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For advanced business reporting in Microsoft Excel Sage Intelligence 101 Microsoft ® Excel ® tips and tricks

Sage Intelligence 101 Microsoft® Excel® tips and tricks

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Page 1: Sage Intelligence 101 Microsoft® Excel® tips and tricks

For advanced business reporting in Microsoft Excel

Sage Intelligence101 Microsoft® Excel® tips and tricks

Page 2: Sage Intelligence 101 Microsoft® Excel® tips and tricks

Excel on steroidsWork smarter, every day!Anytime Learning courses provide in-depth coverage of business reporting using formulas and functions to provide enhanced performance and productivity for better reporting and decision making!

Sign up for training on your favorite Sage Intelligence product or take your Microsoft Excel skills to the next level with Excel on Steroids developed by Sage.

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Sage Intelligence101 Microsoft Excel tips and tricksFor advanced business reporting in Microsoft Excel

DisclaimerEvery effort has been made to trace the copyright holders where required. In the event of unintentional omissions or errors, any information that would enable the publisher to make the proper copyright arrangements would be appreciated.

Sage shall not be liable for any damage, loss, or liability of whatsoever nature arising from the use or inability to use the services or content provided from and through this book.

Sage makes no representations or warranties, implied or otherwise, that, among others, the content contained in this book is free from errors or omissions. The book is supplied on an “as is” basis and has not been compiled or supplied to meet the user’s individual requirements. It is the sole responsibility of the user to satisfy itself that the contents available from and through this book will meet the user’s individual requirements.

Neither Sage nor any of its agents or representatives shall be liable for any damage, loss, or liability of whatsoever nature arising from the use or inability to use this book.

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Page 3: Sage Intelligence 101 Microsoft® Excel® tips and tricks

Table of contents

The Excel 2007 Interface. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7The Office Button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7The Quick Access Toolbar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7Worksheet Navigation Made Easy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Range selection made easy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

The Home tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9Font themes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9Wrap Text . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9Copying formatting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9Insert date shortcut . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9Pasting paragraphs of text Into a single cell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10Converting negative values to positive values . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10Viewing parts of several worksheets on one worksheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11Keeping 00 in front of values . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12Displaying values that are in millions as thousands. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13AutoSum button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14Fill series . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14Break text into different rows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15Clear All from cell/cells. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15Sorting data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16Multilevel sorting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16Using a custom sort order . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16Conditional Formatting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17Tracking items in Excel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18Find & Select . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19Select Visible cells only . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

The Insert tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20PivotTable concept and layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20Changing calculation method of subtotals in PivotTables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

A history of spreadsheets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

Excel version history . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23Customizing sort options in a PivotTable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24Grouping fields in a PivotTable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25Grouping data in a PivotTable by days of the week. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25Filtering 0 values in a PivotTable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26Change the source data in a PivotTable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26Clear a PivotTable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26Calculated fields in a PivotTable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27The Field List in a PivotTable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27Using the +/- Buttons in a PivotTable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27Using Field Headers in a PivotTable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27Using Subtotals in a PivotTable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28Turn off individual Subtotals in a PivotTable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28Using Grand Totals in a PivotTable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28Changing the Report Layout in a PivotTable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30Using blank rows in a PivotTable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30PivotTable Styles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30PivotCharts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31Microsoft Excel charts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32Create a new Excel chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32Hidden and Empty Cells in an Excel chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32Page Breaks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33Print Titles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

The Formulas tab 34Using Functions 34Update Formulae manually 34Formula Auditing—Showing cell dependencies 34Finding the cell with the highest value in a range 35Rounding numbers to the nearest whole number 36Deleting all nonformula data on a worksheet 36Filter date transactions to show only dates that fall between a range 37Converting text dates to dates 40Combining text from multiple cells into one 41An alternative to VLOOKUP 42Inserting Symbols Into the cell 43Adding Criteria/Conditions to your SUM function 44SUMIF between workbooks 45Calculating positive and negative numbers 46Using CTRL as a Function key 48

Add-Ins 51Microsoft Chart Advisor 51Advanced Tools 52Filtering Data 53Clearing All Filters 53Removing Duplicates 53Splitting columns 54Using Data Validation to ensure the End Date is greater than the Start Date 55Circling Invalid Data 55

The Review tab 56Protecting worksheets 56Being able to edit certain cells on a protected worksheet 56Hide formula on a protected worksheet 57Password protection and read only access 57

Top reasons to use Microsoft Excel 2007 58

The View tab 60Recording Macros 60Saving workbook with a Macro 60Developer tab 60Macro security levels 60Sorting worksheets in alphabetical order 61Opening a workbook on a specific worksheet 61Copy and save a worksheet into a new file automatically 62Removing embedded hyperlinks with Visual Basic 63Using Group and Outline on protected worksheets 64Assigning a Macro to the Quick Access Toolbar 65

Using programs outside of Microsoft Excel 66PowerPoint to Microsoft Excel 66Copying Microsoft Excel data to Microsoft Word 66

Glossary 67

Sage Intelligence101 Microsoft Excel tips and tricks

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Sage Intelligence101 Microsoft Excel Tips and Tricks

1. How do you minimize the Ribbon?

If you want more space on your screen for your worksheets, you can minimize the Ribbon.

• Right-click any of the tabs (for example, Home, Insert)

• Select Minimize the Ribbon

2. How do you move the Quick Access Toolbar?

• Right-click over the Quick Access Toolbar

• Select Show Quick Access Toolbar Below the Ribbon or Above the Ribbon (dependent on the current location)

3. How do you customize the Quick Access Toolbar?

• Right-click on the Quick Access Toolbar

• Select Customize Quick Access Toolbar

• Select the desired Choose Commands From

• Select the Commands you want on the Quick Access Toolbar

• Select Add

• Repeat until all the commands you want are on the Quick Access Toolbar

• Select OK

Sage Intelligence101 Microsoft Excel tips and tricks

The Excel 2007 Interface

The new user interface makes use of the Ribbon. The Ribbon contains all the commands previously located in the complex toolbar and menu system, but now located in one place.

The Office Button

In the top left corner of the Microsoft Excel application is the Office Button. Selecting this button brings up a pop-up menu that allows you to do all the document functions that were found in the old menu file functions, namely:

• Open

• New

• Save

• Save As

• Print

• Prepare

• Send

• Publish

• Close

It also contains the Microsoft Excel Options previously contained in Microsoft Excel 2003 in the Tools, Options Menu.

The Quick Access Toolbar

The Quick Access Toolbar, by default, is located above the Ribbon, next to the Office Button. This toolbar contains commands that are independent of the Ribbon tab that is currently displayed. You can move the Quick Access Toolbar from one of the two possible locations, and you can customize the toolbar by adding buttons that represent commands, including assigning your macros to icons.

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Sage Intelligence101 Microsoft Excel tips and tricks

Sage Intelligence101 Microsoft Excel tips and tricks

8. How do you quickly open the Format dialog box?

• On the keyboard, press Ctrl + 1

9. How do you quickly wrap text in a cell?

• Enter in the desired text

• Press Alt + Enter

• Press Enter

10. How can you quickly copy formatting?

• Select the cell with the desired applied formatting

• From the Home tab, in the Clipboard group, double-click the Format Painter button

• Select any cell you would like to apply the formatting to

• Press Esc

11. How do you quickly insert the date?

• Hold down the Ctrl button and then press ; (semicolon) on the keyboard

Working with worksheets

Worksheet navigation made easy

Often, you may have multiple worksheets in a workbook and struggle to quickly navigate to a particular worksheet.

Microsoft Excel does provide navigation arrows on the bottom left of the screen. By simply clicking these arrows, you can scroll to worksheets on the left or right.

However, when you have quite a few worksheets, it can be time consuming to use these navigation arrows.

The “right-click method” can speed this up.

Range selection made easy

It can be time consuming to use your mouse to select a range of cells, especially if it is something you need to do regularly (for instance, as a source for charts or PivotTables). To speed up this process, you can use Ctrl + Shift + *

4. How do you quickly navigate between worksheets?

• Right-click on any of the navigation arrows

• You will get a list of all the worksheets in the current workbook

• Select the desired worksheet

• You will be navigated to that worksheet

5. How do you select a column with only two keystrokes?

• Select any cell in the column you would like to select

• Press Ctrl + Space Bar

6. How do you select a row with only two keystrokes?

• Select any cell in the row you would like to select

• Press Shift + Space Bar

7. How do you quickly select a range of cells?

• Select any cell in the range of cells

• On the keyboard, press Ctrl + Shift + *

The Home tab

Font themes

Built into Microsoft Excel 2007 are themes that group together colors and so on. These are available depending on the choice you make. They are used in a number of places such as when you select the font or color buttons in the Font group on the Home Ribbon.

Wrap Text

There is a very nice keyboard shortcut to Wrap Text. Simply use your Alt + Enter key.

Copying formatting

To help speed up the copying of formatting you can use the Format Painter button.

Insert date shortcut

Rather than typing out the date in a cell, you can use a keyboard shortcut to insert the current date instantly.

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Sage Intelligence101 Microsoft Excel tips and tricks

Sage Intelligence101 Microsoft Excel tips and tricks

The Home tab

Viewing parts of several worksheets on one worksheet

One worksheet can be used to view several individually separate and distinct areas. This can be done using the Paste Picture Link option.

There are a few options when consolidating information from multiple worksheets. The option for this tip enables you to paste the copied cells as objects (pictures). Pasting them as objects is useful as you can resize the objects. This tool is helpful when needing to print multiple areas of a workbook onto one worksheet or creating a dashboard summarizing parts of the workbook.

15. How do you view parts of several worksheets on one worksheet?

• Select the desired range to be copied

• Right-click the selected range, select Copy

• Navigate to the destination worksheet

• From the Home tab, in the Clipboard group, select the down arrow under Paste

• Select As Picture, Paste Picture Link

• Your object (picture) will now be pasted and can be resized as desired

• Repeat the above steps for additional objects

The Home tab

Pasting paragraphs of text into a single cell

If you have text that is in a text program (for instance, Microsoft Word) and would like to copy and paste it to Microsoft Excel, by default Microsoft Excel separates the information into different cells based on the paragraph marks.

By using the below method, you are able to paste the text into a single cell in Microsoft Excel.

Converting negative values to positive values

This tip allows you to quickly convert a range of negative numbers into positive numbers, without having to edit each cell.

12. How do you paste paragraphs of text into a single cell?

• Copy the desired text from the text program (Microsoft Word)

• Select the desired cell in Microsoft Excel

• Press F3 on the keyboard

• Select Paste

• Press Enter

13. How can you quickly copy text?

• Select the desired text

• From the keyboard, press Ctrl + C

14. How do you convert negative values to positive values?

• In a blank cell, enter in the value -1

• Select the cell with the value -1

• Select Copy

• Select the desired range with negative values

• Right-click the selected range

• Select Paste Special

• Under the Operation group, select Multiply

• Select OK

• Your values are now converted to positive values

Before:

After:

In Microsoft Word

Pasted into Microsoft Excel

Pasted into Microsoft Excel using F2

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Sage Intelligence101 Microsoft Excel tips and tricks

Sage Intelligence101 Microsoft Excel tips and tricks

18. How do you display values that are millions as thousands?

• Select the desired cell/cells

• Right-click the selected cell/cells

• Select Format Cells

• Select the Number tab

• Under Category, select Custom

• In the Type box, enter 0

• Select OK

16. How do you keep 000 in front of values?

• Select the desired cell/cells

• Right-click the selected cell/cells

• Select Format Cells

• Select the Number tab

• Under Category, select Custom

• In the Type box, enter 000

• Select OK

17. How do you format your dates to show the period number?

• Select the desired cell/cells

• Right-click the selected cell/cells

• Select Format Cells

• Select the Number tab

• Under Category, select Custom

• In the Type box, enter m

• Select OK

The Home tab

Keeping 000 in front of values

Using a custom format allows you to keep the full number and not lose any leading zeroes.

Before:

After:

Formatting your dates to show the period number

By using a Custom Format, you can show the period of the date (in this case the month) without changing the date in the field.

Before (dates in March 2007):

After (using a Custom Format):

The Home tab

Displaying values that are in millions as thousands

Sometimes every figure in a spreadsheet is in the thousands, tens of thousands, or even in the millions. By rounding the figure to smaller, representative figures, you can save space.

Before:

After:

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Sage Intelligence101 Microsoft Excel tips and tricks

Sage Intelligence101 Microsoft Excel tips and tricks

The Home tab

Break text into different rows

In earlier Microsoft Excel releases, it was challenging to arrange lines in a readable layout, but Microsoft Excel 2007’s new Editing, Fill, Justify feature makes it easier.

In the below example, the text is flowing over to column G. You would rather have the text from columns A to D. Justify will automatically break the text.

Before:

After:

Clear All from cell/cells

Clear All clears the contents and/or the formatting of a cell.

