Microsoft Excel

Without a doubt, Excel is the most popular data analysis tool on the planet! Learning how to use Excel should be high on anyone’s priority list.

Check out these posts designed to provide you with tips and tricks on how to use Excel like a pro!

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How to show duplicates in Excel

A very common request in any of my Excel courses is "how to show duplicates in Excel". When we are working with any data set you may need to be alerted when duplicate records exist. This process is surprisingly simple ...

How to import tasks from Excel into Planner

With the popularity of Microsoft Planner continuing to go up, I often have people ask me how they can get a list of tasks which have been tracked using Excel, and move them into Microsoft Planner without the need to ...

What is a circular reference error in Excel?

I recently had an email from a client asking me to assist with an error in one of their Excel files. I opened the file to take a look and immediately the error appeared: "There are one or more circular ...

How to use the COUNTIFS Function in Excel

When managing data in Excel, it’s common to need a quick way to count entries based on more than one condition. That’s where the COUNTIFS function in Excel becomes incredibly useful. Whether you’re sorting customer orders, tracking project tasks, or ...

How to create appointments in your Outlook Calendar from dates in Excel

Recently I was asked about how to automatically create calendar appointments in Outlook (Classic version) using dates in an Excel workbook. This was something I'd not been asked before and it peaked my curiousity. I did some research online around ...

How to use XLOOKUP in Excel (with examples)

Are you still using VLOOKUP or HLOOKUP in Excel? It's time to upgrade and learn how to use XLOOKUP in Excel which provides a powerful and more flexible lookup function. Many Excel users haven’t yet explored how to use XLOOKUP, ...

How to use Flash Fill in Excel

Flash Fill in Excel is by far one of my favourite Excel features. Learning how to use Flash Fill in Excel should be on everyone's to do list. It is one of those features which amazes participants during any of ...

How to sort data in Excel

One of the first features that many users begin using is the ability to sort data in Excel. Being able to automatically have your data displayed in a specific order, whether that be number, alphabetical or date order, is a ...

How to create a Pivot Table in Excel

For those that are new to Pivot Tables, or PivotTables in Excel, a pivot table allows you to summarise, analyse, sort, group, sum, count, total, and calculate data all with a few simple steps. Pivot tables can seem quite daunting ...

How to convert text to date format in Excel

Last week I received an SOS from a good friend. She had data that was exported from an LMS and being used for analysis within Excel. A particular column contained a date and time in each cell that needed to ...

How to print Excel sheet on one page

I've run a lot of Excel training. One of the most common questions is "How do I print an Excel sheet on one page?". The idea sounds simple doesn't it? I have seen some truly imaginative ways that users will ...

Creating an Excel drop down list

If you have ever seen a drop down menu in Excel and wondered how to set one up, you are in the right place. Creating an Excel drop down list is a simple way to improve accuracy, speed and consistency ...

How to use COUNTIF in Excel

When working with a large amount of data in Excel, you may find yourself needing to count the number of records which meet a specific criteria. This is when the Excel COUNTIF function is going to save you a lot ...

How to apply conditional formatting to an entire row based on dates older than today

It seems my conditional formatting posts have become quite popular and with that, I've had some amazing questions asked about variations of how to use conditional formatting. One such question was how to apply conditional formatting to an entire row ...

Use conditional formatting to identify dates within a specific range

My conditional formatting to identify dates earlier than today post has proven to be extremely popular. This post talks about how to use conditional formatting for dates which occur in the past. I have had lots of questions and comments ...

Excel giving you the wrong answer? Discover BIDMAS and Excel

An important part of understanding how Excel calculates formulas and functions is understanding BIDMAS. Let's think back to math class. I remember the teacher talking about BIDMAS and vividly thinking that I'd never need to use it. Attend any Excel ...

How to create a custom list for sorting and filtering in Excel

Do you have a list of data you use frequently in Excel? Sick of repeatedly typing them in, or having to copy and paste from another workbook? What if I told you that you could save these entries in Excel ...

Save time! Pin a file to the Open list in Microsoft Office

At the start of every training course, I show participants through a few really useful features of the Microsoft 365 programs. These features help save you time during a busy workday. One such feature is AutoCorrect, another is the ability ...

Use conditional formatting to identify dates older than today

Excel Conditional Formatting Based on Dates (Highlight Older Than Today)

During a Microsoft Excel training session a few week's ago, I had a great question about using conditional formatting based on dates, in particular to highlight dates earlier than the current one, in other words, how can we highlight dates that occur in ...

Embed Excel in a Word document

Did you know that you can insert Excel into Word? That's right, you can have the functionality of an Excel worksheet sitting inside your Word document. This is one of the many functions that I find people aren't aware of ...

The best Excel shortcuts

Want to become more efficient using Excel? Let me show you the best Excel shortcuts that I personally use every day. If you've ever attended one of my training sessions, or even just read some of my other blog posts ...

