How to SUM Values in One Field Based on Criteria from Multiple Fields in Excel

SUMIFS and DSUM Functions

SUMIFS and DSUM Functions

The new SUMIFS() Function was introduced in Excel 2007. With SUMIFS, you can sum the values in one field based up criteria that comes from multiple fields. This is a very valuable Function.

SUMIFS Function

The key to understanding SUMIFS, is that you “pair” a criteria range with the criteria for that range. As you watch my tutorial, the importance of this concept will become clear to you.

DSUM Function

If you are using – or need to create workbooks that are compatible with – older versions of Excel – e.g. Excel 2003, you can use the DSUM Function to achieve the same results. The DSUM belongs to the Database Functions set in Excel.

Use Named Cell Ranges in Formulas

I highly recommend that you learn how to create – and then use – named cell references in your Excel Formulas and Functions. In this tutorial, I show you how to do this. Once you have created a named cell reference, you can use the F3 Keyboard Shortcut to show a dialog box that lists all of the named Ranges that you can post into your formulas. This will save you time and help to ensure accuracy in your formulas – especially when you cop a formula to another location.

Bonus: Create Drop-down Menu with Data Validation

When using Multiple Criteria, I like to be able to select my criteria values from a drop-down list. In this lesson, I demonstrate how to do this using Data Validation in Excel.

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How to Return Either an Approximate or Exact Match for VLOOKUP Function

Matches with VLOOKUP

Matches with VLOOKUP

One of my viewers asked me to explain – with examples – how and when to choose either an Approximate or an Exact Match using the VLOOKUP Function in Excel. .

Approximate Match for VLOOKUP

The Approximate Match is the Default setting for Vlookup. This means that you can either omit the 4th, optional, argument or use the word TRUE. However, as you will see in this video tutorial, there are other considerations to consider in order to get the correct result that you are looking for.

Exact Match for VLOOKUP

In the example that I use on the Video Tutorial, I am setting up an Employee Payroll worksheet. I definitely want to have an Exact Match for each employee to ensure that they are getting the correct amount of compensation for the hours that they worked during this period. Watch the tutorial to see how I set this up.

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How to AutoFill the Letters in the Alphabet in Excel

 One of my viewers would like to be able to AutoFill the Letters in the Alphabet in his Excel Workbooks – he creates Alpha-Numeric Part Numbers for his products.

Two Ways to AutoFill Letters in the Alphabet

  1. Use a Formula – =CHAR(ROW(A65)) and AutoFill Down in the Column – This is not ideal
  2. Create and Use a Custom List in Excel. – So, use the Formula to create your list of 26 Alphabetical Letters. Copy the List and use Paste Special Values to convert the formulas to values. Then create your Custom List.

Using the CHAR() Function in Excel

There are 255 ASCI Characters that you can use in Formulas. For example, =CHAR(169) will return the © Symbol. In this lesson, I share a great Keyboard Shortcut that you can use to add this Symbol into the Footer of your printed Excel worksheet – Watch the video to discover this!

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How to Use the New Natural Language Date Filters in Excel

Natural Language Date Filters

Natural Language Date Filters

Recently, one of my viewers asked me to go into greater detail in demonstrating how the new Natural Language Date Filters work in Excel. Natural Language Filters were introduced in Excel 2007 and they are a great tool to use! Now, instead of writing complex formulas as criteria in Advanced Filters, you can simply click, “Yesterday” to see all of the records from the previous day!

Of course, you must actually have records in your data set for that date!

The Natural Language Date Filters are related, by position, to TODAY(). The TODAY() Function is a “Volatile Function” that returns the value for the current date as found in your computer systems internal clock. The result of the TODAY() Function will change each day. And so, by definition, will the result for a “Yesterday” filter!

Filter for Specific Date

There are several methods that you can use to filter for a specific date or range of dates. One method that I demonstrate in this tutorial is the “Custom Date” dialog box.

