Last updated on August 10th, 2023 at 06:49 pm
The most popular spreadsheet software today is Microsoft Excel. The reason for this is due to the fact that most modern computer systems came preprogrammed with one of the Microsoft Operating systems and the Microsoft Office Suite. Recently, however, we have seen many companies fighting back to take a bite of the software market.
As a result of this movement, many other types of spreadsheet software have come to the forefront. One of the key front runners of spreadsheet software available to all computers today is Google sheets which can be accessed via the internet. However, it is still early days in this competition, and Microsoft Excel still dominates the market.
In this article, we will focus on the features of Microsoft Excel. Keep reading to learn more about:
- Microsoft Excel features; and
- The Microsoft Excel shortcut keys (Microsoft Excel cheat sheet).
Related article: Introduction to spreadsheet formulas
Microsoft Excel features
- The ability to add new sheets quickly and easily. As with many spreadsheet applications available today, each Microsoft Excel document is a workbook with one to 3 worksheets available when new. With Excel, new sheets can be added to workbooks by clicking the “+”
at the bottom of the window.
- Co-authoring (only available in Microsoft 365): This Excel feature allows you and a friend to work in the same spreadsheet at the same time.
- Filtering data: One of the most useful features available in Microsoft Excel is the ability to filter data. In English, the word filter removes unwanted properties, which is exactly what this feature allows you to do in Microsoft Excel. We use the Excel filter at the top right of the Home toolbar to create a list of records matching some defined criteria.
- Sorting data: When working with large volumes of data, it may be necessary to sort the information to put them in some order. In Excel, we are able to do this by first selecting the column that has the information, then click the sort and filter option shown in the picture above and which is available at the top right of the window. In this option, we will be able to choose whether we wish to sort from A to Z, the smallest to the largest, largest to smallest, etc.
- Paste Special: The paste special feature allows you to choose exactly what it is you wish to paste in Excel. With the paste special option, you may choose to paste only the formula, paste, and keep the original format, transpose, etc. To use the different paste special features, click right-click on your mouse, then go to the past option. Below the paste options, you will find icons that allow you to paste different and keep various types of information or formats in your spreadsheet. Beneath these options is the paste special option with more available ways to paste.
- Insert numbers and other data in series: When it is necessary to enter information such as numbers, days of the week, and months of the year in series, Excel makes this possible with a few simple clicks. Type the first piece of data in the series, then click on the fill handle
"+" at the bottom right of the celland drag it down to fill the series.
- Insert random numbers: In Microsoft Excel, you are able to use a function called RANDBETWEEN to add random numbers within predefined limits
- Microsoft Excel shortcut keys: Excel has many shortcut keys, which makes it possible to work much faster, provided you are aware of them. Some of the MS Excel shortcut keys are available in the table below:
Related articles: What is a function and Excel conditional functions.
Short-cut keys used in Excel spreadsheet
| Shortcut key | Action |
| Ctrl+c | Copy |
| Ctrl+x | Cut |
| Ctrl+v | Paste |
| Ctrl+b | Bold |
| Ctrl+i | Italics |
| Ctrl+f | Find and replace |
| Ctrl+h | Replace |
| Ctrl+; | Insert the current date |
| Ctrl+k | Add a hyperlink |
| Ctrl+9 | Hide selected rows |
Related article: Advanced spreadsheet functions
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