18 Excel Mistakes to Avoid!

Formulas
Data Entry
Productivity
Data Analysis
Data Loss
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1 Relying too much on VLOOKUP 2 Nesting IF instead of using IFS 3 Forgetting to use F4 for Absolute References

• Complex nested IF • Incomplete

VLOOKUP can’t
• More error-prone range selection
lookup columns to
while dragging
the left
the formula
down
• Incorrect
calculations

• Better readability
Use INDEX+MATCH • Easier to write Pro Tip : you can
or XLOOKUP that also use mixed
lookup in any IFS masterclass references, such as
direction https://bit.ly/fn-ifs A$1 or $A1, if
required

4 Forgetting to Freeze Panes 5 Not using Conditional Formatting 6 Not using Data Validation 7 Ignoring Remove
User loses track of
Duplicates
Inconsistent or
headers while • Lacks
insights! incorrect data • Overlooking
scrolling down. entry
• Slow to duplicates
interpret • Getting incorrect
How to: Select row
below headings > aggregates
View tab > Freeze • Alerts users
Freeze panes line Pane dropdown > of incorrect
Select Freeze • Quick & easy
How to: input
Panes duplicate removal
Home >
• Correct
Conditional • How to: Data
Pro Tip: Use Excel aggregates
Formatting tab > Data
Tables to enable • How to: Data tab >
> Set your Validation >
auto-freeze Remove
rules Set your rules
Duplicates

11 Overcomplicating formulas 8 Skipping Named Ranges 9 Not customizing the 10 Not using Paste Special
Quick Access Toolbar
• Error-prone • Inconsistent
• Difficult to • Formulas lack Formatting
follow readability • Unintended
• Complex Users waste time searching formula or
formulas become for frequently-used functions formatting copy
confusing over

DO NOT reformat,
Use CTRL + ALT + V
• How to: Right-click any ribbon &
• Enhances formula option > choose ‘Add to Quick Select Formats
• Break formula readability Access Toolbar’
into helper • Multi-sheet • Easily access your most-used tools • Choose what to
cells/ columns formulas become from the QAT paste (values, Pro Tip: Paste Special
• Reduce errors easier to • Use ALT + # keyboard shortcut formats, formulas, is not just for pasting
• Pro Tip: Use LET understand
function to
etc.) as values, check out
• How to: Select data Check out these Top 9 QAT • Consistent Top 10 paste special
define > Formulas tab >
intermediary Icons Recommended by formatting tricks.
Define Name Pro Tip: Use Excel Tables
Excel Community • Prevent errors
steps with structured references

12 Ignoring PivotTables for data analysis 13 Not using Slicers with PivotTables 14 Not knowing these 239 keyboard shortcuts
– wasting time using the mouse.
• Less intuitive filtering
• ‘All’ under products filter is
misleading i.e. ‘Keyboard’ in
Slicer is showing no data at 15 Not using AutoSave – losing data due to
this filter level. unexpected file crashes.

• Plug & Play – Manual

calculation not 16 Manually sorting & filtering data
required Fix – use CTRL+SHIFT+L to add filters to data.
• Less error-prone • Slicers are more
• Easily refreshes for new interactive &
data intuitive
17 Not Protecting Your Sheets allowing
• Slicers grey out
unrestricted data edits.
Become A PivotTable EXPERT!

Become A PivotTable EXPERT! items with no data

giving better Fix - Review tab> Protect Sheet.
insights
• Manual data summarization
• Error-prone 18 Skipping AutoSum
∑
• Doesn’t update for new data Fix – Home tab > AutoSum to
quickly add, average, or count data.

Mynda Treacy
TEACHING YOU CAREER TRANSFORMING SKILLS
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