Excel 3

7. Automate with Macros

Often when working with Excel, you will want to work with the same spreadsheet template on many different occasions, and it can be cumbersome to have to recreate that spreadsheet from scratch each time. Excel offers an option called “Macro” that allows you to record and repeat frequently-executed actions.

Basically, Excel makes a note of everything you do while recording with the “Macro” function, and will repeat these actions automatically when you run the recorded function.

• Go to the “View” tab
• Click on “Macro”
• Choose “Record Macro”
• Enter a name and shortcut for your macro
• Click “OK”
• Execute the actions in Excel that you want to be recorded in the macro
• When you finish, use the “Stop Macro” button, in the “Macros” section
• Use the keyboard shortcut every time you want to play your macro

8. Protect a Document with a Password

If your client/company requires secure and confidential data, to make sure no information is leaked through Excel, you can create a password to protect the document. First, open the “File” menu.

• Go to “Information”
• Click “Protect Workbook” and choose “Encrypt with Password”
• Type the password you want to use
• Type the password again to confirm.

9. Create Graphics

Graphic charts will help your audience visualize data more effectively.

There are several ways to create a chart in Excel. The easiest is to use the recommended Excel charts. 

• Select the data you want to be included in the chart.
• Select “Insert” > “Recommended Graphics.”
• Select a chart on the “Recommended Charts” tab to preview the chart.
• Note: you can select the data you want in the chart and press ALT + F1 to create a chart immediately, but it may not be the best chart for your data. If you don’t see a chart you like, select the “All Charts” tab to see all chart types.
• Select a chart.
• Click “OK”