Believe it or not, you can do it by dragging the fill handle backward.

22. How do you break text into different rows?

• Select the range of columns you would like to fit the text to

• From the Home tab, in the Editing group, select the Fill icon

• Select Justify

• Select OK

23. How do you Clear All from a cell?

• Select the cells you want to clear

• From the Home tab, in the Editing group, select the Erase icon

• You have the option to Clear All, Formats, Contents, or Comments

24. How do you Clear a range of cells using the Fill Handle?

• Select a range of empty cells

• Select the Fill Handle

• Drag it back over the area you would like to clear

• If you also want to clear the formats in the cells, just hold down the Ctrl key as you drag the fill handle back over the selection

19. How do you quickly sum up numbers?

• Select the cell where you would like the result to appear

• From the keyboard, press Alt + =

20. How do you fill a range of dates/months?

• Enter the start date in your first cell

• Select the cells you want to fill, including the first cell

• From the Home tab, in the Editing group, select the Copy Down button

• Select Series

• In Type box select Date

• In the Date Unit box select Month

• Select OK

21. How do you fill a range of text or formula?

• Select the range of cells to be filled

• Enter in the desired text or formula into the cell

• Press Ctrl + Enter

The Home tab

AutoSum button

The AutoSum button has the most common functions plus the option to select More Functions, which opens the Insert Function dialogue box. You can also key the keyboard shortcut Alt + = to do the SUM function.

Fill series

The series option calls up a dialogue box that allows you to select how the series fills the selected cell; for example, you may want to incrementally increase the date by a month in a range of cells.

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Sage Intelligence101 Microsoft Excel tips and tricks

Sage Intelligence101 Microsoft Excel tips and tricks

The Home tab

Conditional Formatting

In Microsoft Excel 2003, Conditional Formatting was limited to three conditions per cell; in Microsoft Excel 2007 you may have as many conditions as you like. Another limitation in Microsoft Excel 2003 was that only one condition per cell could be true, so according to the order of the conditional formatting, the first true condition would be indicated; however, you can control this in Microsoft Excel 2007.

Highlight Cell Rules:

• Greater Than

• A Date Occurring

• Duplicate Values

Top/Bottom Rules:

• Bottom 10%

• Above Average

• Below Average

Data Bars:

Color Scales:

Icon Sets:

The parameters of the Conditional Formatting can be customized by selecting More Rules from any of the pop-up dialogue boxes.

29. How can you add icon conditional formatting?

• Select the desired cell or range

• From the Home tab, in the Styles group, select Conditional Formatting; a drop-down box appears

• Select Icon Set

• Select the desired option

30. How do you highlight duplicates?

• Select the desired cell or range

• From the Home tab, in the Styles group, select the drop-down arrow under Conditional Formatting

• Select Highlight Cells Rules

• Select Duplicate Values

• Select the desired Format

• Select OK

25. How do you quickly sort a column of data?

• Select a cell in the column you wish to sort

• From the Home tab, in the Editing group, select Sort & Filter

• Select the Sort A to Z or the Sort Z to A icon

26. How do you apply multilevel sorting?

• Select any cell within the data list you wish to sort

• From the Home tab, in the Editing group, select Sort & Filter

• Select Custom Sort

• Select the drop-down arrow in the Sort by box and select the desired column

• Select the drop-down arrow in the Sort On box and select the desired option

• Select the drop-down arrow in the Order box and select the desired option

• Select the Add Level icon to specify the next sort column Repeat steps 3 to 5

• Repeat steps 6 and 7 for subsequent sort columns

• To change the order of the sort, use the Arrow buttons to move the sort items up or down

• Select OK

27. How do you create a Custom List?

• Select the desired list in Microsoft Excel

• Select the Office Button

• Select Excel Options

• Select the Popular category

• In the section Top options for working with Excel

• Select Edit Custom Lists In the Custom Lists dialogue box, select Import

• The copied list is pasted to the list entries box

• Select OK, OK

28. How do you sort based on a Custom List?

• Select any cell within the data list you wish to sort

• From the Home tab, in the Editing group, select Sort & Filter

• Select Custom Sort, select the desired Column and Sort On

• Select the drop-down arrow in the Order box and select Custom List, select the desired Custom List

• Select OK, OK

The Home tab

Sorting data

You can access the sort functionality through the Sort and Filter icon in the Editing group on the Home tab of the Ribbon. There is also sort functionality located on the Data tab of the Ribbon.

Depending on the type of data you are in when you select the Sort & Filter icon, the sort option will differ. For example, for dates it will read earliest to latest, while for numbers it will state smallest to largest.

Multilevel sorting

Multilevel sorting allows you to sort up to 64 columns or levels at a time.

Using a custom sort order

The Custom List feature allows the user to define a specific sort order. This can be useful when sorting a column in an order that is not alphanumeric.

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The Home tab

Find & Select

The Find & Select button has shortcuts to many of the options found in the Go To Special dialogue box previously found in Microsoft Excel 2003 in the Edit, Go To Menu.

Select visible cells only

There are times when you need to copy the visible data only. An example of this is when you need to copy Subtotals that have hidden rows and columns and you want to copy only the visible data. A normal copy and paste includes the hidden data, which can then be unhidden.

32. How do you select visible cells only?

• Select the range of cells

• From the Home tab, in the Editing group, select Find & Select

• Select Go To Special

• Under Select, select Visible cells only

• Select OK

• On the Home tab, in the Clipboard group, select Copy

• Activate the worksheet you want to copy it to

• On the Home tab, in the Clipboard group, select Paste

31. How do you use Conditional Formatting to track items?

• Select the desired range of cells

• From the Home tab, in the Styles group, select the drop-down arrow under Conditional Formatting

• Select Icon Sets

• Select the one with the Tick, Exclamation mark and X

• From the Home tab, in the Styles group, select the drop-down arrow under Conditional Formatting

• Select Manage Rules

• Select Edit Rule

• Select Show Icon Only check box, select Apply, OK

The Home tab

Tracking items in Excel

Many people use Excel to keep track of things. In the past (pre-Excel 2007) people probably would put something together like the below:

Excel 2007 provides great new conditional formatting rules, which allow automatic display of nicely formatted icon sets.

As Excel best understands values, it is best to set up the spreadsheet with 1 for people who attended and 0 for people who didn’t attend.

Apply Conditional Formatting using Icon Sets.

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The Insert tab

Changing calculation method of subtotals in PivotTables

By default Microsoft Excel sets a field to SUM if it is in the data area and contains numbers; if it contains text then it is set to COUNT. You can, however, change these calculation methods as follows:

Custom calculations in PivotTables

There is a second tab on the Value Field Settings that allows you to select how the calculation are shown (this is the Custom Calculation functionality in Microsoft Excel 2003).

For example, you may wish to see the figure as a percentage of the total.

34. How do you change the calculation method of subtotals?

• Select the Value field you wish to change the calculation of in the PivotTable

• From the Options tab, in Active Cell group, the Active Field, select Field Settings (you can also double-click the field)

• Select the calculation method you would like to change it to (for instance, Count, Average, and so on)

• Select OK

35. How do you create a custom calculation?

• Select the Value field you wish to change the calculation of in the PivotTable

• From the Options tab, in Active Field group, select Field Settings (you can also double-click the field)

• Select the Show Values As tab in the Value Field Settings dialogue box

• Select the drop-down arrow for Show values As and select the necessary method

• Select OK

33. How do you create a PivotTable?

• Select any cell in the data list

• From the Insert tab, in the Tables group, select PivotTable

• Make sure that Select a table or range is selected

• Make sure your data is listed in the Table/Range box

• Select where you want the PivotTable to go, either in an existing worksheet or its own new worksheet

• Select OK

• A blank PivotTable is now displayed

• In the Field List select the fields you want in the Row Area and either drag them into the row area on the PivotTable or into the Row Labels area on the Field List box

• Repeat for columns, page area/filters, and data fields

The Insert tab

PivotTable concept and layout

Microsoft Excel 2007 no longer uses the PivotTable Wizard. A single dialogue box allows you to select the data range (if it was not preselected), to use external data, and also to select whether to insert the PivotTable in an existing worksheet or create a new worksheet.

At this point a blank PivotTable is inserted with the PivotTable Field List located to the right of the Microsoft Excel workspace.

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Importance of spreadsheet security

Typing errors can lead to inaccurate information, which can have a devastating effect on business

• Nevada, USA, 2006: Incorrectly typed formulae led to a $5 million discrepancy in budgetary figures.A

• Northern Territory, Australia, 2005: A manual error in a departmental spreadsheet led to a AUS$200 million mistake in government funding figuresB

Excel 2007 is rich with security and error-checking features, such as formula evaluation, cell precedent and dependence tracking, data validation, and the ability to track changes made to the sheet. Combined, these features help give you the peace of mind about the data you use to make your decisions.

In addition, automated business intelligence tools, such as the Sage Intelligence product range, remove a large proportion of the manual aspects of report creation, avoiding the opportunity for typing errors. Excel and Sage Intelligence can save your business time and money, giving you peace of mind.

A- http://www.nevadadailymail.com/story/1135458.html

B- http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200506/s1394937.htm

Version Comments

1—1985Version 1, for the Macintosh, was released. Version 1.0.6 and 1.5 are released over the course of the next three years.

2—1987The first Windows version. Labeled “2” to correspond to the Mac version, it included a run-time version of Windows.

2.2—1989Excel 2.2 for Macintosh includes the ability to apply different styles within a single document and a 40% increase in calculation speed.

3—1990Included workbooks, toolbars, drawing capabilities, outlining, add-in support, 3D charts, and many more new features.

4—1992Released for Windows 3.1, it becomes the first “popular” version due to the widespread use of Windows 3.1.

5—1993A major upgrade included multisheet workbooks and replaced Excel Macro language with Visual Basic.

7—1995*Known as Excel 95. The first major 32-bit version of Excel,** which is very similar to Excel 5 in relation to features.

8—1997Known as Excel 97. A new interface for VBA developers, UserForms, data validation, and more.

9—1999

Known as Excel 2000. Can use HTML as a native file format, “self-repair” capability, enhanced clipboard, pivot charts, modeless user forms, digital signing of macros.

10—2001Known as Excel 2002, this is part of Office XP. It has a long list of new features, perhaps the most significant of which is the ability to recover your work when Excel crashes.

11—2003Microsoft Office Excel 2003. The new features in this version include: (a) Improved support for XML, (b) A new “list range” feature, (c) Smart Tag enhancements, and (d) Corrected statistical functions.

12—2007

Microsoft Excel 2007. A major overhaul to the standard Office interface with the introduction of the “Ribbon,” changes made to the standard file extensions for Office documents, extended conditional formatting features, increased business intelligence functionality, and much more.

1952—First noncomputerized reference to the term “spread sheet” listed in Dictionary For Accountants and refers to a worksheet providing a two-way analysis of accounting data—an accounting matrix in which the columns and rows constitute either debit or credit sides respectively or reverse.

Early ’60s—Professor Richard Mattessich pioneered computerized spreadsheets for business accounting, applying computerized spreadsheets to accounting and budget systems written on a mainframe computer in FORTRAN IV.1

1969—1971 Rene K. Pardo and Remy Landau develop LANPAR spreadsheet compiler. Pardo and Landau file a patent covering a recalculation algorithm, which is initially rejected. After 12 years of appeals it is granted and becomes the world’s first software patent.2

1979—Dan Bricklin and Bob Frankston release VisiCalc for the Apple II computer system. VisiCalc helps the Apple II bridge the gap from hobbyist users to businesses that need a useful financial analysis tool, which helped propel Apple as a successful business. While not the first spreadsheet program, its combination of features and affordability helped it become the first popular spreadsheet program. VisiCalc had 254 rows and 63 columns.3

1980—SuperCalc is developed by Sorcim and is notable for being one of the first spreadsheet programs capable of solving circular references (that is, cells that depend on one another’s results).4

1981—Lotus 1-2-3 hits the market and is the IBM PC’s first “killer app” (as VisiCalc was for the Apple II). Designed primarily to combine visual graph functions with spreadsheet applications, 1-2-3 was faster, more powerful, and easier to learn than VisiCalc, giving IBM great success in the PC arena.

1982—Microsoft’s MultiPlan is launched. Designed to compete against VisiCalc, Microsoft’s first spreadsheet program was its first foray into the realms of business applications. While being outsold by Lotus 1-2-3 in the United States, Multiplan sold well overseas, giving Microsoft a solid platform for future international growth.

1984—AppleWorks—one of the first packages that contained an integrated suite of products, AppleWorks included a spreadsheet module that could work seamlessly with all other modules, such as the word processor. AppleWorks was so popular for a time it even overtook Lotus 1-2-3 in industrywide sales charts. It was one of the first applications to use menu bars rather than a command line interface.5

1985—Microsoft Excel first appears for the Macintosh platform.

