XLOOKUP: THE GAME CHANGER

THE XLOOKUP FUNCTION

Last you on August 29, two new important functions were announced: XLOOKUP and XMATCH. In this article, we will be talking about what the XLOOKUP function is, when and how to use it. When you start using this function, you will just not be able to let it go.

I want to mention a few things about VLOOKUP first: as you know, the VLOOKUP function was indispensable for many users, even those who didn’t know wanted to learn it. And even in the 7 Most Used Excel Functions presentation Microsoft prepared, the first function is VLOOKUP.

As dispensable as it is for some users, it was useless for some others. Because VLOOKUP required some conditions to run and the function returned us the first match it found. On top of that, it decreased Excel’s performance since it could cause unnecessary calculation in the stated table range. It is the function for those who have unique data, but in a table with duplicate data -i.e. recurring data-  it wasn’t very useful since it didn’t give us all the records. Of course, there are some methods to list all the records, but you either had to solve the issue by using auxiliary columns or list all the records with the Array Formula.

LONG LIVE THE DYNAMIC FUNCTIONS!

Fortunately, in September 25, 2018 the new dynamic array functions were announced and we got to breathe a sigh of relief. After waiting for such a long time, now the new function will be able to return a whole array instead of returning just one single result.

Instead of writing an Array Formula that was known as “MULTIPLE VLOOKUP” by everyone, we can list all the records of a data with the FILTER function easily. *We will be talking about the details in its own article. (Here are the article links of Microsoft, you can take a look.)

 

With the release of the XLOOKUP function, old functions like VLOOKUP and HLOOKUP are not needed anymore. And also, as they get into more detail and design what they can do, it seems like we will not need these functions:
VLOOKUP > HLOOKUP > INDEX > MATCH > OFFSET > IFERROR(VLOOKUP).. what else do you want?!👏🏻

 

Just one formula can:

  • Look up both horizontally and vertically,
  • Bring the first or last record, find the data considering the wildcard characters,
  • Bring the data we want on the left without a condition like the lookup_value has to be in the first column of the table_array in the VLOOKUP function,
  • Bring approximate vales in  certain range like the TRUE option in the range_lookup argument,
  • Allow you to say write this if no data is found without the need to use the IFERROR formula,
  • Find the most approximate lowest or highest value if there is no exact match.
  • And it offers all these in a way more faster way than before.

Enough with all the details, let’s see what this function does. 👍🏻

 

THE XLOOKUP FUNCTION SYNTAX

 

=XLOOKUP(lookup_valuelookup_arrayreturn_array, [if_not_found], [match_mode], [search_mode]

There are 6 arguments in this function.
The first 3 are required, the last 3 are optional.

Now let’s take a look at what these arguments mean, i.e. what the function wants from us and what we will give it.

Argument

Description
lookup_value

Required

The lookup value
lookup_array

Required

The array or range to search
return_array

Required

The array or range to return
[if_not_found]

Optional

Where a valid match is not found, return the [if_not_found] text you supply.

If a valid match is not found, and [if_not_found] is missing, #N/A will be returned.

[match_mode]

Optional

Specify the match type:

0 – Exact match. If none found, return #N/A. This is the default.

-1 – Exact match. If none found, return the next smaller item.

1 – Exact match. If none found, return the next larger item.

2 – A wildcard match where *, ?, and ~ have special meaning.

[search_mode]

Optional

Specify the search mode to use:

1 – Perform a search starting at the first item. This is the default.

-1 – Perform a reverse search starting at the last item.

2 – Perform a binary search that relies on lookup_array being sorted in ascending order. If not sorted, invalid results will be returned.

-2 – Perform a binary search that relies on lookup_array being sorted in descending order. If not sorted, invalid results will be returned.

 

In the few examples below, you can see what you need to write when there is the first record and last record is not found of the looked up data and how to use it when looking up with wildcard characters.

 

 

Let’s have an example of the Match Mode argument with exact match or highest and lowest options.

 

So far we got the data from the column we wanted by looking up in the column just like in VLOOKUP. Now, let’s use this function like HLOOKUP.

 

 

Now, let’s have a 2 dimension look up. Let’s match based on both the Product name and Month, and find the data in the intersecting cell. Users who know how to use the INDEX and MATCH functions usually do the matching we are about to the with the INDEX + MATCH + MATCH formulas. Now, let’s see how it is done with XLOOKUP.

