Learn Excel EasyDaily One Lesson

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New to Excel? Start at Level 1 and go down the list. Every lesson is one job — one formula, one button, one fix — with numbered steps you can follow in Excel as you read. Ten minutes a lesson, and by the end of Level 1 you can build and total a table on your own.

Already comfortable? Jump to Level 2 or 3, or find a lesson by topic.

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The learning path 146 lessons

Three levels, easy to complex. Each lesson is one job with clear steps — do it in Excel as you read, then take the next one.

Level 1 Beginner

Day one to week one. Typing, moving, your first formulas, and the buttons you will press every day. Do these in order.

  1. 1 Excel for Beginners: the 10 things to learn firstExcel for beginners: cells, typing, the fill handle, your first formula, saving — the ten things to learn on day one, in order, each with a link to its lesson. Excel Basics
  2. 2 Excel SUM Formula: every way to add numbersThe Excel SUM formula: add a range, add separate cells, add across sheets, and AutoSum with one shortcut. Formulas & Functions
  3. 3 Excel Multiply Formula: multiply two cells, a column, or by a fixed numberThe Excel multiply formula with the * sign: two cells, a whole column, a fixed price or tax rate, and PRODUCT for many cells. Formulas & Functions
  4. 4 Excel Subtract Formula: minus one cell from anotherThere is no SUBTRACT function in Excel — use the minus sign. Subtract two cells, a column from another, a fixed number, and dates. Formulas & Functions
  5. 5 Excel Percentage Formula: percent of total, change, and discountThe Excel percentage formula for the three jobs people need: percent of a total, percentage change, and taking a discount off a price. Formulas & Functions
  6. 6 Wrap Text in Excel: show long text on several linesWrap text in Excel so long entries show on several lines inside the cell, add a manual line break, and fix rows that will not grow. Formatting
  7. 7 How to Calculate Percentage in Excel: 4 everyday casesHow to calculate percentage in Excel: marks out of total, share of a whole, increase from last year, and a discount — each in two steps. Formulas & Functions
  8. 8 Freeze Panes in Excel: keep the heading row in viewFreeze panes in Excel so the heading row (or first column) stays put while you scroll, and how to unfreeze. Formatting
  9. 9 Excel AVERAGE Formula: the mean, and averages that skip zerosThe Excel AVERAGE formula, why blanks and zeros give different answers, AVERAGEIF for one condition, and the median when one big number distorts the mean. Formulas & Functions
  10. 10 Merge Cells in Excel: the right way (and the trap)Merge cells in Excel for a heading, unmerge them, and the better alternative — Center Across Selection — that avoids the sorting trap. Formatting
  11. 11 ROUND in Excel: to 2 decimals, to the nearest 10, up or downROUND in Excel: round to decimals, to whole numbers, to the nearest 10 or 100, always up or always down, and why formatting is not rounding. Formulas & Functions
  12. 12 Excel Keyboard Shortcuts: the 25 worth learningThe 25 Excel keyboard shortcuts that save real time, grouped by what they do. Learn three a week. Shortcuts
  13. 13 Excel Alternate Row Color: stripe every other rowColour alternate rows in Excel two ways: instantly with a Table, or with one conditional formatting formula that survives sorting. Formatting
  14. 14 Remove Duplicates in Excel: 3 clicks, no formulaRemove duplicates in Excel with the built-in button in three clicks, and see the two ways it goes wrong. Data Cleaning
  15. 15 Excel Number Format: currency, thousands separator, decimals, negative in redExcel number formats explained: currency, comma thousands separator, decimal places, percent, dates, and a custom format with negatives in red. Formatting
