Table Of Contents

CopyRight
Inroduction
1.Auto Correct
2. Working with values Starting with 0
3. Using & symbol to concatenate the strings in the cells
4. Using control+Arrow for Navigation.
5. Searching Question Mark(?) and Asterisk(*)
6. Using Data Validation function to enforce Business Rules
7. Opening Excel Sheets in Bulk
8. Using control +tab for shifting between different excel sheets
9. Adding Shortcuts in Quick Access Tool Bar
10. Adding More than One New Row or Column
11. Moving and Copying Data in Cells quickly
12. Entering the current Date and Time in the Cell
13. Editing a cell command
14. Adding a new Sheet
15. Hiding Current Row and Current Column
16. Unhiding Current Row and Current Column
17.To select data in the current region
18.Seeing formula in the worksheet
19.Jumping from one worksheet to another worksheet
20.Use of shortcut keys for easy formatting
21.Transpose Data
22.Auto-Filling the cells with formula or Series

23. Speedily entering links to a range of cells

24. Convert formulas to values
25. Hide worksheet tabs
26. Hiding row and column headers
27. Hiding the formula bar
28. Generating a unique list of values from a range of cells
29. Using the Auto Calculate Menu
30. Extracting First Name and Last Name from a Delimited String
31. Find the number of days between two dates
32. Splitting a String at a Specified Position
33.Getting Text From the Beginning of a Text String, Up to the First coma
34 Getting Text From the End of a Text String
35. Checking for Empty Cell
36. Changing the Text Case
37. Using Countif function
38. Using Countifs function
39. Using SumIf Function
40.Using SUMIFS function
41. IF function
42. Using EXACT function to compare two strings.
43.Using FIXED function
44.Using REPLACE function to Replace a sequence of Characters
45. Using ISNUMBER for checking a Numeric value
46. Using ISEVEN function to check a supplied value is Even Number
47. Using ISODD function to check a supplied value is Odd Number

48. Using TODAY() and NOW() functions to get current Date and Current Date with Time.
49. Using RAND function to generate Random Numbers
50. Using RANDBETWEEN function to return a random number that is between a bottom and
top range

Copyright

Copyright 2016 by Vasanthan All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced
without prior written permission from the author. Reviewers are allowed to quote brief passages
in reviews.

Introduction
The main goal of this book is to make the readers understand important tips and tricks in MS
excel. This book is divided into two sections, The first section explains the most important tips
and tricks, The second section explains the most useful functions in Excel.
This book contains the illustrations for easy learning. I request all the readers to practice on each
feature and function explained in this book. I assure that you can do your daily activities easily
with the help of this book.

1.Auto Correct
sometimes we need to enter many complicated words repeatedly, Autocorrect feature is used to
replace the input text with that complicated text. For example when we enter TV, it will be
automatically replaced by Television as shown in the screenshot.
File->Options->Proofing->AutoCorrectoptions ->Autocorrect

Figure 1 Using Auto Correction

2. Working with values Starting with 0

If we try to add a text value starting with 0, excel will remove 0 and display the value without
0. Instead of resetting the cell with format cell option,we can add a single quote() ahead of zero
to display the value with zero.
Try this feature yourself to get familiar with this feature.

Figure 2- Adding single quote() to a value starting with 0

3.Using & symbol to concatenate the strings in the cells

Ampersand(&) symbol can be used to concatenate string values in each cell as shown in the
picture. This feature is a replacement for excel concatenate() function .

Try this yourself to contenate first name and last name with comma as a delimiter.

Figure-3 .Using & symbol to concatenate the strings

4.Using control+Arrow for Navigation.

With the help of four Control+Arrow keys, a user can navigate through all the four corners of
excel sheet.
5.Searching Question Mark(?) and Asterisk(*)
Usually Question Mark and Asterisk are used for pattern matching. Question mark is used to find
a pattern with single character, Asterisk is used to find a pattern with single or multiple
characters
Sometimes we need to search for exact ? or * in a workbook?

By adding a tilt(~) ahead of Question mark (?) or Asterisk(*) will help in find the exact match.
Try it yourself as illustrated in the screenshot.

Figure-5 Searching Question Mark(?) and Asterisk(*)

6. Using Data Validation function to enforce Business Rules

In some cases, we need to enter data with only a particular range. The entered value should not
be below or above the range
Data->Data Validation->Setting

Once data validation box is opened, you will see three tabs
1.Settings
2.Input Message
3.Error Alert
You can enter minimum and maximum values in the settings tab.
You can show a message when a user tries to enter a value with the help of Input Message Tab.
Error Alert tab is used to dispay Error message when wrong value is entered.

Figure 6.1 opening Data validation

Figure 6.2 Error message displayed when Entered value exceeded the Range 85

7.Opening Excel Sheets in Bulk

Sometimes we need to open more than one excel sheet with a single click, It is time consuming
to open the files one-by-one. To do this we can select the files all at once and press Enter.

