With over 750 million users, Microsoft Excel continues to be one of the most popular spreadsheet programs available. Used in both personal and professional settings, it allows people to utilize data in a way that is both efficient and effective.
Aside from the primary features, Excel has some great options that can make working with data more manageable. If you’re one of the millions of users of this program then here are some tips and tricks on how to use Excel more effectively.
How to Freeze Panes in Excel
One great way to make working with large amounts of data in Excel more effective is to use the freeze panes feature. This particular function can be beneficial when working with large sheets, as it helps keep specific sections of the sheet visible while scrolling.
To freeze panes in Excel, select the cell where you want the split to appear. For example, if you want to keep the top row visible while scrolling, you should choose a cell in the second row. Next, click on the View tab and then click on Freeze Panes in the Window group. You can also use the shortcut Alt+W+F+F.
Once you have done this, any rows above the selected cell will be frozen in place, meaning they will remain visible even when you scroll down. This function is especially useful when working with data that has headers, as it ensures that the header row remains visible at all times.
To unfreeze panes in Excel, click on the View tab and then click on Freeze Panes again. You can also use the shortcut Alt+W+F+F.
Using Excel for Formulas
According to Forrester Research, 81 percent of businesses are using Excel. And it’s one of the most popular business tools today because of its ability to handle formulas. Figures play a crucial role in every startup plan and business model, which is why it’s essential to know how to use formulas in Excel.
What Does ‘$’ Mean in Excel Formula?
The dollar sign ($) in an Excel formula means absolute reference. It tells Excel to keep the cell reference constant no matter where you copy the formula.
For example, let’s say you have a list of expenses in Column A, and you want to calculate the tax on each purchase in Column B. The formula would be like this: =A2*0.15 (where 0.15 is the tax rate). If you copy this formula down the column, Excel will automatically change the cell reference to match the row it’s in. So, the second formula would be =A3*0.15, and so on.
However, if you use the dollar sign to make the cell reference absolute, the formula will stay the same no matter where you copy it. So, the formula =$A$2*0.15 would still refer to Cell A2, even if copied to other cells.
This function can be helpful when you want a particular cell reference to stay constant, no matter where you copy the formula.
How Do I Do a Percentage Formula in Excel?
Using the percentage formula in Excel is straightforward. It’s just a matter of multiplying the number by the percentage rate and adding a “%” sign at the end. For example, if you want to calculate 20% of 500, the formula would be =500*20%.
How To Find Circular References in Excel
A circular reference in Excel is a formula that refers back to itself. For example, if you have the formula =A1+A2 in cell A3, and =A3+A4 in cell A5, this would create a circular reference because each formula refers to the other.
Circular references can be helpful in some situations, but they’re usually just mistakes. To find them, click on the Formulas tab and then click on Error Checking. In the dialog box that appears, click on Circular References and then click on OK.
Excel will now highlight any cells that contain circular references. You can fix them by changing the formulas so that they don’t refer back to themselves.
Quick Analysis Tool in Excel
The Quick Analysis Tool in Excel is a handy feature that lets you quickly create charts and reports based on your data. To use it, select the data you want to analyze and then click on the Quick Analysis Tool icon in the selection’s bottom-right corner.
A dialog box will appear with several options for analyzing your data. For example, you can create a chart, format the data as a table, or apply conditional formatting. This feature is handy when working with large data sets and you want to create a report or presentation quickly.
Helpful Excel Functions You Need to Know
How To Remove Password From Excel
If you have a password-protected Excel file, you can remove the password by opening the file, going to the Review tab, and then clicking on Passwords. In the dialog box, delete the contents of the “Password to open” box or the “Password to modify” box. Once you’ve done this, click Save, and the password will be removed.
How To Highlight Duplicates in Excel
Select the data you want to check to highlight duplicates in Excel and then click on the Home tab. In the Styles Pane, select Conditional Formatting and then click on Highlight Cell Rules. In the drop-down menu, choose Duplicate Values.
Excel will now highlight any cells that contain duplicate values. You can change the formatting options by clicking on the Format button. For example, you can choose to color the cells or apply a different style.
How to Unmerge Cells in Excel
Sometimes, you may need to unmerge cells that have been merged together. To do this, select the merged cells and then click on the Home tab. In the Cells group, click on Split Cells.
In the dialog box, enter the number of columns and rows you want to split the cells into, then click OK. It will unmerge the cells and split them into the number of columns and rows you specified.
How to Move Rows in Excel
To move a row in Excel, first select the row or rows you want to move. Then, while holding the Shift key, left-click on the edge of the selection and drag it to the new location. Excel will automatically insert a blank row in the old location and move the selection to the new location. You can do the same process if you want to move columns in Excel.
Excel Insert Row Shortcut
You can insert rows in Excel by using a shortcut. First, select the row you want to add or insert the new row into. Then, press Alt + I + R on your keyboard. Excel will insert a new row above the selected row.
Excel Alternate Row Color
If you want to alternate the color of each row in Excel, you can do so using the conditional formatting feature. First, select the data you want to format. Then, click on the Home tab. In the Styles Pane, select Conditional Formatting. From the drop-down menu, choose Alternate Row Color.
In the dialog box that appears, choose the color you want to use for the alternate rows. Then, click OK. Excel will now alternate the row color for the selected data.
These are just a few of the many Excel tips and tricks that can make your life easier. With a little practice, you’ll be an Excel expert in no time. So, try out these tips and see how they can help you work smarter, not harder.