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...
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Learn a smart way to hide blank or zero rows
Excel Tips
Looking to improve your report-building skills? If so, this is the episode for you. Uncover tips on how to leverage multiple Excel features to create a system that effortlessly hides blank and zero rows in your reports. Also in this episode, you’ll discover the subtotal function’s superpower and learn how you can use it to help identify if a filter needs reapplying. You can use these handy skills to boost your report-writing efficiency. For fast access, use these timestamps: 0:20 – Using formatted tables instead of macros for hiding rows 2:38 – About the example and...
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The power of heat maps for sales and costs data
Excel Tips
Looking for ways to gain deeper insights from your sales and costs data in Excel? This episode explores the power of heat maps, a data visualisation technique often used for climate data, but equally effective for business analysis. For fast access, use these timestamps: 0:15 – Using heat maps for sales and cost information. 1:59 – Colour scales options and settings. 5:15 – Conditional formatting and top and bottom rules. 7:27 – Using the large and small function. Listen now for insights into this multi-functional Excel tool. Host: Neale Blackwood CPA has more than 20 years of...
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3 powerful macros to streamline your workflow
Excel Tips
There's a misconception that Excel macros are outdated or unnecessary. In this episode we set the record straight and explore their continued value. Delve into three practical macros that can streamline various tasks in your Excel workflow. More importantly, you’ll come away with the knowledge to decide when creating a macro makes sense for optimising your efficiency. For fast access, use these timestamps: 0:20 - Why macros aren't dead. 1:39 - Macro warning! 2:18 - The problems macros solve. 3:07 - Macro 1 - editing column headings in pivot tables. 3:57 - Macro 2 - macro to format spill...
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Level up your custom functions skills
Excel Tips
Tune in to discover how mastering custom functions can help simplify two complex issues with Excel formulas. Improve your problem-solving skills by harnessing the power of custom functions. For fast access, use these timestamps: 0:20 - Custom functions, episode overview. 1:39 - Summing spill ranges. 2:58 - Using prefixes in functions. 4:07 - Setting up a switch function. 5:31 - Financial year custom functions. 6:27 - Setting up a financial year function. 8:09 - Using custom functions across multiple files. 8:53 - Custom functions overview. Listen now. Host: Neale Blackwood CPA has more than...
info_outlineAlong with the LAMBDA function, other new functions make Excel’s function language behave more like a programming language.
Which can help you in various ways.
Want to learn more?
Excel expert Neale Blackwood CPA steps you through.
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 platform.
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 .