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Latest Tips & Tutorials

How to become an MVP in Excel [case study]

This is the story of Vijay Agarwal, who received MVP Award from Microsoft on 1st of April.

Some of you know that I am a recipient Microsoft MVP award. It is an award Microsoft gives to software community leaders & contributors. Often people ask me, “Chandoo, how do I become an MVP?”. So today I want to tell you how you can become an MVP.

Around first week of April, I got an email from Vijay,
Hi Chandoo,

My self Vijay Agarwal from Delhi and I am a big fan of your site/articles. With blessing of God and inspiration from legends like you, I am pleased to inform you that yesterday evening I have been awarded Most Valuable Professional (MVP) award by Microsoft for my contributions in Excel.

I congratulated him immediately. It is always a pleasure to see people succeed and get recognition for their efforts. I also asked him if he can share his MVP journey to inspire all of us at Chandoo.org. Vijay being an awesome guy, wrote and send it promptly. So here we go.

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April 25, 2014

CP006: How to be a better analyst? – Road map for getting better at Data Analysis & Improving your career prospects

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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In the 6th session of Chandoo.org podcast, we focus on making you a better analyst and propose a road map for getting better at data analysis & improving your career prospects.

In this podcast you will learn,

Why become a better analyst?
The road map for becoming a better analyst – BETTER framework
B for Business Knowledge
E for Examining user needs
T for Thinking about analysis
T for Tools of Trade ie Excel
E for Expression
R for Refining yourself
Conclusions

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April 24, 2014

Modeling tiles in a room using Excel Conditional Formatting

Last week we learned how to answer questions like, “How many tiles in a room?” using Excel. We learned about CONVERT function and fraction number format settings in Excel.

But why stop at calculation? We can even model a room full of tiles, thanks to Excel’s grid nature.

So today, we will learn how to create a room layout as shown above, using Excel.

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April 22, 2014

There are Easter Eggs in this Excel file!!!

Hello Friends…,

It is Easter time again. Every year, we at Chandoo.org celebrate Easter by hunting for eggs (not in the wild, just in the Excel workbooks). This year too I have hidden 30 Excel tips in a workbook. You have to solve 3 puzzles to find them. So what are you waiting for. Go ahead and hunt for them eggs.

Click here to download the Easter eggs file.

I am sure you will enjoy them 🙂

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April 18, 2014

CP005: Introduction to Form Controls – an interview with Debra Dalgleish

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS

In the 5th session of Chandoo.org podcast, we are going to demystify form controls.

I am very happy and excited to interview my good friend, fellow Excel MVP, author, blogger and virtual mentor – Debra Dalgleish about this topic.

In this podcast, you will learn,

What are form controls
When you would use them?
Example form control – Combo box
How form controls differ from active-x controls
How to enable form controls in your Excel?
Various important form controls
Special bonus & how to obtain it

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April 17, 2014

Multiplying 24ft 9inches with 6ft 3inches using Excel

Imagine you are a carpenter and you are tasked with laying wooden floor at Gill Bates’ house. Now Gill B has a very big house and he wants to make sure you do a good job. So instead of asking you to lay the floor for entire house, he asks you to finish flooring in the guest bedroom first. Here are the dimensions of that guest bedroom.

Width: 6ft 3inches
Length: 24ft 9inches
Size of individual wooden floor board: 2ft x 4inches

And here is the big question you are facing.

What?!? the guest bedroom width is only 6ft 3inches?

But over the years of chiseling and polishing you have learned to keep quiet and do your work.

So the real question you have is, How many wooden floor boards should you buy?

Of course, you want to find the answer using Excel. Why else would a carpenter read this blog?

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April 14, 2014

Excel for iPad – Demo & Introduction

Recently Microsoft has launched Excel app for iPad. Being an Excel addict, I could hardly wait to test it. And this is what we get.

Excel App for iPad – What is it?

Several years after iPad launch, Microsoft finally created apps for Word, Power Point, One Note & Excel. The Excel app is a miniature version of Excel on your iPad. It is capable of displaying almost all Excel workbooks with ease. You can even create your own workbooks using the app.

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April 11, 2014

Visualize state to state migration data and you could win an iPad or Galaxy Tab [Datavis Contest 2014]

Time for another dashboard contest. Sit straight, set aside your appointments and get number-crunching.

Analyze state to state migration data between 2012 & 2010 and present your results in a dashboard (or charts) and you could walk away with glory, fame & and an iPad.

If all of this sounds tempting, read on.

The contest

Download dataset for the contest [mirror]
Analyze the data and create a dashboard or set of charts (see rules below)
Submit your workbook by 20th of April (Sunday), 2014.
If readers at chandoo.org and our panel of judges love your work, you get one of the cool prizes.

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April 9, 2014