Did you know?

• There are hundreds of ready-made templates on the Microsoft Excel website that you can download for free. Available categories include brochures, calendars, expense reports, sports schedules, and more.

• Where Excel 2003 had over 65,000 rows and 256 columns, Excel 2007 has over 16,000 columns and over 1 million rows!

• In May 1996, more than 30 million people were already using Excel worldwide.A

A- http://www.thocp.net/companies/microsoft/ microsoft_company_part2.htm

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38. How do you Group Dates in a PivotTable?

• Select the Field (Date) you wish to group

• From the Options tab, in the Group group, select Group Field

• The Grouping dialogue box appears, displaying dates or times

• Enter the starting and ending information in the fields provided

• In the By list, select the option you wish to group By (for example, Months)

• Select OK

39. Is there a quick way to Ungroup Dates?

• To Ungroup Dates, select the Field (Date) you wish to Ungroup

• From the Options tab, in the Group group, select Ungroup

40. How do you Group Dates by weeks?

• Select the Date field in the PivotTable

• From the Options tab, in the Group group, select the Group Selection button

• Under By, select Days

• Next to Number of Days, select 7

• Select OK

36. How do you apply a Custom Sort when sorting a PivotTable?

• Select any cell in the column you would like to sort in the PivotTable

• From the Home tab, in the Editing group, select Sort & Filter

• Select Custom Sort

• Select More Options

• Deselect, Sort automatically every…

• From the drop-down arrow, select the sort order (for example, Jan, Feb, Mar)

• Select OK

37. How do you default your PivotTable to sort based on the Custom List?

• From the Options tab, in the PivotTable group, select Options

• Select the heading tab Tools & Filters

• Select Use Custom List when sorting

The Insert tab

Customizing sort options in a PivotTable

Adding your own custom sort options can make your PivotTable even easier to read.

Often you need to sort your PivotTable in month order, but normal sorting sorts your months in alphabetical order and not month order.

From PivotTable options, you can also set the PivotTable to use the Custom List by default.

The Insert tab

Grouping fields in a PivotTable

The group and ungroup functionality is located on the Options tab, in the Group group. The function operates the same way as for Microsoft Excel 2003. You can also right-click to access this function.

Grouping data in a PivotTable by days of the week

Extending PivotTable functionality even further, data can be grouped into preset categories such as days of the week.

Days

7

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The Insert tab

Calculated fields in a PivotTable

Selecting Formulas calls up the same Insert Calculated field dialogue box as Microsoft Excel 2003.

The Field List in a PivotTable

You will need to use this button if you close your Field List and then need to make some changes.

Using the +/- Buttons in a PivotTable

Hide and Show detail is now located in the PivotTable as a small plus (show detail) or minus (hide detail) icon.

You can switch the Show/Hide button off, by selecting the below button from the Options tab, in the Show/Hide group.

Using Field Headers in a PivotTable

This option removes the headings from the PivotTable.

44. How do you create a Calculated Field in a PivotTable?

• From the Options tab, in the Tools group, select Formulas

• Select Calculated Field from the drop-down menu

• In the Name box enter the new name

• Select the field the calculation is based on in the Field List

• Select Insert Field

• In the Formula box, create the formula

• Select Add

• Select OK

45. How to you show or hide the Field List?

• From the Options tab, in the Show/Hide group, select Field List

46. How do you use the Hide and Show buttons?

• From the Options tab, in the Show/Hide group, select +/- Button

47. How do you remove the Field Headings from the PivotTable?

• From the Options tab, in the Show/Hide group, select Field Headers

41. How do you ensure that 0 values do not show in the PivotTable?

• Select the cell to the right of the last heading on the PivotTable

• From the Data tab, in the Sort & Filter group, select Filter

• Select the drop-down arrow from the Value heading (for example, Sum of Product Sale)

• Deselect 0

• Select OK

42. How do you change the Source Data?

• Select any cell in the PivotTable

• From the Options tab, in the Data group, select Change Data Source

• Select the new Data Source

• Select OK

43. How do you clear all filters from a PivotTable?

• Select any cell in the PivotTable

• From the Options tab, in the Actions group, select Clear

• Select the desired option

The Insert tab

Filtering 0 Values in a PivotTable

It is possible to now show any 0 values in your PivotTable. To do this you can apply an AutoFilter.

Change the source data in a PivotTable

Once you have created your PivotTable, you may decide that you would like to refer to a different data source.

Clear a PivotTable

You may want to clear all the fields on the PivotTable to start again.

A very nice new feature in Microsoft Excel 2007 is that if you have applied multiple filters on the fields in the PivotTable and you wish to view all the data, you can clear all filters.

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48. How do you turn off all Subtotals?

• Select any cell in the PivotTable

• From the Design tab, in the Layout group, select Subtotals

• Select Do Not Show Subtotals

49. How to do you turn off individual Subtotals?

• Right-click the desired field

• Select the Subtotal “fieldname”

50. How do you turn off all Grand Totals?

• Select any cell in the PivotTable

• From the Design tab, in the Layout group, select Grand Totals

• Select Off for Rows and Columns

The Insert tab

Using Subtotals in a PivotTable

In Microsoft Excel 2007 there is a shortcut for turning the Subtotals on and off. This, however, applies to all the Subtotals and switches them all off or on.

The Tabular form of the PivotTable Layouts does not allow for the subtotals to be shown at the top.

Turn off individual subtotals in a PivotTable

To turn off individual subtotals, you still need to go to the field settings for that field.

Using Grand Totals in a PivotTable

There is a quick way to change how the grand totals are displayed. This will be applied to the entire PivotTable.

See how the value adds upYour business needs immediate insights to make swift and confident decisions. But you may be assembling data by cutting and pasting. That approach is slow, repetitive, and prone to human error. That kind of inefficiency costs you money.

With Sage Intelligence, access to real-time data is available:

• In no time.

• On Microsoft Excel spreadsheets.

• From any of your databases.

• At your fingertips.

Your business will save time and money with Sage Intelligence.

Use the Sage Intelligence ROI Calculator to see just how much you can save by improving your reporting efficiencies.

Improved Excel skills can save time and money.

Visit www.sageintelligence.com and use our efficiency calculator (example at right) for your business.

“ It saves me about four hours of time (each month) with the capability of having all my company’s financials in one spreadsheet. I used to have to go into each company to pull financials.””Ederer Investment Company Caitlin Dowd, accountant

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The Insert tab

PivotCharts

PivotCharts are much easier to create and use in the new user interface. The filtering functionality is made much easier, and there are specific PivotChart tools and context menus available so that you can analyze the data in the chart. You can now change the layout, style, format, and its elements the same way that you can for a regular chart. In Microsoft Excel 2007, the chart formatting that you apply is preserved when you make changes to the PivotChart.

As you change the PivotChart, its associated PivotTable changes and vice versa. There is a new PivotChart Filter Pane that gives you access to your chart fields for filtering. You can move the PivotChart to another location (for instance, a new worksheet using the Move Chart function).

When creating a PivotChart, make sure your PivotTable report has at least one row field to become the Category field in the PivotChart report, and a Data field to become the Series field.

54. How do you create a PivotChart from a PivotTable?

• Select any cell within the PivotTable report

• From the Options tab, in the Tools group, select the PivotChart icon

• Select the ChartType

• Select OK

• You can now edit your chart by using the chart type and other options

55. How do you create a PivotChart from scratch?

• Select a cell in the data list

• From the Insert tab, in the Tables group, select the drop-down arrow below PivotTable

• Select PivotChart from the drop-down list

• Make sure that the selected data range is correct and select OK

• Use the PivotTable Field List to create the PivotChart

51. Where do you go to change the PivotTable Report Layout?

• Select any cell in the PivotTable

• From the Design tab, in the Layout group, select Report Layout

• Select the desired option

52. How do you insert Blank Rows after each item?

• Select any cell in the PivotTable

• From the Design tab, in the Layout group, select Blank Rows

• Select Insert Blank Line after each Item

53. How do you apply a PivotTable style?

• Select any cell in the PivotTable

• From the Design tab, in the PivotTable Styles group, select one of the visible styles or scroll through all the available styles

• You can also select the More button, to view the Styles

• You also have the option to create your own PivotTable Style at the bottom of the gallery, which displays the New PivotTable Style dialogue box

The Insert tab

Changing the Report Layout in a PivotTable

By default, Microsoft Excel uses Compact Form for your PivotTable.

When using Compact Layout, you lose access to each of the field headings. You can access them by selecting the down arrow next to the main row heading and then changing the Selected Field box. You will also not be able to double click to access the Field Settings.

To view the PivotTable as you would in Microsoft Excel 2003, choose Show in Outline Form.

Using blank rows in a PivotTable

To space out a PivotTable, you can choose to insert blank lines after each item.

PivotTable styles

In Microsoft Excel 2003, you could apply AutoFormat to the PivotTable. In Microsoft Excel 2007 you can change the style of a PivotTable by using a gallery of styles. To remove a format, select Clear at the bottom of the list. You can only delete your custom PivotTable styles.

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The Page Layout tab

Page Breaks

There is no need to change your view to Page Break Preview to insert Page Breaks. Please ensure you are in column A when you are inserting a Page Break. You can also select Remove Page Break to remove a page break.

Print Titles

This is not a new feature in Microsoft Excel 2007, but it is now found in the Page Setup group. Print Titles are a fantastic tool when you need to repeat a certain column or row on each printed page.

58. How do you change margins in Excel 2007?

• From the Page Layout tab, in the Page Setup group, select Margins

• Select the desired setting

• If you select Custom Margins, you get the Microsoft Excel 2003 Page Setup dialogue box and you can manually adjust the margins

• Select OK

59. How do you insert a Page Break?

• Select the cell in column A, below to where the Page break must appear

• From the Page Layout tab, in the Page Setup group, select Breaks

• Select Insert Page Break

60. How do you remove a Page Break?

• Select the cell in column A, below the Page Break to be removed

• From the Page Layout tab, in the Page Setup group, select Breaks

• Select Remove Page Break

61. How do you repeat a row when printing a worksheet?

• Determine which row is to be repeated

• From the Page Layout tab, in the Page Setup group, select Print Titles

• Select the Collapse Dialogue button in the Rows to Repeat at Top

• Select the desired row

• Press Enter

• Select OK

56. How do you create a Chart with a shortcut key?

• Select the range you would like to Chart

• Press F11 on the keyboard

• A new worksheet will be inserted with the Chart

57. How do you have an empty cell show as a zero in a chart?

• Select the Chart

• From the Design tab, in the Data group, select Select Data

• Select Hidden and Empty Cells

• Select Zero

• Select OK, OK

The Insert tab

Microsoft Excel charts

With Microsoft Excel 2007, charts have a new look; layouts use different fonts and colors. The Ribbon interface has a Chart group, which becomes visible once a chart has been generated.

Once you have selected your chart type, the chart is automatically embedded in the worksheet, and whenever you select the chart, the Chart Ribbon will be available on the Ribbon.

Create a New Excel chart

To easiest way to create a chart is to select the data table and then select the Insert tab. In the Charts group select the chart type you require.

Hidden and Empty Cells in an Excel chart

Selecting the Hidden and Empty Cells button allows you to determine how the graph deals with blank spaces in your data. You have the option to show them as gaps, as zeros, or to smooth the graph over the gaps.

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64. How do you create a Formula that will find a cell with the highest value in a range?

• Open Microsoft Excel

• Select the desired result cell

• Enter in the below:

=ADDRESS(MATCH(MAX(D:D),D:D,0),4,4)

=ADDRESS(MATCH(MAX(“Column to calculate max”), Column to find the max, finds the first value that is exactly equal), use column D (4) as the result reference, use relative reference)

MATCH MATCH(lookup_value,lookup_array,match_type) The MATCH function returns the row number of the highest value.

Lookup_value: Is the value you use to find the value you want in a table. Lookup_value can be a value (number, text, or logical value) or a cell reference to a number, text, or logical value.

Lookup_array: Is a contiguous range of cells containing possible lookup values.

Match_type: Is the number -1, 0, or 1. Match_type specifies how Microsoft Excel matches lookup_value with values in lookup_array. If match_type is 0, MATCH finds the first value that is exactly equal to lookup_value. Lookup_array can be in any order.

ADDRESS ADDRESS(row_num,column_num,abs_num,a1,sheet_text) The ADDRESS function returns the cell address of the highest value.

Row_num: Is the row number to use in the cell reference.

Column_num: Is the column number to use in the cell reference.

Abs_num: Specifies the type of reference to return. 1 - Absolute, 2 - Absolute row; relative column, 3 Relative row; absolute column, 4 - Relative

MAX MAX(number1,number2,...)

Number1, number2: Are 1 to 255 numbers for which you want to find the maximum value.

