 |
| I
didn't know Excel could do that !! In this months newsletter we describe some little known features of Excel that could help you in developing more efficient and effective spreadsheets... Styles in Excel Most Microsoft Word users are familiar with applying styles in their word documents to save time and improve consistency. Microsoft Excel offers the same functionality for your spreadsheets. To use a style within Excel you simply select a cell to which the formatting should be applied. An example might be a column heading for a table of values and calculations. To access the Style options select Format -> Style from the main menu.  Using the options, the format for that cell can be set and named for later use in other cells on the spreadsheet. For example "My Column Heading". Once the style is added you can then select any cells in the spreadsheet that require the specified formatting and then select the style to apply and the format will be applied to those cells. One of the really useful aspects of the Excel Format Style feature is that if you change the format for a style those changes are automatically reflected in all cells with that style attached. Try it out for yourself to see how useful this feature can be and how much time it will save you when formatting your spreadsheets. Conditional Formatting Another powerful formatting feature within Excel is Conditional Formatting. It allows you to specify a condition on which a particular format will be applied to a cell. You can combine a number of conditions and formats to provide for a series of different formats depending on the value of cell. For example lets say that you want to highlight to your management team if a particular team is reporting lower than average output for a given month. You could specify a format in the cell that would highlight that cell in red if the value was less than the average. If the value exceeded the average then the cell could be formated in Green. This can provide quick and easy reference to key metrics in your business. To use conditional formatting, select the cell or cells that you want the formatting to be applied to. Then select Format -> Conditional Formatting from the main menu.  You will be presented with options to create conditions for those cells and the associated formats to be applied. In the case above we have followed our example and set all cells with a value < 50 to red and those > 75 to green. See the resulting monthly output report with conditional formatting applied below.  This feature of Excel is very useful in the production and formatting of dashboard style reports. The conditions can be complicated and include formulas if required. In next months newsletter we will discuss how you can use Excel as a simple Database to drive more effective reporting for your business. If you would like more information on any of the examples discussed in this months newsletter or you need help in using these features please use the following link to Contact Us If you are not yet a subscriber to the XLAutomation newsletter then Click Here to subscribe and receive guidance and tools that will increase your efficiency in using Microsoft Excel, Word and Powerpoint. |
July Competition Winner Announced.... Congratulations to "Allen" one of our subscribers....you have won 10 hours FREE Consulting from the XLAutomation Team Excel Training... We are now offering Excel Training for businesses on the Sunshine Coast. Click Here for details on our Courses Subscribe to WIN... Click Here for details on how Subscribers can enter the next competition for your chance to win more FREE consulting from the XLAutomation team Get Free Advice... If you have a specific problem or area of Excel that you would like to see featured in next months Newsletter then let us know. Click Here to tell us what YOU need. Latest Offers "Free Consultation" Take advantage of our 1 hour free on-site consultation. We guarantee to provide advice that will improve the way you currently use your Microsoft® Office software. Click Here to book a session with one of our consultants. |
|
|