How to Work with Dates Using Power Query in Excel
Power Query makes it easier to clean, transform and analyze date data in Excel. You can use it to change date formats, split dates into parts, create date tables and build dynamic reporting models.
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Excel Function Shortcuts: Insert Functions Quickly
Do not think of shortcuts as commands; think of them as a guided pathway. The goal is to make Excel behave like a conversation, allowing you to speak the formula instead of clicking through menus.
Learning keyboard shortcuts for formulas drastically increases your efficiency and reduces the cognitive load associated with complex data analysis. We have categorized the best function shortcut tricks based on what you are trying to achieve: starting a new formula, getting help, or auto-completing functions.
Excel Editing Shortcuts: Edit Cells and Formulas Faster
The goal of shortcuts is simple: to eliminate the need to use your mouse or navigate through menus. By mastering these key combinations, you stop being a “user” and start acting like an expert analyst.
If you spend time in Excel every day, knowing these keyboard shortcuts will save you hours over the course of a year. We have grouped them by function – making it easy to learn exactly what you need when you need it.
How to Clean Data Using Power Query in Excel
Cleaning data is not a one-time fix; it’s a repeatable process. When you use Power Query, every cleaning step is recorded in the “Applied Steps” pane. This means if your source data changes next month, you simply hit Refresh, and every single cleanup rule runs automatically.
Data quality is critical to accurate analysis. When data comes from various sources (manual entry, OCR scans, other systems), it inevitably gets messy. Power Query transforms Excel from a basic calculator into an industrial-strength data cleaning powerhouse.
How to Merge Tables Using Power Query in Excel
Merging data is arguably one of the most powerful features in Excel. When your information resides in several different sources – an inventory list, a customer database, a sales log – you need a reliable way to join them. Power Query’s Merge feature is the definitive solution, allowing you to create a single, unified master table automatically.
How to Append Tables Using Power Query in Excel
Manually copying and pasting data from multiple sheets is slow, prone to error and time consuming. Power Query’s “Append Queries” feature solves this by automatically stacking similar datasets together in one robust table and crucially, it retains the connection so you never have to manually copy again.
How to Create an Acronym Generator in Excel
Turning a phrase like “Excel Formula Tips” into “EFT” sounds simple, but Excel doesn’t have a built-in ACRONYM() function. The good news is you can build your own acronym generator with a formula, and depending on your Excel version, it can be a one-liner or a slightly longer setup.
How to Extract Numbers from Strings in Excel
If you’ve ever had a column full of messy text like “Invoice123” or “Order: 4589 units” and just wanted the numbers out of it, you’re not alone. Excel doesn’t have one single “extract numbers” button, but there are a few solid ways to get the job done depending on your version of Excel and how your text is structured.
How to Transform Data Types Using Power Query
Power Query makes it easy to change column data types in Excel. You can convert text to dates, numbers to text or whole numbers to decimals. This helps your data work correctly in formulas, charts and reports.