Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: All of the above
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
Spreadsheet applications such as Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, and LibreOffice Calc organise data in rows and columns on a worksheet. Users frequently need to select different parts of the sheet to format, copy, or delete data. It is important to understand what kinds of selections the software supports, because questions about rows, columns, and entire sheets are common in basic computer exams. This question asks which elements you can select in a worksheet from the given options.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
Spreadsheet programs allow flexible selection of cells. You can click a row header to select an entire row, click a column header to select an entire column, and click the rectangle at the intersection of row and column headers to select the entire worksheet at once. You can also select ranges of cells or multiple rows and columns. Because it is possible to select rows, columns, and the entire worksheet, the most accurate choice from the options is “All of the above”.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Consider selection of rows.
In Excel, clicking on a row number on the left selects that entire row.
Step 2: Consider selection of columns.
Clicking on a column letter at the top selects that entire column.
Step 3: Consider selection of the entire worksheet.
Clicking the small box at the top left corner, where the row and column headers meet, selects all cells in the sheet.
Step 4: Match this behaviour with the options.
Since each of the individual selections is possible, the combined option “All of the above” must be correct.
Step 5: Confirm there is no restriction limiting selection to only one type of element.
Verification / Alternative check:
If you open a spreadsheet application and experiment, you can verify each selection method: click a row header to highlight an entire row, click a column header to highlight an entire column, and use the corner button or Ctrl+A to select the entire worksheet. Official documentation and training materials for Excel explicitly describe these techniques as basic operations. This confirms that all three listed kinds of selection are supported actions and that the combined option is correct.
Why Other Options Are Incomplete:
Option A (Only rows): This implies that you can select only rows and not columns or the entire sheet, which is not true.
Option B (Only columns): Similarly, you are not limited to column selections; rows and the full sheet can also be selected.
Option C (Entire worksheet): While it is possible to select the entire worksheet, choosing only this option ignores the fact that individual rows and columns can also be selected.
Common Pitfalls:
Learners who are new to spreadsheets sometimes believe they can only select individual cells or rectangular ranges and may not realise that single clicks on headers select entire rows or columns. Others might think the exam expects one specific kind of selection and overlook the combined “All of the above” choice. To avoid mistakes, remember that spreadsheet interfaces are designed to give users flexible selection methods, including rows, columns, and whole worksheets, and exam questions often test that you recognise this flexibility.
Final Answer:
In a worksheet, it is possible to select rows, columns, and the entire worksheet, so the correct choice is “All of the above”.
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