Welcome to the ultimate guide for Excel enthusiasts! Whether you're a beginner looking to get your feet wet, an intermediate user aiming to polish your skills, or an Excel guru striving for mastery, this comprehensive guide is your go-to resource. In "Excel Mastery Unleashed," we dive deep into the world of Excel, exploring 100 essential tips and tricks that will transform the way you interact with one of the world's most powerful and widely used spreadsheet tools.
From keyboard shortcuts that will speed up your workflow to complex formulas that solve intricate problems, from elegant formatting techniques that make data come alive to advanced charting tips for compelling visualizations, this guide covers it all. Plus, we've included invaluable resources, blogs, and books to further enhance your learning journey.
Excel is more than just a software application; it's a powerful tool that, when harnessed effectively, can unlock insights and efficiencies in your data. Whether you're managing finances, analyzing business trends, or just organizing a list, mastering Excel can make a significant difference. Get ready to elevate your Excel skills, boost your productivity, and achieve new heights of data management prowess. Let's embark on this journey through the fascinating world of Excel together!
Certainly, let's begin the list from tip number 1:
| Category | Tip Number | Question | Answer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shortcuts | 1 | To format any selected object | Press Ctrl+1 |
| Shortcuts | 2 | To insert the current date | Press Ctrl+; |
| Shortcuts | 3 | To insert the current time | Press Ctrl+Shift+; |
| Shortcuts | 4 | To repeat the last action | Press F4 |
| Shortcuts | 5 | To edit a cell comment | Press Shift + F2 |
| Shortcuts | 6 | To autosum selected cells | Press Alt + = |
| Shortcuts | 7 | To see the suggest drop-down in a cell | Press Alt + Down Arrow |
| Shortcuts | 8 | To enter multiple lines in a cell | Press Alt+Enter |
| Shortcuts | 9 | To insert a new sheet | Press Shift + F11 |
| Shortcuts | 10 | To edit the active cell | Press F2 (places cursor in the end) |
| Shortcuts | 11 | To hide the current row | Press Ctrl+9 |
| Shortcuts | 12 | To hide the current column | Press Ctrl+0 |
| Shortcuts | 13 | To unhide rows in selected range | Press Ctrl+Shift+9 |
| Shortcuts | 14 | To unhide columns in selected range | Press Ctrl+Shift+0 |
| Shortcuts | 15 | To recalculate formulas | Press F9 |
| Shortcuts | 16 | To select data in the current region | Press Ctrl+Shift+8 |
| Shortcuts | 17 | To see formulas in the worksheet | Press Ctrl+` |
| Shortcuts | 18 | To change the reference type from absolute to relative and vice versa while editing formulas | Press F4 |
| Shortcuts | 19 | To format a number as currency | Press Ctrl+Shift+4 (Ctrl+$) |
| Shortcuts | 20 | To apply an outline border around selected cells | Press Ctrl+Shift+7 |
| Shortcuts | 21 | To open the macros dialog box | Press Alt+F8 |
| Shortcuts | 22 | To copy the value from the above cell | Press Ctrl+' |
| Shortcuts | 23 | To format the current cell with comma formats | Press Ctrl+Shift+1 |
| Shortcuts | 24 | To go to the next worksheet | Press Ctrl+Shift+PgDn |
| Shortcuts | 25 | To go to the previous worksheet | Press Ctrl+Shift+PgUp |
| Category | Tip Number | Question | Answer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Formulas | 26 | To get the first name of a person | =LEFT(name, FIND(" ", name) - 1) |
| Formulas | 27 | To calculate mortgage payments | =PMT(interest_rate, number_of_payments, loan_amount) |
| Formulas | 28 | To get nth largest number in a range | =LARGE(range, n) |
| Formulas | 29 | To get nth smallest number in a range | =SMALL(range, n) |
| Formulas | 30 | To generate a random phone number | =RANDBETWEEN(1000000000, 9999999999) |
| Formulas | 31 | To count the number of words in a cell | =LEN(TRIM(text)) - LEN(SUBSTITUTE(TRIM(text), " ", "")) + 1 |
