
-
Binary Interchange File Format. The native file format of
Microsoft Excel.
- argumentlist
-
In the syntax statement for a function, the list of arguments
the function should use for its calculation.
- cell protection
-
A feature whereby NExS prohibits the user from making direct
changes to the contents of a protected cell. The cell may be
changed by recalculation, or by removing or disabling cell
protection.
- circular references
-
Two or more cells defined by each other.
- click
-
To quickly press and release a mouse button.
- clock
-
An icon that appears on the screen while NExS is working and the
keyboard and mouse are temporarily disabled.
- computed cell references
-
The result of a function that is itself a cell reference or range
reference.
- concatenation
-
Linking two strings together. For example, if you concatenate the
string "John" in cell A1 with the string "Smith" in cell A2, the
result is the value "John Smith."
- conditional statistical function
-
A statistical function in which the last argument is a constraint
expression that NExS evaluates for each cell in the argument list.
Only cells that meet constraint criteria are included in the
calculation.
- connections
-
The NExS facility whereby worksheets can be linked with up to 63
external data sources for real-time data transfer.
- connections library
-
The NExS-provided programming routines, embedded in the external
program, that enable connections to take place.
- constraint-checking
-
A process whereby NExS checks constraint expressions while
recalculating the worksheet. If constraint-checking is disabled in
the Default Sheet Characteristics dialog box, NExS ignores
constraint expressions.
- constraint expression
-
An expression appended to a formula that establishes conditions
under which the formula operates or boundaries for valid results
of the formula.
- Control/Status
-
The area of the display above the worksheet view, where NExS
displays the input line, edit line, and status or error messages.
- cost
-
The original cost of a depreciable capital asset.
- CSV
-
Comma Separated Values, data imported or exported using commas as
the only delimiters separating the data.
- cursor
-
A graphical image, usually a vertical bar or block, that shows the
location where text will appear when keys are pressed or where a
selection will be made. Current cursor position is often shown by
highlighting in reverse video or another color.
- date and time function
-
A function that returns a value corresponding to the specified
date, month, year, hour, minute or second. It can also be the
current system time and date.
- dates
-
A value represented as an integer equal to the number of days
since December 31, 1899.
- default
-
An object or action that is specified for selection if no other
selection is specified.
- dialog box
-
A pop-up window that NExS displays for you to enter information
about certain commands and functions.
- digital logical function
-
A function that returns the values 0, 1 or -1 (unknown) based on
the value of its arguments. Digital logical functions evaluate the
integer portion of a value. Any value not equal to 0 or 1 is
considered unknown.
- dimmed selection
-
A selection that is not currently available.
- double-click
-
To press and release a mouse button twice in rapid succession.
- drag
-
To press and hold a mouse button while moving the mouse.
- Edit Mode
-
An mode of operation whereby NExS is ready to accept edits to cell
contents. (As opposed to input mode, where NExS accepts new cell
contents).
- embedded tools
-
A set of functions in NExS that have the ability to return data in
a matrix, not just the resident cell. These functions make
non-scalar operations such as matrix multiplication and "live"
recalculation as easy to use as an ordinary spreadsheet function.
- enabled
-
Turned on. Many NExS capabilities, such as cell protection, title
printing, automatic recalculation and constraint-checking, can be
enabled or disabled to suit your preferences.
- File Filter
-
A dialog box that NExS presents in certain cases where you must
specify a source file or destination file, such as in Import and
Export operations.
- financial function
-
A function that performs a common financial calculation, such as
future value of an annuity at a given interest rate.
- font metrics
-
The calculation tables required for NExS to handle proportionally
spaced fonts.
- formula
-
A way of establishing and calculating mathematical relationships
between the elements of a spreadsheet. Formulas are automatically
changed to reflect any changes in referenced cells.
- forward reference
-
A cell whose value depends on values calculated later in a
spreadsheet.
