Arizona State University (ASU) CIS105 Computer Applications and Information Technology Midterm Practice Exam

Excel is classified as spreadsheet software because it is designed specifically for organizing, analyzing, and storing data in tabular form. It allows users to perform calculations, create charts, and utilize functions to manipulate numerical data efficiently. The interface is built around a grid of cells, where users can input and manage their data, making it ideal for tasks such as budgeting, financial analysis, and data visualization.

In contrast, presentation software focuses on creating slide decks, database software is used for managing data in a structured format, and word processing software is designed for creating and editing text documents. These distinctions highlight why Excel is best categorized as spreadsheet software, emphasizing its unique capabilities in handling numerical data and calculations.