Most spreadsheet controls need to link to a cell to enable interaction with the spreadsheet. There is an easy way to do that.
Free Webinar Recording – Interactive Excel Chart
Feedback score 93.7% based on 58 responses
In September 2019 I re-ran my very first webinar that was based on an August 2012 INTHEBLACK feature article. I have provided a detailed pdf manual and example files which you can download at the link below.
This session covers
- using controls with charts to make the user experience easier
- tips for using controls on spreadsheets
- flexible formula techniques to make reports more dynamic
- a technique to stop figures plotting on charts
- using range names with controls and reports
- general charting tips
CPD note – if you are claiming CPD for watching this recording you need to keep your own records. People who attend the live sessions receive an annual listing of attendances.
Some actions clear the clipboard
Some actions in Excel will clear the clipboard after you have copied or cut.
Two common ones are
- inserting a new sheet
- clearing a filter – using Clear in the Data menu (keyboard shortcut Alt a c )
So if you are going to do either of these, do them before copying or cutting.
Copying between sheets in Excel [VIDEO]
Mouse and keyboard shortcut to speed things up
Copying between sheets or files is a common task. I’d like to share a quick and easy way to do it.
Increase Font Size in VBA Window
Easy change
Yes, you can make the text in the VBA window easier to read.
It is also great for training.
To open the VBA Window press Alt + F11.
Click the Tools menu and then Options – see image below.
Click the Editor Format tab and change the Size drop down to 14, or whatever you want – see image below.
Click OK and the font size will now be increased in the code window.
See below for a comparison between 10 and 14 point.
Must easier to read!
Windows File Explorer – New Folder
To insert a new folder in Windows File Explorer use Ctrl + Shift + N.
Highest and lowest values in an Excel filtered list
AGGREGATE function solution
If you need to find the highest or lowest three entries in a filtered list you can use the AGGREGATE function to find them.
Free Webinar Recording – Recorded Macros Tips Tricks and Traps
Getting started with recorded macros
It is easy to create a recorded macro. It is not so easy to create a flexible and re-usable recorded macro. Click the materials Button below to download the pdf manual and example file.
Learn the techniques that can allow you to record effective macros that can handle different ranges and changes to sheet names.
Macros can speed up your work and reduce the time taken for tedious tasks, as well as adding functionality to Excel.
This is the first in a series of webinars dedicated to macros. Future paid sessions this month (August 2019) will expand on the techniques taught in this session. Click here to register.
CPD note – if you are claiming CPD for watching this recording you need to keep your own records. People who attend the live sessions receive an annual listing of attendances.
Automate Strike Through Format in Excel
Task done!
Who doesn’t get satisfaction from drawing a line through a completed task? That sense of achievement. Well you can do the same in Excel.
Unlocking coloured cells in Excel
Styles and Find solutions
When you create an Excel file that handles inputs it is best practice to colour code the input cells. The colour you choose isn’t important but making sure you use it consistently is. You may need to unlock the input cells if you plan to add sheet protection to the file. Here’s a couple of ways to do that.
Promoting Headers Issue in Power Query
Be careful if a first row name changes
Promoting headers in Power Query means using the first row as column headers. In Power Query this is a useful and common option. In some cases it is even automated. There is one time though when you don’t want to use it.
Free Excel Webinar Recording – Financial Functions Part 2
Feedback score 87%
In July 2019 I explained and demonstrated a number of Excel’s financial functions – see below for more details.
CPD note – if you are claiming CPD for watching this recording you need to keep your own records. People who attend the live sessions receive an annual listing of attendances.
In July 2019 following on from the response and feedback from my June webinar, I covered more financial functions. These are more related to comparing and analysing cash flows. I have also included a couple of requested schedules.
This session will cover the following functions
- NPV – Net Present Value of regular cashflows (learn to trick to using it correctly)
- XNPV – Net Present Value of irregular cashflows
- IRR – Internal Rate of Return of regular periodic cashflows
- XIRR – Internal Rate of Return of irregular periodic cashflows
- Discounted Payback period schedule
- Flexible Loan schedule – handles lump sum payments
As with all my sessions, I will throw in a few other shortcuts along the way.
Full Screen
To switch to Full Screen mode – great for presentations – use
Ctrl + Shift + F1
Press it again to revert to the normal view.
Restricting column inputs based on the current month
A data validation solution
Let’s say you have an input range that covers the whole year. You only want users to make entries in the current month column. How can you limit the month entry? The answer is a custom Data Validation.
Power Query Fill Down Doesn’t Work
The fix is easy
Sometimes when working with CSV files in Power Query you may strike the situation where Fill Down doesn’t fill down. Don’t worry there is an easy fix.
Twelve months of free Excel webinars
Free monthly Excel webinars
This month celebrates 12 consecutive free monthly Excel training webinars. One a month since August 2018.
You can view the recordings and download the materials using the table below. Sorted by Skill Level.
12 hours of free, practical CPD. Remember to keep your own records of recording viewing for CPD purposes.
Please share with the your network, enjoy!
12 Months of Free Excel Webinars
| Free Courses (One hour each) | Level | Recording Link | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|
| Excel Keyboard Shortcuts | Beg | Recording | Materials |
| Excel Mouse Shortcuts | Beg | Recording | Materials |
| Excel 2016 Conditional Formats | Int | Recording | Materials |
| Excel Custom Number Formats | Int | Recording | Materials |
| Excel Financial Functions Part 1 | Int | Recording | Materials |
| Excel Financial Functions Part 2 | Int | Recording | Materials |
| Dashboard Guidelines & Techniques | Int | Recording | Materials |
| Format As Table Features | Int | Recording | Materials |
| Excel Yourself 2018 | Beg/Int/Adv | Recording | Materials |
| Mastering Excel's Form Controls | Adv | Recording | Materials |
| Excel 2016 What-If Techniques | Adv | Recording | Materials |
| Excel Budget Challenge | Adv | Recording | Materials |
| Excel Recorded Macros | Adv | Recording | Materials |
| Interactive Excel Chart | Adv | Recording | Materials |
Level Beg = Beginner, Int = Intermediate, Adv = Advanced
Handling Exceptions in Excel
Two ways to consider
When developing budgets and financial models you may need the same rate/value (say debtor days) for 10 months of the year but need to adjust it for 2 months. It is usually December and January as they tend to be a little different due to the Christmas / New Year period. Here’s a couple of ways to handle exceptions in Excel.
Excel ISDATE Function
A few solutions
Unfortunately Excel doesn’t have an ISDATE function. Excel’s macro language, VBA does, but there is no spreadsheet function that let’s you know if a cell contains a date. Well there is a partial workaround and you can also use VBA.
Autofit Rows with a Maximum Row Height
Follow up post
In March I wrote a post on using a macro to apply column Autofit on a sheet but with a maximum column width. This is a follow up post as someone requested the same functionality for row height.
Keyboard shortcut to insert a Text Box
A quick way to insert a Text Box is by pressing, in sequence (not held down) Alt N X.
A blank Text Box is placed in the middle of the sheet.