The Formulas tab

Using Functions

Functions are available on the Formulas tab. You can insert a function by using the Insert Function icon or use the Function Library group, which lists the available functions in logical groupings (for instance, Financial).

Update Formulae manually

When there are a number of formulas on a worksheet, especially if there is a lot of data to be referenced, changing one formula can slow the application down substantially. By using the option to manually recalculate, you can bypass this recalculation and avoid the delay. You can then choose to manually update your formulae.

Formula Auditing—Showing cell dependencies

Some spreadsheets can get very complicated, with many cells’ relying on other cell calculations to deliver information, and a change of one cell can have dramatic effects. Formula Auditing shows you which cells are connected.

62. How do you set your formulas to update manually?

• Select the Microsoft Office button

• From the bottom right, select Excel Options

• Select Manual

• Select OK

63. How do you trace cells that are preceding or dependent on the current cell?

• To trace all cells that are preceding:

• Select the desired cell

• From the Formulas tab, in the Formula Auditing group, select Trace Precedents

• If the Precedent cells are found on another worksheet, you get a dotted line

• Double-click the dotted line, select the reference, select OK

• To trace all dependent cells:

• Select the desired cell

• From the Formulas tab, in the Formula Auditing group, select Trace Dependents

• To remove all the arrows:

• Select the desired cell

• From the Formulas tab, in the Formula Auditing group, select Remove Arrows

Trace Precedents

Trace Dependents

Remove All Arrows

Dotted line Precedents

Dependents

The Formulas tab

Finding the cell with the highest value in a range

At times you may be working with data where you need to find the maximum value. To do this, you can sort or use the MAX function. You may not want to sort the column and are looking for the MAX value, but would like to know the cell address that contains the maximum value.

Example

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The Formulas tab

Filter date transactions to show only dates that fall between a range

By using a combination of the TODAY and AND function, you can determine whether a date falls inside of a particular date range.

Example

This result gives you an answer of either True or False which you can then filter or use in combination with another function. This can be a handy when used in combination with a SUMIF to calculate transactions in certain date range.

67. How do I Filter date transaction to only show dates between 30 and 60 days?

• Select the desired cell

• Enter the below: =AND(TODAY()-B3>=30,TODAY()-B3<=60)

• Copy the formula down

• Use Filtering to Filter all values that are TRUE

TODAY TODAY( )

Returns the serial number of the current date. The serial number is the date-time code used by Microsoft Excel for date and time calculations. If the cell format was General before the function was entered, the result is formatted as a date.

AND AND(logical1,logical2, ...)

Logical1, logical2, ... : Are 1 to 255 conditions you want to test that can be either TRUE or FALSE.

65. How do you round a number to the nearest whole number?

• Select the desired cell

• Enter in the below formula: =ROUND(C2,-2)

• Press Enter

ROUND ROUND(number,num_digits)

Number: Is the number you want to round.

Num_digits: Specifies the number of digits to which you want to round the number.

66. How do you delete all nonformula data?

• Make a copy of the desired worksheet

• Press F5 on the keyboard (The Go To dialogue box will pop up)

• Select Special

• Select Constants

• Select OK

• All cells containing constants (everything except formulae) will be selected

• Press Delete on the keyboard

The Formulas tab

Rounding numbers to the nearest whole number

Using the ROUND function, you can round a number upwards to the nearest hundred, thousand, million, or higher.

Example

The Rounded Up column is rounding the values up the nearest hundred.

Deleting all nonformula data on a worksheet

Have you ever found that at the beginning of the financial year you need to make a copy of the previous year’s workbook? If so, you’d need to delete all the old year’s data but you would really like to keep all of the formulae in the worksheet. By using the Go To dialogue box, it is a quick and easy method.

Constant

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Sage Intelligence101 Microsoft Excel tips and tricks

Sage Intelligence101 Microsoft Excel tips and tricks

The Formulas tab

Combining text from multiple cells into one

Using the & sign is the same as using the Concatenate function, but much simpler.

Example

Below is an example in column C, of where the Main Account and Sub Account numbers need to be joined into one cell with a / to separate the Accounts.

69. How do you combine text from multiple cells into one cell?

• Select the desired cell

• Enter in =

• Select the first cell to join

• Enter in &

• If necessary, add any additional data that my not be found in a cell (“/”)

• Enter in &

• Select any additional cells to join

• Press Enter

68. How do you convert text dates to dates?

• Select the desired cell

• Enter the below: =DATEVALUE(A2) The DATEVALUE function returns the serial number of the date that is represented by the text date

Format the cell (serial number) to a date:

• Select the desired cell/cells (B2:B3)

• Right click on the selected cells

• Select Format Cells

• Select Date

• Select the desired Format

DATEVALUE DATEVALUE(date_text)

Date_text: Is text that represents a date in a Microsoft Excel date format. For example, “1/30/2008” or “30-Jan-2008” are text strings within quotation marks that represent dates. Using the default date system in Excel for Windows, date_text must represent a date from January 1, 1900, to December 31, 9999.

Using the default date system in Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh, date_text must represent a date from January 1, 1904, to December 31, 9999. DATEVALUE returns the #VALUE! error value if date_text is out of this range.

If the year portion of date_text is omitted, DATEVALUE uses the current year from your computer’s built-in clock. Time information in date_text is ignored.

The Formulas tab

Converting text dates to dates

Occasionally, dates may become formatted and stored in cells as text. For example, you may have entered a date in a cell that was formatted as text, or the data might have been imported or pasted from an external data source as text.

Dates that are formatted as text are left aligned instead of right-aligned in a cell. You can use the DATEVALUE function to convert most other types of text dates to dates.

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Sage Intelligence101 Microsoft Excel tips and tricks

Sage Intelligence101 Microsoft Excel tips and tricks

71. How do you insert a Symbol?

• Create the Symbol list:

• Open a blank workbook

• Select cell A1

• Enter in the below: =CHAR(ROW())

• Copy the function down to cell A255

• This displays in each cell the character whose code number is that cell’s row number. For example, the Euro Currency symbol appears in cell A128, which indicates that its code number is 128

• If necessary, save the workbook

• To apply the desired Symbol:

• Select the desired cell

• Hold down ALT on the keyboard

• Using the numeric keys on your NUMLOCK pad, enter in the desired code (for example, 0128)

• If using a laptop, be sure to turn on your NUMLOCK pad

CHAR CHAR(number)

Number: Is a number between 1 and 255 specifying which character you want. The character is from the character set used by your computer.

70. What formula can you use as an alternative to VLOOKUP?

• Select the desired cell

• Enter in the below: =INDEX(A1:C12,MATCH(A15,B2:B12),3) =INDEX(Complete List,MATCH(Lookup cell,Column from List with Lookup Value),Column Number from list for result)

• Select OK

MATCH MATCH(lookup_value,lookup_array,match_type) Returns the row number of the highest value.

Lookup_value: Is the value you use to find the value you want in a table. Lookup_value can be a value (number, text, or logical value) or a cell reference to a number, text, or logical value.

Lookup_array: Is a contiguous range of cells containing possible lookup values.

Match_type: Is the number -1, 0, or 1. Match_type specifies how Microsoft Excel matches lookup_value with values in lookup_array. If match_type is 0, MATCH finds the first value that is exactly equal to lookup_value. Lookup_array can be in any order.

INDEX INDEX(array,row_num,column_num) Returns the value of an element in a table or an array, selected by the row and column number indexes.

INDEX looks at an array, based on the row number found in the MATCH Function, and return the answer from the specified column.

Array: Is a range of cells.

Row_num: Selects the row in array from which to return a value.

Column_num: Selects the column in array from which to return a value.

The Formulas tab

An alternative to VLOOKUP

Using a combination of MATCH and INDEX, you can return values from an array regardless of what information is in the first column of the array. In a VLOOKUP, the main search criteria (for example, a salesperson’s name) needs to be in the first column of the array—using MATCH and INDEX; it doesn’t matter which column the result is in.

Example

You can either create the functions in two steps as in cells B20 and C20, or you can create a Nested Function as in cell D20.

The Formulas tab

Inserting Symbols into the cell

It can sometimes be difficult to insert a special character, such as € or ®,into a cell. Special characters each have their own unique number combination.

Example

If you know the code number, you can enter that character any time by holding down the ALT key and typing the four-digit code number on the numeric keypad (the keys on the far right of your keyboard; do not use the “normal” number keys above the letter keys). Even though character code numbers are only three digits (between 0 and 255), you must type in the leading zeros to ensure that you get the proper character.

Co

mm

on

Sym

bo

ls

Sym

bo

l

Co

de

Co

mm

on

Sym

bo

ls

Sym

bo

l

Co

de

Euro € 0128 Registered ® 0174

Ellipsis … 0133 Plus/Minus ± 0177

Dagger † 0134 Paragraph ¶ 0182

DoubleDagger ‡ 0135 Degree º 0176

Bullet • 0149 Pounds £ 0163

Trademark ™ 0153 Yen ¥ 0165

Cents ¢ 0162 Copyright © 0169

You can change the font of the column to see what characters are supplied by various fonts. Fonts with lots of useful symbols include Symbol, WebDings, the 3 WingDings fonts, Ref Specialty, ENCICON, Marlett, MonoType Sorts, and MS Reference. Note that you may not have all these fonts on your computer.

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Sage Intelligence101 Microsoft Excel tips and tricks

Sage Intelligence101 Microsoft Excel tips and tricks

The Formulas tab

SUMIF between workbooks

When using the SUMIF function between workbooks, you may get a VALUE error if the source workbook is not open. This behavior occurs when the formula that contains the SUMIF, COUNTIF, or COUNTBLANK function refers to cells in a closed workbook.

To work around this, use a combination of the SUM and IF functions together in an array formula.

An array formula is a formula that can perform multiple calculations on one or more of the items in an array. Array formulas act on two or more sets of values known as array arguments.

• Each argument within an array must have the same number of rows and columns

• You must enter an array by pushing Ctrl + Shift + Enter

• You cannot add the {} (braces) that surround an array yourself, pushing Ctrl + Shift + Enter will do this for you

73. How do you use the SUMIF function between workbooks?

• Open the workbook that contains the source

• Open the workbook that will contain the formulae

• Select the desired cell in the workbook that will contain the formulae

• Using the FX button on the Formula Bar, locate the Sum Function

• To nest in the IF Function, from the Formula bar, in the Name Box, from the drop-down arrow, select IF

• If the IF function does not appear, select More Functions and locate the IF Function

• Enter in the arguments in the Logical Test Logical_test – If cells A3:A12 in the Data workbook on Sheet 1 = East Value_if_true – If the above is true, sum the range B3:B12 Value_if_false – IF the above is not true, place 0

• Press Ctrl + Shift + Enter

SUMIF SUMIF(range,criteria,sum_range)

Range: Is the range of cells that you want evaluated by criteria. Cells in each range must be numbers or names, arrays, or references that contain numbers. Blank and text values are ignored.

Criteria: Is the criteria in the form of a number, expression, or text that defines which cells will be added. For example, criteria can be expressed as 32, “32”, “>32”, or “apples”.

Sum_range: Are the actual cells to add if their corresponding cells in range match criteria. If sum_range is omitted, the cells in range are both evaluated by criteria and added if they match criteria.

72. How do you add criteria/conditions to the Sum function?

• Select the desired cell

• Enter in the below formula: =DSUM(A5:E1121,5,A1:F2)

• Press Enter

DSUM DSUM(database,field,criteria)

Database: The range of cells that makes up the list or database. A database is a list of related data in which rows of related information are records and columns of data are fields. The first row of the list contains labels for each column.

Field: Indicates which column is used in the function. Field can be given as text with the column label enclosed between double quotation marks, such as “Age” or “Yield,” or as a number that represents the position of the column within the list: 1 for the first column, 2 for the second column, and so on.

Criteria: The range of cells that contains the conditions you specify. You can use any range for the criteria argument, as long as it includes at least one column label and at least one cell below the column label for specifying a condition for the column.

The Formulas tab

Adding Criteria/Conditions to your SUM function

Using the DSUM function, you can specify criteria and conditions regarding which cells should be added together. An alternative to using DSUM is using SUMIF. But SUMIF can’t do complex criteria.

Example

The table contains a list of totals sales per day, showing how many hours were worked that day, the week number, and the month. In cell H4 is a running total using the DSUM function, which takes into account a number of criteria that have been set up in the range A1:F2 (such as a specific day for a specific month as long as the hours in the work day were greater than 12 but less than 17).

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Sage Intelligence101 Microsoft Excel tips and tricks

Sage Intelligence101 Microsoft Excel tips and tricks

The Formulas tab

Naming a range using column labels

This is useful when you have a list and want to name the column separately. You can use the column labels as the range name.

Name a range of cell/cells

You can also name a range of cell/cells. This applies a Name to an entire range.

Use Named Ranges in Formulae

When using a named range in a Formula, you can select Use in Formula to insert the named range.