 

 

Lastly, let’s compare the VLOOKUP and XLOOKUP function while finding the same data. At first, you will see that you get the same result, but when we add or delete a column, the VLOOKUP function will give us an incorrect result. But the result will not change in the XLOOKUP function. The reason is this: Since we write the column number that we want to get manually in VLOOKUP, the col_index_num stays stable but the column of the data changes and it returns an incorrect result. And in XLOOKUP, it doesn’t matter how many columns you add or delete, since we stated the column we want, that column changes dynamically and returns the correct result without producing any errors.

 

You can see the result in this example.

I hope this was helpful..  👍🏻
You can share this post and help many others get informed as well. Keep in mind that information gets more valuable when it is shared.

WRITING MACROS WITHOUT KNOWING HOW TO CODE!?

DO YOU REALIZE THAT YOU CAN WRITE MACROS WITHOUT KNOWING HOW TO CODE?

 

That is an interesting title, isn’t it?
Just like touching the clouds. We want it a lot, but unfortunate we just cannot do it.
The situation is just like that for those who don’t know and write macros.
But don’t worry, don’t be sad about not knowing. PEAKUP is always here with you, for you.

Who doesn’t want to prepare daily, weekly, monthly routine tasks in a few minutes with macros, right?

This will save you a huge amount of time, you will have more time for yourself or will be able to spend more time on other tasks. Aren’t you just done with doing the same thing over and over again?
You know how we always ask ourselves: “For God’s sake, what age is this?”. So, for this reason there shouldn’t be anymore people who don’t know Excel & VBA (Macro).

You must be a bit excited now.
As much as this title sounds and seem a bit magical, we are definitely (and unfortunately) not wizards and witches.
Everything is in your hands.

Keep in mind that if you want to learn something, you should really want it and spare some time for it.

So, how is this going to be?
You will see that while you cannot even imagine coding without knowing macros and codes, you actually will be able to do it.

We know the happiness of being able to do something important for you as much as you do.
What we want from you is for you to read and apply this article patiently.
You will see at the end of the day that you will get your routine daily tasks done way easier with macros without having any coding information.

Now, let’s start to learn how we can do this.
(We will be adding a practice video at the end of the article for those who want to learn fast.)

 

WHAT ARE EXCEL MACROS?

Let’s start by learning what Excel Macros are.

We call these macros Excel & VBA in general.

What is VBA?

VBA

stands for: Visual Basic for Applications.
I.E. it is the structure that was adapted for the Office applications and that allows us to access the Visual Basic objects, methods and features.

Microsoft Office offered the Macro command in some of the Office packages to the users in order to automatize the routine actions.

While preparing Macros, the Visual Basic programming language that works in the background of Excel waits there. When you save anything, this programming language becomes active and translates the macro command you have prepared into the programming language. This way, when you want to run or edit the macro you’ve prepared, Excel offers you this opportunity easily.

 

WHAT IS THE RECORD MACRO METHOD?

It is a tool and method that activated the Visual Basic that is in the background of Excel and that codifies all the actions we have executed in workbooks, worksheets or cells.
You can complete your tasks faster with this read-made code. We will be using ready-made codes using this feature.

You can access the Record Macro feature in 3 different ways.

1- Through the Developer Menu

If you don’t have this menu in the Ribbon, you can add it like this:
File ‣ Options ‣ Customize the Ribbon ‣ Developer ‣ OK.

 

2- Through the View Menu

 

3- Through the StatusBar

 

You can active the Record Macro feature by using the method you want.
Now I will tell you about how to activate it. But just read it, we will practice it together later.

When your press Record Macro, this screen will pop up.
You can give a name in the Macro1 box about what you will do.
For example: if you will use it to filter, you can write filter and then press the OK button.
The moment we press it, the record will start, and it will record and codify each action in the background. When you are done, you need to Stop Recording. You can click Stop Recording in the same place.

 

Now, let’s see how easy it is with an example.

We all convert out data into a table. I mean, we have titles in the first row and data under those titles, right? And we filter many times in that table during the day. What do we do when we filter? We click the filter arrows in the field (column) to be filtered and select the data in the window that pops open or look it up and click OK and the table is filtered by the data we want.

We spend time even on this simple filter and lose extra time for nothing. Open the filter all the time, select, click OK. And when we are looking for another data, open the filter again, select and then click OK over and over again.

But only if we had an empty cell that we would use to filter and we could just click Enter or click the button to filter, wouldn’t that be way simpler and quicker?

This will save you time just for one action you will be executing in a day. But, imagine speeding up all your actions this way.

 

IN WHICH CASES CAN YOU RUN THE CODE YOU HAVE WRITTEN?

When you:

  • Select,
  • Righ-click,
  • Double-click a cell.
  • Enter data into the cell,
  • Open the page,
  • Open the file,
  • Close the file,
  • Click a button,
  • Press a key in your keyboard

etc. you can run the codes you have written.

