Getting started with Python in Excel
Excel Tips
Unlock the potential of Python in Excel with this essential first episode in a three-part series. Designed for accountants, finance professionals and Excel power users, this episode introduces the basics of integrating Python code directly into Excel cells. Learn how Python enhances Excel’s capabilities for data handling and visualisation without replacing core Excel functions. You’ll discover how Python in Excel works and how code is processed using Microsoft’s Azure platform. Understand the key steps to get started, including how to...
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Excel’s GROUPBY and PIVOTBY explained
Excel Tips
Excel’s new functions, GROUPBY and PIVOTBY, offer a smarter way to build reports. Instead of relying on traditional pivot tables, these new tools allow you to summarise datasets using dynamic, formula-based solutions that update automatically when the underlying data changes. In this episode: Understand the key differences between GROUPBY and PIVOTBY See how these tools can save time and reduce manual errors Explore practical applications for accountants and analysts Discover how to modernise reporting with flexible,...
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Better share price reports with Excel’s new tool
Excel Tips
Need to turn stock market data into smart, professional reports? Discover how to use Excel’s new and powerful Stock History function to quickly transform raw share price data into clear, insightful reports. Learn how to streamline reporting, visualise trends and make better-informed decisions with ease. In this episode, gain the skills to: Access daily, weekly or monthly data, including volume, opening/closing prices and highs/lows Set up stock codes, choose custom date ranges and define intervals with ease Use Power Query to import real-time stock exchange...
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Elevate your Pareto analysis skills with Excel
Excel Tips
The Pareto principle is a powerful concept for business. In this episode we’ll explore this principle (also known as the 80/20 rule) and learn how to apply it effectively in Excel for smarter, data-driven decisions. Discover how to pinpoint vital data – such as the 20 per cent of clients generating 80 per cent of your revenue as an example – to create valuable insights. We’ll also dive into Excel's powerful analytical tools, including Pareto charts, the UNIQUE function, SUMIFS, and the power of PivotTables to bring your Pareto analysis data to life. ...
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Unlock the power of Microsoft Forms in Excel
Excel Tips
What if you could seamlessly collect and analyse data right inside Excel? In this episode, learn more about Microsoft Forms, a powerful tool in Microsoft 365 (which, by the time you read this may be renamed Microsoft 365 CoPilot). Discover how Forms integrates directly into Excel, making it easier than ever to gather feedback, conduct quizzes, and streamline processes like expense approvals and recruitment. For fast reference, use the episode timestamps: 0:00 – Introduction to Excel Tips podcast 0:10 – Overview of Microsoft Forms 0:30 –...
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New tool explained: boost your efficiency with checkboxes
Excel Tips
Ready to unlock a hidden gem in your Microsoft Excel subscription? In this episode you’ll discover the power of checkboxes with practical examples to explore how this new function can streamline your workflow. This includes how to use TRUE/FALSE values in formulas and conditional formatting to dynamically control calculations and visuals. Learn from examples such as inflation adjustments in a budget model and applying a strikethrough format to a to-do list. Additionally, gain insight into how checkboxes are used in the logical test of the IF...
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Improve your PDF data handling with Power Query
Excel Tips
Ever struggled to extract crucial financial data from PDF files into Excel? As accountants and finance professionals, this can be a regular occurrence. To help you, this episode explores Microsoft Excel’s Power Query feature. You’ll uncover how to seamlessly import data from system-generated PDFs like invoices and statements. From tackling tricky formatting issues to cleaning up messy rows, learn through real-world examples using an Australian Tax Office (ATO) PDF as a case study. Additionally, you’ll gain smart strategies for handling regularly...
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Handy hack to create timeline charts
Excel Tips
Excel doesn’t have a built-in timeline chart but we’ll show you how to create one. In this episode you’ll learn how using a scatter chart can help you build a timeline chart. For easy reference, here are the episode timestamps: 0:17 - About timeline charts in Excel 1:33 - Hacking the scatter chart to make a timeline chart 2:43 - Formatting dates using the range 3:32 - Universal formatting shortcut 4:27 - Working with the data series and points 5:40 - The structure of the data to build the chart 7:21 - Linking the title to the cell 8:07 - The date format used by Excel and keyboard...
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Master calendar creation in Excel
Excel Tips
Calendars are your go-to tool for planning. In this Excel Tips episode, you'll learn the steps to create a single-month calendar from scratch. Discover how to combine advanced functions to build a two-dimensional calendar structure, and how to format your dates and highlight weekends and holidays. You'll also gain knowledge of how to customise the calendar to fit your specific needs. For quick reference, here are the timestamps: 0:17 – Introduction to building a calendar 2:12 – Functions used in this tutorial 4:29 – How the different functions work 8:11 – Using formulas to create...
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How to add a user interaction into Power Query
Excel Tips
Reports are crucial to your work, aren't they? Power Query is a valuable tool for importing many types of data into Excel to help you create these reports. However, it does have limitations. In this episode, you’ll learn how to address one of Power Query’s key shortcomings: user interactions. By using staging queries, reference techniques and range names, users can dynamically filter data within Power Query based on user-selected criteria. For fast access, use these timestamps: 0:17 – About the variable Power Query function 3:37 – Implementing the query function 5:46 – Using a...
info_outlineAn update to the subscription version of Microsoft Excel has the LAMBDA function, which addresses a key challenge when using dynamic arrays.
To explain more about this functionality is Excel expert, Neale Blackwood CPA.
Listen now.
Host: Neale Blackwood CPA has more than 20 years of experience as a Microsoft Excel educator. He is the author of more than 200 INTHEBLACK articles as well as a book, Advanced Excel Reporting for Management Accountants.
CPA Australia publishes three podcasts, providing commentary and thought leadership across business, finance, and accounting:
Search for them in your podcast provider.
Email the podcast team at [email protected]
And you can read the accompanying online article of this podcast.
Other Excel articles by Neale can be read on the INTHEBLACK website .