Alternatively, you can select F3, which brings up a list of Named Ranges.

75. How do you name a selection using column labels as names?

• Select the range you want to name, including the row or column labels

• From the Formula tab, in the Defined Names group, select Create from Selection

• Select Top Row (assuming your headings are in the top row)

• Select OK

76. How do you name a range of cell/cells?

• Select the desired cell/cells

• From the Formula bar, click on the Name box

• Enter in the desired Named Range

• Press Enter

77. How do you insert a Named Range in Formulae?

• Place your cursor where you would like to insert the Named Range

• From the Formulas tab, in the Defined Names group, select Use in Formula

• Select the desired Named Range

78. What is the keyboard shortcut to insert a Named Range in Formulae?

• Place your cursor where you would like to insert the Named Range

• Press F3 on the keyboard

• Select the desired Named Range

• Select OK

79. How do you paste a list of Named Ranges?

• Select a cell in the worksheet where you would like the list to be pasted

• Press F3

• Select Paste List

74. How can you calculate positive and negative numbers?

• To add the positive numbers as per the example:

• Select the desired cell

• Enter in the below: =SUMIF(A2:A10,“>0”)

• Press Enter

• To add the negative numbers:

• Select the desired cell

• Enter in the below: =SUMIF(A2:A10,“<0”)

• Press Enter

SUMIF SUMIF(range,criteria,sum_range)

Range: Is the range of cells that you want evaluated by criteria. Cells in each range must be numbers or names, arrays, or references that contain numbers. Blank and text values are ignored.

Criteria: Are the criteria in the form of a number, expression, or text that defines which cells will be added. For example, criteria can be expressed as 32, “32”, “>32”, or “apples”.

Sum_range: Are the actual cells to add if their corresponding cells in range match criteria. If sum_range is omitted, the cells in range are both evaluated by criteria and added if they match criteria.

The Formulas tab

Calculating positive and negative numbers

Have you ever had a column with positive and negative numbers but would like to sum the positive and negative numbers separately? This can be done by using the SUMIF function.

Example

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Sage Intelligence101 Microsoft Excel tips and tricks

Sage Intelligence101 Microsoft Excel tips and tricks

Using CTRL as a Function key

CTRL+A Selects the entire worksheet.

If the worksheet contains data, CTRL+A selects the current region. Pressing CTRL+A a second time selects the entire worksheet.

When the insertion point is to the right of a function name in a formula, this displays the Function Arguments dialog box.

CTRL+SHIFT+A inserts the argument names and parentheses when the insertion point is to the right of a function name in a formula.

CTRL+B Applies or removes bold formatting.

CTRL+C Copies the selected cells. CTRL+C followed by

another CTRL+C displays the Microsoft Office Clipboard.

CTRL+D Uses the Fill Down command to copy the contents and format of the topmost cell of a selected range into the cells below.

CTRL+F Displays the Find dialog box.

SHIFT+F5 also displays this dialog box, while SHIFT+F4 repeats the last Find action.

CTRL+G Displays the Go To dialog box.

F5 also displays this dialog box.

CTRL+H Displays the Find and Replace dialog box.

CTRL+I Applies or removes italic formatting.

CTRL+K Displays the Insert Hyperlink dialog box for new hyperlinks or the Edit Hyperlink dialog box for selected existing hyperlinks.

Other Useful Shortcuts

ARROW KEYS

• Move one cell up, down, left, or right in a worksheet.

• CTRL+ARROW KEY moves to the edge of the current data region in a worksheet.

• SHIFT+ARROW KEY extends the selection of cells by one cell.

• CTRL+SHIFT+ARROW KEY extends the selection of cells to the last nonblank cell in the same column or row as the active cell.

• LEFT ARROW or RIGHT ARROW selects the menu to the left or right when a menu is visible. When a submenu is open, these arrow keys switch between the main menu and the submenu.

• DOWN ARROW or UP ARROW selects the next or previous command when a menu or submenu is open.

• In a dialog box, arrow keys move between options in an open drop-down list or between options in a group of options.

• ALT+DOWN ARROW opens a selected drop-down list.

BACKSPACE

• Deletes one character to the left in the Formula Bar.

• Also clears the content of the active cell.

DELETE

• Removes the cell contents (data and formulas) from selected cells without affecting cell formats or comments.

• In cell editing mode, it deletes the character to the right of the insertion point.

END

• Moves to the cell in the lower-right corner of the window when SCROLL LOCK is turned on.

• Also selects the last command on the menu when a menu or submenu is visible.

• CTRL+END moves to the last cell on a worksheet, in the lowest used row of the rightmost used column.

• CTRL+SHIFT+END extends the selection of cells to the last used cell on the worksheet (lower-right corner).

ENTER

• Completes a cell entry from the cell or the Formula Bar, and selects the cell below (by default).

• In a data form, it moves to the first field in the next record.

• Opens a selected menu (press F10 to activate the menu bar) or performs the action for a selected command.

• In a dialog box, it performs the action for the default command button in the dialog box (the button with the bold outline, often the OK button).

• ALT+ENTER starts a new line in the same cell.

• CTRL+ENTER fills the selected cell range with the current entry.

• SHIFT+ENTER completes a cell entry and selects the cell above.

Keys

CTRL+F8 performs the Size command (on the Control menu for the workbook window) when a workbook is not maximized.

ALT+F8 displays the Macro dialog box to run, edit, or delete a macro.

F9 Calculates all worksheets in all open workbooks.

F9 followed by ENTER (or followed by CTRL+SHIFT+ENTER for array formulas) calculates the selected a portion of a formula and replaces the selected portion with the calculated value.

SHIFT+F9 calculates the active worksheet.

CTRL+ALT+F9 calculates all worksheets in all open workbooks, regardless of whether they have changed since the last calculation.

CTRL+ALT+SHIFT+F9 rechecks dependent formulas and then calculates all cells in all open workbooks, including cells not marked as needing to be calculated.

CTRL+F9 minimizes a workbook window to an icon.

F10 Selects the menu bar or closes an open menu and submenu at the same time.

SHIFT+F10 displays the shortcut menu for a selected item.

ALT+SHIFT+F10 displays the menu or message for a smart tag. If more than one smart tag is present, it switches to the next smart tag and displays its menu or message.

CTRL+F10 maximizes or restores the selected workbook window.

F11 Creates a chart of the data in the current range.

SHIFT+F11 inserts a new worksheet.

ALT+F11 opens the Visual Basic Editor, in which you can create a macro by using Visual Basic for Applications (VBA).

ALT+SHIFT+F11 opens the Microsoft Script Editor, where you can add text, edit HTML tags, and modify any script code.

F12 Displays the Save As dialog box.

Using CTRL as a Function key

CTRL+’ Copies a formula from the cell above the active cell into the cell or the Formula Bar.

CTRL+” Copies the value from the cell above the active cell into the cell or the Formula Bar.

CTRL++ Displays the Insert dialog box to insert blank cells.

CTRL+1 Displays the Format Cells dialog box.

CTRL+2 Applies or removes bold formatting.

CTRL+3 Applies or removes italic formatting.

CTRL+4 Applies or removes underlining.

CTRL+5 Applies or removes strikethrough.

CTRL+6 Alternates between hiding objects, displaying objects, and displaying placeholders for objects.

CTRL+7 Displays or hides the Standard toolbar.

CTRL+8 Displays or hides the outline symbols.

CTRL+9 Hides the selected rows.

CTRL+0 Hides the selected columns.

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Sage Intelligence101 Microsoft Excel tips and tricks

Sage Intelligence101 Microsoft Excel tips and tricks

Using CTRL as a Function key

CTRL+L Displays the Create List dialog box.

CTRL+N Creates a new, blank file.CTRL+O Displays the Open dialog

box to open or find a file. CTRL+SHIFT+O selects

all cells that contain comments.

CTRL+P Displays the Print dialog box.

CTRL+R Uses the Fill Right command to copy the contents and format of the leftmost cell of a selected range into the cells to the right.

CTRL+S Saves the active file with its current file name, location, and file format.

CTRL+U Applies or removes underlining.

CTRL+V Inserts the contents of the Clipboard at the insertion point and replaces any selection. Available only after you cut or copied an object, text, or cell contents.

CTRL+W Closes the selected workbook window.

CTRL+X Cuts the selected cells.CTRL+Y Repeats the last

command or action, if possible.

CTRL+Z Uses the Undo command to reverse the last command or to delete the last entry you typed.

CTRL+SHIFT+Z uses the Undo or Redo command to reverse or restore the last automatic correction when AutoCorrect Smart Tags are displayed.

Keys

HOME

• Moves to the beginning of a row in a worksheet.

• Moves to the cell in the upper-left corner of the window when SCROLL LOCK is turned on.

• Selects the first command on the menu when a menu or submenu is visible.

• CTRL+HOME moves to the beginning of a worksheet.

• CTRL+SHIFT+HOME extends the selection of cells to the beginning of the worksheet.

PAGE DOWN

• Moves one screen down in a worksheet.

• ALT+PAGE DOWN moves one screen to the right in a worksheet.

• CTRL+PAGE DOWN moves to the next sheet in a workbook.

• CTRL+SHIFT+PAGE DOWN selects the current and next sheet in a workbook.

PAGE UP

• Moves one screen up in a worksheet.

• ALT+PAGE UP moves one screen to the left in a worksheet.

• CTRL+PAGE UP moves to the previous sheet in a workbook.

• CTRL+SHIFT+PAGE UP selects the current and previous sheet in a workbook.

SPACEBAR

• In a dialog box, performs the action for the selected button, or selects or clears a check box.

• CTRL+SPACEBAR selects an entire column in a worksheet.

• SHIFT+SPACEBAR selects an entire row in a worksheet.

• CTRL+SHIFT+SPACEBAR selects the entire worksheet.

• If the worksheet contains data, CTRL+SHIFT+SPACEBAR selects the current region. Pressing CTRL+SHIFT+SPACEBAR a second time selects the entire worksheet.

• When an object is selected, CTRL+SHIFT+SPACEBAR selects all objects on a worksheet.

• ALT+SPACEBAR displays the Control menu for the Excel window.

TAB

• Moves one cell to the right in a worksheet.

• Moves between unlocked cells in a protected worksheet.

• Moves to the next option or option group in a dialog box.

• SHIFT+TAB moves to the previous cell in a worksheet or the previous option in a dialog box.

• CTRL+TAB switches to the next tab in dialog box.

• CTRL+SHIFT+TAB switches to the previous tab in a dialog box.

Microsoft

Chart Advisor

Chart Advisor is an add-in that provides an alternate approach for creating charts in Excel 2007. This add-in uses an advanced rules engine to scan your data and, based on predefined rules, displays charts according to score. Top scoring charts are available for you to preview, tweak, and insert into your Excel worksheet.

Method:

Pick a data set you want to chart and select a cell in the data. Then click on the Chart Advisor button in the Insert Menu (highlighted in this picture).

Chart Advisor Overview panel. Notice the chart recommendations in a row at the top and the ability to see chart scores as tool tips when hovering over the score.

Duplicate Remover for Excel

Handy plug-in to find and remove duplicates from Excel. You can select, color, copy, or delete duplicate data or unique entries and compare two Excel lists with a different number of columns.

Duplicates Manager for Excel

Excel add-in to find and delete duplicates in Excel lists. You can delete Excel duplicates from any range, remove duplicate rows from a table, find duplicates in two Excel lists, and more.

Fuzzy Duplicate Finder for Excel

Allows you to find and correct Fuzzy Excel duplicates, typos, misspelled words, and similar records in Excel workbooks.

Merge Cell Wizard for Excel

Add-in for merging Excel cells values, columns, and rows. Places values from several cells to one cell or joins several cells, preserving their values.

Text Manager

Helps you work with text in Excel. You can change case, remove characters or text (such as excess spaces), or join (concatenate), text from several cells to one.

Backup Assistant

Make backup copies of Excel workbooks before you change them. You are prompted to back up a file immediately after it is opened.

Merge Tables for Excel

Handy add-in to look up and copy matching data from Excel lists. For example, you can merge matching rows from an Excel table of product numbers and prices to the table with product IDs and descriptions.

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Sage Intelligence101 Microsoft Excel tips and tricks

Sage Intelligence101 Microsoft Excel tips and tricks

The Data tab

Filtering data

In Microsoft Excel 2007, AutoFilter is just called Filter.

You are now able to Filter by Color and Dates. The Filtering automatically groups the Dates into Years and Months. You are also able to Filter by more that one item.

The Column that has been filtered displays a filter symbol next to the drop-down arrow .

Clearing All Filters

This allows you to keep the Filter arrows on but ensures any filters that have been applied to the columns, are removed.

Removing Duplicates

When you remove duplicate values, only the values in the range of cells or table are affected. Any other values outside the range of cells or table are not altered or moved. Ensure that if you are removing duplicates from a column within a table, you select the entire table, as otherwise only those cells will be removed.

