Excel is a powerful tool when dealing with large amounts of big data. It helps to automatically organize the data into a simple structure instead of processing this data manually. The ease of using Excel is just entering formulas and violas. Excel can do almost all manual tasks you do in it automatically. It can display data in charts, calculate, and edge data. Any task that requires a lot of manual work has an Excel formula for it. Whether for daily work, school projects, or personal use to work more efficiently and avoid manual work, mastering Excel is a necessary skill. In this article, we will present to you some cool Excel tricks that will help you reach expert-level proficiency in Excel. We will also elaborate on How To Become an Excel Expert with a Microsoft-authorized certification.
Microsoft Excel exam format
All MS MOS exams are performance-based and delivered in a simulated or live environment. Candidates are asked to complete a series of tasks in MS Excel. This helps demonstrate your willingness, knowledge, and ability to use the application software. A rather short project that the candidate must prepare within 60 minutes. In real-world testing situations, grades are based on points for subsequent solution steps. Your exam results will appear instantly, and you will know if you passed the exam as soon as you submit it. A formal certificate will then be sent to your address within a few weeks.
Microsoft Excel Certification Exam in a nutshell
- The exam is called Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) Excel.
- The maximum test time is 60 minutes.
- Minimum score is 700
- Exams are held every Friday from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm at an accredited center.
- Testing is overseen by Microsoft personnel
- Mobile phones, and network equipment is not allowed in the exam room
9 Expert tips for working with Excel
Here are 9 expert tips that will make you a pro in Microsoft Excel
1. Custom sorting or filtering
Custom sorting can be used when the user wants to filter or sort the current table based on multiple columns. For example, you can sort the table by first name, last name, & date of birth. To do this, first select an Excel spreadsheet. On the Home tab, click the Sort & Filter icon in the upper right corner and select Custom Sort. A new dialog box opens. Select the column to sort on first, then specify the sort values and order. When finished, click Add Level to add a sorting level. Finally, click OK, and you will see the sort order.
2. Text transposition
Text transposition can be used to convert row cell elements to columns and vice versa. Rather than copying and pasting individual rows or columns, use the Transpose function to move row data into columns (or vice versa). Select the columns you wish to transpose into rows and copy (CTRL+C). Now, select the row in which you want to paste the data. Right-click the first cell and select Paste Special. A display box will appear – select the “Transpose” option below. Select OK to view the data. The same procedure can be used to transpose cell data from rows to columns.
3. Conditional Formatting
Conditional formatting can be used to highlight important information in your spreadsheet. For example, if you’re doing a monthly expense report and want to see when you’ve exceeded your budget limit, you can format the cells so that they change color when they’re nearing or over the limit. increase. Select the cell/cells on which you wish to do conditional formatting. Click on Conditional Formatting in the Home tab and click New Rule. A dialog box will appear; click ‘Format only cells that contain.’ In the Edit Rule Description area, select Cell Value – Greater than and paste the budget value into the cell. When finished, click OK to set the conditions.
4. Text to Columns
Text to Columns can be used to split the data given in one cell into two separate cells. For example, if you want to separate a person’s full name into first and last names. First, mark the columns you want to share. From the top navigation bar under the Data tab, select Text to Columns. A dialog box appears. In the example above, the delimiter option should be selected. This allows the information to be separated by characters. Click Next to proceed further to the next screen. Select the Space option and click Next. Below, leave the selection as General and click Finish. Note: Depending on how much information you want to split into individual cells, you may need some blank columns next to the selected column.
5. Generate drop-down selection lists
Lists can be used to speed things up and make processes more efficient. Add a dropdown list so that the user can select a value instead of adding a value. Enter the items in the columns that you want to appear as picklist options. Once done, select the range of cells to create the selection list. On the Data tab, select Data Validation. Go to the Permission Box on the Settings tab and select Lists from the menu. In the Source field, select the range of cells in which you entered the entries for your list. Click OK when done.
6. Convert Text Case
These simple, easy-to-use formulas let you convert text for a variety of use cases. Use the UPPER formula to capitalize all letters in a cell. Or use the LOWER formula to change the text in the cell to lowercase. Use the PROPER formula to capitalize only the first letter of words in a cell. To copy these formulas to all cells in a column or row, drag the highlighted cell from the bottom right corner to all the cells you want to copy the formulas to.
7. Count IF
This formula can be used to count the number of cells that match a certain condition. For example, to count the number of employees whose birthday is in September, use the COUNTIF formula: =COUNTIF(“Selected cell range showing birthday month”, “Contains the word September”).
8. IF Statement
The IF statement is useful for comparing true and false values and performing logic tests. This formula is used to indicate that if the value is true, do X, else do Y. =IF(“selected cells”<26, “group A” (do X: assign to group A), “group B (if not Y: assign) to group B).
9. Concatenate
This formula can be used to combine the values of selected cells into one. For example, if you have a data set in which first names and last names are listed in two separate columns and you want to combine them into one column, use the CONCATENATE expression to specify: =CONCATENATE(“select first name range”, “select last name range”).
