When Excel is installed, the default chart is a 2-D Column chart, but you can easily change the default chart type.

Every workbook uses a palette of 56 colors, but you can change the palette for the current workbook or even change the default colors for new workbooks.

Some function in Excel is available only when the add-in is installed. For example, Solver or the Analysis group is not available in standard ribbons; you need to install the add-in before you can use it. See also Using Solver.

You should display the Developer tab when you want to write macros, run macros that you previously recorded, or create applications to use with Microsoft Office programs. Do the following:

If you work with the same workbooks every day, it will be helpful to open specific workbook files automatically whenever you start Excel. Any workbooks placed in the XLStart folder open automatically.

When a comment has been inserted in a cell, the little red triangle is being displayed to indicate a comment in a cell. This tip is how to hide/display this indicator.

Having your 25 most recently used workbooks on the File menu is handy, but you may find it's not enough. You can increase the number shown up to 50, and you can pin (fasten) particular workbooks to the menu so that they remain there even if you haven't used them recently.

Saving your workbook in the same location with the same name is easy.

Suppose you'd like to add a couple more commands to the Quick Access toolbar. Also, say you're a big fan of AutoSum. You can add the AutoSum button to the Quick Access toolbar, so you can quickly create and use AutoSum entries.

Creating custom menus in Excel is a funny feature you can use to create groups of the options that you use most often, and then plug them into the menu you name and use yourself.