Excel guides
Explanations that end in a working spreadsheet rather than a summary. Every technique on these pages has a worked example or a linked browser exercise. Exercise cards show whether you need an account or a paid plan before you open them.
9 guides84 exercises behind themFree to read
Keyboard shortcuts
Moving, selecting and editing without reaching for the mouse.
- Excel shortcuts for beginners: the 12 that actually save timeThe twelve Excel keyboard shortcuts a beginner should learn first, what each is for, and a working spreadsheet to practise every one of them. Free, no account.7 min read
- The Excel paste values shortcut, and when you actually want itCtrl+Shift+V pastes values only, dropping the formula behind the number. What that means, when to use it, when it quietly breaks a report, and a grid to try it in.6 min read
Hub page: Keyboard shortcuts
Formulas and functions
How each function works, what it returns, and where it goes wrong.
- How to subtract in Excel, and why there is no SUBTRACT functionExcel subtracts with the minus sign, not a function. Taking one cell from another, subtracting a whole column or a percentage, and why a zero answer means text.6 min read
- Percentage increase in Excel, with the denominator the right way roundNew minus old, divided by old. Why the earlier figure is always underneath, why a rise and the matching fall differ, and what to do when the start is zero.7 min read
- How to combine two columns in Excel without losing either of themJoin two columns with the ampersand or CONCAT, add the space Excel will not add for you, fix the capitals on the way, and why Merge Cells is not the answer.6 min read
- How to split a cell in Excel with formulas that keep workingSplit a cell by position with LEFT, MID and RIGHT, or at a separator with FIND so it survives data of varying length. What Text to Columns does differently.7 min read
- The CAGR formula in Excel, and the number of years to divide byCAGR is the end value over the start value, to the power of one over the number of years, minus one. Why five years of data is four years of growth, and what CAGR hides.6 min read
Hub page: Formulas and functions
Working with data
Sorting, filtering, duplicates, pivot tables and charts.
- How to remove duplicates in Excel without deleting the wrong rowsData, then Remove Duplicates. What Excel counts as a duplicate, why trailing spaces defeat it, how to check before you delete, and a working grid to try it in.7 min read
- How to find duplicates in Excel before you delete anythingCOUNTIF over a locked range tells you how many times each value appears, so you can see the repeats before removing them. Why spaces defeat it, and a grid to try it in.6 min read
Hub page: Working with data
The guides are the doorway, not the destination
ExcelForAll is a practice tool first. If you would rather skip the reading, the course starts from the assumption that you know nothing at all.