  16. 16 Excel Fill Down Shortcut: Ctrl+D and the double-click trickThe Excel fill down shortcut Ctrl+D, fill right with Ctrl+R, the double-click that fills to the bottom, and filling only the blank cells. Shortcuts
  17. 17 Find and Replace in Excel: fix a word everywhere at onceFind and replace in Excel with Ctrl+H: change a word across the sheet, replace in a selection only, and remove characters by replacing with nothing. Data Cleaning
  18. 18 Sort in Excel: A to Z, by number, by date, by two columnsSort in Excel without scrambling your data: one column, two columns (by city then name), by date, and put it back the way it was. Sorting, Filtering & Lists
  19. 19 Excel Shortcut to Insert a Row (and delete one)Insert a row in Excel with Ctrl+Shift+Plus, delete with Ctrl+Minus, insert several at once, and insert a column the same way. Shortcuts
  20. 20 Excel Filter: show only the rows you wantTurn on the Excel filter with one shortcut, filter by value, text, number or date, see how many rows match, and clear it. Sorting, Filtering & Lists
  21. 21 Delete Blank Rows in Excel: all of them at onceDelete every blank row in Excel in one go with Go To Special, the filter method for partly empty rows, and the mistake that deletes real data. Data Cleaning
  22. 22 How to AutoFit Columns in Excel: every column the right widthAutoFit columns in Excel with a double-click, the whole sheet in one go, the keyboard shortcut, and why long text and merged cells stop it working. Formatting
  23. 23 Excel Strikethrough Shortcut: Ctrl+5 (and strike through automatically)Strikethrough in Excel with Ctrl+5, remove it, strike through part of a cell, and strike through done tasks automatically with conditional formatting. Shortcuts
  24. 24 Excel Days Between Dates: subtract, or count working days onlyCount days between two dates in Excel by subtracting them, count only working days with NETWORKDAYS, and fix the result that shows as a date. Dates & Times
  25. 25 Excel Yes/No Drop Down: add one in 20 secondsMake a Yes/No drop down in Excel with Data Validation, colour Yes green and No red, and count the answers. Sorting, Filtering & Lists
  26. 26 How to Lock the Top Row in Excel so it stays while you scrollLock the top row in Excel with Freeze Top Row, lock two rows or a column too, and the difference between locking for scrolling and locking for editing. Formatting
  27. 27 Excel Delete Row Shortcut: Ctrl+Minus, and delete many rows fastDelete a row in Excel with Shift+Space then Ctrl+Minus, delete several at once, delete every filtered row, and undo. Shortcuts
  28. 28 Excel Formula Not Calculating? 5 causes and fixesExcel formula not calculating or showing the formula as text? Five causes in order of likelihood, each with a 10-second fix. Fixes & Errors
  29. 29 Excel Merge Cells Shortcut: Alt H M M (and the safer alternative)The keyboard shortcut to merge cells in Excel (Alt, H, M, M), merge and centre, unmerge, and Center Across Selection which does the same without the problems. Shortcuts
  30. 30 CSV to Excel: open it without breaking the numbersOpen a CSV in Excel properly: keep leading zeros, stop dates flipping, handle a file where everything landed in one column, then save as .xlsx. Import, Export & Convert
  31. 31 Excel Not Responding: what to do right now, and how to stop itExcel not responding? What to do in the next 60 seconds to save your work, then the five causes that make it freeze and how to fix each. Fixes & Errors
  32. 32 Excel Functions: what they are and the 12 to learn firstWhat an Excel function is, how it differs from a formula, how to type one with autocomplete, and the twelve functions worth learning in order. Excel Basics
  33. 33 Excel Filter Shortcut: Ctrl+Shift+L and the keys inside the filterThe Excel filter shortcut Ctrl+Shift+L to turn filters on and off, Alt+Down to open a filter menu, keys to search and tick values, and clearing with Alt A C. Shortcuts
  34. 34 Excel to CSV: save a sheet as a clean CSV fileSave Excel as CSV the right way: which CSV type to pick, why only one sheet is saved, and how to keep leading zeros and dates intact. Import, Export & Convert
