Which of the following describes a cell reference in a spreadsheet?

A cell reference in a spreadsheet is defined as identifying a specific cell. This is crucial because cell references allow users to directly interact with and manipulate the data stored in those individual cells. For example, a cell reference like A1 refers to the cell located at the intersection of column A and row 1. This lets users easily perform operations or functions based on the data found in that particular cell.

Identifying a specific cell is fundamental for organizing data within a spreadsheet, as it enables users to retrieve, update, and analyze information accurately. This ability to reference cells precisely is what underpins the functions and calculations that spreadsheets are known for, as well as enabling straightforward navigation within large datasets.

The other options focus on different aspects of what spreadsheets can do: summing cells, formatting, or performing functions, but they do not capture the essence of what a cell reference is. Thus, understanding that a cell reference identifies a specific cell is vital for effectively using spreadsheet software.