Basic MS Excel MCQs Questions and Answers for All Competitive Examinations and Interviews

1. Which file extension is used to save a modern Excel workbook?
A) .docx
B) .xlsx
C) .pptx
D) .txt
Answer: .xlsx

2. What is the intersection of a row and a column called in Excel?
A) Table
B) Field
C) Cell
D) Sheet
Answer: Cell

3. Which symbol must a formula start with in Excel?
A) @
B) #
C) $
D) =
Answer: =

4. Which key is used to edit the content of the active cell?
A) F1
B) F5
C) F2
D) F12
Answer: F2

5. What is the default name of the first worksheet in Excel?
A) Page1
B) Sheet0
C) Sheet1
D) Work1
Answer: Sheet1

6. Which function is used to find the average of numbers?
A) TOTAL()
B) MEAN()
C) AVERAGE()
D) MID()
Answer: AVERAGE()

7. Which option is used to make text bold?
A) Ctrl + I
B) Ctrl + U
C) Ctrl + B
D) Ctrl + M
Answer: Ctrl + B

8. Which feature allows copying formatting quickly?
A) AutoSum
B) Format Painter
C) Find
D) Sort
Answer: Format Painter

9. Which function counts only numeric values?
A) COUNTBLANK()
B) COUNTA()
C) COUNT()
D) COUNTIF()
Answer: COUNT()

10. Which function adds numbers in a range?
A) PLUS()
B) TOTAL()
C) SUM()
D) ADD()
Answer: SUM()

11. What is the maximum number of rows in modern Excel?
A) 65,536
B) 100,000
C) 1,048,576
D) 500,000
Answer: 1,048,576

12. Which shortcut saves the workbook?
A) Ctrl + A
B) Ctrl + P
C) Ctrl + S
D) Ctrl + D
Answer: Ctrl + S

13. Which option freezes rows or columns?
A) Protect Sheet
B) Lock Cells
C) Freeze Panes
D) Split Window
Answer: Freeze Panes

14. Which chart is best for showing trends over time?
A) Pie
B) Bar
C) Line
D) Scatter
Answer: Line

15. Which function removes extra spaces from text?
A) CLEAN()
B) TRIM()
C) REMOVE()
D) CUT()
Answer: TRIM()

16. What does Ctrl + Z do?
A) Redo
B) Save
C) Undo
D) Copy
Answer: Undo

17. Which function returns today’s date?
A) DATE()
B) NOW()
C) TODAY()
D) CURRENT()
Answer: TODAY()

18. Which alignment places text in the middle of the cell horizontally?
A) Left
B) Right
C) Center
D) Justify
Answer: Center

19. What is a workbook in Excel?
A) A single cell
B) A single worksheet
C) A file containing one or more worksheets
D) A chart
Answer: A file containing one or more worksheets

20. Which function finds the maximum value in a range?
A) TOP()
B) MAX()
C) HIGH()
D) LARGE()
Answer: MAX()

21. Which function finds the minimum value in a range?
A) LOW()
B) MIN()
C) SMALL()
D) BOTTOM()
Answer: MIN()

22. Which shortcut is used to copy selected cells?
A) Ctrl + X
B) Ctrl + Z
C) Ctrl + C
D) Ctrl + V
Answer: Ctrl + C

23. Which shortcut is used to paste copied data?
A) Ctrl + X
B) Ctrl + A
C) Ctrl + S
D) Ctrl + V
Answer: Ctrl + V

24. What does Ctrl + X do?
A) Copy
B) Save
C) Paste
D) Cut
Answer: Cut

25. Which function counts non-empty cells?
A) COUNT()
B) COUNTBLANK()
C) COUNTA()
D) COUNTNUM()
Answer: COUNTA()

26. Which tab contains the Sort & Filter option?
A) Insert
B) Page Layout
C) Data
D) View
Answer: Data

27. Which feature automatically fills a series or pattern?
A) Flash Fill
B) Auto Fill
C) Auto Sum
D) Auto Format
Answer: Auto Fill