Figure 7 List of Excel Sheets to be opened

8. Using control +tab for shifting between different excel sheets

Sometimes we need to work with multiple worksheets, it is really annoying to shift between
them as you may open the wrong sheet and thus, ruin the whole project. So we can shift between
the individual sheets by using Ctrl + Tab.

Figure 8-Shifting between different sheets

9. Adding Shortcuts in Quick Access Tool Bar

When we need to add more shortcut keys like view macro or design macro, we can add it. we
can add view macro or design macro from the left column to the right and save it. These shortcut
keys will be shown in the top menu.

Figure 9.1 Customizing quick access tool bar

Figure 9.2 Shortcuts shown in the quick access tool bar.

10. Adding More than One New Row or Column

We are familiar with the way of adding a new row or a new column. But, When we try to add
more rows and columns it will take a lot of time. So, the easiest way to add multiple rows or
columns is to drag and select the number of rows or number of columns where you want to enter
the new ones. Later, just right click the selected rows or selected columns and choose Insert from
the drop down menu as we do for inserting a single row or column. Now rows or columns will be
inserted as per our need.

Figure 10.1 Selecting the number of Rows and columns to be added.

Figure 10.2- New Rows and Columns added as per our selection.

11. Moving and Copying Data in Cells quickly

When we need to move or copy one column of data in a spreadsheet, the easiest way is to select
it and move the cursor to the border, after it becomes a crossed arrow icon, drag to move the
selected column freely. Now drop the column to copy wherever we need to place.

Figure 11 Single Column is moved

12.Entering the current Date and Time in the Cell

To enter the current Date, we can press control+semi colon(;) to populate it.
To enter the current Time, we can press control+shift+semi colon(;)

Figure 12 Current Date and Current Time

13.Editing a cell comment

when we want to edit a cell comment, we need to press shift+f2

Figure 13- Editing Cell comment using Shift+F2

14.Adding a new Sheet

When we need to add an new sheet in our workbook, we need to press shift+F11
15.Hiding Current Row and Current Column
Pressing Control +9 will hide the current row and Control +0 will hide the current column.

Figure 15.1 Hiding a row with Control +9

Figure 15.2 Hiding a column with Control+0

16. Unhide Current Row and Current Column

Pressing Control +Shift+9 will hide the current row and Control +shift+0 will hide the current
column.
17. To select data in the current region
when we need to select data in the current region we need to press ctrl+shift+8.

Figure 17 Selecting the current region using ctrl+shift+8.

18. Seeing formula in the worksheet

When we need to see the formula in the worksheet, we need to press Control+ wave line (~)

Figure 18- Showing formula using Control +~

19. Jumping from one worksheet to another worksheet

Using Ctrl + PgDn and Ctrl + PgUp helps us to move from one worksheet to another worksheet.

20.Use of shortcut keys for easy formatting

For a number with two decimal points, use Ctrl + Shift + !. For dollars use Ctrl + Shift + $. For
percentages it's Ctrl + Shift + %

Figure 20 USD formatting using Ctrl + Shift + $

21.Transpose Data
If we want to transpose the data, we need to Copy data -> Paste Special -> Transpose

Figure 21.1 Selecting a column toTranspose

Figure 21.2 After Transposing the Column to a Row

22.Auto-Filling the cells with formula or Series

Double Clicking on the + symbol on the right bottom of a cell that is adjacent to the range we
want to Auto-fill.

23. Speedily entering links to a range of cells

When we need to create links to a range of cell we need to do, Copy a cell Range > Paste
Special > Paste Links

Figure 23.1 Creating Link to a cell Range

Figure 23-2 Link created for City

24.Convert formulas to values

When we need to Copy only values instead of formula, we need to do seect cells containing
formulas > Paste Special > Paste Values.

Figure 24 Values Copied from the Link to city Column

25. Hide worksheet tabs

To hide the worksheet tabs we need to do the following,
Windows Button > Excel Options > Advanced > Display Options > uncheck Show sheet tabs

Figure 25 Hiding worksheet tabs

Now our worksheet tab has been hidden and it can be navigated by using
control+shift+pgup/down buttons.

26. Hiding row and column headers

When we need to hide row and colomn headers, we have to press Windows Button > Excel
Options > Advanced > Display Options for this workbook > uncheck Show row and column
headers

Figure 26 Hiding row and column Headers

27. Hiding the formula bar

To hide the formula bar we have to do the following,

View tab of the ribbon > uncheck Formula Bar in the Show/Hide group.

Figure 27- Hiding the Formula bar

28. Generating a unique list of values from a range of cells

We need to Select the range > Data > Filter > Advanced Filter > Unique Records Only.

