Flash Fill
Work smarter not harder using Flash fill to automate processes
Absolute References: Excel
Using Absolute References The Fill Handle is Awesome Using the Fill Handle to copy formulas down (or across) a list of data is an incredible time saving feature. However, problems arise when you want to reference a specific cell over and over again. The first formula works great. 10% x $10 results in a $1…
Date formats
Custom date formats are often useful in your reports. Excel has two quick formats for a date, one is “Short Date” the other is “Long date.” Google Sheets has a simple “Date” format which looks just like Microsoft Excel’s Short Date. Hopefully, by the time you finish this post, you’ll be able to create a…
Using VLOOKUP
XLOOKUP is a newer function that surpasses the awesomeness of VLOOKUP, but it’s only available in the Office 365 (Excel 2019) versions (and newer as they’re developed). There is still great value in VLOOKUP (and HLOOKUP as well), it just takes nesting more functions. Read the XLOOKUP post to learn more about it. Manually eyeball…
NEW! XLOOKUP
This is so cool. Mind Blown. XLOOKUP is conceptually similar to the other LOOKUP Functions, eXcept it doesn’t have the limitations of VLOOKUP and is easier to use! Use it in place of VLOOKUP or HLOOKUP. Default match is exact not approximate Match options are greater File_not_found options Searches a range for a match and…
What’s in a Name?
Using Excel Names When using formulas or referring to a specific cell in your worksheet, you’ll typically reference ‘range’ or specific cell. For example, B6:B10 is a range reference, where B6 is a cell reference. A problem with this sort of reference is that it’s not very meaningful and easy to forget. If you want…
Excel List Management
What is a List? A list is a collection of related data. Examples might include your contact list, an inventory, or your price list. Lists are organized in Rows and Columns, with the first row containing labels. The labels identify the value, or data, directly below the columns. Features of a well designed List include…
Formulas vs Functions
How They Differ The words Formula and Function are often used interchangeably, but they don’t mean the same thing. At the very core level, they are similar. However, it may help you understand them better if we break them down and view them as different from one another. Formulas Think of Formulas as mathematical calculations…
Excel: Data Tab
The Excel Data Tab has tools to help you work with the data in your worksheets. There are tools to import data from external sources. Also, tools to sort and filter. As well as tools to separate data into more columns. Sorting and Filtering Sorting and Filtering are relatively simple tools at their face. However,…
Pages From the Book
When I teach groups, I generally create custom handouts for those in attendance. I’m in the process of developing two handouts for a new client right now. As a result, the training they get will be relevant to their organization. These images are in the Excel Essentials book that I put together for UNR Extended…