 

Now, let’s execute this action with an applied example.

We have a file like in the image, you can try things out on that file and then practice on your own files.

Download the file here.

We want the data of a Brand to be filtered when we write that Brand’s name into the H1 cell in this file. When we write QUARTZ into the cell, the QUARTZ will be filtered in the Brand field. When we write YELKEN, YELKEN will be filtered. Thus, we will be using that cell as a filter box.

 

We will take the action in just a bit.

But before, you need to know this. There are fields to write codes depending on the running methods we have stated under the In Which Cases Can You Run the Code You Have Written? title.

 

These fields are:

  • Module – (Codes create with Record Macro or manually are stored here.)
  • Code Window of the Page (Code running actions of the related page are stored here.)
  • General Code Window of the Book (Actions that would affect the whole book are stored here.)

Since we want to filter when we enter a data into a cell in the page, we will paste the ready-made codes we have obtained with Record Macro to the Code Window of the Page. When data is entered to the cell, Change will be triggered and filter will be applied.

 

Don’t forget that you can use the Record Macro for all your tasks.

 

Let’s say that the steps to be taken will always be:

  • Click Record Macro
  • Manually do the action you want
  • Stop Recording

Codes will be prepared in the background.

 

WHERE CAN YOU ACCESS THESE CODES?

 

There are multiple ways to do something in Excel, just like in life. You can access these codes in a few different ways.

  1. By choosing View Macros where we chose Record Macro.

2. By pressing the Alt + F8 keys and accessing the window below with a shortcut.

 

3. By pressing the Alt + F11 keys and accessing the VBE window directly.

4. By choosing View Code after right-clicking the sheet tab.

 

Alriighht! Now that we have learnt enough, let’s take the action.

If you have already downloaded the file I have sent you, click Record Macro. Name your Macro, for example: Filter, and then click OK to start recording.

Choose any cell in our table and choose Filter in the Data menu.
Note: If you hover on the Filter a bit, it will give you the shortcut if there is. You can activate the filter with that shortcut as well.

 

And then unmark all in the Brand field and choose YELKEN, and then click OK.

Since we basically want to get the code of filtering, we have executed the action and we are done.

Now click Stop Recording to stop recording. Click View Macros.
The Macro List window will pop up and the Filter macro will be selected on it.
You can press the Edit button and view the codes in the Module1.

The codes that have been created will look like the image below.
The green rows that start with an apostrophe are comment rows, they don’t affect the codes, they are just for the explanation.
Note: You can delete the Selection.AutoFilter row. The row under it does the real job.

 

As you can see, we have easily obtained the codes of filtering.

Here is another information: You can assign the codes that start with Sub in the Module like above, and then run the macro by pressing the button. You can try this method if you please.

I will show how to filter the moment data is entered into the cell -which is a faster method. So, please keep reading.

Yes… we have obtained the codes.
Now there is only making the criteria dynamic so that it filters whatever we write into the H1 cell instead of “YELKEN” which was stated as the criterion in codes and running it when data is entered to the cell.

 

 

We will make a simple edit for this. Here is the code row that filters:

ActiveSheet.Range(“$A$1:$E$52″).AutoFilter Field:=3, Criteria1:=”YELKEN”

 

If you write the cell address like below where “YELKEN” is written in the code, you can use that cell as a filtering box dynamically.
ActiveSheet.Range(“$A$1:$E$52”).AutoFilter Field:=3, Criteria1:=Range(“H1”).Value

 

We have made the criteria dynamic. Now, let’s run this code depending on the data in the cell.
We have mentioned that we were going to write this code into the Change action of the Code Window of the Page since we want it to run when a data in the page changes.

 

So, what do we need to do now?

 

Right-click the tab and access the code window of the related page by choosing View Code. It will look like the image below at first.
Choose Worksheet in General.

Page actions that you can use will be uploaded to the Declarations field, choose the Change action there.

Related action will be added to the window.
Write the name of the macro we have created as Call Filter in that action.
Since the Selection_Change is unnecessary now, you can delete it.

When a data is entered/changed in your page, the Filter macro will run.
At this point we might come across some difficulties. We have left our code as data entry in a cell, not in a certain cell. Even if we make a change in a cell other than H1, filtering will be done. Thus, after every action we take in the page, the filter will be applied.

It would make more sense to adjust is as run only a change is done in the H1 cell.
And if we accept this as the last touch to make the code run in a more stable way, we can settle the matter by adding a little condition.