- function
-
An NExS-provided formula that performs the work of many formulas,
or performs special functions that cannot be achieved by formulas,
such as manipulating text strings.
- goal-seeking
-
An NExS tool that uses iterative calculation to find the value
required in one cell (variable) in order to achieve a desired
value in another cell.
- graph
-
A pictorial representation of data. Also know as a chart.
- highlight
-
A visual cue to the current selection or current location of the
cursor, frequently accomplished by reverse video.
- I-beam
-
A graphic image used to represent the location of the mouse
pointer in a text entry box, providing a visual cue that text can
be entered in an area.
- icon
-
A small graphic imaged used to represent a window. Windows can be
turned into icons, (minimized) to save room or unclutter the
workspace.
- inactive
-
A window that does not have the current input focus.
- indirect reference
-
A unique cell referencing technique in NExS which allows you to
refer to cells by row and/or column offset values relative to the
current cell. This can be used anywhere a cell reference is
expected: function arguments, formulas, constraint expressions. It
uses the following construct: #{column offset,row offset}.
- input focus
-
The cell, range, area or window where keyboard and mouse actions
will take effect. The computer can work on many tasks at once, but
can only one can have the attention of the keyboard and mouse.
- insertion cursor
-
A graphic symbol that provides a visual cue to the insertion point
for data and text.
- insertion point
-
The point marked by the insertion cursor in a text entry area,
where text will appear when keys are pressed on the keyboard.
- iterative calculation
-
A method of calculation whereby NExS passes through the worksheet
more than once, addressing circular references or performing
goal-seeking.
- justification
-
Alignment of value displaced in a cell. Aligned either against
the left side of the cell (left-aligned), the right side
(right-aligned), or centered.
- LaTeX
-
A trademarked product of the American Mathematical Society, a
typesetting program popular in scientific and academic
environments.
- location cursor
-
A graphic symbol that marks the current location of the keyboard
input focus for selection, typically a box that surrounds the
current object or a highlight that shows the current object in
reverse video.
- logical function
-
A functions that evaluates conditions on a purely true/false
basis, returning the value 0 if the condition is False and the
value 1 if the condition is True.
- lower
-
To move a window to the bottom of the window stack in the
workspace.
- mathematical function
-
A function that performs calculations with numeric values as
arguments.
- maximize
-
To enlarge a window to its maximum size.
- maximize button
-
The control button in the window frame that is used to maximize a
window.
- menu
-
A list of available selections from which the user chooses.
- menu bar
-
A bar at the top of the window that contains the titles of NExS
pull-down menus.
- message box
-
Any dialog box that provides information, tells the status of a
work in progress, asks a question, issues a warning or draws
attention to an error.
- minimize
-
To turn a window into an icon.
- minimize button
-
The control button in the window frame that is used to minimize a
window.
- miscellaneous function
-
A function that performs a variety of calculations such as
returning a reference to a specific cell or range.
- mnemonic
-
A single character (usually the initial character) of a menu
selection, which initiates a selection when a menu is displayed.
- mouse
-
A pointing device commonly used with a keyboard for using NExS.
- named cell
-
A cell to which a name has been assigned with the Named Range
utility. Named cells can be referenced by their names or
addresses.
- named range
-
A range of cells to which a name has been assigned with the Named
Range utility. Named ranges can be referenced by name anywhere
that a standard range reference is accepted.
- natural recalculation
-
A method of calculation that follows a natural hierarchy of the
importance of cell dependencies.
- operators
-
The characters that establish the relationships between values in
a formula, such as +, -, * and <= . Arithmetic operators calculate
numeric values; text operators act on strings of text, and logical
operators evaluate true/false conditions.
- paste
-
Inserting data into an area after it has been cut from another
area, perhaps another worksheet.
- point
-
To position the pointer or location cursor.
- pointer
-
The graphic image that appears on the workspace and represents the
current location.
