While Outlook is probably my most used Office product, I can honestly say, Excel probably comes in a close 2nd. So of course I jumped at the opportunity to research and share tips that will help both me and you save time while working in this application. Here’s the disclaimer – I’m not an accountant (go figure) so these tips are for us general users that use Excel for cataloging, analyzing and reporting data, creating charts and graphics and doing basic mathematical functions.
Managing Multiple Windows – Whether you’re working off a laptop of perhaps you’re in the office and have a two monitor setup, managing multiple windows just became easier in 2013. Now when you’re working in Excel and need to open another spreadsheet it automatically defaults to another window allowing you to easily arrange them on the screen. This allows for easier viewing and toggling between two different sets of data.
Quick Analysis Tool – To preview formatting, suggested charts and totals for your data on the fly, simply highlight a group of cells, right click and select the Quick Analysis Tool.
Get Recommended Charts – Not sure of the best way to display and compare your data? Not to worry, Excel will give you recommendations. Simply highlight your data, go to the INSERT tab and select Recommended Charts.
Flash Fill – Feeling like you’re repeating yourself? If you have to enter a lot of repetitive info or have a bunch of data that’s formatted incorrectly, rather than going through it manually, use the Flash Fill feature. This quick tutorial from our friends at Microsoft offers step by step instructions and screen shots.
Check out other posts in the series . . . Outlook, Word and PowerPoint
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