That last touch will be this condition: If Target.Address(0, 0) = “H1” Then

Explanation: We complete our code by saying If the address of the cell into which data was entered is H1

You will see the result in the page like this. Whatever you write into H1, that name will be filtered in the Brand field.

Here is a little tip: if you write yel* into the cell and press Enter or add & “*”  to the end of the code, the cell will filter without you writing the full name of the brand. For example: if you write yel and press enter, it will list all the records that start with yel.

ActiveSheet.Range(“$A$1:$E$52”).AutoFilter Field:=3, Criteria1:=Range(“H1”).Value & “*”

 

After everything is done and it is time to save the file, you need to save the file as Excel Macro-Enabled Workbook. (The Save As shortcut is F12.)

 

Congratulations! 👍🏻

You have just gained your first coding (creating a macro) experience.

These are very fun subjects, apart from also being very useful. I am sure the you will want more as you keep learning.
This article was for making you realize that you can get your tasks done quicker by codifying the actions you execute on Excel all the time.

You can access the last version of the file here.

 

Don’t forget that we can help you climb the success ladder in Excel with the Excel & VBA (Macro) Training and Consultancy Services as PEAKUP.

You can share this post to help many people get informed and get Excel Training to use Excel more efficiently and productively. 👍🏻

GEOGRAPHY LINKED DATA TYPE

GEOGRAPHY DATA TYPE

There were always data types in Excel. But they were traditional data types like text and number. Stocks and Geography data types are unique because they are accepted as linked data types. Linked data types have a connection to an online data source. For now, linked data types are only Stocks and Geography. Microsoft plans to share more linked data types in the future with the feedback from the clients. We will be sharing the new linked data types here.

Office 365 users can access a lot of data of countries by clicking their names only. You will see the Geography linked data type in the data Types group of the Data menu. This features allows us to get and list a lot of indicators like flags, capitals, currencies, data ratios, populations, military power, president, average life time of the countries through http://data.worldbank.org/. It is possible to access more detailed information of countries with the link I gave you, and you can even download this data in the Excel, Csv and Xml format and use them in your reports.

 

 

It is enough to write the country name in the A column one under another and choose the Geography type.

 

DATA CART

First, we wrote the names of 5 countries and chose the Geography data type.
After the country name in the cell is turned into the Geography data type, an icon is seen in the cell.
Click the icon to view the cart. Cart shows a list of areas and related values.
There might be a lot of areas that you can view and work with depending on the data. If you click the icon next to the country name, you will see that you can get the flag of that country and a lot more information.

 

 

When you select a country in a cell, an option list called Add Data pops up next to it.
When you choose the information you want to get from that list, that information will be listed quickly next to it.

 

 

You can list a lot of information about the country or countries you select next to one other and turn them into a table like below. If you want, you can indicate the data you want to get for a country and then drag it down to list the data of all countries in the indicated area.

 

 

You can write =A2. to call the data in the related areas from the defined names with a formula.

 

 

When you right-click the countries, you can see the Show Cart option within Data Type in the menu. (Ctrl + Shift + F5)  You can turn off the feature by converting the data into Text. You can cancel the Geography data type whenever you want like converting the tables into a range.

 

I hope this helps you.👍🏻
You can share this article with your friends and make it reach out to many people. Don’t forget: The more information is shared, the more valuable it gets.

HAVE YOU EVER SORTED WITH A FORMULA?

THE SORT FUNCTION

 

Hello everyone,

No doubt that one of the most frequently used functions in Excel is the Sort function.
This feature has 2 constants: A-Z and Z-A i.e. Ascending and Descending Sort.
We sort our data by certain field in pretty much all tables.
Have you ever tried to get this sorting action done with a formula?

 

WHAT DOES IT DO

You can easily sort columns or rows by the sort order you want in a different field from your mail table with the SORT function that is one of the dynamic array functions that are recently released after Office 365 . 

 

SYNTAX

=SORT(array,[sort_index],[sort_order],[by_col])

There are 4 arguments in the function.
The first one is required, the next 3 arguments are optional.

Now, let’s take a look at what these arguments mean, i.e. what the function wants from us and what we will give it.

Argument Description
array

Required

The range, or array to sort
[sort_index]

Optional

A number indicating the row or column to sort by
[sort_order]

Optional

A number indicating the desired sort order; 1 for ascending order (default), -1 for descending order
[by_col]

Optional

A logical value indicating the desired sort direction; FALSE to sort by row (default), TRUE to sort by column

 

USE OF THE FUNCTION

  • Choose the fields you want from your table and state by which column and order you will sort.
  • When you choose a field for the array argument only, the data is sort based on the Ascending order.
  • If multiple columns are selected in the array argument, the column by which the sorting will be done is chosen.
  • You can choose the Descending order in the sort_order argument if you want. If you don’ choose it, the sort is always Ascending.
  • In the by_col argument, you can sort by column i.e. from left to right. If not chosen, the sorting will always be from top to bottom.

