What is the primary component of an Excel file that stores data and calculations?

The primary component of an Excel file that stores data and calculations is the worksheet. A worksheet is a grid of rows and columns where users can input data, perform calculations, and create visual representations of the information. Each worksheet operates independently within an Excel workbook, allowing for organization and management of different datasets within a single file.

Cells are the individual units within a worksheet where data is entered, but they do not represent the entire structure for storing the data and calculations. A function is a predefined formula that performs calculations based on the values in cells, but again, it is not the component that directly holds or organizes the data. The term file refers to the entire Excel file, which can contain one or more worksheets, but does not specifically refer to the component where data is primarily stored. Thus, the worksheet is the correct answer, as it is the foundational element in Excel where users actively manage and analyze their data.