  35. 35 Excel Cheat Sheet: shortcuts, formulas and menus on one pageA one-page Excel cheat sheet: the 15 shortcuts, 12 formulas and 8 menu paths that cover a normal working day, each linked to its lesson. Excel Basics
  36. 36 Excel Keeps Changing Numbers to Dates: stop itExcel turns 1/2 into 1-Feb and 3-4 into 4-Mar. Why it happens, three ways to stop it, and how to get the original values back. Fixes & Errors
  37. 37 Remove Spaces in Excel: leading, trailing, all, or doubleRemove spaces in Excel: TRIM for extra spaces, SUBSTITUTE for every space, Find and Replace for a one-off, and the invisible space that survives all three. Data Cleaning
  38. 38 Excel Zoom Shortcut: zoom in, out, and back to 100% from the keyboardZoom in Excel with Ctrl+scroll, the Alt-key sequence for exact zoom, zoom to a selection, reset to 100%, and set a default zoom for every new sheet. Shortcuts
  39. 39 Set a Print Area in Excel: print only the part you wantSet a print area in Excel so only your table prints, fit it on one page, repeat the heading row, and clear the area when done. Print, Share & Protect
  40. 40 Excel Tips and Tricks: 15 small things that save an hour a weekFifteen Excel tips and tricks most people never learn: Flash Fill, double-click fill, the status bar calculator, paste values, transpose, and more. Excel Basics
  41. 41 Convert Text to Number in Excel: 4 ways, fastest firstConvert text to numbers in Excel: the green-triangle button, Paste Special multiply, VALUE, and Text to Columns — and how to tell text from numbers. Data Cleaning
  42. 42 Excel Date Format: change how dates look, and fix dates that won't changeChange the date format in Excel — dd/mm/yyyy, 29 Sep 2026, day names — with Ctrl+1 and custom codes, and fix dates that refuse to change because they are text. Dates & Times
  43. 43 Excel Won't Open? Fix it in this orderExcel won't open, or opens to a blank grey screen, or a file won't open — the fixes in order: safe mode, DDE setting, Open and Repair, add-ins, and Office repair. Fixes & Errors
  44. 44 Excel Edit Cell Shortcut: F2 (and moving inside a cell)Edit a cell in Excel without double-clicking: F2, then Home/End and Ctrl+Arrow inside the cell, replace the whole cell, and add a line break. Shortcuts
  45. 45 Excel vs Google Sheets: which should you learn?Excel vs Google Sheets compared on what matters to a learner: cost, sharing, formulas, big data, offline use, and whether skills transfer. Import, Export & Convert
  46. 46 Print the Header Row on Every Page in ExcelRepeat the heading row on every printed page in Excel with Print Titles, repeat a column too, and add page numbers in the footer. Print, Share & Protect
  47. 47 How to Move a Column in Excel (without overwriting anything)How to move a column in Excel: the Shift-drag method that inserts instead of overwriting, cut and insert, and swapping two columns. Excel Basics
  48. 48 How to Sort by Date in Excel (and why it sorts wrong)Sort by date in Excel oldest to newest, keep rows together, sort by month ignoring the year, and fix the sort when dates are stored as text. Dates & Times
  49. 49 Excel Keeps Crashing? 6 fixes, easiest firstExcel keeps crashing or closing itself: update Office, disable add-ins, turn off hardware acceleration, repair the file, clear conditional formatting, repair Office. Fixes & Errors
  50. 50 How to Unhide All Rows in Excel (and columns) in one goUnhide all rows in Excel with select-all and one shortcut, unhide columns the same way, and fix rows that stay hidden because of a filter or zero height. Excel Basics
  51. 51 How to Create a Chart in Excel: the 5-step method for any chartHow to create a chart in Excel: arrange the data, select it, pick the chart type that fits, then title, label and tidy — the same five steps for every chart. Charts