Figure 28 Copying Unique Records

29. Using the Auto Calculate Menu

Using the Auto Calculate Menu in the bottom right of our Excel window to get a quick sum,
average, or count.

Figure 29 - Using the Auto Calculate Menu

30.Extracting First Name and Last Name from a Delimited String

Using Text to Columns to separate a column of data containing first names and last names
Lets consider First Names and Last Names separated by a comma in column A.
Select the cells > Data > Text to Columns > Delimited > Next > Choose Delimiter (We use
comma as delimiter) > Next > Select data format and Destination > Finish

Figure 30.1 Opening Text to column wizard

Figure 30.2 First Name and Last Name extracted in separate columns

31. Find the number of days between two dates

When we need to find the difference between two dates, It is better to enter the dates in cell and
then use a formula to calculate the days as illustrated in the screenshots

Figure 31-Finding the Difference between two dates.

32. Splitting a String at a Specified Position

There are three functions that are built in to Excel particularly for splitting a string at a specified
position. These are Left, Mid and Right functions.
Left Function
The Left Function returns a specified number of characters from the beginning of a input text
string.

Figure 32.1- Use of LEFT function

The Mid Function returns a specified number of characters from the middle of an Input text
string.

Figure 32.2- Use of MID function

The Right function returns a specified number of characters from the end of an input text string.

Figure 32.2- Use of RIGHT function

33.Getting Text From the Beginning of a Text String, Up to the First comma
When we want to use a formula to split a text string at the first , and then return the left part of
the split string, this can be done by combining the Left function with the Find function.
Find function returns the value 7 as the position of the comma(,) within the supplied text
"Antony George". Subtracting 1 from this value gives the value 6, which is then supplied to the
Left function.

Figure 33 Extracting the First Name from a Comma Separated value

34. Getting Text From the End of a Text String

When we need to use a formula to split a text string at the first comma, and return the end part
of the string, this can be achieved by combining the Right function with the Excel Find function
and the Len function.
Here the Len function returns the value 13, as the length of the text "Antony,George" and the
Find function returns the value 7 as the position of the comma.
Therefore, the expression LEN( A2 ) - FIND( ",", A2 ) evaluates to 6 (= 13 - 7), which is then
given to the Right function.
Now the Right function returns the last 6 characters of the string.

Figure 34 Extracting the Last Name from a Comma Separated value

35. Checking for Empty Cell

When we need to check for an empty cell, we can use IF function

Figure 35 Checking for Empty cell

36. Changing the Text Case

UPPER, LOWER and PROPER functions can change the text cases.UPPER will capitalize all
characters, LOWER function can modify text to all lower case and PROPER function will only
capitalize the first character of a word.

Syntax
Upper (Text)
Lower(Text)
Proper(Text)

Figure 36 Using Upper,Lower and Proper Functions

37. Using Countif function

To count cells based on only one condition, countif function can be used
Syntax
CountIf(Range,Condition)

Figure 37 Using Countif function to find the count of salaries greater than 1500.

38. Using Countifs function

To count cells based on multiple conditions, COUNTIFS function is used.
Syntax
CountIfs(Range1,Condition1,Range 2,[Condition 2,Range n, Condition n])

Figure 38 Using Countifs function to find the count of salaries based on multiple conditions

39.Using SumIf Function

To sum cells based on one condition SUMIF function can be used.
Syntax
SumIf(range,condition)

Figure 39 -Using SumIf function to find the sum of salary greater than 1500

40. Using SUMIFS function

To sum cells based on multiple conditions(first argument is the range for summing).
Syntax
SUMIFS(sum range, condition Range1,condition 1,[ condition Range 2,condition 2 condition
Range N, Condition N])

Figure 40 Using SumIfs function to find the sum of salary based on mutiple conditions

41.IF function
IF function checks whether a condition is satisfied or not, and returns one value if TRUE and
another value if FALSE.
syntax
If (condition,[value if condition is true],[ value if condition is false])

Figure 41 Using If function to return a value based on one condition.

42.Using EXACT function to compare two strings.

MS Excel EXACT function compares two strings and returns TRUE if both values are the same.
Otherwise, it will return FALSE.
Syntax
Exact (Text1,Text2)

Figure 42 -Using EXACT function to compare two strings

43.Using FIXED function for formatting a number

The Microsoft Excel FIXED function returns a text representation of a number rounded to a
specified number of decimal places.
Syntax
FIXED( number, [decimal places], [no commas(TRUE or FALSE)] )

Figure 43 - Using FIXED function for formatting a number

44. Using REPLACE function to Replace a sequence of Characters

The MS Excel REPLACE function replaces a sequence of characters in a string with another set
of characters.
Syntax
REPLACE( text, start, number of chars, new text )

Figure 44 - Using REPLACE function to Replace a sequence of Characters

45.Using ISNUMBER function for checking a Numeric value.

