In this session, author and Excel expert David Ringstrom, CPA, shares techniques you can use to verify the integrity of even the most complicated Excel workbooks. Features covered include Show Formulas, Evaluate Formulas, Trace Precedents, and the FORMULATEXT function. David will contrast editing traditional formulas with dynamic array formulas in Excel 2021 and Excel for Microsoft 365 and writing formulas by using structured references.

David is the author of “Microsoft Excel 365 for Dummies”, “Exploring Microsoft Excel’s Hidden Treasures”, and has written or co-authored six other books. He demonstrates every technique at least twice: first, on a PowerPoint slide with numbered steps, and second, in the subscription-based Excel for Microsoft 365. David draws your attention to any differences in Excel 2021, 2019 or 2016 during the presentation and in his detailed handouts. The handouts include an Excel workbook with most of the examples he uses during his demonstrations.

Excel for Microsoft 365 is a subscription-based product that receives periodic feature updates. Conversely, perpetually licensed versions have year numbers in their names and do not receive any feature updates.

Who should attend:

Professionals seeking to verify the integrity of Excel spreadsheets more effectively.

Topics typically covered:

• Identifying other cells a formula relies on by way of the Trace Precedents feature.

• Mastering the IFERROR function to display alternate values in lieu of a # sign error.

• Displaying all formulas in a worksheet at once with the Show Formulas feature.

• Identifying the various # sign errors Excel formulas can return.

• Stepping through formulas in slow motion with the Evaluate Formulas feature.

• Utilizing the Error Checking command to locate cells that contain errors within a worksheet.

• Transforming cell references into range names by way of the Apply Range Names to Formulas command.

• Streamline formula writing with by creating nicknames for repetitive values with the LET function in Microsoft 365.

• Displaying subsets of data dynamically by way of the new FILTER worksheet function.

• Sorting lists of data dynamically from elsewhere in a spreadsheet with the new SORT function.

• Saving time writing formulas by choosing named ranges with the Use In Formula command.

• Deconstructing existing formulas by asking ChatGPT to explain the formula in detail.

Learning objectives:

• Recognize which version(s) of Excel offer the FILTER function.

• Recognize the color that dynamic array functions are displayed in within Excel's formula bar in all cells except the cell where the formulas was entered.

• State which menu the Trace Dependents command appears on in Excel.

Level: Basic

Instructional Method: Group: Internet-based

NASBA Field of Study: Specialized Knowledge (2 hours)

Program Prerequisites: None

Advance Preparation: None