28. What does a small red triangle in a cell indicate?
A) Error
B) Locked cell
C) Comment or note
D) Formula cell
Answer: Comment or note

29. Which function combines text from multiple cells into one?
A) JOIN()
B) ADDTEXT()
C) CONCAT()
D) TEXTPLUS()
Answer: CONCAT()

30. Which shortcut inserts a new worksheet?
A) Ctrl + W
B) Ctrl + N
C) Shift + F11
D) Ctrl + F11
Answer: Shift + F11

31. Which function returns the length of a text string?
A) COUNT()
B) SIZE()
C) LEN()
D) TEXTLEN()
Answer: LEN()

32. Which feature highlights cells based on specific conditions?
A) Cell Styles
B) Conditional Formatting
C) Format Painter
D) Data Validation
Answer: Conditional Formatting

33. Which function converts text to uppercase letters?
A) CAPITAL()
B) UPPER()
C) BIG()
D) TEXTUP()
Answer: UPPER()

34. Which function converts text to lowercase letters?
A) SMALL()
B) LOWER()
C) TEXTLOW()
D) MINUS()
Answer: LOWER()

35. Which symbol is used for absolute cell reference?
A) #
B) @
C) &
D) $
Answer: $

36. Which type of reference does not change when copied?
A) Relative reference
B) Mixed reference
C) Absolute reference
D) Temporary reference
Answer: Absolute reference

37. What does the reference $A$1 represent?
A) Relative reference
B) Mixed reference
C) Absolute reference
D) Invalid reference
Answer: Absolute reference

38. Which function checks a condition and returns different values based on the result?
A) TEST()
B) CHECK()
C) IF()
D) LOGIC()
Answer: IF()

39. Which function counts cells based on a specific condition?
A) COUNT()
B) COUNTIF()
C) COUNTA()
D) COUNTALL()
Answer: COUNTIF()

40. Which function adds values based on a given condition?
A) ADDIF()
B) TOTALIF()
C) SUMIF()
D) SUMALL()
Answer: SUMIF()

41. Which chart type is best for showing parts of a whole?
A) Bar
B) Line
C) Pie
D) Area
Answer: Pie

42. Which tab is used to insert charts in Excel?
A) Data
B) Home
C) Insert
D) Review
Answer: Insert

43. Which function removes non-printable characters from text?
A) TRIM()
B) CLEAN()
C) REMOVE()
D) DELETE()
Answer: CLEAN()

44. Which shortcut selects the entire worksheet?
A) Ctrl + A
B) Ctrl + W
C) Ctrl + A (twice)
D) Ctrl + Shift
Answer: Ctrl + A (twice)

45. Which function returns the current date and time?
A) TODAY()
B) DATE()
C) NOW()
D) TIME()
Answer: NOW()

46. Which option protects a worksheet from unwanted editing?
A) Lock Cells
B) Protect Sheet
C) Hide Sheet
D) Secure File
Answer: Protect Sheet

47. Which view shows the worksheet exactly as it will be printed?
A) Normal
B) Page Break Preview
C) Page Layout View
D) Draft
Answer: Page Layout View

48. Which function extracts characters from the left side of a text string?
A) RIGHT()
B) MID()
C) LEFT()
D) CUTLEFT()
Answer: LEFT()

49. Which function extracts characters from the right side of a text string?
A) LEFT()
B) MID()
C) RIGHT()
D) CUTRIGHT()
Answer: RIGHT()

50. Which function extracts characters from the middle of a text string?
A) LEFT()
B) RIGHT()
C) MID()
D) CENTER()
Answer: MID()

51. Which shortcut is used to open an existing Excel file?
A) Ctrl + S
B) Ctrl + N
C) Ctrl + O
D) Ctrl + P
Answer: Ctrl + O

52. Which function rounds a number to a specified number of digits?
A) FIX()
B) ROUND()
C) CUT()
D) LIMIT()
Answer: ROUND()