  52. 52 Excel to Word: paste a table that looks right (and stays linked)Get an Excel table into Word three ways: paste as a Word table, paste as a picture, or paste a link that updates when the spreadsheet changes. Import, Export & Convert
  53. 53 Excel Number Stored as Text: what the green triangle means and how to fix itWhat 'Number Stored as Text' means in Excel, why it breaks SUM and lookups, the one-click fix, the fix for thousands of cells, and how to keep leading zeros on purpose. Fixes & Errors
  54. 54 How to Hide Columns in Excel (and unhide them later)Hide columns in Excel with a right-click or Ctrl+0, hide several at once, unhide them, and use Group instead when you hide and show often. Excel Basics
  55. 55 How to Open a CSV in Excel Correctly (columns, zeros and dates intact)Open a CSV file in Excel the safe way so columns split correctly, leading zeros survive and dates don't flip — and what to do when everything is in one column. Import, Export & Convert
  56. 56 Excel File Corrupted? How to recover it (5 methods)Recover a corrupted Excel file: Open and Repair, extract values only, previous versions in OneDrive or Windows, open in Google Sheets, and the last-resort zip trick. Fixes & Errors
  57. 57 How to Add Columns in Excel: insert one, several, or between every columnAdd a column in Excel with right-click or Ctrl+Shift+Plus, insert several at once, add one at the end of a table, and undo if it went in the wrong place. Excel Basics
  58. 58 Excel to Image: save a range or chart as PNG or JPGTurn an Excel range or chart into an image: copy as picture, save a chart directly as PNG, take a high-resolution screenshot, and paste into email or slides. Import, Export & Convert
  59. 59 Excel Formula Errors Explained: #N/A, #VALUE!, #REF!, #DIV/0!, #NAME?, #####Every Excel formula error in one table — what each one means, the usual cause, and the one-line fix — plus how to hide errors and find them all at once. Fixes & Errors
  60. 60 How to Make a Table in Excel: from a blank sheet to a proper tableHow to make a table in Excel from scratch: type the headings, enter data, press Ctrl+T, then sort, filter, total and style it. Pivot Tables & Tables
  61. 61 How to Add a Header in Excel (printed header, not the heading row)Add a header in Excel that prints at the top of every page: title, date, file name, page numbers, a logo — and the difference from a heading row. Print, Share & Protect
  62. 62 Import Excel to Google Sheets (and keep it in sync)Import an Excel file into Google Sheets: upload and convert, open .xlsx directly without converting, what survives the trip, and keep a Sheet updated from Excel. Import, Export & Convert
  63. 63 How to Insert a Page Break in Excel (and remove or see them)Insert a manual page break in Excel so each section prints on its own page, see where breaks fall with Page Break Preview, move them, and remove them. Print, Share & Protect
  64. 64 How to Hide Rows in Excel (and unhide them)Hide rows in Excel with Ctrl+9, hide every row that matches a filter, unhide one or all, and use Group to collapse sections instead. Excel Basics
  65. 65 Excel Chart Types: which one to use for what (with examples)The Excel chart types that matter — column, bar, line, pie, scatter, stacked, combo, Gantt — and a one-line rule for choosing each. Charts
  66. 66 How to Print Gridlines in Excel (and why they sometimes won't)Print gridlines in Excel with one tick box, print them for part of a sheet, use borders when gridlines won't print, and fix the greyed-out option. Print, Share & Protect
  67. 67 Excel Charts and Graphs: the complete beginner's guideExcel charts and graphs for beginners: chart vs graph, the parts of a chart, how to make one in 5 steps, the 6 types you need, and the fixes for the common problems. Charts
  68. 68 Get the Year from a Date in Excel (YEAR, and grouping by year)Extract the year from a date in Excel with YEAR, as text with TEXT, the fiscal year, and total or count by year with SUMIF and a pivot. Dates & Times