Because you are permanently deleting data, it’s a good idea to copy the original range of cells or table to another worksheet or workbook before removing duplicate values.

80. How do you apply a Filter?

• Select any cell within the data list you wish to filter

• From the Data tab, in the Sort & Filter group, select Filter

• Drop-down arrows appear on each column heading

• Select the drop-down arrow in the column you want to filter

• Select the Items you want to filter by

• Select OK

81. How do you Clear all Filters?

• From the Data tab, in the Sort & Filter group, select Clear

82. How do you remove Duplicates?

• Select the range of cells/table/list that contains the duplicates

• From the Data tab, in the Data Tools group, select Remove Duplicates

• Select the Column/s that contains the duplicates

• Select OK

• You will get a message notifying you of how many duplicates are removed

• Select OK

Download this add-in at: www.officelabs.com

Advanced Find and Replace

Search and replace in all opened Excel workbooks and worksheets. Simultaneous search in values, formulas, hyperlinks, and comments.

Advanced Excel Select

If you have ever tried to find cells containing conditional formats, formulas, comments, and so on, you would highly appreciate this add-in.

List Assistant

Is an easy way to rearrange rows in your worksheet. Swap two rows, Insert a row, and more.

Random Number Generator for Excel

This handy add-in generates random numbers in Excel. Just select a range of cells, indicate the starting and ending values, and get a random sequence—integer or real numbers, dates, strings, or Booleans.

Random Sampler

If you need to sample a set of data, the Random Sampler add-in will quickly and easily obtain samples for you.

CSV File Creator

Converts Excel workbooks into CSV file format. You can convert all Excel worksheets, convert just a single sheet or a specific range of each selected file, and more.

AutoFormat for Pivot Tables for Excel

With AutoFormat you can create, store, and use your own formats for Excel PivotTables. You can save your own PivotTable format and apply it as a template for your PivotTables with one click.

Download these add-ins and more Excel add-ins at: www.officeaddins.com

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Sage Intelligence101 Microsoft Excel tips and tricks

Sage Intelligence101 Microsoft Excel tips and tricks

The Data tab

Splitting columns

There may be times when you need split one column worth of information into two or more columns. Using the Text To Columns tool means that this split doesn’t have to be a manual process.

Before:

After:

83. How do you split columns?

• Identify the item that separates the columns (for instance, #)

• Highlight the range of cells you would like to split

• From the Data tab, in the Data Tools group, select Text to Columns

• Select Next

• Enter in the separator symbol (for example, #)

• Select Next

• Select Finish

84. How do you ensure the End Date is greater than the Start Date in a cell?

• Select the range of cells for which you would like to apply Data Validation

• From the Data tab, in the Data Tools group, select Data Validation

• From the Allow drop-down box, select Date

• From the Data drop-down box, select Greater Than

• From the Start Date box, enter in the cell where the first Start Date appears

• Select OK

• You can now enter in the dates, and if you happen to enter in a date less than the start date, you will get an error

85. How do you Circle Invalid Data?

• Apply the necessary Data Validation

• From the Data tab, in the Data Tools group, select the drop-down arrow from Data Validation

• Select Circle Invalid Data

The Data tab

Using Data Validation to ensure the End Date is greater than the Start Date

Making sure that the data users enter into a worksheet conforms to certain standards is difficult if you have no way of enforcing the rule. With Data Validation, you can:

• Provide users with a drop-down list of choices (so they can’t input data incorrectly).

• Restrict entries to a specific type or size.

Example

In the below example, you would like to ensure that the End Date is always greater than the Start Date. To ensure this, you apply Data Validation to ensure that the Date in cell B2 must be greater than the Date in cell A2.

Circling Invalid Data

If you have a set of data and wish to highlight data that is invalid, you can use the Circle Invalid Data option. This is usually used with data that has already been entered.

This is a two-stage process:

• Apply data validation

• Circle invalid data

If you are planning to protect the worksheet or workbook, protect it after you have finished setting up validation. Make sure you unlock any validated cells before protecting the worksheet; otherwise, users won’t be able to type in the cells.

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The Data Tab

Hide formula on a protected worksheet

By selecting Hidden in the Protection dialogue box, you are able to hide any formula used when you protect the worksheet.

This is assuming that when you are protecting your worksheet, you have allowed for Select Locked Cells.

Before:

After:

Password protection and read-only access

You would like to password protect a workbook but still allow people to open it as read only. Using the Password To Modify option makes this happen.

88. How do you Hide Formulae on a protected worksheet?

• Hide the formulae:

• Select the cell(s) that need to have formula hidden

• Right-click on the selected cells

• Select the heading tab Protection

• Select the check box Hidden

• Select OK

• Protect the worksheet:

• Right-click on the desired worksheet tab

• Select Protect Sheet

• Enter in a password if necessary

• Select OK

• Now when selecting the cells with formulae, the formulae will not show in the formula bar

89. How do you Protect the Workbook and allow Read Only Access?

• Ensure the workbook that is being password protected is open

• Select the Office Button

• Select Save As

• From the bottom left of the Save As dialog box select Tools, General Options

• From the Save Options dialog box, in the Password to modify box, enter in the desired password

• The password will appear as stars (****)

• You will be asked to enter in the password twice to verify the password

• Select OK

• Select Save

• The next time the file is opened, you will be asked for a password

• If the user does not have the password, they can select Read Only

86. Is there a quick way to Protect and Unprotect worksheets?

• Right-click on the Sheet tab and select Protect Sheet

• Select the desired options under Allow all users of this worksheet to

• Once you have protected the worksheet, the Protect Sheet icon changes to Unprotect Sheet

• Select this icon to unprotect the worksheet

87. How do you Unlock Cells?

• Select the cells, columns, or rows that can be edited

• On the Home tab, in the Cells group, select Format

• Note that the Lock Cell icon is highlighted orange, by default, indicating that the cell will be locked when the worksheet protection is activated Or

• You can also check the locked status by selecting Format Cells

• Select the heading tab Protection

• If there is NO tick in the Locked box, it means the cell is NOT locked

• Select OK

The Review tab

Protecting worksheets

By protecting your worksheet, you can prevent users from accidentally or deliberately changing, moving, or deleting important information on the worksheet.

If you deselect Select Locked Cells, when the worksheet is protected, the user can only select the cells that were unlocked.

Being able to edit certain cells on a protected worksheet

The cells that you unlock are the cells that can be edited.

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Did you know?

ALT + Click = “Research”

The Research tool is an easy way to find more information regarding the contents of a cell.

For example, type in YHOO in cell A1. Select the cell holding down the ALT key. This brings up the “Research” window, which allows you to, among other things, search the word through various language dictionaries, check the current stock price (if a valid stock code), and more. For stock quotes, you can even insert the current stock price into the spreadsheet.

6. Use the completely redesigned charting engine in Microsoft Excel 2007 to communicate your analysis in professional-looking charts.

Build professional-looking charts more quickly with fewer clicks using charting tools in the Office Fluent user interface. Apply rich visual enhancements to your charts such as 3-D effects, soft shadowing, and transparency. Create and interact with charts the same way across all Microsoft Office applications in the same way because the charting engine is the same in all.

7. Use Microsoft Excel 2007 and Excel Services to help share spreadsheets more securely with others.

Excel Services, a feature of Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007, dynamically renders a spreadsheet as HTML so others can access the information using a web browser. Because of the high degree of fidelity with the Microsoft Excel 2007 client, Excel Services users can navigate, sort, filter, input parameters, and interact with the information, all within their web browser.

8. Help ensure you and your organization work with the most current business information.

Prevent the spread of multiple or outdated copies of a spreadsheet throughout your organization by using Microsoft Excel 2007 and Office SharePoint Server 2007. Control which users can view and modify spreadsheets on the server using permission-based access.

9. Reduce the size of spreadsheets and improve damaged file recovery at the same time.

The new, compressed Microsoft Office Excel XML Format offers a dramatic reduction in file size, while its architecture offers an improvement in data recovery for damaged files.

10. Extend your business intelligence investments because Office Excel 2007 provides full support for Microsoft SQL Server® 2005 Analysis Services.

New cube functions in Microsoft Excel 2007 let you build a custom report from an OLAP database. You can also connect to external sources of data more easily using the Data Connection Library.

Here are the top ten ways in which Microsoft Excel 2007 can help you create spreadsheets and analyze, share, and manage information more effectively.

1. Create and work with interactive PivotTable views with ease.

PivotTable views enable you to quickly reorient your data to help you answer multiple questions. Find the answers you need faster and create and use PivotTable views more easily by dragging fields where you want them to be displayed.

2. Import, organize, and explore massive data sets within significantly expanded spreadsheets.

Work with massive amounts of data in Microsoft Excel 2007, which supports spreadsheets that can be up to one million rows by 16,000 columns. In addition to the bigger grid, Microsoft Excel 2007 supports multicore processor platforms for faster calculation of formula-intense spreadsheets

3. “See” important trends and find exceptions in your data.

Apply conditional formatting to your information more easily to discover patterns and highlight trends in your data. New schemes include color gradients, heat maps, data bars, and performance indicator icons.

4. Microsoft Excel 2007 features the Microsoft Office Fluent user interface to help you find powerful tools when you need them.

Find the tools you want when you need them using the results-oriented Office Fluent user interface in Microsoft Excel 2007. Based on the job you need to accomplish, whether it’s creating a table or writing a formula, Microsoft Excel 2007 presents the appropriate commands when you need them.

5. Enjoy improved and powerful support for working with tables.

Create, format, expand, filter, and refer to tables within formulas because Microsoft Excel 2007 has greatly improved support for tables. When you’re viewing data contained in a large table, Microsoft Excel 2007 keeps table headings in view while you scroll.

Did you know?

• Using Excel shortcuts can increase your overall efficiency by saving you time, hence saving you money

• By applying a keyboard shortcut to a macro, you can add your keyboard shortcut combinations.

• There have been a number of hidden “features” in versions of Excel over the years. These features, known as easter eggs, can be found in types of software such as computer games or on DVDs. Various Excel easter eggs have included:- A maze very similar to the

computer game “Doom” (Excel 95)

- An auto racing game (Excel 2000)

- A flight simulator (Excel 97)

Top reasons to use Microsoft Excel 2007 Top reasons to use Microsoft Excel 2007

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The View tab

Recording Macros

A shortcut to recording a macro is located on the status bar on the bottom of the Microsoft Excel screen.

While you are recording a macro, the Record Macro button changes to a Stop Recording button.

Macro names cannot contain spaces.

Saving workbook with a Macro

You need to ensure that when you have created a Macro and stored it in this workbook, you save the Workbook in a *.xlsm format.

Developer tab

You first need to make sure your Developer tab is activated in order to get into Visual Basic.

Macro security levels

When using macros in Microsoft Excel 2007, ensure that the appropriate security level, has been selected. To access the security levels you need to use the Trust Center.

90. How do you record a new Macro?

• On the Status bar select the Record Macro button

• From the Macro Name box, enter the desired Name

• From the Store Macro In box, select the desired Option

91. How do you activate the Developer Tab?

• Select the Office Button

• Select Excel Options

• Select Show Developer tab in the Ribbon

92. How do you save a Workbook in *.xlsm format?

• Select the Office Button

• Select Save As

• Select Excel Macro-Enabled Workbook

93. How do you change the Security Levels for Macros?

• Select the Office Button Select the Excel Options button

• On the left side of the dialogue box, select Trust Center

• On the right side, select the Trust Center Settings button

• On the left side, select Macro Settings

• Select Disable all macros with Notification

• Select OK, OK

94. How do you create a Macro that sorts worksheets in alphabetical order?

• Select the Office button

• Select Excel Options

• Select Show Developer tab in the Ribbon (if not already on)

• From the Developer tab in the Code group, select Visual Basic

• Select the Module you would like to insert the coding into

• On the right-hand side paste the Visual Basic coding

• From the Menu bar, select File, Close and Return to Microsoft Excel

• Press Alt + F8 to get a list of Macros

• Select SortSheets

• Select Run

95. How do you create a Macro that opens a worksheet on a specific worksheet?

• Open Microsoft Excel

• Press Alt + F11

• This opens the Visual Basic Editor

• On the far left, under Microsoft Excel Object, select ThisWorkbook

• On the right-hand side, paste the coding in the sidebar

• In the second line of the coding, change Sheet1, to the sheet name (tab) you wish to land on

• In the third line of the coding, change A1 to the cell you wish to land on

• From the Menu bar, select File, Close and Return to Microsoft Excel

• Save and close the Microsoft Excel workbook

• Ensure you save the Microsoft Excel 2007 workbook as a *.xlsm

• The next time you open the workbook, it will open on the specific worksheet and cell

The View tab

Sorting worksheets in alphabetical order

With the following Visual Basic macro, called SortSheets, added to your workbook, you can order the worksheets alphabetically quickly and easily.