The MS Excel ISNUMBER function can be used to check for a numeric value.
Syntax
ISNUMBER( value )

Figure 45- Using ISNUMBER function for checking a Numeric value

46.Using ISEVEN function to check a supplied value is Even Number

Tests if a supplied number (or expression) is an even number, and if so, returns TRUE;
Otherwise, returns FALSE
Syntax
ISEVEN(Value)

Figure 46 - Using ISEVEN function to check a supplied value is Even Number

47.Using ISODD function to check a supplied value is Odd Number

Syntax
ISODD(Value)

Figure 47 - Using ISODD function to check a supplied value is Odd Number

48. Using TODAY() and NOW() functions to get current Date and Current Date with Time.
TODAY() and NOW() functions are used to get current Date and Current Date with Time.
Syntax
TODAY()
NOW Function gives current date with timestamp.
NOW()

Figure 48 Using TODAY and NOW function to populate current date and current date with
Timestamp.

49.Using RAND function to genererate Random Numbers

To create a random number between two numbers, we can use below formula:
=RAND()*(b-a)+a
Where a is the smallest number and b is the largest number that we want to generate a random
number for. Important point is, this formula will never generate a number at the highest end of
the range.
=RAND()*(15-5)+5
The formula above will generate a random number between 5 and 14.9999999
Syntax
RAND()

Figure 49 Using RAND function for populating Random values.

50.Using RANDBETWEEN function to return a random number that is between a bottom

and top range
The MS Excel RANDBETWEEN function returns a random number that is between a bottom
and top range. The RANDBETWEEN function returns a new random number each time we
spreadsheet recalculates.
Syntax:
RANDBETWEEN( bottom, top )

Figure 50 Using RANDBETWEEN function to populate values between a Bottom and a Top
Value

So far we have learnt 50 excel tricks with illustrations using screenshots.Now we are going to
learn only function Defintion with its syntax. I want all readers of this book to try this yourself.

51.Code function to return ASCII value of the first charectrer of a string

Code function is usually used for getting ASCII value of the first character of a String
Syntax
Code(Text)
Example
=Code(welcome)
This will return 119. Try this yourself.

52.Clean Function to remove non-printable Characters in a string

Clean function is commonly used for removing non-printable characters in a string. This function
is handy when we need to remove a bigger set of non-printable characters in a column.
Syntax
Clean(Text)
53.Len function to return number of characters in a String
Len function is used for finding the length of a string in a cell.
Syntax
Len(Text)
54.Search Function to search for position of substring in a Text
Search function is used to search for position of substring in a Text.This search is caseinsensitive.
Syntax
SEARCH( substring, string, [start_position] )
Example
=SEARCH("change", "Exchange", 1)
This will return 3

55.StrReverse function to reverse characters in a string

StrReverse function is used for returning characters of a string in a reverse order.
Syntax:
StrReverse( text )
Example:
StrReverse(ABCD) will return DCBA

56. TEXTJOIN function to join strings together with a delimiter

TEXTJOIN function helps us in joining two or more strings together with each value separated
by a delimiter
Syntax
TEXTJOIN( delimiter, ignore_empty, text1, [ text2, ... text_n ] )

Example
=TEXTJOIN(",",TRUE,1,2,3,4)
This will return 1,2,3,4

57.Days function to return number of Days between two dates.

Days function allows us to find number of days between two dates.
Syntax
=Days(StartDate,EndDate)
Example
=DAYS("8/27/2016","8/26/2016")
This will return 1.

58 IsoWeekNum function to return ISO week Number from a date value.

ISOWEEKNUM function is used to return ISO week Number from a date value
Syntax:
ISOWEEKNUM( datevalue )
Example
=ISOWEEKNUM("12/27/2016")
This will return 52
59.NetworkDays function to return number of weekdays between two dates
NetworkDays function is used to return number of weekdays between two days, excluding
weekends and holidays.
Syntax:
NETWORKDAYS( start_date, end_date, [holidays] )

Example
=NETWORKDAYS( 12/30/2016,12/31/2016 )
This will return 2.
60.Fact function to return Factorial of a number
Fact function enables us to return Factorial of a number
Syntax
FACT( number )
Example
=FACT(4)
This will return 24.

61. LOG function to return the logarithm of a number to a specified base.

LOG function is used to return the Logarithm of a number to a specified base.
Syntax
Log(Number,[base]
Example
LOG(200, 3)
This will return 4.822736302

62.Roman function to convert a number to Roman Numeral

Syntax
ROMAN(number,type)
number
The number that we want to convert to roman numeral.
type
Optional
This type can have two possible values
TRUE - Classic
FALSE-Simpliied

Dear Readers,

Thanks for reading this book. I hope this book will give some value addition to your daily
activities.