In the world of computer programs that help you get things done, Microsoft Excel is like a trusted friend. It's used by many people all over the world to look at data, make smart choices, and get work done faster.
Excel keeps getting better with new versions, adding cool stuff to make your tasks easier. In this article, we'll explore the latest updates in Microsoft Excel. Whether you're a pro at using Excel or just getting started, these new features will make your work with numbers and information much easier.
Let's take a closer look at the awesome tools Microsoft has added to help you do great things with your data!
Microsoft Excel New Features:
Here are some of the Microsoft Excel New features that can benefit your work.
Stale Value Formatting
Monospaced Font in the Formula Bar
Python in Excel
Power BI Connected Tables
Improved Save As/Discard Dialog
Simplified Sharing across Microsoft 365
Interactive PivotCharts
Feature 1: Stale Value Formatting
Stale Value Formatting helps you to identify cells that have not been recalculated since the last time you changed a formula. This can be helpful in manual calculation mode, where Excel does not automatically recalculate formulas when you change their underlying data.
When a cell is stale, it will be marked with a strikethrough font. You can also see a warning icon in the formula bar when you select a stale cell.
To recalculate all stale values, you can click the Calculate Now button on the Formulas tab. You can also set Excel to automatically recalculate stale values when you change a formula. To do this, go to the Formulas tab and select Calculation Options. Under the Calculation section, select the Automatic except for tables option.
Here are some of the benefits of using Stale Value Formatting:
It can help you identify cells that are not up to date.
It can help you avoid errors caused by using stale values.
It can help you improve the performance of your Excel workbooks.
If you are working in manual calculation mode, I recommend enabling Stale Value Formatting. It is a simple way to keep your Excel workbooks accurate and up to date.
Here are the steps on how to enable Stale Value Formatting in Excel:
Go to the Formulas tab.
In the Calculation Options group, select the Show Calculation Status checkbox.
Under the Stale Values section, select the Format Stale Values checkbox.
You can also customize the formatting of stale values. To do this, go to the Format Cells dialog box and select the Strikethrough option under the Font tab.
Feature 2: Monospaced Font in the Formula Bar
The monospaced font in the formula bar makes it easier to read and debug formulas. A monospaced font is a font where each character has the same width, regardless of its shape or style. This means that formulas will be aligned and spaced evenly, making them easier to read and understand.
The monospaced font feature is available in the latest versions of Excel for Windows and Mac. To enable it, go to File > Options > Advanced and select the Use monospaced font in formula bar checkbox.
Here are some of the benefits of using a monospaced font in the formula bar:
Improved readability: Monospaced fonts make it easier to read and understand formulas, especially long or complex formulas.
Easier debugging: Monospaced fonts make it easier to spot errors in formulas.
Consistent alignment: Monospaced fonts ensure that formulas are aligned evenly, which makes them easier to read and compare.
Cross-platform compatibility: Monospaced fonts are compatible with all platforms, so your formulas will look the same regardless of where you open them.
If you are working with formulas in Excel, I recommend enabling the monospaced font feature. It is a simple way to make your formulas easier to read and debug.
Here are some additional things to know about the monospaced font feature in Excel:
You can still use other fonts in the formula bar, but the monospaced font will be the default.
You can change the size of the monospaced font by going to File > Options > Font and adjusting the Size setting.
The monospaced font feature is not available in all versions of Excel.
Feature 3: Python in Excel
Python in Excel is a Microsoft Excel new feature that allows you to run Python code directly in Excel. This means that you can use Python's powerful data analysis and visualization capabilities to work with your Excel data.
To use Python in Excel, you first need to install the feature. You can do this by joining the Microsoft 365 Insider Program and choosing the Beta Channel Insider level. Once the feature is installed, you can start writing Python code in your Excel cells.
Python code in Excel is executed in the Microsoft Cloud, so you don't need to worry about installing or managing Python on your own computer. This also means that your code is secure and compliant with corporate policies.
Here are some of the things you can do with Python in Excel:
Clean and prepare data
Analyze data
Visualize data
Build machine learning models
Create macros
Here are some additional things to know about Python in Excel:
You can use any Python library that is available in the Anaconda distribution.
You can output the results of your Python code to Excel cells, or you can create charts and graphs.
You can collaborate with others on your Python code by sharing your Excel workbook.
Feature 4: Power BI Connected Tables
Power BI connected tables is a Microsoft Excel new feature that allows you to create a live connection between an Excel workbook and a Power BI dataset. Any changes you make to the data in Power BI will be reflected in the Excel workbook, and vice versa.
To create a Power BI connected table, you first need to have a Power BI dataset. You can create a dataset from scratch, or you can import data from a variety of sources, such as Excel, CSV files, or databases.
Once you have a Power BI dataset, you can create a connected table in Excel by following these steps:
Go to the Data tab in Excel.
In the Get External Data group, click From Power BI.
In the Power BI Datasets dialog box, select the dataset that you want to connect to.
Click Connect.
Excel will create a new table in your workbook that is connected to the Power BI dataset. Any changes you make to the data in Power BI will be reflected in the Excel table, and vice versa.
Power BI connected tables offer a number of benefits, including:
Real-time data: The data in the Excel table is always up to date with the data in Power BI.
