Excel Tips


Add Lines using Analytics »

May 8, 2023

Use the Analytics icon to draw dynamic lines on your chart. You can add a line to show the average or at 80% percentile or a line at a constant value.


Formatting a Chart »

May 5, 2023

Power BI Desktop offers a lot of formatting choices. The second icon at the top of the drop zones allows you to format the chart. Although Legend appears with a single control for On or Off, if you click the V to the left of the word Legend, the choices will expand to offer many other settings.


Three Ways to Build Visualizations in a Report »

May 4, 2023

Some people who were early adopters of Excel 2013 may have experimented with a tool called Power View. Other people using Power BI are long-time Excellers who are used to pivot tables and pivot charts. Others come from the world of SQL Server Analysis Services.


Hide Columns So They Can't Be Chosen »

May 3, 2023

There are some fields in my table that I never want to appear in the report.


Define Synonyms in Power BI Desktop »

May 2, 2023

To define synonyms, enter the Relationship View using the third icon along the left edge of Power BI Desktop. You will see a relationship diagram between your tables. A Synonyms icon will be available in the Ribbon.


Power Query Debuts for Excel for Mac but with Significant Gaps »

April 30, 2023

In early 2023, the Power Query tools debuted for Excel for Mac. This is a great first step, but many people will be disappointed that Power Query in Excel for Mac does not have some essential options.


Prevent Power BI from Adding Up Year Fields »

April 28, 2023

If a column contains all numeric values, Power BI Desktop will assume that you want to sum that column.


Classify Your Geography Fields in Power BI Desktop »

April 27, 2023

Before you begin building visualizations, take a few minutes to classify fields in your data.


Define Relationships in Power BI Desktop »

April 26, 2023

Power Pivot was revolutionary in Excel 2010 because of three things.