Level 2 Intermediate

Formulas that make decisions, look-ups by condition, dates, charts, and keeping a sheet tidy and safe.

  1. 69 SUMIF in Excel: add only the rows that matchSUMIF in Excel: add sales for one person, amounts over a number, or dates in a month — one condition, one formula. Formulas & Functions
  2. 70 COUNTIF in Excel: count the cells that matchCOUNTIF in Excel: count how many times a name appears, how many values are over a number, how many cells are blank or not. Formulas & Functions
  3. 71 SUMIFS in Excel: add rows that match two or more conditionsSUMIFS in Excel: add sales for one person in one month, or amounts between two dates — several conditions, one formula. Formulas & Functions
  4. 72 How to Count Cells with Text in Excel (any text, or specific text)Count cells that contain any text in Excel with COUNTIF and a wildcard, count cells with specific text, and count non-empty cells including numbers. Formulas & Functions
  5. 73 IF Function in Excel: one result if true, another if notThe IF function in Excel with one example: pass or fail, then two conditions with AND, and several outcomes with nested IF or IFS. Formulas & Functions
  6. 74 Excel Drop Down List: make one in 30 secondsMake an Excel drop down list with Data Validation in 30 seconds, from typed options or from a range, and edit it later. Sorting, Filtering & Lists
  7. 75 Nested IF in Excel: three or more outcomes without the messNested IF in Excel explained with a grade example, how to keep the brackets straight, and the IFS function that replaces it in newer Excel. Formulas & Functions
  8. 76 Data Validation in Excel: only allow the right valuesData validation in Excel: limit a cell to whole numbers, a date range, a list, or text length, with your own error message. Sorting, Filtering & Lists
  9. 77 IFERROR in Excel: hide #N/A and #DIV/0! errorsIFERROR in Excel wraps any formula and shows your own text or a blank instead of #N/A, #DIV/0! or #VALUE!. When to use it and when not to. Formulas & Functions
  10. 78 Excel IF Cell Contains Text: flag rows with a word in themExcel formula to check if a cell contains specific text, using ISNUMBER and SEARCH — case-insensitive, partial match, with a Yes/No result. Formulas & Functions
  11. 79 Excel Unique Values: list each item onceGet a list of unique values in Excel three ways: the UNIQUE function, Remove Duplicates on a copy, and Advanced Filter for older Excel — plus counting them. Sorting, Filtering & Lists
  12. 80 Conditional Formatting in Excel: colour cells automaticallyConditional formatting in Excel: highlight values over a number, duplicates, top 10, and colour a whole row with a formula. Formatting
  13. 81 Excel IF with AND / OR: test two conditions at onceCombine IF with AND or OR in Excel: pass only if both conditions hold, or if either does, with a bonus example that uses both. Formulas & Functions
  14. 82 Excel TODAY Function: today's date that updates itselfThe Excel TODAY function: insert a date that updates every day, count days until a deadline, and the shortcut for a date that never changes. Dates & Times
  15. 83 Highlight a Whole Row Based on One Cell's Value in ExcelHighlight an entire row in Excel when one cell says Late, is over a number, or matches a date — one conditional formatting formula and the $ that makes it work. Formatting
  16. 84 Excel DATEDIF: years, months or days between two datesExcel DATEDIF explained: the hidden function that gives full years, months or days between two dates — ages, service length, contract terms. Dates & Times
  17. 85 Excel LEFT Function: the first few characters of a cellThe Excel LEFT function: take the first N characters, everything before a dash or space, and turn the result back into a number. Formulas & Functions
  18. 86 Split a Cell in Excel: one column into twoSplit a cell in Excel: full names into first and last with Text to Columns, or the instant Flash Fill trick, plus TEXTSPLIT for newer Excel. Data Cleaning
