To quickly select a column of data in a formatted table you have a couple of options.
Keyboard
Select a cell in the column and press Ctrl + Space Bar.
This will select the column of data. If you want the heading too, press it again.
You can also select multiple columns before using the shortcut.
Mouse
This technique can take practice if your headings are in row 1.
If the heading starts in row 2 or below it is easier. See image below.
If you point to just above the heading row you will see a downward facing, black arrow. Click this once to select just the data. Click it again to include the heading.
When the heading row is in row 1 you need to do the same but make sure the column letter doesn’t highlight.
The image below is the correct arrow – this will select the column in the table only.
In the image below the arrow shown (because the column letter is highlighted) will select the whole column, not just the data in the table.
Rounded values in Excel can pose a few issues. There is a formula you can use that can round a range of values and then SUM the results. This can be used as a check total for rounded values.
You may have noticed that Excel gives every chart a unique number when it creates the chart. It is displayed in the Name Box in the left corner above the grid. You have the ability to change that name and make it more descriptive.
We’ve all been there, our charts are looking just right and then some one inserts a column or changes the column width and throws out all our perfectly proportioned charts.
VBA If statement tip
When creating long VBA code it is common that the start of an If statement and the matching End If statement may not be visible on the same screen.
When scrolling around trying to understand your code it can be useful to include the If statement itself as a comment following on the same line as the End If command – see examples below.
If x=0 Then'lots of codeIf y =1 Then'lots of codeEndIf'If y =1 thenEndIf'If x=0 Then
If x=0 Then
'lots of code
If y =1 Then
'lots of code
End If 'If y =1 then
End If 'If x=0 Then
The apostrophe is used to specify the start of a comment – you can have a comment following a line of code.
This structure can assist when trying to identify which End If statement relates to which If statement.
Power Query can easily combine data from multiple Excel files. A problem can arise if one or more of the files is open. Power Query will generate an error and the import will fail. The solution involves an old school Excel feature.
Entering Date and Time in Excel
There are shortcuts to enter
the current Date Ctr + ;
the current Time Ctrl + Shift + :
There isn’t one to enter both.
You can use them in sequence to achieve a date and a time entry.
In sequence press
Ctrl + ;
Space bar
Ctrl + Shift + :
The space separates the date and time and Excel will recognise the entry as a date and time.
Let’s say you have codes that have differing numbers of characters and you need to analyse them based on how many characters a code has. There is one function that can SUM and COUNT based on the number of characters in a code.
If you change a formula in someone else’s file you should tell them. In fact there are a few things you should do to make it easier. This can apply to changes to your own files as well.
It is not what you look at that matters it is what your see.
I use Evernote all the time.
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