 

Let’s have an example and see what happens when we choose the array argument only.

 

Now, let’s choose multiple columns and state the sort_index argument as well.

 

Since we didn’t use the sort_order argument in the formula below, prices are sorted from the lower to the higher. Now, let’s use the sort_order argument in the same function and see our data sorted from the higher to the lower.

 

Lastly, let’s sort the data from left to right and now from top to bottom.

We will be talking about the other New Dynamic Array functions in our next articles.
And then we will be able to get things done way easier by using these new functions together. LONG LIVE THE NEW DYNAMIC ARRAY FUNCTIONS!

See you in other articles, bye. 🙋🏻‍♂️
You can share this article and help a lot of people get informed as well. 👍🏻

FILTER: NEW GENERATION FUNCTION

THE FILTER FUNCTION

Hello everybody,

In this article, will talk about the abilities of the FILTER function that is one of the New Dynamic Array functions. As you know, new changes have been coming into our lives with the Office 365. We can tell from the new Office apps updates and fixes published in the Office Insider Fast channel that Microsoft cares about developing Excel -its one of the strongest weapons- and that has focused on this product with Teams.

 

I mentioned in the XLOOKUP article that I was going to talk about the FILTER function details in its own article. Now, it is this function’s turn.

 

WHAT DOES IT DO?

Imagine creating Filters in one field or more. You can list all the record quickly without filtering the rest of the data on the screen with the FILTER function. For example: List me all the Murats in the A column. As you know, the VLOOKUP function gives us one result and brings the first data it finds, unfortunately doesn’t bring the others. The FILTER function brings us all the records. Now we can list the data as a whole with this function without using macros of writing array formulas. The use of the function is quite simple, keep reading for the details. 👍🏻

 

SYNTAX

=FILTER(array; include; [if_empty])

There are 3 arguments in the function.
The first 2 are required and the last one is optional.

Now let’s take a look at what these arguments mean, i.e. what the function wants from us and what we will give it.

array

Required

The array, or range to filter
include

Required

A Boolean array whose height or width is the same as the array
[if_empty]

Optional

The value to return i

 

USE OF THE FUNCTION

First, let’s list the data based on one criterion.
Let’s list based on FİRMA(COMPANY) and all the records of that company. Let’s choose bring the data of the company we choose from the FİRMA SEÇ(CHOOSE COMPANY) cell and if you like, let’s send a message like “No Record” if no data is found. For this, when you write no record into the [if_empty] argument; the text will be written into the cell if a data will not be returned.

 

USING MULTIPLE DYNAMIC CRITERIA

Into the insert argument of the function, we can list the results as a whole if there is data that match the criteria you’ve stated in multiple fields. For example, let’s have two criteria and list the data that match these criteria in the COMPANY and PRODUCT fields. For this, we write each of our criteria into parenthesis and add * (star/cross) in between the criteria.

 

We will be talking about the other New Dynamic Array functions in our next articles.
And then we will be able to get things done way easier by using these new functions together. I can’t help but wish that these formulas have had come out 15 years ago. 😀 LONG LIVE THE NEW DYNAMIC ARRAY FUNCTIONS!

See you in other articles, bye. 🙋🏻‍♂️
You can share this article and help a lot of people get informed as well. 👍🏻

EXCEL’S HISTORY (EXCEL FROM PAST TO TODAY)

EXCEL’S HISTORY (Excel from Past to Today)

 

Hello everyone,

I received a lot of questions like “Who found Excel, how was it created? It develops all the time, I wonder how the first version was…” in many of the trainings I gave in corporate companies.

As an answer to there questions, I have prepared the history of Excel and wanted to take the old users to a time travel that would make them say: “”Oh! What times…” And it will serve as an informative article for the new users.

Are you ready for the time travel? 👨🏻‍🚀

 

We met the first Excel as VisiCalc in 1978.
In 1978, Harvard Business School students Dan Bricklin Father of the modern Excel  had to take on an analysis task for a case study. He had two alternatives to do that:

  1. He would do it manually.
  2. He would use a simple and unskillful computer program.

 

He thought that he didn’t have a better alternative and chose VisiCalc in the 1978 fall.
He programmed the first study and prepared the prototype of the concept he called VisiCalc. The first version of VisiCalc was a matrix of 4 columns and 20 rows.
It was not close to the electronic tables of our day but VisiCalc was still an accomplishment for that moment.