| Formulas | 32 | To count positive values in a range | =COUNTIF(range, ">0") |
| Formulas | 33 | To calculate a weighted average | =SUMPRODUCT(range_weights, range_values) / SUM(range_weights) |
| Formulas | 34 | To remove unnecessary spaces | =TRIM(text) |
| Formulas | 35 | To format a number as SSN | =TEXT(ssn, "000-00-0000") |
| Formulas | 36 | To find the age of a person based on DOB | =TEXT(NOW() - DOB, "yy ""years"" m ""months"" dd ""days""") |
| Formulas | 37 | To get name initials from a name | Use nested IF(), FIND(), LEN(), and SUBSTITUTE() formulas |
| Formulas | 38 | To get a proper fraction from a number | =TEXT(number, "?/?") |
| Formulas | 39 | To get partial matches in VLOOKUP | =VLOOKUP("abc*", range, column_index) |
| Formulas | 40 | To simulate AVERAGEIF in earlier versions of Excel | =SUMIF(range, criteria) / COUNTIF(range, criteria) |
| Formulas | 41 | To debug formulas | Select portions of the formula and press F9 |
| Formulas | 42 | To get the file extension from a file name | =RIGHT(filename, LEN(filename) - FIND(".", filename)) |
| Formulas | 43 | To quickly insert an in-cell micro-chart | Use the REPT() function |
| Formulas | 44 | To count cells with any content | Use COUNTA() |
| Formulas | 45 | Using named ranges in formulas | Define a named range through Menu > Insert > Named Ranges > Define |
| Category | Tip Number | Question | Answer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Productivity | 46 | To format a number as SSN | =TEXT(value, "000-00-0000") |
| Productivity | 47 | To format a phone number | =TEXT(value, "000-000-0000") |
| Productivity | 48 | To show values after the decimal point only when the number is less than one | Custom format code [<1]_($#,##0.00_);_($#,##0_) |
| Productivity | 49 | To remove gridlines from an Excel worksheet | For Excel 2007 and later: Go to Page Layout > Sheet Options and uncheck Gridlines |
| Productivity | 50 | To hide a worksheet | Right-click on the sheet tab and select Hide |
| Productivity | 51 | To align multiple objects like charts, drawings, pictures | Use the Align tools in the Drawing toolbar |
| Productivity | 52 | To freeze rows at the top | Select the row below where you want the split, and go to View > Freeze Panes |
| Productivity | 53 | To disable annoying formula errors | Go to File > Options > Formulas and uncheck Error Checking |
| Productivity | 54 | To change the shape of cell comments | Select the comment and change the shape from the Format Comment menu |
| Productivity | 55 | To transpose a range of cells | Copy the cells, then Paste Special > Transpose |
| Productivity | 56 | To save data filter settings for reuse | Use Custom Views under the View menu |
| Productivity | 57 | To select all formulas in a worksheet | Press CTRL+G, select Special, and check Formulas |
| Productivity | 58 | To select all constants in a worksheet | Press CTRL+G, select Special, and check Constants |
| Productivity | 59 | To clear formats from a range | Select the range, then go to Home > Editing > Clear > Clear Formats |
| Productivity | 60 | To move a chart and align it with cells | Hold down the ALT key while dragging the chart |
| Charting Tips | 61 | To create an instant micro-chart | Use Sparklines under the Insert tab |
| Charting Tips | 62 | Understand data to ink ratio | Ensure your chart is clear and free of unnecessary formatting |
| Charting Tips | 63 | Combine two different chart types | Add a new series and right-click to change the chart type for that series only |
| Charting Tips | 64 | To reverse the order of items in a bar/column chart | Right-click on the axis, select Format Axis, and check "Categories in reverse order" |
| Charting Tips | 65 | To change marker symbols in a chart | Copy any shape and paste it onto the chart markers |
| Charting Tips | 66 | To create partially overlapped bar/column charts | Adjust the Overlap and Gap Width settings in the Format Data Series menu |
