Excel Tips


Share Styles Between Workbooks »

September 15, 2023

I created the CommaGood style as discussed in the last topic. But, it is only in the workbook that I used. Do I really have to do this for every single workbook?


Add Your Own Styles »

September 14, 2023

Most of my worksheets deal with positive numbers. Thus, I prefer to use a number format of “#,##0” instead of the accounting format. When I use the Comma style, Excel uses the accounting format. This format allows for the possibility of negative numbers in parentheses, and therefore all the positive numbers are not quite right-aligned with the cell as shown here.


Use Cell Styles to Change Formats »

September 13, 2023

Gurus of Microsoft Word have known about using styles for two decades. Microsoft promotes styles in Excel, adding a dropdown right on the Home tab offering 42 built-in styles.


I type 152 and get 1.52 »

September 12, 2023

In my copy of Excel, I type 152 and Excel enters 1.52. What is going on?


Fill a Cell with Asterisks »

September 8, 2023

I want to fill the blanks to the left of a number with asterisks like a check-printer would do.


Show Results as Fractions »

September 7, 2023

I work in an industry that reports values in fractions. Stockbrokers used to deal in increments of 1/8, and tire engineers still measure tread depth in increments of 1/32 inch.


For Each Cell in Column A, Have Three Rows in Column B »

September 6, 2023

For each cell in column A, I want to have three rows in columns B and C, as here. I also want to be able to perform calculations with the values in column C.


Show Two Values in a Split Cell »

September 5, 2023

My manager wants me to show two values in one cell, as shown here.


Prevent Long Text from Spilling »

September 4, 2023

I have a column with long comments. When the adjacent column is blank, the text from the comment spills over into the adjacent cell.