Visual Basic Coding:

Sub SortSheets()Dim sCount As Integer, K As Integer, L As IntegerApplication.ScreenUpdating = FalsesCount = Worksheets.CountIf sCount = 1 Then Exit SubFor K = 1 To sCount - 1For L = K + 1 To sCountIf Worksheets(L).Name <Worksheets(K).Name ThenWorksheets(L).MoveBefore:=Worksheets(K)End IfNext LNext KEnd Sub

Opening a workbook on a specific worksheet

The following code allows you to specify which worksheet, even which cell, you would like to appear when the workbook opens.

Visual Basic Coding:

Private Sub Workbook_Open()Sheets(“Sheet1”).SelectRange(“a1”).SelectEnd Sub

Record

Stop Recording

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The View tab

Removing embedded hyperlinks with Visual Basic

Sometimes a copy and paste of Internet-based materials can also bring across embedded hyperlinks. The following code removes all hyperlinks from the worksheet.

Visual Basic Coding:

Sub RemoveHyperlinks()‘Remove all hyperlinks from the active sheetActiveSheet.Hyperlinks.DeleteEnd Sub

97. How do you create a Macro that removes embedded hyperlinks?

• Ensure you are on the worksheet you would like to remove the hyperlinks from

• Press ALT + F11 to open the Visual Basic Editor

• From the Menu bar, select Insert Module

• Copy and paste the coding in the sidebar into the Window on the right

• From the Menu bar, select File, Close and Return to Microsoft Excel

• Press ALT + F8 to view a list of Macros

• Select the Macro, RemoveHyperlinks

• Select Run

96. How do you create a Macro that copies and saves a worksheet into a new worksheet automatically?

• Ensure you are in Microsoft Excel

• Press ALT + F11 to open the Visual Basic Editor

• If necessary, Insert a Module

• From the VBAProject (Personal.xlsb), select the Module folder

• From the Menu, select Insert, Module

• On the right-hand side, paste the above coding

• From the Menu bar, select File, Close and Return to Microsoft Excel

• Enter in the necessary data into cell A1

• Run the Macro

The View tab

Copy and save a worksheet into a new file automatically

By using the following code, you can automatically copy the current worksheet to a new workbook, then automatically save the workbook using the contents of a cell as the file name.

Note:

• The below Macro is written to take the data from cell A1 and use it as the file name

• The below Macro is written to automatically save the workbook in C:\My Documents

• If you do not have this directory, the Macro will give an error

Visual Basic Coding:

Public Sub SaveWorksheet()ActiveSheet.Copy ‘ Copies active sheet to a new workbookActiveWorkbook.SaveAs “C:\MyDocuments\” & Range(“A1”).ValueEnd Sub

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The View tab

Assigning a Macro to the Quick Access Toolbar

Once you have recorded a Macro, you can assign it to the Quick Access Toolbar. This makes running the Macro much easier and more accessible.

There are a number of buttons to choose from when allocating the Macro to a button.

99. How do you assign a Macro to the Quick Access Toolbar?

• Right-click over the Quick Access Toolbar

• Select Customize Quick Access Toolbar

• In the Choose commands from drop-down box select Macros

• Select the macro you want to add

• Select Add

• To modify the Macro icon, select it in the right-hand window and then select Modify

• Select the new icon and rename the macro

• Select OK

98. How do you create a macro that allows you to use group and outline on protected worksheets?

• Open the desired workbook

• Press Alt + F11 to open the Visual Basic Editor window

• On the left you should see your Project (with your file name for example VBAProjectReport)

• Right-click on the Project and select Insert, Module

• A folder called modules should appear with a Module underneath

• Select the Module 1 and on the right-hand side, paste the below coding

• Remember to change the worksheet name and password

• Close the Microsoft Visual Basic window (File, Close and Return to Microsoft Excel)

• Close the workbook and reopen

• You should be asked to Enable Macros

• Your workbook should still be protected, but you should be able to use your grouping

The View tab

Using Group and Outline on protected worksheets

The Group and Outline tool is a fantastic utility; however, you cannot, by default, apply grouping to protected worksheets. The following code helps you get around this.

Note: If you would like to apply the Visual Basic coding, simply copy the coding highlighted in blue and adjust the worksheet name.

You are going to add some simple VISUAL BASIC coding into the workbook. This code has the password “hi” built in, so it is automatically protected. You can change the password in the below script if you wish. When the user opens the workbook, he will need to select, “Enable Macros.”

For this example the workbook name is Report, and the worksheet name is January.

Visual Basic Coding:

Option ExplicitSub auto_open()With Worksheets(“January”).Protect Password:=”hi”,userinterfaceonly:=True.EnableOutlining = True‘.EnableAutoFilter = TrueEnd WithEnd Sub

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100. How do you link a Microsoft Excel worksheet to Microsoft PowerPoint?

• In Microsoft Excel, select the desired cell/cells

• Right-click on the selected cell/cells

• Select Copy

• In Microsoft PowerPoint, create a new slide

• In Microsoft PowerPoint 2007:

• From the Home tab, in the Clipboard group, select the drop-down arrow under Paste

• Select Paste Special

• Select Paste Link

• In the As box, select Microsoft Office Excel 2003 Worksheet Object

• Select OK

• You can resize the object as desired

Although the title of this book indicates only 100 tips and tricks, at Sage we always like to exceed expectations, so we threw in tip 101 below for good measure as well. We hope you have benefited from these tips and you have become more efficient in using Excel 2007.

101. How do you link a Microsoft Excel worksheet to Microsoft Word?

• From Microsoft Excel, select the range to be copied to Microsoft Word

• Right-click on the selected range, select Copy

• Open the desired document in Microsoft Word

• Right-click on the desired area, select Paste

• From the bottom right of the Pasted object, select the Clipboard icon

• Select Keep Source Formatting and Link to Excel

• If you now make changes to the Microsoft Excel worksheet, the object in Microsoft Word updates

Using programs outside of Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint to Microsoft Excel

A Microsoft PowerPoint presentation can be linked to a Microsoft Excel worksheet by using the Paste Link option.

You don’t need to have both Microsoft PowerPoint and Microsoft Excel open for it to update. If you make changes to the Microsoft Excel workbook, when you open PowerPoint, you will be asked to Update Links.

Copying Microsoft Excel data to Microsoft Word

You may find at times when working in Microsoft Word you need to refer to a part of a worksheet in Microsoft Excel. It is possible to simply copy and paste between the two programs, but even more interesting is that you can ensure there is a link back to the Microsoft Excel worksheet in the case of any changes.

Glossary

A

activateTo make a chart sheet or worksheet the active, or selected, sheet. The sheet that you activate determines which tabs are displayed. To activate a sheet, click the tab for the sheet in the workbook.

active cellThe selected cell in which data is entered when you begin typing. Only one cell is active at a time. The active cell is bounded by a heavy border.

active sheetThe sheet that you’re working on in a workbook. The name on the tab of the active sheet is bold.

addressThe path to an object, document, file, page, or other destination. An address can be a URL (web address) or a UNC path (network address), and can include a specific location within a file, such as a Word bookmark or an Excel cell range.

alternate startup folderA folder in addition to the XLStart folder that contains workbooks or other files that you want to be opened automatically when you start Excel and templates that you want to be available when you create new workbooks.

argumentThe values that a function uses to perform operations or calculations. The type of argument a function uses is specific to the function. Common arguments that are used within functions include numbers, text, cell references, and names.

arrayUsed to build single formulas that produce multiple results or that operate on a group of arguments that are arranged in rows and columns. An array range shares a

common formula; an array constant is a group of constants used as an argument.

array formulaA formula that performs multiple calculations on one or more sets of values and then returns either a single result or multiple results. Array formulas are enclosed between braces { } and are entered by pressing CTRL+SHIFT+ENTER.

associated PivotTable reportThe PivotTable report that supplies the source data to the PivotChart report. It is created automatically when you create a new PivotChart report. When you change the layout of either report, the other also changes.

autoformatA built-in collection of cell formats (such as font size, patterns, and alignment) that you can apply to a range of data. Excel determines the levels of summary and detail in the selected range and applies the formats accordingly.

axisA line bordering the chart plot area used as a frame of reference for measurement. The y-axis is usually the vertical axis and contains data. The x-axis is usually the horizontal axis and contains categories.

B

borderA decorative line that can be applied to worksheet cells or objects, such as charts, pictures, or text boxes. Borders distinguish, emphasize, or group items.

C

calculated columnIn an Excel table, a calculated column uses a single formula that adjusts for each row. It automatically expands to include additional rows so that the formula is

immediately extended to those rows.

calculated field (database)A field in the result set of a query that displays the result of an expression rather than data from a database.

calculated field (PivotTable report) A field in a PivotTable report or PivotChart report that uses a formula you create. Calculated fields can perform calculations by using the contents of other fields in the PivotTable report or PivotChart report.

calculated itemAn item within a PivotTable field or PivotChart field that uses a formula you create. Calculated items can perform calculations by using the contents of other items within the same field of the PivotTable report or PivotChart report.

category axisA chart axis that represents the category for each data point. It displays arbitrary text values like Qtr1, Qtr2, and Qtr3; it cannot display scaled numerical values.

category field A field that’s displayed in the category area of the PivotChart report. Items in a category field appear as the labels on the category axis.

cellA box formed by the intersection of a row and column in a worksheet or a table, in which you enter information.

cell referenceThe set of coordinates that a cell occupies on a worksheet. For example, the reference of the cell that appears at the intersection of column B and row 3 is B3.

chart areaThe entire chart and all its elements.

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destination areaThe range of cells that you select to hold the summarized data in a consolidation. The destination area can be on the same worksheet as the source data or on a different worksheet. A worksheet can contain only one consolidation.

drop-down list boxA control on a menu, toolbar, or dialog box that displays a list of options when you click the small arrow next to the list box.

E

embedded chartA chart that is placed on a worksheet rather than on a separate chart sheet. Embedded charts are beneficial when you want to view or print a chart or a PivotChart report with its source data or other information in a worksheet.

excel add-inComponents that can be installed on your computer to add commands and functions to Excel. These add-in programs are specific to Excel. Other add-in programs that are available for Excel or Office are Component Object Model (COM) add-ins.

excel tableFormerly known as an Excel list, you can create, format, and expand an Excel table to organize the data on your worksheet.

expressionA combination of operators, field names, functions, literals, and constants that evaluates to a single value. Expressions can specify criteria (such as Order Amount>10000) or perform calculations on field values (such as Price*Quantity).

external dataData that is stored in a database, such as Access, dBASE, or SQL Server, that is separate from Query and the program

from which you started Query.

external data rangeA range of data that is brought into a worksheet but that originates outside of Excel, such as in a database or text file. In Excel, you can format the data or use it in calculations as you would any other data.

F

field (database)A category of information, such as last name or order amount, that is stored in a table. When Query displays a result set in its Data pane, a field is represented as a column.

field (PivotTable report)In a PivotTable or PivotChart report, a category of data that’s derived from a field in the source data. PivotTable reports have row, column, page, and data fields. PivotChart reports have series, category, page, and data fields.

fill handleThe small black square in the lower right corner of the selection. When you point to the fill handle, the pointer changes to a black cross.

filterTo display only the rows in a list that satisfy the conditions you specify. You use the AutoFilter command to display rows that match one or more specific values, calculated values, or conditions.

fontA graphic design applied to all numerals, symbols, and alphabetic characters. Also called type or typeface. Arial and Courier New are examples of fonts. Fonts usually come in different sizes, such as 10 point, and various styles, such as bold.

formulaA sequence of values, cell references, names, functions, or operators in a cell

that together produce a new value. A formula always begins with an equal sign (=).

formula barA bar at the top of the Excel window that you use to enter or edit values or formulas in cells or charts. Displays the constant value or formula stored in the active cell.

formula PaletteA tool that helps you create or edit a formula and also provides information about functions and their arguments.

function (Office Excel)A prewritten formula that takes a value or values, performs an operation, and returns a value or values. Use functions to simplify and shorten formulas on a worksheet, especially those that perform lengthy or complex calculations.

G

gridA set of intersecting lines used to align objects.

gridlines in chartsLines you can add to a chart that make it easier to view and evaluate data. Gridlines extend from the tick marks on an axis across the plot area.

groupIn an outline or PivotTable report, one or more detail rows or columns that are adjacent and subordinate to a summary row or column.

