Build Complex Formulas Fast
May 3, 2016
A quick way to build complex formulas, and more, in this week's Excel news. If there are topics that you'd like to see covered in future newsletters, please let me know.
- Debra - ddalgleish @ contextures.com
Visit my
Excel website for many more tutorials and videos.
On Chandoo's blog, there was another set of Excel Tips last week. There were some good tips in the list, but my favourite tip was by Wyn Hopkins, down in the comments section. He suggested using an AutoCorrect entry, so it's easier to create INDEX / MATCH formulas. (You can read more about that powerful duo on my website.)
I almost ignored this tip, because I thought, "Excel already shows us the formula syntax. Why would I need this?" Fortunately, I read it carefully, and realized that it could be a daily time saver.
The tip didn't describe how to create an AutoCorrect entry, so here's how to do that, if you can't remember:
After you add an AutoCorrect entry, here's how to use it:
You could add other AutoCorrect entries too, if you frequently build complex formulas. Then, you just have to remember to use them!
Here are a couple of Excel articles I read recently, that you might find useful.
Power User Tips -- On the ComputerWorld blog, Sharon Machlis posted 11 handy tips for Excel Power Users, from the recent Data Insights Summit. Tip 4 is for Excel 2013 or later, and you won't need tip 6 if you put your pivot table in Outline or Tabular layout. (Level - All)
Evil Functions -- Charles Williams is an expert on Excel calculations, and he thinks the INDIRECT function is evil, because it's slow and fragile. Do you agree? You can use it to create dependent drop down lists, so it can be good, if used carefully. (Level - Intermediate/Advanced)
More Excel Articles -- Visit my Excel website for many more tutorials and videos.
Yesterday was our wedding anniversary, and we look just the same as we did many years ago, when we were just starting out. Well, we might have changed a bit! But we still have fun, and Mr. D still gets that "what just happened" look on his face, occasionally. ;-)
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Last updated: June 14, 2017 11:48 PM