Whether you’re in accounting, filling out invoices, or just casually crunching some numbers, Microsoft Excel is a very useful program for businesses and consumers alike. However, Unlike the other Office 365 programs, Excel puts a heavy emphasis on data, which can be quite a scary thing for some. No need to worry though, as we’re now giving you a look at some of our favorite tips and tricks for Excel in Office 365. These tips and tricks will not only save you time but might also simplify things and help make you a master at Excel.
Use some shortcuts
Much like the other Office 365 Programs, there are a number of keyboard shortcuts that can be used in Excel. When dealing with numbers and spreadsheets that can extend to almost infinite columns and rows, these shortcuts could end up saving you some time and headaches. We’ve collected a few of our favorites below, but Microsoft has a full list here.
- CTRL+Enter: To repeat text. Click on an entire set of cells and then type what you want to be repeated on the last cell, then hit Ctrl+Enter. What you typed goes into each selected cell..
- ALT+F1: Use this shortcut to create charts on same sheet as your data. Similarly, pressing F11 will create chart on separate sheet
- Shift+F3 Use this shortcut to insert a function
- Alt+H+D+C: Use this shortcut to delete a column
- Alt+H+B: Use this shortcut to add a border to a cell
- Ctrl+Shift+$: Use this shortcut to apply the currency format
- Ctrl+Shift+%: Use this shortcut to apply the percent format
- Ctrl+Shift+&: Use this shortcut to apply the outline borders
- F5: Use this shortcut to go to a cell. Just type F5 and the cell coordinate or cell name
Try out IFS logical functions to eliminate the need for nested formulas
IFS is a local function known as “If, this, then, and that.” This is used by analysts across the world, and it can evaluate multiple conditions in Excel so you don’t need to use nested formulas. The feature can be used by entering =IFS into the formula bar, followed the conditions. IFS then checks to see if conditions are met and will return a value that corresponds to a TRUE condition. A Sample IFS is seen below. In our example, we’re using a formula to create grades in a spreadsheet. You can learn more about IFS from Microsoft here.
Use the Status Bar to check the status of data
Nobody likes doing quick math, but Excel is able to crunch data on the fly for you. If you’ve got a sheet of numbers, or figures, the Status Bar can easily crunch your numbers without having to write a formula. This includes the count, numerical count, minimum, maximum, and sum. You just need to highlight the data to get started. In rare cases, you might need to enable it first. If that’s the case, right-click on the status bar, and click to enable the stats options you want to see.
Try out Data Bars to see your data visually
Big Data is useful, but nothing is more visual than graphs. With the Data Bars feature in Excel, you can add bars to your existing tables, without adding a graph. You can do this by selecting the data and cells you’d like a graph for, then going to Home, selecting Conditional Formatting, and choosing Data Bars. You can then choose from either a Gradient Fill or a Color Fill.
Ask Excel For Help
If you find yourself lost in Excel, the program itself can help out. Just click on the box on the top where it says Search and you’ll be able to look for what function you’re looking to accomplish in Excel. The search box will then present you with the option. As an alternative, you always can type “Help” into this search bar to summon and find a list of common topics and functions of Excel. Some common topics listed here are how rows, functions, cells, formulas, formatting, tables, etc can work.
Will you become a master at Excel?
There’s a lot you can do with Microsoft Excel, and it’s hard to cover it in just one post. Our tips and tricks just touch on the basics, but there’s so much more that can be discovered. Let us know in the comments below your own tips and tricks for Excel and Office 365.