I

indexA database component that speeds up searching for data. When a table has an index, data in the table can be found by looking it up in the index.

chart sheetA sheet in a workbook that contains only a chart. A chart sheet is beneficial when you want to view a chart or a PivotChart report separately from worksheet data or a PivotTable report.

column field

A field that’s assigned a column orientation in a PivotTable report. Items associated with a column field are displayed as column labels.

column heading

The shaded area at the top of each Data pane column that contains the field name.

column headingThe lettered or numbered gray area at the top of each column. Click the column heading to select an entire column. To increase or decrease the width of a column, drag the line to the right of the column heading.

comparison operatorA sign that is used in comparison criteria to compare two values. The six standards are = Equal to, > Greater than, < Less than, >= Greater than or equal to, <= Less than or equal to, and <> Not equal to.

conditional formatA format, such as cell shading or font color, that Excel automatically applies to cells if a specified condition is true.

constantA value that is not calculated. For example, the number 210 and the text “Quarterly Earnings” are constants. An expression, or a value resulting from an expression, is not a constant.

copy areaThe cells that you copy when you want to paste data into another location. After you copy cells, a moving border appears around them to indicate that they’ve been copied.

criteriaConditions you specify to limit which records are included in the result set of a query. For example, the following criterion selects records for which the value for the Order Amount field is greater than 30,000: Order Amount > 30000.

criteria paneThe area of the window that displays the criteria used to limit the records included in the result set of your query.

current regionThe block of filled-in cells that includes the currently selected cell or cells. The region extends in all directions to the first empty row or column.

custom calculationA method of summarizing values in the data area of a PivotTable report by using the values in other cells in the data area. Use the Show data as list on the PivotTable Field dialog for a data field to create custom calculations.

D

data regionA range of cells that contains data and that is bounded by empty cells or datasheet borders.

data seriesRelated data points that are plotted in a chart and originate from datasheet rows or columns. Each data series in a chart has a unique color or pattern. You can plot one or more data series in a chart. Pie charts have only one data series.

data sourceA stored set of “source” information used to connect to a database. A data source can include the name and location of the database server, the name of the database driver, and information that the database needs when you log on.

data source driverA program file used to connect to a specific database. Each database program or management system requires a different driver.

data tableA range of cells that shows the results of substituting different values in one or more formulas. There are two types of data tables: one-input tables and two-input tables.

data validationAn Excel feature that you can use to define restrictions on what data can or should be entered in a cell and to display messages that prompt users for correct entries and notify users about incorrect entries.

databaseA collection of data related to a particular subject or purpose. Within a database, information about a particular entity, such as an employee or order, is categorized into tables, records, and fields.

default startup workbookThe new, unsaved workbook that’s displayed when you start Excel. The default startup workbook is displayed only if you haven’t included other workbooks in the XLStart folder.

default workbook templateThe Book.xlt template that you create to change the default format of new workbooks. Excel uses the template to create a blank workbook when you start Excel or create a new workbook without specifying a template.

dependentsCells that contain formulas that refer to other cells. For example, if cell D10 contains the formula =B5, cell D10 is a dependent of cell B5.

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passwords don’t mix these elements. Strong password: Y6dh!et5. Weak password: House27. Use a strong password that you can remember so that you don’t have to write it down.

paste areaThe target destination for data that’s been cut or copied by using the Office Clipboard.

pivot areaThe worksheet area into which you drag PivotTable or PivotChart fields to change the layout of the report. On a new report, dashed blue outlines indicate the pivot area on the worksheet.

PivotChart category fieldA field that is assigned a category orientation in a PivotChart report. In a chart, categories usually appear on the x-axis, or horizontal axis, of the chart.

PivotChart reportA chart that provides interactive analysis of data, like a PivotTable report. You can change views of data, see different levels of detail, or reorganize the chart layout by dragging fields and by showing or hiding items in fields.

PivotChart series fieldA field that is assigned a series orientation in a PivotChart report. In a chart, series are represented in the legend.

PivotTable dataIn a PivotTable report, the summarized data that’s calculated from the data fields of a source list or table.

PivotTable grand totalsTotal values for all cells in a row or all cells in a column of a PivotTable report. Values in a grand total row or column are calculated by using the same summary function used in the data area of the PivotTable report.

PivotTable listA Microsoft Office Web Component that allows you to create a structure similar to an Excel PivotTable report. Users can view the PivotTable list in a web browser and change its layout in a manner similar to an Excel PivotTable report.

PivotTable reportAn interactive, cross-tabulated Excel report that summarizes and analyzes data, such as database records, from various sources, including ones that are external to Excel.

PivotTable reportAn interactive, cross-tabulated Excel report that summarizes and analyzes data, such as database records, from various sources including ones external to Excel.

PivotTable subtotalA row or column that uses a summary function to display the total of detail items in a PivotTable field.

plot areaIn a 2-D chart, the area bounded by the axes, including all data series. In a 3-D chart, the area bounded by the axes, including the data series, category names, tick-mark labels, and axis titles.

precedentsCells that are referred to by a formula in another cell. For example, if cell D10 contains the formula =B5, cell B5 is a precedent to cell D10.

print areaOne or more ranges of cells that you designate to print when you don’t want to print the entire worksheet. If a worksheet includes a print area, only the print area is printed.

print titlesRow or column labels that are printed at the top of or on the left side of every page on a printed worksheet.

protectTo make settings for a worksheet or workbook that prevent users from viewing or gaining access to the specified worksheet or workbook elements.

report filterA field that’s used to filter a subset of data in a PivotTable or PivotChart report into one page for further layout and analysis. You can either display a summary of all items in a report filter, or display one item at a time, which filters out the data for all other items.

R

rangeTwo or more cells on a sheet. The cells in a range can be adjacent or nonadjacent.

read-onlyA setting that allows a file to be read or copied but not changed or saved.

refresh (external data range)To update data from an external data source. Each time you refresh data, you see the most recent version of the information in the database, including any changes that were made to the data.

refresh (PivotTable report)To update the contents of a PivotTable or PivotChart report to reflect changes to the underlying source data. If the report is based on external data, refreshing runs the underlying query to retrieve new or changed data.

relative referenceIn a formula, the address of a cell based on the relative position of the cell that contains the formula and the cell referred to. If you copy the formula, the reference automatically adjusts. A relative reference takes the form A1.

input cellThe cell in which each input value from a data table is substituted. Any cell on a worksheet can be the input cell. Although the input cell does not need to be part of the data table, the formulas in data tables must refer to the input cell.

insert row

In an Excel table, a special row that facilitates data entry. The Insert row is indicated by an asterisk.

internet ExplorerA web browser that interprets HTML files, formats them into web pages, and displays them to the user. You can download Internet Explorer from the Microsoft website at: http://www.microsoft.com

itemA subcategory of a field in PivotTable and PivotChart reports. For instance, the field “Month” could have items such as “January,” “February,” and so on.

J

justifyTo adjust horizontal spacing so that text is aligned evenly along both the left and right margins. Justifying text creates a smooth edge on both sides.

L

legendA box that identifies the patterns or colors that are assigned to the data series or categories in a chart.

legend keysSymbols in legends that show the patterns and colors assigned to the data series (or categories) in a chart. Legend keys appear to the left of legend entries. Formatting a legend key also formats the data marker that’s associated with it.

M

merged cellA single cell that is created by combining two or more selected cells. The cell reference for a merged cell is the upper-left cell in the original selected range.

moving borderAn animated border that appears around a worksheet range that has been cut or copied. To cancel a moving border, press ESC.

N

nameA word or string of characters that represents a cell, range of cells, formula, or constant value. Use easy-to-understand names, such as Products, to refer to hard-to-understand ranges, such as Sales!C20:C30.

name boxBox at left end of the formula bar that identifies the selected cell, chart item, or drawing object. To name a cell or range, type the name in the Name box and press ENTER. To move to and select a named cell, click its name in the Name box.

nonadjacent selectionA selection of two or more cells or ranges that don’t touch each other. When plotting nonadjacent selections in a chart, make sure that the combined selections form a rectangular shape.

O

operatorA sign or symbol that specifies the type of calculation to perform within an expression. There are mathematical, comparison, logical, and reference operators.

outlineWorksheet data in which rows or columns of detail data are grouped so that you can create summary reports. The outline can summarize either an entire worksheet or a selected portion of it.

outline symbolsSymbols that you use to change the view of an outlined worksheet. You can show or hide detailed data by pressing the plus sign, minus sign, and the numbers 1, 2, 3, or 4, indicating the outline level.

P

page breakDivider that breaks a worksheet into separate pages for printing. Excel inserts automatic page breaks based on the paper size, margin settings, scaling options, and the positions of any manual page breaks that you insert.

page break previewWorksheet view that displays the areas to be printed and the locations of page breaks. The area to be printed is displayed in white, automatic page breaks appear as dashed lines, and manual page breaks appear as solid lines.

parameterIn Excel, you can add, change, or remove parameters to specify cells that are editable in the viewable worksheet data of Excel Services. When you save the workbook, the changes are automatically reflected on the server.

passwordA way to protect your worksheet or workbook. When you protect worksheet or workbook elements with a password, it is very important that you remember that password. Without it, there is no way to unprotect the workbook or worksheet. You should always use strong passwords that combine uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Weak

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report templateAn Excel template (.xlt file) that includes one or more queries or PivotTable reports that are based on external data. When you save a report template, Excel saves the query definition but doesn’t store the queried data in the template.

row headingThe numbered gray area to the left of each row. Click the row heading to select an entire row. To increase or decrease the height of a row, drag the line below the row heading.

row labelA field that’s assigned a row orientation in a PivotTable report.

S

scenarioA named set of input values that you can substitute in a worksheet model.

scroll lockWith scroll lock turned on, the arrow keys scroll the active sheet rather than make a different cell active. To turn scroll lock off or on, press the SCROLL LOCK key.

selectTo highlight a cell or range of cells on a worksheet. The selected cells will be affected by the next command or action.

select All buttonThe gray rectangle in the upper-left corner of a datasheet where the row and column headings meet. Click this button to select all cells on a datasheet.

series axisA chart axis that represents the depth dimension in a true 3-D chart. It displays the series names as arbitrary text values; it cannot display scaled numerical values.

series fieldA field that’s displayed in the series area of a PivotChart report. Items in a series

field are listed in the legend and provide the names of the individual data series.

series linesIn 2-D stacked bar and column charts, lines that connect the data markers in each data series that are used to emphasize the difference in measurement between each series.

sort orderA way to arrange data based on value or data type. You can sort data alphabetically, numerically, or by date. Sort orders use an ascending (1 to 9, A to Z) or descending (9 to 1, Z to A) order.

source dataThe list or table that’s used to create a PivotTable or PivotChart report. Source data can be taken from an Excel table or range, an external database or cube, or another PivotTable report.

summary dataFor automatic subtotals and worksheet outlines, all rows or columns that summarize detail data. Summary data usually is adjacent to and below the detail data.

summary functionA type of calculation that combines source data in a PivotTable report or a consolidation table, or when you are inserting automatic subtotals in a list or database. Examples of summary functions include Sum, Count, and Average.

T

templateA workbook that you create and use as the basis for other similar workbooks. You can create templates for workbooks and worksheets. The default template for workbooks is called Book.xlt. The default template for worksheets is called Sheet.xlt.

text box

A rectangular object on a worksheet or chart, in which you can type text.

tick marks and tick-mark labelsTick marks are small lines of measurement, similar to divisions on a ruler, that intersect an axis. Tickmark labels identify the categories, values, or series in the chart.

titles in chartsDescriptive text that is automatically aligned to an axis or centered at the top of a chart.

total rowA special row in an Excel table that provides a selection of aggregate functions useful for working with numerical data.

V

values areaThe part of a PivotTable report that contains summary data. Values in each cell of the values area represent a summary of data from the source records or rows.

value axisA chart axis that displays scaled numerical values.

value fieldA field from a source list, table, or database that contains data that is summarized in a PivotTable report or PivotChart report. A value field usually contains numeric data, such as statistics or sales amounts.

viewA set of display and print settings that you can name and apply to a workbook. You can create more than one view of the same workbook without saving separate copies of the workbook.

W

web queryA query that retrieves data stored on your intranet or the Internet.

workbookA spreadsheet program file that you create in Excel. A workbook contains worksheets of rows and columns in which you can enter and calculate data.

worksheetThe primary document that you use in Excel to store and work with data. Also called a spreadsheet. A worksheet consists of cells that are organized into columns and rows; a worksheet is always stored in a workbook.

workspace fileA file that saves display information about open workbooks, so that you can later resume work with the same window sizes, print areas, screen magnification, and display settings. A workspace file doesn’t contain the workbooks themselves.

world wide webA system for navigating the Internet or through a collection of workbooks and other Office documents connected by hyperlinks and located on a network share, a company intranet or the Internet. When you use a web browser, the web appears as a collection of text, pictures, sounds, and digital movies.

wrapIn text, to break a line of text automatically on reaching a margin or object and continue the text on a new line.

X

XMLExtensible Markup Language (XML): A condensed form of Standard Generalized Markup Language (SGML) that enables developers to create customized tags

that offer flexibility in organizing and presenting information.

3

3-D referenceA reference to a range that spans two or more worksheets in a workbook.

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