How Do I Sum Colored Cells in Excel

Excel subtotal formula.

Are you a Microsoft Excel user who loves adding a background cell color? The benefit of colored cells is that it makes important information stand out. Another helpful feature is that it’s easy to act on the colors. In this tutorial, I’ll show you how to sum colored cells in Excel. You won’t need to write any VBA code or use the get.cell function.

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Excel Formulas for Finding Specific Text in Cells

Need to know if an Excel cell contains a specific string or phrase? While Excel lacks a CONTAINS function, you can achieve the same results using formulas like SEARCH and MATCH. Learn how to quickly pinpoint cells containing your target text, improving your workflow. This tutorial provides clear examples of these techniques, showing you how to find specific words within longer data strings. (Includes Excel practice file.)

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Excel Hack: How to Convert Month to Number in No Time

Excel month arguments dialog and result.

Need to convert month names to numbers in Excel? Recently, I compiled a list of dates from a friend’s website and faced this challenge. In this quick tutorial, I’ll guide you on how to change the text string to numerical data using Excel’s MONTH function. For instance, we’ll transform March into 3.

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How to Keep Leading Zeros in Excel (Solutions & Sample Files)

Example of dropped zero in zip code

Are you struggling with disappearing leading zeros in Excel? We’ve got some solutions that will keep those zeros right where they belong. Imagine the ease and accuracy you’ll experience when your zip codes or other data retain their correct formatting. In this tutorial, I’ll show you how to keep leading zeros in Excel.

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XLOOKUP Tutorial: Effortlessly Find Matching Data in Excel

In this XLOOKUP tutorial, you’ll learn how to streamline Excel data lookups and be more efficient. If you struggle to find matching data across worksheets or within large datasets, XLOOKUP can simplify your workflow. Start learning the basics of its syntax with this tutorial and practice file.

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How to Split Names in Excel for Cleaner Data

Excel formula to parse name

Learn how to separate names in Excel to boost productivity and improve data organization. This article teaches you various techniques, including using the Text to Columns tool, formulas like LEFT, RIGHT, and MID, and the powerful Flash Fill function. Apply these methods to streamline your workflow and make your data more manageable.

Easy Excel Random Number Generator

Randbetween function.

Recently, I got a request from our city manager asking if I could randomly select 150 people from a list of names. I think the purpose was to do a survey, but maybe it was to select contest winners. I didn’t ask. In this tutorial, I’ll show you how to generate random numbers in Excel. Includes an extra function if you’re a Microsoft 365 subscriber.

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How to Count Words in Excel (Formulas and VBA)

Excel sheet with added column indicating word count

Ever wished you could quickly count the words in an Excel cell? Mastering this skill can make your data analysis more productive. In this tutorial designed for beginners, I’ll guide you through how to count words in Excel using straightforward formulas. Learn to identify and handle extra spaces and even build a custom word count function for repeated use. Includes practice file.

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How to Use the IF Function in Excel: Formulas and Examples

Example of IF function and arguments.

Would you like to make your spreadsheets smarter? Excel’s IF function is an easy way to add logic and decision-making power. Learn how to use this versatile function to calculate discounts, allowances, or commissions based on different conditions or values in your data. This step-by-step guide includes a downloadable practice file.

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How to Count Characters in Excel

Function Arguments dialog with cell C2 in Text field.

A reader posed an interesting conversion problem between an old database and a new online one. She wanted to use an Excel file to move the data from one system to another. However, the new system would not accept field values longer than a certain number of characters. In this tutorial, I’ll show how to check the character count in Excel using the LEN function.

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Excel VLOOKUP Made Easy – Learn Basics with Practice File & Video

VLOOKUP example with lookup table

Have you ever struggled to find and link specific information in your Excel spreadsheets? VLOOKUP is a powerful function available to all Excel users that helps you extract data based on specific criteria. In this beginner’s guide, I’ll show how to use VLOOKUP effectively using two examples to bolster your data analysis skills.  Includes practice file and video tutorial.

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Discover Easy Formulas to Extract Text from Excel Cell

Street address column values copied into new columns.

Need to extract specific parts of text from an Excel cell? This guide and practice spreadsheet will show you how, whether it’s an address, phone number, or part of a product description. We’ll explore straightforward techniques, including Excel formulas, to isolate your text and make your Excel data easier to manage.

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Convert Excel Columns to Rows for Easier Analysis

Transposed table in Excel

Ever found yourself wishing you could easily flip your Excel data from columns to rows (or vice versa)? This common task can trip up even experienced Excel users. In this tutorial, I’ll share a few simple methods on how to convert columns to rows in Microsoft Excel, helping you analyze your spreadsheets with greater flexibility. (Includes downloadable practice file.)

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