Excel is an extraordinarly complete, versatile tool. This page focuses on several functions and capabilities that make working with data easier. In each case I've provided a link to the official MS help page (which usually has a video as well as text) as well as links to other resources that may be helpful.
Click on each topic to see details.
What they are:
A table is a collection of data assumed to be similar in nature, typically with a header identifying each column.
Having data in a table makes many manipulations easier in Excel
If data isn't already in a table it's easy to create one by putting the cursor in a cell and clicking on Format as Table from the Home tab
MS Help - Overview
Page Resources - Excel Easy
Video Resources
Teacher's Tech - 7 Reasons why you should use Excel Tables 9:35 (2022)
What it is:
When data rows are in a range (usually a Table) you can show only rows that have values in a column, and you can sort the rows in an ascending or descending manner
A table is automatically set with filtering on, as well as sorting
MS Help - Filter Data in a Range or Table
Page Resources
Video Resources
Teacher's Tech - 3 ways to filter data in Excel 7:06 (2024)
This has advanced techniques you probably won't need as well
Technology for Teacher - Sorting in Excel - Basics and Beyond 7:37 (2022)
What it is:
Find a value in another table (even worksheet or workbook) that is given by matching a value in a column in your table with a column in the lookup table.
It's possible to require multiple matches if necessary
XLookup is the currently preferred method.
It works only in Excel 2016 and MS-365 Excel
Vlookup is more familiar to many and often works fine, but is subject to problems which XLookup avoids
Page Resources
Video Resources
Kevin Stratvert (not same as KevStrat below) - VLookup in Excel 5:42 (2024)
KevStrat channel - XLookup 8:17 (2025)
What they are:
The allow extraction of specific text from a longer string starting from the left, the middle or the right.
They are a subset of large number of string functions
Page Resources
Video Resources
Kevin Sratvert - at 34:52 of 53 min video course on basic Excel Functions (2022)
What it is:
In a collection of data you may wish to find and remove duplicates, with either all of the columns matching, or only some of the columns. Excel provides a way to do this.
Note: It's also possible to add helper columns to alert you when there are potential duplicates, but that beyond what we're addressing here.
MS Help - Filter for unique values or remove duplicate values
Page Resources - How to find duplicates in Excel - Digital Trends 2024
Video Resources - Three EASY Ways to Find and Remove Duplicates in Excel - Xelplus.com 8:44 (2022)
What it is:
Display your choice of common statistics for data that you highlight. It appears at the bottom of the window when you select the data.
You can choose what to display by right-clicking on the status bar.
MS Help - View summary data on the status bar
Page Resources
3 Quick and Easy Ways to Summarize Excel Data - TechRepublic
Video Resources
The Excel Status Bar - Technology For Teachers and Students 7:28 (2021)
What it is:
For visible cells (when filtering) it's a cell function that gives you one of 9 possible statistics from a range you define. Includes: count, sum, average...
MS Help - SUBTOTAL function
Page Resources
Subtotal Function - ExcelJet
Video Resources
Using the Excel SUBTOTAL Function - Technology for Teachers and Students 4:56 2024
What it is:
Create a new table (typically) that provide a breakdown of data in your source table using values in columns you select.
These are very useful and probably initially difficult to understand, but worth it.
MS Help
Page Resources - Chandoo.org (2020)
Video Resources
How to Create Pivot Table in Excel - Kevin Stratvert - 20:48 (2023)
What it is:
How to create a visual representation of your data, with many possible types.
See also Using Chart Templates
MS Help - Create a chart from start to finish - very brief, but with video
Page Resources
Charts in Excel - Excel Easy
Video Resources
Excel Charts and Graphs Tutorial - Kevin Stratvert 24:30 2024
He covers many aspects, with the simplest first.
What it is:
A way to save and then apply to different data a chart that you (or someone else) has customized. It's a MS Template file stored (usually automatically) in your Templates folder.
On a PC the filetype is: .crtx
MS Help - Save a custom chart as a template - and then use it.
Page Resources
How to Create a Chart Template in Microsoft Excel - How-To Geek 2021
Video Resources
Excel Charts and Graphs Tutorial - Kevin Stratvert at 12:54 out of 24:30 2024
What it is:
Copilot is MS's AI that is rapidly being incorporated into all their applications.
It's included here, because it may be helpful when you're working with excel, either to answer questions, or actual perform actions.
Because it's so new it changes often in capabilities and methods
Available only for MS-365, and currently only works within Tables
MS Help - Get started with Copilot in Excel
Page Resources
Hands on: Copilot Pro for Excel review 2/25 Short Article - not a how-to
Video Resources
Excel Copilot Tutorial - Excel’s Biggest Upgrade Ever - Kevin Stratvert 16:13 4/25
This video offers lots of possible uses. It's very much worth watching.
Update: 5/12/2025