That was the first electronic table program and was published for Apple II at first.
It had skills like basic arithmetic operations, recalculating instantly and scroll bars.

 

1978 – VISICALC

 


 

1980 – SUPERCALC

 


 

1982 – MULTIPLAN

 


 

1983 – LOTUS 1-2-3

 


 

1985 – MICROSOFT EXCEL 1.0 (MAC) 

 


 

1987 – MICROSOFT EXCEL 2.0 (WINDOWS)

 


 

1990 – MICROSOFT EXCEL 3.0


 

1992 – MICROSOFT EXCEL 4.0


 

1993 – MICROSOFT EXCEL 5.0

 


 

1995 – MICROSOFT EXCEL 7.0 (Excel 95)

 


 

1997 – MICROSOFT EXCEL 8.0 (Excel 97)


1999 – MICROSOFT EXCEL 9.0 (Excel 2000)

2001 – MICROSOFT EXCEL 10.0

2003 – MICROSOFT EXCEL 11.0 (Excel 2003)

 


 

2007 – MICROSOFT EXCEL 12.0 (Excel 2007) 

 


 

2010 – MICROSOFT EXCEL 14.0 (Excel 2010)


2013 – MICROSOFT EXCEL 15.0 (Excel 2013)

2016 – MICROSOFT EXCEL 16.0 (Excel 2016)

2019 – MICROSOFT EXCEL 16.0 (Excel 2019) 

 


 

2019 – MICROSOFT EXCEL 16.0 (Office 365)

 

Now I leave you alone with the 1992 Microsoft Excel introduction..

 

Well, I hope that you enjoyed this few-minute trip to the past.
You can share this post and take a few more people to the past as well. 👍🏻

Good bye.

SORT DATA WITH THE SORTBY FUNCTION

THE SORTBY FUNCTION

Hello everybody,

There are functions about sorting among the newly released dynamic array functions. They are:

  • SORT
  • SORTBY

We will be talking about the SORTBY function in this article.

 

WHAT DOES IT DO

With the SORTBY function that is one one the recently release dynamic array functions after Office 365, you can sort your table based on multiple columns/rows and sort order you want in a field without touching your table. Imagine suing the Sort feature we use a lot in Excel through the Custom Sort window. If we want to sort by multiple fields, we choose a column there and use one of the A to Z or Z to A options in the Order field and then choose the other field and choose the sorting order again. Thus, our table is sorted by the columns/rows and order we chose. Now we can do all this with one single function.

 

SYNAX

=SORTBY(array, by_array1, [sort_order1], [by_array2, sort_order2],…) 

There are 3 arguments in the function.
The first two are required, the others are optional.

Now let’s take a look at what these arguments mean, i.e. what the function wants from us and what we will give it.

array

Required

The array or range to sort
by_array1

Required

The array or range to sort on
[sort_order1]

Optional

The order to use for sorting. 1 for ascending, -1 for descending. Default is ascendi

 

USE OF THE FUNCTION

  • the data range to be listed in the array argument.
  • the data range by which the sorting will be done based on which column/row first in the by_array1 argument.
  • the sort order is chosen in the sort_order1 argument. If it is not stated, the A to Z order is accepted.
  • you can continue by choosing a data range first and then sort order in the next optional array and orders.
  • you have to state at least one column/row in the by_array1 argument.

 

Let’s give an example and see what happens when only the optional arguments are chosen.

 

Now, let’s make the sort_order argument -1 and thus sort by Z to A .

 

SORT BY MULTIPLE FIELDS

We have sorted by one column and order so far. Now it is time to sort by multiple fields and orders. 😉 Let’s sort the Marka(Brand) field A to Z and then sort the Fiyat(Price) field Z to A and then change the sorting order of the Fiyat(Price) field and see the result.

 

 

 

SORT FROM LEFT TO RIGHT IN A HORIZONTAL TABLE

If you wish, you can sort the data in the field you’ve stated as an array by the stated array or order from left to right in a horizontal table. The important thing is to state the array to be returned, field to be sorted and the sorting order. The table will be sorted by the criteria you stated, doesn’t matter if it is vertical or horizontal.

 

We will be talking about the other New Dynamic Array functions in our next articles.
And then we will be able to get things done way easier by using these new functions together. LONG LIVE THE NEW DYNAMIC ARRAY FUNCTIONS!