53. Which option hides selected rows or columns?
A) Lock
B) Remove
C) Hide
D) Protect
Answer: Hide

54. Which feature splits text data into multiple columns?
A) Flash Fill
B) Text to Columns
C) Data Sort
D) Group Data
Answer: Text to Columns

55. Which shortcut inserts the current date in a cell?
A) Ctrl + Shift + ;
B) Ctrl + Shift + ,
C) Ctrl + ;
D) Ctrl + D
Answer: Ctrl + ;

56. Which shortcut inserts the current time in a cell?
A) Ctrl + ;
B) Ctrl + Alt + T
C) Ctrl + Shift + ;
D) Alt + T
Answer: Ctrl + Shift + ;

57. Which function converts a number into text using a specific format?
A) TEXTNUM()
B) STRING()
C) TEXT()
D) CONVERT()
Answer: TEXT()

58. Which option is used to combine multiple cells into one?
A) Combine Cells
B) Merge & Center
C) Join Cells
D) Group Cells
Answer: Merge & Center

59. Which function returns the k-th largest value in a range?
A) MAX()
B) LARGE()
C) TOP()
D) BIG()
Answer: LARGE()

60. Which function returns the k-th smallest value in a range?
A) MIN()
B) SMALL()
C) LOW()
D) LESS()
Answer: SMALL()

61. Which feature prevents users from entering invalid data in a cell?
A) Conditional Formatting
B) Data Validation
C) Protect Sheet
D) Filter
Answer: Data Validation

62. Which function searches for a value vertically in a table and returns a related value?
A) HLOOKUP()
B) VLOOKUP()
C) SEARCH()
D) FIND()
Answer: VLOOKUP()

63. Which function searches for a value horizontally in a table?
A) HLOOKUP()
B) VLOOKUP()
C) MATCH()
D) SCAN()
Answer: HLOOKUP()

64. Which function returns the position of a value in a given range?
A) FIND()
B) SEARCH()
C) MATCH()
D) LOCATE()
Answer: MATCH()

65. Which function returns a value from a table using specified row and column numbers?
A) MATCH()
B) LOOKUP()
C) INDEX()
D) TABLE()
Answer: INDEX()

66. Which combination of functions is commonly used as a powerful alternative to VLOOKUP?
A) IF + SUM
B) INDEX + MATCH
C) MAX + MIN
D) COUNT + IF
Answer: INDEX + MATCH

67. Which function removes the decimal part of a number and returns only the integer portion?
A) ROUND()
B) INT()
C) DECIMAL()
D) FIXED()
Answer: INT()

68. Which formula can be used to get only the decimal part of a number in Excel?
A) =INT(A1)
B) =ROUND(A1,0)
C) =A1-INT(A1)
D) =MOD(A1,2)
Answer: =A1-INT(A1)

69. Which chart type compares values using vertical rectangular bars?
A) Line
B) Pie
C) Column
D) Area
Answer: Column

70. Which shortcut shows formulas instead of their calculated results?
A) Ctrl + F
B) Ctrl + D
C) Ctrl + ** D) Ctrl + T Answer: **Ctrl +

71. Which feature is used to group rows or columns for easy expansion and collapse?
A) Sort
B) Filter
C) Group
D) Protect
Answer: Group

72. Which tab contains the Spell Check option?
A) Data
B) Home
C) Review
D) Insert
Answer: Review

73. Which function is used to test multiple conditions in a single formula?
A) IF()
B) IFS()
C) TEST()
D) CHECK()
Answer: IFS()

74. Which shortcut closes the current workbook?
A) Ctrl + Q
B) Ctrl + W
C) Ctrl + E
D) Ctrl + R
Answer: Ctrl + W

75. Which option is commonly used to create a drop-down list in a cell?
A) Filter
B) Data Validation
C) Sort
D) Group
Answer: Data Validation

76. Which function joins text from multiple cells using a chosen delimiter?
A) CONCAT()
B) TEXTJOIN()
C) MERGE()
D) ADDTEXT()
Answer: TEXTJOIN()

77. Which category of functions returns TRUE or FALSE as a result?
A) Statistical functions
B) Text functions
C) Logical functions
D) Date functions
Answer: Logical functions