Easy collaboration: Multiple users can work on the same Excel workbook at the same time, and everyone will be working with the same up-to-date data.
Increased productivity: Power BI connected tables can help you save time by automating data refreshes and eliminating the need to manually copy and paste data.
If you are working with data in Excel, I recommend using Power BI connected tables. It is a powerful way to keep your data up to date and collaborate with others.
Here are some additional things to know about Power BI connected tables in Excel:
You can use Power BI connected tables to create pivot tables, charts, and other visualizations.
You can filter and sort the data in Power BI connected tables.
You can export the data from Power BI connected tables to other formats, such as CSV or Excel.
Feature 5: Improved Save As/Discard Dialog
This Microsoft Excel new feature was introduced in the August 2023 update. This feature adds additional information to the Save As/Discard dialog box, such as the date and time of your last save, who else has made changes to the workbook, and the number of unsaved changes.
This information can be helpful in making decisions about whether to save the workbook or discard your changes. For example, if you see that someone else has made changes to the workbook since you last saved it, you may want to save your changes before discarding them.
To access the improved Save As/Discard dialog box, click the File tab and then click Save As. The dialog box will appear with the additional information displayed.
Here are some of the benefits of the improved Save As/Discard dialog box:
It can help you avoid overwriting someone else's changes.
It can help you keep track of your changes.
It can help you save time by avoiding the need to manually check the date and time of your last save.
If you are working on a shared workbook, I recommend using the improved Save As/Discard dialog box. It is a simple way to keep track of your changes and avoid overwriting someone else's work.
Here are some additional things to know about the improved Save As/Discard dialog box in Excel:
The information displayed in the dialog box is updated automatically whenever you make changes to the workbook.
You can hide the additional information by clicking the Options button and clearing the Show Version History checkbox.
The improved Save As/Discard dialog box is not available in all versions of Excel.
Feature 6: Simplified Sharing across Microsoft 365
Simplified sharing across Microsoft 365 in Microsoft Excel is a Excel new feature that makes it easier to share Excel workbooks with others. This feature was introduced in the July 2023 update to Microsoft 365.
With simplified sharing, you can share an Excel workbook with anyone with an email address, even if they don't have a Microsoft 365 subscription. You can also choose who has the ability to edit the workbook, and you can revoke access at any time.
To share an Excel workbook using simplified sharing, follow these steps:
Open the workbook that you want to share.
Click the Share button in the top right corner of the window.
In the Share with people dialog box, enter the email addresses of the people you want to share the workbook with.
Under Permissions, select the level of access you want to give the people you are sharing with.
Click Share.
Here are some of the benefits of simplified sharing:
It is easy to use.
It is secure.
It allows you to share workbooks with people who don't have a Microsoft 365 subscription.
It gives you control over who has access to the workbook and what they can do with it.
If you need to share an Excel workbook with others, I recommend using simplified sharing. It is a simple and secure way to share your work with others.
Here are some additional things to know about simplified sharing in Excel:
You can also share an Excel workbook by copying a link to the workbook and pasting it into an email or chat message.
You can revoke access to an Excel workbook at any time by clicking the Share button and then clicking the Remove people button.
The simplified sharing feature is available in all versions of Excel that are part of Microsoft 365.
Feature 7: Interactive PivotCharts
Interactive PivotCharts is an Excel new feature that allows you to create interactive charts from PivotTables. This means that you can easily change the data that is displayed in the chart, the way that the data is presented, and the way that the chart interacts with the user.
To create an interactive PivotChart, you can follow these steps:
Create a PivotTable.
Select a cell in the PivotTable.
Click the PivotChart button in the Analyze group on the PivotTable Tools ribbon.
In the PivotChart Gallery, select the type of chart that you want to create.
Click OK.
The interactive PivotChart will be created in a new sheet. You can then change the data that is displayed in the chart, the way that the data is presented, and the way that the chart interacts with the user by using the PivotChart Tools ribbon.
Here are some of the benefits of using interactive PivotCharts:
They can help you to visualize your data more engagingly and interactively.
They can help you to identify trends and patterns in your data more easily.
They can help you to communicate your findings to others more effectively.
If you are looking for a way to create interactive charts from PivotTables, I recommend using interactive PivotCharts. They are powerful tools that can help you to visualize and communicate your data more effectively.
Here are some of the features of interactive PivotCharts:
You can easily change the data that is displayed in the chart by dragging and dropping fields from the PivotTable to the chart.
You can change the way that the data is presented by changing the chart type, the chart style, and the chart layout.
You can interact with the chart by zooming in and out, panning, and drilling down.
You can share the interactive PivotChart with others by exporting it to a variety of formats, such as PDF, PNG, and SVG.
Conclusion
In this article, we've explored an exciting array of new features introduced to Microsoft Excel in August. From the convenience of stale value formatting to the precision of a monospaced font in the formula bar, the integration of Python, enhanced Power BI connectivity, a more streamlined save as/discard dialog, simplified sharing across Microsoft 365, and the interactivity of PivotCharts, these updates bring a wealth of opportunities to streamline your data work, enhance collaboration, and elevate your data visualization game.