See you in other articles, bye. 🙋🏻‍♂️
You can share this article and help a lot of people get informed as well. 👍🏻

GET RID OF DUPLICATE RECORDS WITH THE UNIQUE FUNCTION

THE UNIQUE FUNCTION

 

Hello everybody,

In this article I will be talking about one of the The Dynamic Array Functions -the UNIQUE function. Before this function, we had to write a long nested formula and even an array formula in order to list the unique data in one or multiple columns. But now we can list the unique data in the field you want with a single and very simple function.

 

WHAT DOES IT DO

The UNIQUE function allows you to create from the data in the stated field. Use this function to return a list of unique values in a list or range.  When you press Enter, the results can be displayed in a contiguous range with a suitable size.

 

SYNTAX

=UNIQUE(array; [by_col]; [exactly_once])

There are 3 arguments in the function.
The first one is required, the other two are optional.

Now let’s take a look at what these arguments mean, i.e. what the function wants from us and what we will give it.

Argument Description
array

Required

The range or array from which to return unique rows or columns
[by_col]

Optional

The by_col argument is a logical value indicating how to compare.

TRUE will compare columns against each other and return the unique columns

FALSE (or omitted) will compare rows against each other and return the unique rows

[exactly_once]

Optional

The exactly_once argument is a logical value that will return rows or columns that occur exactly once in the range or array. This is the database concept of unique.

TRUE will return all distinct rows or columns that occur exactly once from the range or array

FALSE (or omitted) will return all distinct rows or columns from the range or array

USE OF THE FUNCTION

We use this function to list the unique data in one column or multiple columns. For example, if we don’t know a formula to list the data in a row; we had to copy that column to a blank column and choose Remove Duplicates or we could list the Unique records only with the Advanced Filter. After writing this function, it will be enough to state the range from which we want the unique data.

You will see how easy it is one you watch the GIF below.

We have listed the unique data in the range we have stated by entering the first argument. Now let’s see what kind of results it returns with the other arguments.

The second arguments that is optional is the [by_col] argument.
TRUE and FALSE options are offered to us in this argument.
TRUE: Returns the unique columns.
FALSE: Returns the unique rows.

You can choose the FALSE option for the by_col argument if you want to get the unique data in any field.

UNIQUE / DUPLICATE DATA

The last argument [exactly_once] offers use two options concerning the data to be returned.
TRUE: Returns the data that is displayed only once. (Lists the ones that have been written only once, doesn’t take the ones written multiple times into consideration). FALSE: Returns all the different elements (Lists the unique ones in the range we choose).

We can choose the TRUE option if we want the data to be listed to be unique data only, and the FALSE option if we want the different data only.

Here is an example for that.

 

LONG LIVE THE NEW DYNAMIC ARRAY FUNCTIONS!

 

See you in other articles, bye. 🙋🏻‍♂️

You can share this post and help a lot of people get informed as well.👍🏻

CREATE A SPEEDOMETER CHART

SPEEDOMETER CHART

 

Hello everyone,

In this article, we will create a Speedometer chart. We will see how to create it simply step by step. Let me tell you this first: Microsoft will add this Speedometer chart to the standard charts for Office 365 users. I will be talking about the simplest version until then. I have stated what to do step by step below, please try to practice those steps with me. After learning how to create this chart, you can take a look at our Mouse Over Dashboard article. 😉

 

Let’s get started. 👍🏻

 

Before we start creating the chart, we have to have suitable data. We can create this chart with a few methods. We will use a combo chart in a data table to execute this action the shortest way possible.

 

⚫️ Let’s have this data starting from A1.

Indicator Index
25 0
35 2
40 100
100

 

⚫️ Choose any cell and click the Insert menu.

⚫️ Click Combo chart in the Charts group and then click Create Custom Combo Chart.

⚫️Choose the Chart Type of the Indicator as Doughnut on the Add Chart window that pops open. And choose the Chart Type of the Index as Pie and mark the Secondary Axis option, and then click OK.

 

⚫️ Click the + icon of the chart added to the page and unmark Chart Title and Legend.

 

⚫️ Right -click on the green area on the chart and then click Format Data Series. Make the Angle of the first slice 270 on the screen that opens up on right and press Enter.

 

⚫️ Go to Shape Fill in the Format menu and choose No Fill.

 

⚫️ Choose the Series “Indicator” option in the Current Selection field in the Format menu.

 

⚫️ Make the angle of the first slice 270 on the screen that pops open on right and then press Enter.

 

⚫️ We will remove the fill color of the purple piece at the bottom. For this press CTRL + (Right Key) 4 times and choose the purple Data Point and then go to Shape Fill in the Format menu and choose No Fill.