| Charting Tips | 67 | To increase chart contrast | Remove the gray background color for better clarity |
| Charting Tips | 68 | Avoid certain chart types for clarity | Avoid 3D area, radar, donut charts with multiple series, etc., for clearer presentation |
| Charting Tips | 69 | Replace radar charts with tables for better comparison | Tables can be clearer for comparing data than radar charts |
| Category | Tip Number | Question | Answer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charting Tips | 70 | Remove vertical grid-lines | Go to Chart Tools > Layout, and uncheck Gridlines |
| Charting Tips | 71 | Change horizontal grid-line color | Select the gridlines, then Format them to a lighter color |
| Charting Tips | 72 | Adjust chart series colors | Right-click the series and choose a more contrasting color |
| Charting Tips | 73 | Adjust font scaling | Use the Format Axis options to change font size for readability |
| Charting Tips | 74 | Add data labels and remove axes | Use Chart Tools > Layout to add data labels, and Format Axis to remove the axis labels if needed |
| Charting Tips | 75 | Remove chart background colors | Select the chart area and remove or change the background color |
| Excel Books | 76 | Excel 2016 Bible by John Walkenbach | Comprehensive guide on Excel 2016 |
| Excel Books | 77 | Excel 2016 Power Programming by John Walkenbach | Focus on advanced Excel features and programming |
| Excel Books | 78 | Excel 2016 All-in-One for Dummies by Greg Harvey | Easy-to-understand guide covering various Excel features |
| Excel Books | 79 | Microsoft Excel Data Analysis and Business Modeling by Wayne Winston | Focus on data analysis and business applications in Excel |
| Excel Books | 80 | M is for (Data) Monkey by Ken Puls and Miguel Escobar | Guide on Excel's Power Query feature |
| Category | Tip Number | Question | Answer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Excel Resources | 81 | PTS Blog | A resource for Excel tips and tricks |
| Excel Resources | 82 | Andrew's Excel Tips | Blog for various Excel solutions |
| Excel Resources | 83 | Microsoft Power BI Blog | Official blog for Power BI, closely related to Excel |
| Excel Resources | 84 | Contextures | Website with Excel tips, templates, and tutorials |
| Excel Resources | 85 | Junk Charts | Focuses on effective data presentation and charting |
| Excel Resources | 86 | Daily Dose of Excel | Blog covering a wide range of Excel topics |
| Excel Resources | 87 | Digital Inspiration | Technology blog with Excel tips |
| Excel Resources | 88 | Life Hacker | Blog with productivity tips including Excel |
| Excel Resources | 89 | Jorge's Charts Blog | Dedicated to Excel charting techniques |
| Excel Resources | 90 | Data Chant | Blog focusing on Excel and data analysis |
| Excel Resources | 91 | Excelarator BI | Blog about Excel BI tools |
| Excel Resources | 92 | Guy in a Cube | YouTube channel focusing on data analysis using Excel and Power BI |
| Excel Resources | 93 | More Information Per Pixel | Blog about effective data visualization in Excel |
| Excel Resources | 94 | Newton Excel Bach | Blog about using Excel for engineering and scientific calculations |
| Excel Resources | 95 | Presentation Zen | Blog about presentation design, including Excel charts |
| Excel Resources | 96 | Visual Business Intelligence by Stephen Few | Blog about business intelligence and data visualization |
| Excel Resources | 97 | Spreadsheet Journalism | Blog at the intersection of spreadsheets and journalism |
| Excel Resources | 98 | Allen Wyatt's Excel Tips | Website with a variety of Excel tips and tutorials |
| Excel Resources | 99 | Excel Guru | Forum and resource site for Excel questions and solutions |
| Excel Resources | 100 | Chandoo.org on YouTube | YouTube channel with tutorials for Excel |
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