Data in Excel 2003
Using advanced filtering
In addition to manual data filtering Excel enables fully automated filtering based on data from the
specified range of cells. Before you can use the advanced filtering feature, you must set up a criteria
range. A criteria range is a designated range on a worksheet that conforms to certain requirements.
Referencing cells outside the worksheet
Formulas can refer to cells in other worksheets-and the worksheets don't even have to be in the same
workbook. Excel uses a special type of notation to handle these types of references.
Shortcut key to switch between relative, absolute and mixed references
You can enter nonrelative references (absolute or mixed) manually by inserting dollar signs in the
appropriate positions, or you can use a handy shortcut - F4 key.
Creating and using named ranges
Range names is a powerful Excel feature which allows you to give a symbolic name for the cell or range of
cells to be later used as convenient replacement for cell/range address in formulas.
Check data entry for invalid entries
You can greatly reduce data-entry problems in your workbooks by making Excel check entries before entering
them in specific cells. To do so, you need to define restrictions and data-validation rules for those cells.
Unique items in the list
In order to get unique items in a range you can use the Advanced Filter to extract the unique values
from a column of data and paste them to a new location.
Creating automatically extended plot ranges
If you often need to adjust your data ranges so that your charts plot an updated data range, you may be
interested in a trick that forces Excel to update the chart's data range whenever you add new data to your
worksheet.
How to generate series of dates
Often you'll want to insert a series of dates into a worksheet. The most efficient way to enter a series of
dates doesn't require any formulas - just use Excel's AutoFill feature.
Using Solver
Solver tool allows you to specify multiple adjustable cells and constraints on the values that the
adjustable cells can have, generate a solution that maximizes or minimizes a particular worksheet cell,
generate multiple solutions to a problem.
Goal Seeking
Goal seeking is a useful feature that works in conjunction with your formulas. If you know what a formula
result should be, Excel can tell you which values of one or more input cells you need to produce that
result.