5 Amazing Excel Tricks & Tips to Boost Your Productivity
Microsoft Excel is a powerhouse when it comes to data management, analysis, and automation. Whether you're a student, professional, or business owner, mastering a few clever Excel tricks can save you hours of work each week. Here are 5 amazing Excel tips and tricks that will take your spreadsheet game to the next level.
EXCEL TRICKS AND TIPS
Vishal Aggarwal
5/10/20251 min read
1. Flash Fill Magic (Ctrl + E)
Use Case: Quickly split or combine text without formulas.
Example: You have a column with full names like “John Smith” and want to split them into first and last names.
How to Use:
In the column next to the full names, type just the first name manually in the first cell.
Then press Ctrl + E or go to Data → Flash Fill. Excel automatically detects the pattern and fills the rest.
✨ Pro Tip: It also works in reverse — combine names, format phone numbers, or reformat dates!
2. Insert Data from Picture (Excel Mobile/Desktop)
Use Case: Convert printed or handwritten tables into Excel data.
How to Use:
In Excel mobile or Excel desktop (latest versions), go to Insert → Data from Picture.
Upload or snap a photo of a table. Excel will convert the image into editable data.
đź“· Perfect For: Scanning financial reports, handwritten notes, or receipts.
3. Use XLOOKUP Instead of VLOOKUP
Use Case: Flexible and powerful data lookup.
Syntax:
=XLOOKUP(lookup_value, lookup_array, return_array, [if_not_found], [match_mode], [search_mode])
Why It's Better:
No need to count columns like in VLOOKUP.
Works left-to-right AND right-to-left.
Handles errors with [if_not_found].
🧠Try It On: Employee databases, pricing sheets, product inventories.
4. Dynamic Drop-down Lists with Data Validation + FILTER
Use Case: Create dependent drop-downs based on another selection.
Steps:
Use Data → Data Validation → List.
Use the FILTER function to return a list based on a condition.
Combine with UNIQUE to avoid duplicates.
🧩 Scenario: Choose a country, and get cities in that country listed in the next dropdown.
5. Quick Data Summary with PivotTables
Use Case: Summarize, analyze, and visualize large datasets in seconds.
How to Use:
Select your data → Insert → PivotTable.
Drag fields into Rows, Columns, and Values areas.
🔍 Best For: Monthly sales reports, customer data analysis, or inventory tracking.
Final Thoughts
These five Excel tricks are not just time-savers—they’re power-multipliers. Whether you’re organizing a budget or analyzing sales, learning how to use tools like Flash Fill, XLOOKUP, and PivotTables can instantly elevate your productivity.
🛠️ Ready to learn more? Stay Tunned!