  19. 87 Excel MID Function: pull text from the middle of a cellThe Excel MID function with LEFT and RIGHT: extract characters from the middle, start, or end of a cell — product codes, area codes, years. Formulas & Functions
  20. 88 CONCATENATE in Excel: join text from two cellsCONCATENATE in Excel and its shorter replacements: join first and last name, add a space, and join a whole column with TEXTJOIN. Formulas & Functions
  21. 89 Text to Columns in Excel: split names, addresses and codesText to Columns in Excel step by step: split by comma, space or a fixed width, keep leading zeros, and undo when it goes wrong. Data Cleaning
  22. 90 Excel LEN Function: count characters in a cellThe Excel LEN function counts characters — use it to find cells that are too long, spot hidden spaces, and check codes are the right length. Formulas & Functions
  23. 91 Get the Month from a Date in Excel: number or nameGet the month from a date in Excel as a number with MONTH, as a name with TEXT, and group a whole column by month for totals. Dates & Times
  24. 92 TEXTJOIN in Excel: join a whole column with commasTEXTJOIN in Excel joins a range of cells with any separator and skips blanks — the one-formula way to make a comma list. Formulas & Functions
  25. 93 TRIM in Excel: remove extra spaces that break lookupsTRIM in Excel removes leading, trailing and double spaces — the fix for VLOOKUPs that fail and duplicates that won't merge. Plus the space TRIM cannot remove. Data Cleaning
  26. 94 Excel WEEKDAY: day of the week from a dateGet the day of the week in Excel: WEEKDAY for a number, TEXT for the name, flag weekends, and count working days with NETWORKDAYS. Dates & Times
  27. 95 Excel Pie Chart: make one and label it properlyMake an Excel pie chart in four steps, add percentage labels, and know when a bar chart is the better choice. Charts
  28. 96 How to Make a Calendar in Excel (monthly, with formulas)Make a monthly calendar in Excel that rebuilds itself when you change the month: one date cell, one formula, conditional formatting for today. Dates & Times
  29. 97 Excel Table (Ctrl+T): the feature beginners skip and experts use dailyTurn a range into an Excel Table with Ctrl+T: automatic stripes, filters, formulas that copy themselves, and a total row. Pivot Tables & Tables
  30. 98 Excel Line Graph: show a trend over timeMake an Excel line graph in four steps, add a second line, fix the axis that starts at the wrong number, and add data labels. Charts
  31. 99 Lock Cells in Excel: protect formulas, let people type elsewhereLock cells in Excel so formulas cannot be edited while input cells stay open — the two-step method that catches everyone out. Print, Share & Protect
  32. 100 Excel Bar Chart: make one, sort the bars, and label themMake an Excel bar chart in four steps, put the biggest bar on top, add data labels, change the colour of one bar, and choose bar vs column. Charts
  33. 101 How to Separate Data in a Cell in Excel (names, addresses, codes)Separate data in one Excel cell into several: by comma or space with Text to Columns, by pattern with Flash Fill, or with TEXTSPLIT — and which to pick. Data Cleaning
  34. 102 Unprotect a Sheet in Excel (with or without the password)Unprotect an Excel sheet in two clicks when you know the password, what to do when you don't, and the difference from workbook protection. Print, Share & Protect
  35. 103 Convert Text to Date in Excel: 3 fixes that always workConvert text to real dates in Excel with Text to Columns, DATEVALUE, or DATE with pieces — for dd/mm/yyyy, 20260929, and dates with dots. Dates & Times
  36. 104 Password Protect an Excel File: so it cannot be openedPassword protect an Excel file so nobody can open it without the password, set a separate edit password, and remove the password later. Print, Share & Protect
  37. 105 Excel Stacked Bar Chart: parts and totals in one barMake an Excel stacked bar chart, show totals on top of each bar, switch to 100% stacked for shares, and know when clustered bars work better. Charts
