Excel is a very essential tool in the academic and professional field due to its versatility and power. With this program you can not only perform complex calculations and organize data efficiently, but it also makes it easier for you to view information through graphs and dynamic tables, which you can even protect with a password in a simpler and more practical way.
However, so that you can master this software even more, in this article you will find the best tricks so that you can get the most out of its functionalities.
Use the find and replace function
To improve your efficiency in Excel, it is recommended to use the “Find and Replace” tool. This trick is very basic, and is useful for those times when you have to manage large volumes of data.
And if you need to update the information in several cells simultaneously, simply access Search and Select, which is located in the Start menu.
You can also use the shortcut CTRL + B. From there, you will be able to search for a particular piece of data and replace it quickly if necessary.
In fact, this option allows you to refine your search by selecting cell ranges, formats, and even applying regular expressions to achieve greater precision.
How to filter data in Excel
If you are working with very large spreadsheets, you may find the data filter feature very useful. This allows you to hide irrelevant information so you can focus only on what you really want to work on.
In order to use this function, you must select the desired column or row and use the Filter button found in the tab called Data.
There you will see a drop-down menu where you can adjust the filtering criteria based on text, numbers, dates, and many other things.
It also gives you the ability to apply filters to multiple columns for a more detailed search. Best of all, you can turn off filters at any time by simply clicking on the Filter button.
Place a topic in Excel
If you like to work with backgrounds that are easier on the eyes, Excel offers a module to change the theme.
To activate it, you must go to the File option located at the top left of your screen, then click on Options or More.
This will take you to a new tab and you will select where it says General. Select the Office Theme and you will find several, you choose the one you like the most.
Learn how to convert a PDF file to Excel
In order to transfer a PDF file to Excel, you must follow these steps:
Open Excel and create a new sheet.
Then select the Data tab and choose Get Data.
Then locate the PDF file you want to convert and the same system will show you the instructions on the screen where you will preview the content.
Then you accept and the data will be loaded into your spreadsheet so you can work without any problems.
Sort cells alphabetically
The process of organizing data cells alphabetically in Excel is simple and can save you a lot of time.
You just have to select the desired cells and then go to the Home tab. In the Editing group, proceed to choose the one that says Sort and Filter.
Next you will select the option you prefer, either from A to Z or from Z to A.
In case you need to maintain consistency with adjacent cells, you just need to select the Extend Selection function when Excel prompts you. This way, you can keep your data organized without having to spend much effort.
Text autocorrect
In any job you have to avoid typos. That’s why it’s recommended that you activate the autocorrect function.
To do this, access the File option located at the top left of the screen.
Then look for Options and this will take you to another tab.
There you click on AutoCorrect and proceed to configure the words you want Excel to correct automatically.
This way, the tool will fix common mistakes you make while writing.
You can also use the Spelling function located on the Review tab and the system will perform a complete review of the document to ensure that it is free of spelling errors.
Insert a chart in Excel
If you want to insert a chart in Excel, you must select the data you want to represent visually.
If they are already in table format, then just place the cursor in the data column.
Then, you have to go to the tab that says Insert and choose the type of chart that best suits your needs.
Finally, edit the graph from the menu that will open on the right side so you can present the information according to your preferences.
Learn how to calculate averages in Excel
In order to calculate the average of a range of cells in Excel, you need to use the AVERAGE function.
You just have to enter the formula =AVERAGE(range) in the cell where you want the result to appear.
For example, =AVERAGE(B2:B3), which will calculate the average of the values in cells B2 through B3.
This trick is very simple, but very fundamental for you to learn how to calculate other mathematical concepts such as mode and median, summarize data, and get an overview of the numerical values in your spreadsheet.
Add a drop-down list
Drop-down lists help you ensure consistency in the data you’ve entered. To do this, you need to select the cell where you want to add the list.
Then go to the Data tab and click on Data Validation.
Next, choose the option called List and proceed to write all the elements you want to include. They must be separated by commas and that’s it.
Enable autosave
While it is true that you can recover files in Excel, it is still essential that you activate autosave because you ensure that you do not lose valuable information if something unexpected happens with the program or your computer.
The most recent versions of Excel have the option to enable it visible in the upper left corner of the application. However, you can also enable it by going to the File option.
Then select Options and then click Save. There you activate the AutoSave option and set the time interval for Excel to automatically save your changes.
