Want to write formulas faster? Here is a quick tip.
Use Auto-correct!
That is right. Excel’s auto-correct feature can be setup to help you write formulas faster. See a demo below:
Here is how:
- Go to File > Options (in older versions, office button > options)
- Select Proofing
- Click on AutoCorrect Options
- Add auto correct rules for typing formulas like this:
- VL -> =VLOOKUP(
- SF -> =SUMIFS(
- etc.
- Done.
Now, whenever you type VL in a cell, Excel immediately puts the VLOOKUP formula and asks you for extra inputs. Same with other formulas you create.
Caution: Make sure you are not replacing any common 2/3 letter words. For example if you set up a rule to replace IN with =INDEX(, then you might get unexpected replacements when typing the word IN.
Additional tips:
- In case the replacement is not needed, press CTRL+Z to revert to original word.
- Replacement rules are case sensitive. So vl will not replaced by VLOOKUP, only VL will.
How do you speed up formula writing?
Often when running a class or demonstrating something in Excel, people ask me, “How come you are writing formulas so much faster?”. Here are the tricks I use,
- I use auto complete (that little drop down in cell with all formulas) as much as possible
- I use keyboard shortcuts to select ranges, names or access input values for the formulas
- I am good with typing.
What about you? What tricks & ideas do you use to type formulas faster? Please share in the comments area.
More on formula writing
Here are few more articles to help you write better formulas.
- Move the formula help box with mouse to see what you need
- Replace formulas with values
- Use CTRL+Enter to type same values or formulas into multiple cells
- Fill blank cells in a table with above value
- More on Excel formulas
PS: Thanks to John Long who taught me this tip.
22 Responses to “Master Excel 2007 Ribbon with this Free Learning Guide”
Thank you, kind sir. Well done with the baby making.
I cannot get signed up for your newsletter. I tied both this email address and churchill2001@hotmail.com. never a response.
I cannot get signed up for your newsletter. I tied both this email address and churchill2001_at_hotmail_dot_com. never a response for either attempt.
@Doug, it shows that your email address is pending verification. Can you check your inbox (and may be spam folder too) for an email from me? The subject will be "Activate Subscription to Get your Free Excel Tips E-book"
[...] PPS: If you are struggling with ribbon, you should check out ribbon learning guide. [...]
Very Useful Info..Keep it up..
@Ajay.. you are welcome 🙂
how do u download microsoft excel for free?
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/default.aspx
Select Office
Free Trial
[...] Excel 2010 UI looks considerably better and less stressful than 2007. The colors are dull and subtle. The icons don’t call for attention unless you want to do something. The menus / ribbons feel smoother and slicker. [Learn to use Excel Ribbon with this Free e-Book] [...]
I can't open this pdf. I get the error message:
You do not have the required license to open this file.
Please request a license from the creator of the file, and add it using the license manager and they try opening it again.
What gives??
I downloaded the file again and it worked this time. Strange. (First file was 116 KB, second was 1644 KB... ???)
[...] More ribbon goodness | Free e-book to learn Excel Ribbon [...]
Hi Chandoo,
thanks for sharing your Excel 2007 learning experience with us; unfortunately the link to the pdf of the free Excel 2007 learning guide seems broken: my Acrobate Readers flags: "Unkown file type or corrupte data".
Have a nice day
Michael
well done this is great
Can somebody just provide a link the classic TAB exportedUI files for MS Office 2003 for us to use in office 2007/2010?. searching online, everybody just wnats to make a buck online with silly Classic Tab installers which do nothing more than inport exportedUI files for you.
Don't give me a ribbon how to guide, just give me free exportedUI files. I should not have to pay anyone for this, it is free XML, MS should have included this to begin with.
thanks
Dear.
There are a set of debit values and a set ot credit values in a column. I want a vba code by whcich the debit value plus a single / multiple credit value is zero that needs to be marked .
finally i will come to know out of the avaibale debits which cannot be used the with avilable credits either single or multiple values.
If multiple matching sets are available let it take the 1st or the 2nd one its not an issue.
Column A Ref
-1000 A
-5000 B
-8000 C
800 A
100 A
100 A
2000 B
3000 B
13000
15000
hi...
how to make this add-ins and display in ribbon... check this sample : http://www.cprsoft.com/GCDemo01.htm
thank you sir...
Please tell me format painter short cut key In excel ?
Thanks In Advance
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