  38. 106 How to Calculate Age in Excel from a Date of BirthCalculate age in Excel from a birth date with DATEDIF: years only, years and months, age on a specific date, and why YEARFRAC rounds wrong. Dates & Times
  39. 107 Excel Circular Reference: find it and fix itExcel says there is a circular reference: what it means, how to find the exact cell, and how to fix the two usual causes. Fixes & Errors
  40. 108 How to Insert a Checkbox in Excel (and count the ticks)Insert a checkbox in Excel — the one-click way in Excel 365, the Developer-tab way in older versions, link it to a cell, and count how many are ticked. Excel Basics
  41. 109 How to Print Labels from Excel (with Word mail merge)Print address labels from an Excel list using Word's mail merge: set up the sheet, pick the label size, map the columns, preview and print. Print, Share & Protect
  42. 110 Excel Scatter Plot: see if two things are relatedMake a scatter plot in Excel, add a trendline and its equation, label the points with names, and read what the pattern means. Charts
  43. 111 Add Months to a Date in Excel (EDATE, and end-of-month)Add months to a date in Excel with EDATE, subtract months, land on the last day of the month with EOMONTH, and add years or days the same way. Dates & Times
  44. 112 Excel Formulas Cheat Sheet: the 20 you actually useAn Excel formulas cheat sheet with the 20 formulas people use every week — what each does, the exact syntax, and a link to the full lesson. Formulas & Functions
  45. 113 How to Make a Budget in Excel (simple monthly budget, step by step)Make a monthly budget in Excel from a blank sheet: income, expense categories, planned vs actual, what's left, and a bar that shows overspending. Excel Basics
  46. 114 Excel Chart with Two Y Axes (secondary axis in 4 clicks)Put two series with different scales on one Excel chart using a secondary Y axis, label both axes, and fix bars that hide behind each other. Charts
  47. 115 Excel Week Number: WEEKNUM, ISO weeks, and grouping by weekGet the week number in Excel with WEEKNUM, the ISO week that matches most calendars, the week's start date, and totals per week with SUMIF. Dates & Times
  48. 116 How to Calculate Compound Interest in Excel (formula and FV)Calculate compound interest in Excel with the plain formula, with FV, with monthly compounding, with monthly deposits, and build a year-by-year table. Formulas & Functions
  49. 117 Years Between Two Dates in Excel (whole years, or decimal)Calculate years between two dates in Excel: whole years with DATEDIF, decimal years with YEARFRAC, years and months together, and service length for a list. Dates & Times
  50. 118 Get the Quarter from a Date in Excel (Q1–Q4, and fiscal quarters)Get the quarter from a date in Excel with one formula, show it as Q3 2026, handle a fiscal year starting in April, and total sales by quarter. Dates & Times
  51. 119 How to Switch the X and Y Axis in an Excel ChartSwitch the X and Y axis in Excel: Switch Row/Column for bar and line charts, swap the series values for a scatter plot, and flip a bar chart's direction. Charts
  52. 120 Protect a Sheet in Excel: stop accidental edits in 3 clicksProtect a sheet in Excel so cells cannot be changed, allow specific cells to stay editable, choose what users may still do, and unprotect. Print, Share & Protect
  53. 121 How to Calculate Hours Worked in Excel (timesheet with breaks and overtime)Calculate hours worked in Excel from start and end times, subtract a break, total a week correctly past 24 hours, convert to decimal for pay, and add overtime. Dates & Times
  54. 122 Excel Chart Title from a Cell (a title that updates itself)Link an Excel chart title to a cell so it updates when the cell changes — including a title built from a formula with the month or total inside it. Charts
  55. 123 Protect Certain Cells in Excel (lock some, leave the rest open)Protect only certain cells in Excel — formulas or headings — while everything else stays editable: unlock all, lock the few, protect the sheet. Print, Share & Protect

