7 Things You're Doing WRONG⚡in Excel

We've curated seven common Excel mistakes you might be making without even realizing it. More importantly, we offer practical solutions and better approaches to enhance your Excel experience. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a beginner, this video is packed with valuable tips that will transform the way you use Excel.

📊 What You'll Discover:
▪️ External Links Mishaps: Learn the right way to copy sheets without unintentionally creating external links.
▪️ Manual Text Adjustments: Discover a more efficient method than manually adjusting text in cells.
▪️ Merge vs. Center Across Selection: Understand why merging cells in datasets isn't always the best choice and explore a smarter alternative.
▪️ File Structure Optimization: Get insights into organizing your Excel files more effectively.
▪️ The Pitfalls of Hiding Rows & Columns: Find out why grouping is often a better approach than hiding rows and columns.
▪️ Avoiding Hardcoding in Formulas: Learn the importance of referencing cells instead of hardcoding values in formulas.
▪️ The Power of Excel Tables: Embrace the advantages of using Excel tables for dynamic and automated updates.

00:00 7 Things You Should Never Do in Excel
00:26 Creating External Links
02:45 Manually Adjusting Text in Cells
03:59 Merging Cells
06:52 Poor File Structure
07:48 Hiding Rows & Columns
10:08 Hardcoding Values in Formulas
12:03 Not Using Excel Tables
14:52 Wrap Up

🚩Let’s connect on social:

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#Excel

[vikingshark]

I'm just flattered you think I'm only doing 7 things wrong

[karlpetersen]

I am a self taught Excel user. I knew that I wasn’t taking advantage of Excel like I should, but after finding your channel I realize that I have a lot to learn. I find your teaching technique and examples are very good and I plan to go back in your lessons and relearn using the tips you provide..great job thanks!

[puertadelaestrella]

Even if I already know 90% of the material, the 10% new things I learn are always fantastic. Thanks Leila

[Sheistmeister]

I have never used the justify to spill text over cells - great tip. Many thanks Leila 👍

[moeeeeeeeekdkdkd]

You absolutely make my excel experience WAY BETTER on each video you upload every week!
I'm very greatful dear Leila.

[AmyCharlotte]

The external links issue has plagued me for years. Thank you for clarifying how this happens, how to prevent it and how to correct it. This is why I subscribed to your channel.

[chuckm]

Although an extensive Excel user, I've learned a lot from your videos. Thanks Finally have something to contribute. Hidden numbers. Your comments are great. One additional - Name the cell that you will use in multiple cells. In your example, name 8% "InterestRate". When you include it in cells, it already is fixed with '$'. Also, you mention using 7 or 24 is okay. Those are still "magic numbers." Why 7? Instead, use Name Manager, define "DaysOfTheWeek" as "=7" Now your formula is divided by "DaysOfTheWeek" making it very clear what the 7 meant.

[jeremyfincher]

Simply put in two words... ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT. Many thanks from Johannesburg, South Africa

[Adam_K_W]

Epic as always!

I do have one thing to add on the edit links issue: If you "move or copy" a protected worksheet over to a new workbook, you won't be able to change the source to the destination workbook until you unprotect the worksheet. So if anyone runs into this and panics when the "Change Source" button is grayed out, just unlock the worksheet and carry on...

*IF, the worksheet you want to copy is protected and you don't know the password, just select the entire worksheet in the source file, then copy/paste all of it into a blank worksheet in the destination file, you can use Paste Special to paste formats, formulas, column widths, etc. to get an unlocked identical version of the locked source worksheet. Then Edit Links/Change Source, and you're good to go in that case as well.

Also, if you get plagued by external links that you just can't seem to find, check into your Data Validation Drop Down lists and look for references to external sources. I've run into that one often too.

[MrAitch_]

I am the only person in my company with any prior IT experience and everything you mention here, as well as many other basic problems, I come across daily. It's seems to be a never ending task adjusting and correcting all these sheets. Other sheets I refuse to touch as they have become so complex over the years it is easier to just start again with a blank page. I wish I could get everyone in the company to spend a couple of hours a week watching your channel. I watch a few now and then and manage to pick up a gem or two I didn't know. Keep up the good work there are plenty of people who benefit from your knowledge and generosity.

[mirrorreflection]

Wish this video was longer. Hope to see more of what we doing wrong in part two.

[chh]

One 'new' item for me, i.e. checking for external links, and 6 helpful 'reminders' ... for a total of 7 gems ... 👍👍

Thank you ... thank you ... thank you ....

[matheusparanahiba]

Hi Leila, I'd like to thank you for all the material you provide us! I've started watching your videos in 2017 and took the Unlock Excel VBA and Macros course when I was still an Electrical Engineering undergraduate. The skills I've learned with you helped me a lot during my internship, and today I work as a planning engineer in a huge utility company in my country (Brazil). Your courses surely have been a great part of my success. Congratulations for your excel!ent work and thank you very much!

[BillTheScribe]

I had no idea the first three things existed, but I've been wanting them for years. Of course, now I have to go back and changed all my sheets.

[vivek-placardcommunication]

You are just wonderful Leila. Your calm and affectionate voice makes it more easier to understand. Thank you so much.

[vivekphadke]

Have learned it by trial and error and feel that people who are watching this video are lucky as they get readymade intelligence. Thanks, Leila for making me think in Excel.

[leerv.]

Center across selection?!! I never knew that was there! I'm definitely going to be using that now, thanks Leila! :)

Good tip about not using hard-coded numbers. In programming those are called "'magic numbers" and it's considered bad practice.

[brianspiller]

Also, for variable, instead of referencing using an abolute cell reference, there is the option to Name the Cell whcich can also help clarify what variables are in a formula.

[jorgesantanderm]

This is brilliant! These Excel tips are in the top, not many creators of content put them. Thank you Leila!

[bobbrewer]

I watched the video expecting to get great tips, which was correct. Some I did know, some not.

Yet the most valuable thing to be was quickly referenced in the third tip when you double clicked format painter to apply formatting across multiple locations. I had no clue that existed. So I got 8 tips instead of 7. Thanks Leila.