Learn about Excel’s powerful Table feature that treats tables like little databases.
I ran this free live webinar in March 2021.
You can access the pdf manual and example file by clicking the button below the video.
One Minute to Excel #8 – Incrementing a Long List of Dates
It is easy when you know how
In this short video I cover how to increment dates in long ranges.
It uses a little know dialog.
The wait is over
Well, the wait is finally over in the subscription version.
You can now unhide more than one sheet at a time – woohoo!
Segmenting a Table with Power Query
Slicing and dicing a table
In my previous post I mentioned you should, as far as possible, keep data together in a single table rather than splitting it up between sheets. If you want to split it up for distribution purposes here is an easy way to do it.
One Minute to Excel #7 – Copy Date down a Long Range
Quick and easy technique
In this short video I cover how to insert dates in long ranges.
Its simple and quick.
Don’t split your data in Excel
If you have Power Query you can consolidate the data
I have received a few questions recently relating to working with data spread across multiple sheets. In general, if the data is in the same layout, keep it in one table.
One Minute to Excel #6 – Add Subtotals Automatically
Built-in feature
In this short video I cover how to insert automated subtotals.
Its a built-in feature, that is easy to use.
Control Pasting from Other Apps
Special paste option
When you paste into Excel from other applications, sometimes the formats can be problematic. Here is a tip to ignore formats.
One Minute To Excel #5 – Extracting Unique Entries
Three techniques
In previous videos I worked with duplicated entries.
In this video I demonstrate how to extract unique entries from a list.
Three different ways in 60 seconds.
Off we go!
Related Posts
Excel Drop Down without Data Validation
Alt key solution
Yes, you can create a cell drop down without Data Validation. It uses a built-in technique and is flexible.
One Minute to Excel #4 – Copy Anything
Mouse and keyboard combined
Copying is a common task in Excel. This technique applies to most things in Excel form cells and range to charts, images and sheets.
It also works in Word and PowerPoint.
Have you used the mouse and keyboard together? It is time to start.
Let’s go.
How to Refer to a Column in a Spill Range
INDEX rules
A spill range is the result of a dynamic array formula. At the moment that requires the subscription version of Excel.
One Minute to Excel #3 – Filling in the blanks
No blank looks
Imported data often has missing entries you need to populate.
You can use Power Query, but that duplicates the table.
This technique works on the existing table and is quick and easy to apply once mastered.
Start the clock!
Handling Formula-Based Blanks
The N function to the rescue
It is common to display a blank cell using the IF function and “”. A problem can arise when you want to use that IF formula in a calculation. Here is an easy way to cope.
One Minute to Excel #2 – Identify Duplicates
Short, sharp video tips
In the previous video I removed duplicates, in this video we identify duplicates using Conditional Formatting.
I identify the duplicates twice in a minute in this video.
The clock is ticking.
Single formula for a Column
It can done
In Excel your goal should be to have a single formula in a table column that can be copied down the whole column.
Aikido instructor George Leonard on mastery:
”How long will it take me to master Aikido?” a prospective student asks.
“How long do you expect to live?” is the only respectable response.
From James Clear newsletter.
(I think you can replace (Ctrl + H) Aikido with Excel.)
James Clear
One Minute to Excel #1 – Remove Duplicates
Working against the clock
I have started a new series of short videos showcasing Excel’s features that work in less than a minute.
There is a countdown to see if I can do it.
In this first one I remove duplicates in less than a minute.
XLOOKUP Doesn’t Always Spill
But it can
The new XLOOKUP function has the ability to spill when you select multiple columns to extract. Even when you do, it doesn’t always spill across.
Removing Greyed-Out Slicer Options in Excel
How to tell the Slicer to forget
Sometimes Slicers seem to have a long memory and list entries that are no longer in the current data set. There is a setting to fix this.
Greyed Out AutoSum Icon In Excel
Get around a sheet protection issue
When you protect a sheet in Excel many icons are turned off (greyed out), including the ever popular AutoSum icon. That’s when it pays to know keyboard shortcuts.
Possible Dynamic Array Bug
Values issue
Recently I have been using more dynamic array formulas and have come across an unusual situation where a date is not treated like a date.
Remember dynamic arrays are currently only available in the subscription version of Excel.
Have a look at the image below.
You can download the example file at the button at the bottom of the post if you want to see it in practice.
Cell B1 is an input cell to set the first date of the sequence.
Cell E1 creates sequential numbers using the SEQUENCE function.
Row 2 has the dates and is formatted as a date.
Row 3 is the problem. If I try calculate the number of calendar days in the month using DAY and EOMONTH functions it gives a value error as if the entry in E3 is not a date.
If I multiply the E2# reference by 1 it fixes the issue as per row 4, but I shouldn’t have to do that.
I have had this is other cases where a number is not treated a number until you multiply it by 1 or perform a calculation with it.
Not sure if anyone else has seen this?
If you want to learn more about dynamic arrays I have a free Webinar Recording plus a pdf manual at the link below.
Free Introduction to Dynamic Arrays Course
Related Posts
Treating text as zero in Excel
Let’s say you are getting inputs you can’t control and in some cases you get text and others you get numbers. You want the numbers, but you need to treat text as zero. Here’s the easy way to do that.
On Writing Well (Harper Colslns)
This is a classic that I have just discovered. The book was written many years ago, but has been updated.
It focuses on non-fiction writing and has lots of great guidelines plus great advice.
My favorite piece of advice was – if you are having difficulty with re-writing a sentence, try deleting it and see what the effect is.
The basic tenet of the book is that writing is re-writing. No one gets it right first time, so be prepared for re-writing and re-writing.
I know from personal experience that I can improve existing writing – but a blank page is hard to edit.
It has specialist sections on most popular types of non-fiction writing. I skipped a few that I don’t write about e.g. Sport.
Highly recommend.
If you are interest in fiction writing check out Stephen King’s (yes THE Stephen King) classic – On Writing.
Sequences of a Repeating Series of Numbers in Excel
MOD and SEQUENCE used together
In budgets, forecasts, financial models and even reporting models repeating the numbers 1 to 12 can be useful. The SEQUENCE and MOD functions can make it easy and scalable.
Talking To Strangers (Penguin Books, 2020)
Written in his typical storytelling style, Malcolm Gladwell examines a police incident to see why and how we struggle to understand and relate to strangers.
Its not as straight forward as you think.
The book covers a lot of ground in many different areas. It is interesting and confronting.
If you liked his previous books then this one is worth reading.
Stop Power Query from automatically setting Data Types
It is a setting
When you transform data using Power Query it will often automatically promote the headers (use first rows headers) and guess the data types for each column. You can stop it doing this.
Your Music and People (Hit Media, 2020)
I first heard about Derek Sivers on Tim Ferris’s podcast and now have three of his books.
His back story is amazing and covered in a previous book.
This book is written about music and musicians, but it really applies to any creative endeavor.
Good ideas to help you get your music (or creative work) out there.
Short read – recommend.
Available from his website – link below.
Hell Yeah or No (Hit Media, 2020)
I first heard about Derek Sivers on Tim Ferris’s podcast and now have three of his books.
His back story is amazing and covered in a previous book.
This book is about identifying and doing what’s important.
Lots of short ideas to help kick start your important work.
It is a short read and I think only available from his website – link below.
Power Query and large data sets
Saving time
When working with some large data sets in Power Query it may be useful to default your Close and Load option to Connection Only rather than a Table. That way if you do strike an issue it won’t take ages to load to data.