Level 3 Advanced

The lookups everyone asks about in interviews, pivot tables, and your first automation.

  1. 124 VLOOKUP in Excel: explained with one exampleVLOOKUP in Excel: the four parts of the formula, one example, and the two mistakes that cause #N/A. Formulas & Functions
  2. 125 How to Use VLOOKUP in Excel: a beginner's walkthroughHow to use VLOOKUP in Excel from a blank sheet: build the lookup table, write the formula piece by piece, copy it down, and fix #N/A. Formulas & Functions
  3. 126 XLOOKUP in Excel: the lookup formula that just worksXLOOKUP in Excel explained with one example: find a value in a list and return what sits next to it, with no column counting. Formulas & Functions
  4. 127 INDEX MATCH in Excel: the lookup that works in any versionINDEX MATCH in Excel, explained in two small steps. Looks left, never breaks when columns move, works in every Excel version. Formulas & Functions
  5. 128 XLOOKUP vs VLOOKUP: which one should you use?XLOOKUP vs VLOOKUP side by side: same task, both formulas, and the five differences that decide it. Formulas & Functions
  6. 129 How to Enable Macros in Excel (and when you should not)How to enable macros in Excel for one file or for good, why the yellow bar appears, and how to unblock a downloaded file. Macros & VBA
  7. 130 Record a Macro in Excel: automate a task in 2 minutesRecord a macro in Excel with no code: turn the Developer tab on, record a formatting task, replay it with a shortcut, and save the file so the macro survives. Macros & VBA
  8. 131 How to Make a Pivot Table in Excel: summarise 1,000 rows in 30 secondsHow to make a pivot table in Excel step by step: sales by region, count by category, drag fields, refresh when data changes. Pivot Tables & Tables
  9. 132 Excel Macros: what they are and your first one in 5 minutesExcel macros explained without jargon: what a macro is, when to use one, how to record your first, run it, and keep it safe. Macros & VBA
  10. 133 Excel Gantt Chart: build a project timeline from a bar chartBuild an Excel Gantt chart in eight steps from a stacked bar chart: tasks, start dates, durations, and the one trick that hides the first bar. Charts
  11. 134 How to Open the VBA Editor in Excel (Alt+F11) and find your macroOpen the VBA editor in Excel with Alt+F11 or the Developer tab, find the module holding your recorded macro, read the code, and change one value safely. Macros & VBA
  12. 135 Excel Combo Chart: bars and a line on one chartMake an Excel combo chart: sales as bars and growth % as a line on a second axis, in five steps, with the two settings that make it readable. Charts
  13. 136 How to Write a Macro in Excel (your first 5 lines of VBA)Write a macro in Excel by hand: open the editor, write a Sub that clears a range and adds a date stamp, run it, give it a button, and save it. Macros & VBA
  14. 137 Excel to JSON: convert a sheet to JSON in 3 waysConvert Excel to JSON with a formula that builds each row, with Power Query for clean output, or with a free converter — and the shape developers expect. Import, Export & Convert
  15. 138 Excel VBA Message Box: MsgBox with buttons, icons and a Yes/No answerUse MsgBox in Excel VBA: a simple message, an icon and title, Yes/No buttons that change what the macro does, and a message with a cell's value in it. Macros & VBA
  16. 139 Pivot Table Count Unique Values in Excel (Distinct Count)Count unique values in an Excel pivot table with Distinct Count — the one tick box when you create the pivot — plus the helper-column way for older Excel. Pivot Tables & Tables
  17. 140 Excel to XML: export a sheet as XML (and import XML back)Export Excel to XML with an XML map, the quick way for a simple list using the Developer tab, a formula-built XML for small sheets, and importing XML into Excel. Import, Export & Convert
  18. 141 Excel VBA Loop: For Next and For Each, with 3 real examplesLoops in Excel VBA for beginners: For Next to go down rows, For Each to visit every cell or sheet, Do While for 'until empty', with copy-paste examples. Macros & VBA
  19. 142 GETPIVOTDATA in Excel: pull one number out of a pivot tableGETPIVOTDATA in Excel: what the formula Excel writes for you means, how to make it use a cell instead of fixed text, and how to turn it off if you just want =B5. Pivot Tables & Tables
  20. 143 VLOOKUP Not Working? The 7 causes, in the order to checkVLOOKUP not working in Excel — #N/A, wrong value, #REF!, or the formula shows as text. Seven causes in the order to check, each with a 10-second fix. Fixes & Errors
  21. 144 Pivot Table Calculated Field in Excel: add a formula column to a pivotAdd a calculated field to an Excel pivot table — profit from revenue and cost, margin %, price per unit — edit it, and know the case where it gives the wrong answer. Pivot Tables & Tables
  22. 145 Sort a Pivot Table by Value in Excel (largest first)Sort an Excel pivot table by its values — largest to smallest — with a right-click, sort a specific column when there are several, and keep the sort after refresh. Pivot Tables & Tables
  23. 146 Pivot Table from Multiple Sheets in Excel (combine first, then pivot)Make one pivot table from several Excel sheets: stack the sheets with Power Query Append, then build the pivot — and the older Data Model way. Pivot Tables & Tables

All lessons by topic

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Charts 13

Data Cleaning 9

Dates & Times 16

Excel Basics 11

Fixes & Errors 10

Formatting 9

Formulas & Functions 28

Import, Export & Convert 9

Macros & VBA 7

Pivot Tables & Tables 8

Print, Share & Protect 11

Shortcuts 9

Sorting, Filtering & Lists 6