Instead, use the options from the Get External Data option under the Data tab.

The trick is importing that data properly so you can create Excel drop down lists or pivot tables from it.ĭon’t copy-paste complex data sets. The benefit of using is Excel is that you can combine different types of data from all kinds of sources. You can also use CTRL + SHIFT + * to select your entire data set.

Then use the arrow keys to get all the data either above, below or adjacent to the cell you’re in.

Click on the first cell of the data sequence you want to select.

Select Entire Spreadsheet Columns or RowsĪnother quick tip– use the CTRL and SHIFT buttons to select entire rows and columns. Use the ESC button to deactivate it when you’re done. This will keep the formatting active indefinitely. To format a range of cells, double-click the Format Painter during step 1.

While that paintbrush is visible, click to apply all of the attributes from that cell to any other.

Excel will display a paintbrush next to the cursor.

Go to the Home menu and click on the Format Painter.

Select the cell with the formatting you wish to replicate.

To quickly apply your formatting across hundreds of cells, use the Format Painter: A visually organized spreadsheet is highly appreciated by others as it can help them follow your data and calculations easily.

To start you off, get yourself familiar with formatting your spreadsheet cells. We rounded up some of the simplest yet powerful MS Excel spreadsheet tips you can start using on your data. Is there any way to make Microsoft Excel less scary and intimidating? Yes.īy learning a few spreadsheet tricks, you can bring Excel down to your level and start looking at the application in a different light. I wouldn’t be surprised if upon hearing that you had to start using MS Excel, your heart started to pound. The application looks complicated, way too advanced, and like something that would take hours to figure out. Without doubt, an Excel spreadsheet is one of the most advanced tools for working with raw data-and one of the most feared.

How do i set up an excel spreadsheet