 

⚫️Now press CTRL + (Right Key) and choose the colors you want in the Shape Fill in the format menu for data points. If you want a bright image, you can use the Shape Effects. Note: If you click the same shape effect twice, it will become brighter.

 

⚫️ Choose the index only, right-click and add Data Labels. And then choose the data label and go to the formula bar, write equals to (=) and choose the B2 cell and press Enter. You can increase the font size of the data label and make it bold. The chart will look like this at this point.

 

⚫️If you want, you can add a Spin Button (Form Control) to the page that would make index move.

On the Developer tab, in the Controls group, click Insert, and then choose Form Controls and draw somewhere suitable in the page, for example to a blank area or a blank cell. Note: You can make the index bolder by increasing the number 2 that is indicated as the Index thickness in the cell B3.

⚫️ Right-click the form control item you’ve added and click Format Control. Go to Cell Link and choose the cell B2. And arrange the others values as the ones below.

 

⚫️Your Speedometer chart will be ready when you choose a circle among the Shapes and add into the middle of the chart.

 

Lastly, I want to share the file I have prepared with you.
You can download the file here. 👉🏻 

You can share this article and help many other people get informed as well.

Goodbye. 🙋🏻‍♂️

THE TABLE FORMAT and ITS BENEFITS

In this article, we will be talking about the benefits of the table format of the data range in Excel. When we write titles and enter data under those title or when working on a prepared file we received, we say that we have prepared a table. But the data range we call a table is not a table for Excel yet. For it to be seen as a table, you need to format the data range as a table. At that point, it allows us to use a lot of features that table format allows us.

Now let’s take a look what we need to do before creating to table to use some features and how we do them after formatting as table. By the way, it would be very helpful to write the articles on our Blog when you have a chance. If you wish, you can read a detailed article on Office Support.

 

Choose Style for the Table Format

We can use this feature by choosing Format as Table in the Styles group in Home tab. Choose any cell on your data and click the Format as Table command and choose the table style you want. You will have turned your data into a table quickly. Don’t forget: Everything added to the page later is an object. An image, shape, chart, table, slicer etc. all of them are objects and a menu with features of objects added later is added to the Ribbon.

You can apply this feature easily with the shortcut keys.
Choose any cell on your data and turn your data into a table with the

  • CTRL + T

shortcut.

 

Now, let’s see what kind of features our data range gained with such a simple shortcut.

 

Benefits of the Table Format

  • When you choose a cell on the table and move upwards and downwards, the column titles will be the titles of your table. Thus, you don’t need to use the Freeze Top Row feature in the Freeze Panes field in the View tab.

 

 

  • A style is applied to our table automatically and each row is colored as dark and light successively one-by-one. And this creates a nice image.

 

  • When you keep entering data under the table or next to the table, your table gets longer and wider. And this enables the data we enter later to be included in the table and everything to be accepted as a whole.

 

 

  • Before applying the table format, when we want to get the 18% VAT in the Sum field written to the next column; we had to write the formula into a cell and drag it down first. If there are blank rows in between, we had do drag down again. But, when we format it as a table, it is enough to write the formula and press Enter for the formula to be applied on the whole column.

 

 

  • When we turn the data into a table, a menu named Table Design or just Design is created in the Ribbon. This menu contains the features that we can use for our table. One of the most important features is the Slicer feature that we are familiar with from the Pivot Table. This feature enables us to filter the area we want on our table with one click.

 

 

  • It allows us to add functions like sum, average, count, min, max easily when we filter on the table. You can take a look at the other Table Style Options.

 

 

  • When you create a Pivot Table from the data range, you have to choose Change Data Source most of the time when new data is added outside the field specified as the range. Considering that you add new data to your table every day, you will have to choose Change Data Source and specify the new data range all the time. But, when we turn our data into a table, the data we add under it or next to it will be accepted as a part of the table and is within the data range. Thus, it will be enough to Renew for the data to be reflected on the Pivot Table.

 

 

  • In the formulas, we get to specify the data range by writing the table’s name without having to choose the whole table.

 

 

We have seen a lot of positive features till now and we obtained them with CTRL + T only.

Big or small, we recommend you to use Format as Table while working with data.
This way, you will be able to use the features above that will make you gain visualization and speed.

 

Convert to Range

Lastly, when you want to convert your table to data range again, you have two options.

  1.  By choosing Convert to Range in the Table Design or Design menu.
  2. By right-clicking a cell on the table and choosing Convert to Range from Table.

 

 

I hope that this was a helpful article for you.
You can share this article with your friends and help a lot of people get informed as well.

Good bye. 👍🏻