If you are looking for a Microsoft Excel software recommendation to start out with, then Excel 2013 is the best available option to try out. Excel 2013 comes built in with newly improved functions and features essential to the user while acting as a springboard that facilitates easing into newer versions of Microsoft Excel, should the user plan to do so. Here are 5 Excel 2013 functions to try:
- Flash Fill
Excel 2013 comes with a nifty tool known as ‘Flash Fill’, which detects the patterns of the user’s data input, extract it and enter it on behalf of the user so that tedious work is reduced significantly. Users can now simply input their data and choose the ‘Home tab’, locate ‘Fill’ and select ‘Flash Fill’. The relevant column or row that was selected would be automatically filled with the data accordingly without the use of formulas.
- Recommended Charts
Recommended charts is one of the most useful functions of Excel 2013. This feature detects chart types that are most suitable based on the data users have inputted into the cells, saving users from the struggle and confusion of picking charts that explain data clearly, thus increasing productivity. Select the data that is to be inserted into charts, choose the ‘Insert tab’ and choose ‘Recommended charts’. The dialog box that opens up reveals a series of chart types that users can select and see examples of how the charts will appear with their data and create the charts immediately by selecting them.
- Power View
When users are working with large amounts of data, they can now increase productivity and convenience by making use of Power View- a function available in Excel 2013 that enables users to analyse data imported from external data sources. Select the data to be analysed and choose ‘Insert’, select ‘Power View’. The report will then be created. Users can add titles, filter data and organise data as they please.
- Social Network Sharing
Excel 2013 has made the option to share Excel documents to social networks easily. Simply save the file to SkyDrive and choose ‘Post to social networks’. But if users do not wish to save files to SkyDrive, they can select the ‘File tab’, choose ‘Share’ and select the ‘Invite people’ option. Under the ‘Save as’ options, users will be able to return to the ‘Share’ section and post to social networks that have been linked with Office 2013. Users can also tweak access options and such as well.
- Data Analysing
Excel 2013 has also come included with a Quick Analysis tool that allows users to locate options to apply to their data. Select the relevant data that is to be analysed and the icon suggesting quick analysis would appear under the bottom right of the data. Simply click on that icon to open up a dialog window that reveals tools that are specifically for analysing data and choose from the options. Hover over the options to see a preview. This speeds up the tedious process of constructing formulas.
