When Delete just won’t do: How to Clear a cell.
Use Clear All when you want to remove everything from a cell. This will remove the value in the cell, and any formatting. Use the Clear options in the Editing section of the Home menu to remove data or formatting or both from the cells you have selected. Shortcut keys to Clear All are Alt, […]
Pivot Tables are amazing!
I was reminded again this week how great Pivot Tables are. If you haven’t used these little beauties in your Excel workbooks you might be missing out. Sometimes, they can require a little bit of manipulating to get your data into a state that is ready for a Pivot Table, but it is totally worth […]
Text to Columns to the rescue!
I have had two times in the past couple of days when I have needed to use Text to Columns. (Short cuts keys Alt, A, E) It is a niche tool, but so good when it is needed, saving a lot of time compared to doing things manually. So, what did I use it for? […]
Flash Fill: Fill in a flash!
The Flash Fill tool in Excel is a massive time saver and is very easy to use. Use to complete tasks like splitting out first names from a list with first and last names. Yes, you can achieve this with a formula, but for most people that is too complex, and it is quicker and […]
Stop people messing with your cells.
If you share a workbook with others and want to stop them changing the sheet cells you can protect the sheet. By default all cells are protected. If you want to allow them to enter information in some cells, but not others, then you need to unlock the cells to allow them to be changed. […]
Fitting data into a cell and getting it just right.
When the information you want to enter into a cell is too long for the width of the cell you would like, you can use Wrap Text. This will fit the information to the cell by expanding it down to fit. Find Wrap Text on the Home menu, in the Alignment Section. (Shortcut keys Alt, […]
Save time, fill across worksheets…
The Fill menu has a number of interesting options. One allows you to copy the same data into multiple worksheets in one go. Select the data to copy.Hold down Ctrl and select the other worksheets that you want to copy to.Go to the Home menu, find the Editing section, select the Fill dropdown. Choose Across […]
Use Center Across Selection instead of Merge and Center.
Instead of using Merge and Center, try using Center Across Selection. It makes highlighting easy and formulas more logical. The results look the same, but what is happening in the background is different. Below is how most people will put a title across multiple cells, by using the Merge & Center button. Notice the green […]
Filter a chart the easy way.
You can filter a chart, right on the chart. Select the graph and choose the filter button, the one that looks like a funnel. Choose which series or categories you want to be able to see. Select Apply. Here is the original chart. And here is the chart with North and South unselected.
Two very handy shortcut keys for charts.
There are two particularly useful shortcut keys when using an Excel chart (graph). Use Ctrl + Left or Right arrow keys to move through selecting each chart element. From the whole chart area, to Plot area, legend, y-axis, x-axis, title, all points in the series, and then each individual point in the series. Great for […]