Over 750 million people in the world use Excel. Needless to say, this is an extremely popular program that is key for many people and businesses.
However, despite its immense popularity, Excel still isn’t used to its full potential by the majority of its users.
Are you someone who dreads making spreadsheets? Or do you just want to work smarter, not harder?
Then read on for 5 Excel formatting tips you should be using.
1. Use Templates
It may be fun and a challenge to create your own spreadsheets, but the reality is, with so many premade templates out there, there really isn’t a need to anymore.
For example, you can get a C# spreadsheet library, where you can read, edit, and create spreadsheets without even having to open Excel!
There are also templates for budgets, invoices, calendars, and more.
2. Freeze Rows and Columns
Have you ever opened a spreadsheet and tired yourself out scrolling left and right, trying to get a look at all the information as you’re going along?
Well, there’s a simpler way to handle things.
You can freeze the rows and columns you want by clicking on the “Freeze Panes” button. From there, you can select exactly what you want to freeze.
3. Use the Fill Handle Function
Entering information into Excel spreadsheets can be tedious, but it has to be done. Thankfully, if you’re entering in consecutive information, such as numbers or dates, there’s a way to make your life a lot easier.
Enter the first 2 boxes first; for example, a “1” in the first, then a “2” in the next. Click and drag over these two boxes; a fill handle should appear. Click and drag over the boxes you want to be filled out and voila, it’ll generate all the rest of the numbers or dates.
4. Take Advantage of AutoSum
You may associate Excel with a bunch of complicated formulas you have to enter in yourself. But in fact, there are plenty of auto formulas you can use!
Look at the top and you’ll find a sigma sign with “AutoSum” written underneath. Click on it, and you’ll find a bunch of basic formulas you can use straight away.
5. Some Useful Keyboard Shortcuts
Switching back and forth between your keyboard and mouse can be cumbersome and awkward. Cut down on your mousework with some of these useful keyboard shortcuts:
- F4: Repeat last command
- Ctrl + W: Close spreadsheet
- Ctrl + O: Open spreadsheet
- Alt + H, E, A: Erase everything, including formatting
- Shift + Tab: Move to previous tab or option
- Ctrl + Home: Navigate to top of spreadsheet
- Ctrl + Page Down: Navigate to next spreadsheet
- Ctrl + Page Up: Navigate to previous spreadsheet
Put These Excel Formatting Tips to Good Use
Now that you have these helpful Excel formatting tips, the next time you open a spreadsheet, it’ll be a lot easier inputting and formatting your data.
So use our timesaving tips and share them with your coworkers and friends. They’ll be hugely grateful for these shortcuts!