10 Excel Secrets That Will Save You Hours of Work

Excel is a powerful tool, but most people only use a fraction of its capabilities. In this article, we’ll reveal 10 hidden features and tricks that will speed up your work and make your spreadsheets more efficient. Read also: How to Use ChatGPT for Excel Automation

1. Flash Fill – Ctrl + E

Why manually copy data when Excel can do it for you?

Example:
You have a column with full names, but you only need the last names.

1. Manually enter the first last name.
2. Press Ctrl + E – Excel will automatically fill the rest based on your pattern.

2. Transposing Data (Rows to Columns & Vice Versa)

Need to flip a table? Easy!

1. Copy the range.
2. Right-click → “Paste Special” → “Transpose”.

3. Smart Tables (Ctrl + T)

Convert a range into a “smart table”, and Excel will automatically extend formulas and formatting.

1. Select your data.
2. Press Ctrl + T → OK.

4. Quick Navigation – Ctrl + Arrow Keys

Move through your spreadsheet instantly:

• Ctrl + ↓ – jump to the bottom of a column.
• Ctrl + Shift + ↓ – select all data down to the last cell.

5. Conditional Formatting for Visualization

Highlight important data:

1. Select the range.
2. Home → Conditional Formatting → choose a rule (e.g., color scales).

6. VLOOKUP for Data Search

Need to find a value by a key? No problem!

=VLOOKUP(lookup_value, table, column_index, 0)

Tip: In newer versions, use XLOOKUP – it’s even better!

7. Conditional Summing – SUMIF

Sum only what you need:

=SUMIF(range, criteria, sum_range)

Example:

=SUMIF(A2:A10, ">100", B2:B10)

8. Removing Duplicates in 2 Clicks

1. Select your data.
2. Data → Remove Duplicates.

9. Shortcuts for Instant Actions

• F2 – edit a cell.
• F4 – lock a reference ($A$1).
• Alt + = – auto-sum.

10. Macros for Automating Repetitive Tasks

Record repetitive actions:

1. View → Macros → Record Macro.
2. Perform your steps.
3. Stop recording and run the macro with a button.

Conclusion

These tricks will help you work faster and smarter in Excel. Try them out and share your results in the comments on LinkUp.su!