78. Which feature is used to highlight duplicate values in a range?
A) Filter
B) Data Validation
C) Conditional Formatting
D) Protect Sheet
Answer: Conditional Formatting

79. Which function replaces part of a text string with new text?
A) CHANGE()
B) REPLACE()
C) SWITCH()
D) EDIT()
Answer: REPLACE()

80. Which function finds the position of one text string within another (case-sensitive)?
A) FIND()
B) SEARCH()
C) MATCH()
D) LOCATETEXT()
Answer: FIND()

81. Which shortcut is used to insert a new row or column in Excel?
A) Ctrl + R
B) Ctrl + Shift + +
C) Ctrl + N
D) Alt + I
Answer: Ctrl + Shift + +

82. Which shortcut is used to delete the selected row or column?
A) Ctrl + D
B) Ctrl + R
C) Ctrl + –
D) Alt + D
Answer: Ctrl + –

83. Which shortcut repeats the last action performed in Excel?
A) Ctrl + Z
B) Ctrl + Y
C) Ctrl + P
D) Ctrl + S
Answer: Ctrl + Y

84. Which feature allows formulas to remain locked while allowing data entry in other cells?
A) Hide Cells
B) Protect Workbook
C) Protect Sheet with unlocked cells
D) Filter
Answer: Protect Sheet with unlocked cells

85. Which function returns the number of working days between two dates?
A) DAYCOUNT()
B) NETWORKDAYS()
C) WORKDAY()
D) DATEGAP()
Answer: NETWORKDAYS()

86. Which function returns a future date after adding a specified number of working days?
A) NETWORKDAYS()
B) WORKDAY()
C) DATEADD()
D) FUTUREDATE()
Answer: WORKDAY()

87. Which feature keeps selected rows or columns visible while scrolling through a worksheet?
A) Split
B) Freeze Panes
C) Group
D) Filter
Answer: Freeze Panes

88. Which number format displays values as percentages?
A) General
B) Percentage
C) Accounting
D) Text
Answer: Percentage

89. Which function rounds a number down to the nearest specified multiple?
A) ROUND()
B) FLOOR()
C) CEILING()
D) FIX()
Answer: FLOOR()

90. Which function rounds a number up to the nearest specified multiple?
A) ROUND()
B) FLOOR()
C) CEILING()
D) FIX()
Answer: CEILING()

91. Which feature is used to arrange data in ascending or descending order?
A) Filter
B) Sort
C) Group
D) Validate
Answer: Sort

92. Which function converts text to Proper Case (first letter of each word capitalized)?
A) UPPER()
B) LOWER()
C) PROPER()
D) CAPITAL()
Answer: PROPER()

93. Which option allows gridlines to be printed on paper?
A) Page Layout → Gridlines
B) Data → Print
C) Page Layout → Print Gridlines
D) View → Print
Answer: Page Layout → Print Gridlines

94. Which function checks whether a value is an error and returns TRUE or FALSE?
A) CHECKERROR()
B) ISERROR()
C) ERROR()
D) FINDERROR()
Answer: ISERROR()

95. Which function returns a specified value when a formula results in an error?
A) ERROR()
B) IFERROR()
C) ISERROR()
D) FIXERROR()
Answer: IFERROR()

96. Which shortcut quickly creates a chart from selected data?
A) Ctrl + C
B) Ctrl + D
C) F11
D) Shift + F2
Answer: F11

97. Which Excel feature is used to summarize and analyze large datasets easily?
A) Filter
B) Sort
C) Pivot Table
D) Group
Answer: Pivot Table

98. Which tab is used to insert a Pivot Table in Excel?
A) Data
B) Insert
C) Review
D) View
Answer: Insert

99. Which option updates a Pivot Table with the latest source data?
A) Recalculate
B) Reload
C) Refresh
D) Update Sheet
Answer: Refresh

100. Which file format saves Excel data as plain text without formulas and formatting?
A) .xlsx
B) .xlsm
C) .csv
D) .xlsb
Answer: .csv