Here is a fun way to use Paste Special to quickly multiply everything in a range with 1.1 (why 1.1? Well, imagine you have a report with everything in US $s and your boss wants to see the numbers in Australian $s…)
But your report looks like this:
And the total column has different formulas for each row. So you can’t multiply first cell with a rate variable and drag it down. You have to manually edit each formula and add *rate at the end of it.
Oh wait…, you can use Paste Special.
Simple, use below steps:
- Write the exchange rate in a cell. Name it as rate (or whatever you fancy).
- In a blank cell write =rate
- Copy this blank cell.
- Select the range of numbers which you want to multiply with rate
- TIP: if the numbers are not together, hold CTRL and multi-select the ranges.
- Press CTRL + ALT + V to launch paste special dialog
- Select Multiply as operation type
- Select Formulas as paste type
- Click ok
- Your multiplication is done!
- When the rate changes, simply change the original rate cell
Here is a quick demo of this process. Watch it to learn more.
Do you use Paste Special operations?
I use the operations feature of paste special from time to time. But I never thought it would actually write formulas when multiplying with a cell having formula. This is really cool and could save time in some very tricky situations.
What about you? Do you use Paste Special operations feature? When do you use it? Please share your tips & experiences in the comments area.
More tips on Paste Special
If you think pasting is all about CTRL+V, you are obviously missing out on many time saving features of Excel.
Check out below articles for many cools ways to save time when copy pasting things in Excel.
3 Responses to “How-to create an elegant, fun & useful Excel Tracker – Step by Step Tutorial”
Hi Chandoo,
I am responsible for tracking when church reports are submitted on time or not and the variations from the due date for submission.
Here is the Scenario;
The due date for the submission of monthly reports is on the 5th of each month. and I would like to know how many reports have been submitted on time (i.e, those that have been submitted on or before the due date) I would also want to track those reports that have been submitted after the due date has passed.
How can I create such a tracker?
Hi Chandoo,
I am a member of your excel school.
I was trying to create SOP Tracker I follow all your steps but I keep this error below.
The list source must be a delimited list, or a reference to a single row or cell.
I try looking on YouTube for answer but no luck.
can you help on this?
thanks
Carl.
Dear Mr. Chando,
Rakesh, I'm working in a private company in the UAE. Recently, I'm struggling to get more details about the staff sick, annual, unpaid, and leaves. I would like to get a tracker in excel. Could you please help me in this situation?
I also watching your videos in YouTube. i hope you can help me on this situation.