Purpose
This article will help you learn and revise more advanced Microsoft Excel features such as Auto fill, Find and Replace, Filter and Sort, and Inserting Rows and Columns to better process, analyze, and visualize your data.
Details
Auto fill
Use the Auto Fill feature to fill cells with data that follows a pattern or are based on data in other cells.
- Select one or more cells you want to use as a basis for filling additional cells.
- For a series like 1, 2, 3, 4, 5..., type 1 and 2 in the first two cells. For the series 2, 4, 6, 8..., type 2 and 4.
- For the series 2, 2, 2, 2..., type 2 in first cell only.
- Drag the fill handle
.
- If needed, click Auto Fill Options
and choose the option you want.
Formulas
You can use formulas in excel in order to perform mathematical operations ranging from simple to complex operations.
- Select a cell.
- Type the equal sign =.
Note: Formulas in Excel always begin with the equal sign.
- Select a cell or type its address in the selected cell.
- Enter an operator. For example, – for subtraction.
- Select the next cell, or type its address in the selected cell.
- Press Enter. The result of the calculation appears in the cell with the formula.
Find and Replace
Use the Find and Replace features in Excel to search for something in your workbook, such as a particular number or text string. You can either locate the search item for reference, or you can replace it with something else. You can include wildcard characters such as question marks, tildes, and asterisks, or numbers in your search terms. You can search by rows and columns, search within comments or values, and search within worksheets or entire workbooks.
- To find something, press Ctrl+F, or go to Home > Editing > Find & Select > Find.
- To replace text or numbers, press Ctrl+H, or go to Home > Editing > Find & Select > Replace.
Filter and Sort
Sort data in Excel quickly, in just a few clicks. To change the order of your data, sort it. To focus on a specific set of data, filter a range of cells or a table.
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Select a range of data, such as A1:L5 (multiple rows and columns), or C1:C80 (a single column). The range can include titles (headers) that you create to identify columns or rows or Select a single cell in the column you want to sort.
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Click Sort A to Z to perform an ascending sort (A to Z or smallest number to largest) or Click Sort Z to A to perform a descending sort (Z to A or largest number to smallest).
Inserting Rows and Columns
Insert and delete rows and columns to organize your worksheet better.
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Select any cell within the column, then go to Home > Insert > Insert Sheet Columns or Delete Sheet Columns.
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Alternatively, right-click the top of the column, and then select Insert or Delete.