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Learn About My New Extended Length Video Tutorials

I have recently released a series of extended length (90 minutes) video tutorials. They are part of my “Master Excel in Minutes” Series. Each video focuses on one topic. My first video is focused on Excel Pivot Tables. I have created Videos for Excel 2010, Excel 2007 and for Excel 2003. You also have the choice of purchasing the video for immediate downloading or shipped to you on a DVD-ROM.

Follow this link to go to the information page for my “Master Excel in Minutes” video tutorial series.

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How to Automatically Add a Time / Date Stamp Whenever You Add or Edit a Record in Excel

VBA Code to add Time Stamp

VBA Code to add Time Stamp

In this video tutorial, I respond to one of the most frequent requests that I get from my viewers – “How do I automatically add a ‘Time / Date Stamp’ whenever I add or edit a record in my Excel Worksheet?”

On the surface, this might appear to be a “simple” question to answer. However, I promise that you will be frustrated if you try to solve this problem by using the =NOW() Function or one or both of these Keyboard Shortcuts:

  • Ctrl + ; (Semi-colon) to add a Date Stamp
  • Ctrl + Shift + : (Colon) to add a Time Stamp

Because … NOW() is a “Volatile Function” that automatically updates to display – in all records that refer to NOW() – the current date and time. And … because, it is difficuly to automate the combination of Keyboard Shortcuts to apply a Date / Time Stamp.

So … what is the solution?

Use VBA to Create a Simple “Event Handler” Macro

Don’t get scared off! Don’t say, “I can’t write a VBA Macro!”

I PROMISE you – an Intermediate Level User of Excel – that by investing 10 minutes to watch this tutorial – that you WILL be able to automate this process to add a Time / Date Stamp whenever you add or edit a record in Excel.

I had you – the Intermediate / Early Advanced Level Excel user in mind when I created this video tutorial. I take you step-by-step through the process. I point out the potential “got’cha” steps. I am confident that I can help you to advance your skill set in Excel with this video tutorial!

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Tips for Working with Array Formulas and Functions in Excel

Using ARRAY Functions in Excel

ARRAY Formulas in Excel

Array Formulas and Functions are very powerful tools to use in Excel. However, the concept of working with ARRAYs take a little bit of time and practice. In this video tutorial, I demonstrate how to:

  1. Create formulas that use ARRAYS as arguments
  2. Work with ARRAY FUNCTIONS – for example, the TRANSPOSE Function
  3. Key “Got’cha” steps to master – for example, selecting all cells to receive formula results before creating the ARRAY Formula.
  4. The importance of using Ctrl+Shift+Enter to complete the Array formula.

What is an ARRAY?

“An Array is a collection of Cells or Values that Excel treats as a single unit.”

Why Use an ARRAY Formula?

  1. Automatic Level of Protection for Formula Cells – You cannot delete nor edit a single cell in an Array Formula
  2. Eliminate Intermediary Calculations – For example, you can find the Grand Total without having to create a field to calculate “Extended Price.”
  3. Worksheet, usually, calculates faster because you are using fewer formulas.

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How to Use the Offset Function Inside a VLookup in Excel

Vlookup in Excel

VLOOKUP in Excel

Each month, I get 5 to 6 emails of phone calls from viewers who who are having trouble using the VLOOKUP Function in Excel. In the majority of cases, the problem is that their Data Table is setup so that the “Key” field that they need to search in is NOT the Left-most or first field in the table. It is not always practical – nor desirable – to use “Cut and Paste” to rearrange the fields in the data set. So, what techniques can you use to fix this?

Use the OFFSET Function Inside a VLOOKUP Function

In this scenario, our IT Department sends us a daily report of the products that we sell including fields for the current cost and quantity on-hand. We use this report to generate additional reports and filters. This report gets saved automatically as an Excel 2010 Table with the name “Inventory.” The problem is, whenusing a VLOOKUP, that the first – or Left-most – field is NOT the “Key” field that we want VLOOKUP to use to search for a Match in order to return the current price or inventory for individual product.