- PostScript
-
A registered trademark of Adobe Systems, Inc., that refers to a
popular format for producing highly formatted printed documents.
- primary key
-
In the Sort operation, the primary column on which NExS should
base the sort. If two entries in the primary key column are
identical, NExS sorts based on the value in the secondary key
column.
- protection
-
The act of prohibiting users from making direct changes to entries
in a protected cell. Cell protection is applied with the Protect
utility, removed with the Unprotect utility, and enabled/disabled
for the entire sheet in the Default Sheet Characteristics dialog
box.
- radio button
-
A graphic control that simulates the buttons on a car radio,
representing mutually exclusive selections.
- range
-
A contiguous, rectangular block of cells that has been referenced
as a group in a cell formula, or selected to be affected by some
editing action, such as Copy Formulas or Move.
- recalculation
-
The process whereby NExS re-computes the mathematics of the
worksheet after the user makes changes. NExS lets you designate
whether recalculation takes place on demand or after any change is
made.
- relative references
-
Cell or range references that are interpreted relative to the
current position of the cell containing the formula. Relative
references are updated whenever a cell is copied or moved, to
reflect the new position of the cell. By default, NExS considers
references to be relative.
- restore
-
To return an icon or maximized window to its normal size.
- save
-
To write changes to a data file to a storage device for
safekeeping.
- statistical function
-
A function that performs aggregation and counting operations on a
group of values expressed as a list of arguments.
- string functions
-
Functions that act on strings of text, rather than on numeric
values.
- scroll bar
-
A graphic device used to change the view of a worksheet or list
box. A user changes the view by moving a slider within the scroll
bar or by pressing a scroll arrow at either end of the slider.
- secondary key
-
In the Sort operation, the column on which NExS should base the
sort, if two entries in the primary key column are identical, from
a sorting standpoint.
- selection cursor
-
A highlighted area that indicates the current selection.
- select
-
To choose a menu selection, worksheet cell, range of cells or
other area to be acted upon or an action to be performed.
Selections are usually displayed in reverse video.
- setting
-
A parameter that does not cause an operation, but rather
influences the outcome of related operations.
- slider
-
The object that is dragged within a scroll bar to change the view
of a worksheet or list box.
- spreadsheet
-
The foundation of the NExS way of working; a row-by-column matrix
of cells that contain numeric values, text values and formulas
that calculate values.
- string function
-
A function that manipulates and evaluates character strings.
- submenu
-
A subsidiary menu that is called from within another menu.
- target
-
In the goal-seeking operation, the target value sought by
manipulating another value.
- target cell
-
In the goal-seeking operation, the cell that contains the target
value, the objective of the goal-seeking.
- titles (row, column)
-
In the general worksheet view, row labels and column headings that
have been protected by the Set Title utility. These titles remain
in view, even as you scroll through far-reaching areas of the
worksheet.
- titles (graph)
-
In graphics, the title of the graph, usually displayed centered
above the graph.
- TSV
-
Tab Separated Values, data imported or exported using tabs as
the only delimiters separating the data.
- variable cell
-
In goal seek, the cell that will be changed in order to reach
the target.
- WKS/WK1
-
The formats used by many other spreadsheets for storing
information. NExS can load and save spreadsheet files in the
WKS or WK1 formats.
- window
-
A rectangular subset of the terminal's display screen,
surrounded by a window frame consisting of a resize border,
window menu button, title bar and window control buttons.
- window manager
-
A program that controls the size, placement and operation of
windows on the screen.
- window menu
-
A menu activated from within the window frame, containing
selections for restoring, moving, sizing, minimizing, maximizing
and closing the window.
- XLS
-
The three-letter file name extension commonly used for Excel
native files. (see also BIFF).
Next: Index
Up: NExS 1.4 User's Guide
Previous: C.2 Summary of Error
NExS User's Guide, Version 1.4.5
Grey Trout Software
11 April 1999