How to disable the Start Screen at startup in Office programs

How to enable/disable the Start Screen in Excel, PPT or Word

In the recent versions of Microsoft 365, you’ll notice a Start screen appear whenever you open apps like Word, Excel or PowerPoint. It’s designed to give you quick access to things like your Recent files, Favourites, creating a new file ...

How to open any Microsoft 365 program

For those starting out using the Microsoft 365 apps and even for those familiar with the programs, our computers can sometimes be a treasure trove full of so many programs that it's impossible to find the one we want. Being ...

How to copy formatting using Format Painter

Each of the Microsoft programs includes some basic clipboard options which incorporate the Cut, Copy and Paste functions. Generally users are pretty familiar with these tools. What many users have not utilised is the fourth function in the group called ...

How to use the AutoFill tool in Excel

Of all the features available within Microsoft Excel, the AutoFill tool has to be high up on the list of those used most frequently. Often though the AutoFill feature is underutilised and users do not know the full potential of ...

Convert workbooks to the latest file format in Excel

A common question I see during training is “Why do my files say [Compatibility Mode] in the title bar area?” and this is a good question. Today I want to explain Compatibility Mode and file formats in relation to Microsoft ...

Customise a Sparkline in Excel

So you've discovered Sparklines in Microsoft Excel and now you want to jazz them up? You've come to the right place. In my previous post (link here) I outlined what a Sparkline was and how to insert one into your ...

Create a Sparkline to show data trends in Excel

I can hear you asking it now, what is a Sparkline? It's a very good question which I'm going to answer for you now. Sparklines were introduced in Excel 2010 and are a great feature for those who prefer a ...

How to use VLOOKUP in Excel

The VLOOKUP function in Excel is one of the most widely used lookup functions, but it can sometimes be tricky to get it working. The VLOOKUP function is a fantastic time-saver as it is a perfect example of how Excel ...

How to create a screenshot using Office

For years I have been creating screenshots for various reasons; for use in training courseware; to illustrate to a remote user a button I want them to press; to relay information about a technical problem or error, and the list ...

Create an Excel graph or chart in under 30 sec

Microsoft Excel provides a great way to summarise and analyse data using charts. The terminology used can differ between referring to them as charts or an Excel graph. Either way it is the charting feature within Excel which will create ...

5 basic Excel Functions every beginner should learn

Microsoft Excel is a fantastic program allowing you to collate, analyse and make sense of data quickly. If you're just starting on your Excel journey, then it is worth learning a few basic Excel functions to get you started. Don't ...

The Office Clipboard – a hidden treasure

One feature that MOST users are familiar with is the Cut, Copy and Paste function. The ability to cut, copy and paste within any of the Microsoft applications or third-party apps provides a user with a high level of productivity ...

Customise the Quick Access Toolbar

At the start of almost every Microsoft course I teach, I discuss the options you have to customise any of the Microsoft 365 products. The Quick Access toolbar (QAT) is right up there on my list of favourite ways to ...

How to use CONCATENATE with Excel

This week, someone asked me how to use concatenate with Excel to allow them to join text together from different columns into one cell. The CONCATENATE function is perfect for this because it allows you to combine content from different ...

Learn about Excel Formulas

If you're new to Excel, learning how to use basic Excel formulas is an essential skill. Here I will step you through the process I use when teaching Excel to beginners so that you have an understanding of the fundamentals ...

How to create a PDF using Excel, PowerPoint or Word

Learn how to create a PDF using Excel, PowerPoint or Word using these simple steps that use the built-in PDF export tools included in these Microsoft 365 apps. Many people are still unaware that you can create a PDF directly ...

How to use AutoCorrect in Microsoft 365

Did you know Microsoft 365 programs include a powerful feature called AutoCorrect? It’s designed to help reduce typing errors as you work, and it’s enabled by default in apps like Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint. AutoCorrect automatically fixes common spelling ...

Navigate an Excel Workbook

When working in Microsoft Excel there are several references or names which will appear on a regular basis, as well as different methods for navigating within the program. Which navigation option users choose mainly depends on personal preference however it ...

Explore the Excel Interface

Getting comfortable with the Excel interface is one of the first steps to working with Excel. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced user, understanding the Ribbon, tabs, and key features will make working in Excel easier and more efficient ...

How to use conditional formatting in Excel

Conditional formatting in Excel is one of my favourite features. I am a very visual person and would much rather look at colour charts or visual representations of data to give me a sense of what I'm looking at. In ...

How to change phone number format in Excel

If you have ever typed a phone number into Excel only to see the leading zero disappear, you are not alone. Today I want to show you how to change phone number format in Excel. Being an Australian, our phone ...

Learn How To Use Excel In-Person or Online

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Explore Excel’s fantastic features and boost your employees’ and team’s productivity. Our Excel courses are available in Sydney or online across Australia.