The OFFSET() Function in Excel, makes it easy to reference a “starting field” that, in this case, is one column to the Right. This is perfect for our situation. We can continue to use our “named range” with the VLOOKUP!

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Structured Formula References in Excel 2007 and Excel 2010 – Part 2

Compare Structered References Excel 2007 v 2010

Compare Structured References 2007 v 2010

This is the second and concluding part of this series where I demonstrate how to use Structured Formula References when referring to Excel Tables.

Key Points Covered

  • The difference between Structured Formula References in Excel 2007 and Excel 2010
  • How to Edit Structured Formula References
  • How to Write Structured Formulas using the new Formula AutoComplete drop-down menu

 

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Go to Part 1 in this Series of Video Tutorials

Follow this link to go to Part 1 in this Series of Tutorials about using Structured Formula References in Excel Tables.

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Master Excel Pivot Tables in 90 Minutes: Announcing My New Extended Length Video Tutorials!

Master Pivot Tables in Minutes

Master Pivot Tables in Minutes

I am proud to announce the publication of my new series of “Extended Length” video tutorials: “Master Excel Pivot Tables in 90 Minutes!”

Now, you can can get an in-depth video tutorial, so that you can Master Excel Pivot Tables with 90 minutes of video instruction. You also receive the actual Excel Workbook file that I used while filming the video lessons as well as a printed step-by-step instructional manual.

What Makes this Product Unique?

  •  Excel Versions for the Video Tutorials

  • Available for Excel 2010, Excel 2007 or Excel 2003

Multiple Options for Delivery

Resources to Assist Your Learning

  • The Excel Workbook file that I used while filming each video lesson – Included with purchase!
  • PDF Manual of Step-by-Step Instructions – That you can print out – Included with purchase!

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How to Use Structured Formula References for Tables in Excel 2007 and Excel 2010

Structured Formula Reference - Excel 2007

Structured Formula Reference - Excel 2007

Beginning with Excel 2007, you can – and should – convert a Standard Data Range to an Excel Table. Doing so offers several advantages:

  • You get a selection of Table Styles – including Alternate Row Shading – that make it easier to read your tables.
  • You can automatically extend the Scope of your Table – by adding additional Fields (Columns) or Records (Rows).
  • You can give your Table a “Name” to reflect the purpose of the Table.
  • You can add a Total Row to Subtotal each Field (Column) and you can change the Function used to Subtotal from a drop-down menu.
  • You can apply Structured Formula References in the Table – Enter the Formula in a Single Cell and it is Automatically copied down for each record in the Table.

“In This Row” Formula Styles

Structured Formula References use a new style of formulas. Rather than referring to a specific Cell, in an Excel Table, you refer to a Field “in this row.” This type of formula is easy to create “inside the table.” It is also fairly easy to create “outside the Table” using the new Formula AutoComplete tool. You will be using [ ] (Left & Right Brackets) for these formulas. I go over these details, in-depth, in this video tutorial.

There are also distinct differences in how Structured Formula References are created between Excel 2007 and Excel 2010. These Structured Formula References are greatly streamlined in Excel 2010 – in my opinion.

The SUBTOTAL() Function and Excel Tables

I strongly recommend that you become familiar with how to use the valuable SUBTOTAL() Function in Excel when referring to the data in a Table. With the SUBTOTAL Function, you can produce a wide range of summaries anywhere on your Excel Workbook. And… the Subtotal Results reflect the totals for any “Filters” that you apply to your Table.

Play this Video in High Definition

Watch this Video in High Definition

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Go to Part 2 in this Series of Tutorials

Follow this link to go to Part 2 in this series of tutorials about using Structured Formula References in Excel Tables.

Announcing 6 New Products on My New Online Secure Shopping Website

I invite you to visit my new online shopping site. I have added 6 new products – Extended Length Video tutorials that you can either “download now” or purchase as a DVD-ROM. Each product contains over 90 minutes of in-depth video instruction for Pivot Tables. You can choose the product to fit your version of Excel – Separate products for Excel 2003, Excel 2007 and Excel 2010.

Click here to view my new products.

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