An active cell in a spreadsheet is defined as what?

An active cell in a spreadsheet refers to the cell that is currently selected and ready for data entry or editing. When a cell is active, it is typically highlighted or outlined to indicate that it is the focus of the user's actions—any input will modify this cell. This concept is essential for efficiently managing data within a spreadsheet, as it allows the user to know exactly where their entries or calculations will appear.

The other options describe different characteristics of cells but do not define what it means for a cell to be "active." For example, a cell that contains a formula may be calculating values, but it won't necessarily be the cell ready for immediate input. Similarly, a locked cell restricts editing or entry, therefore it cannot be considered active. Finally, a cell with formatting may look visually appealing, but that formatting does not indicate whether the cell is currently active or selected. Thus, the definition of an active cell is specifically tied to its readiness for user interaction, making the highlighted and selectable aspect the key attribute.