Excel is one of the most valuable tools in the Microsoft Office suite of applications. The program can help you perform complex calculations, analyze data, generate reports, and do many other things.

However, sometimes using Excel can be a bit taxing as it requires you to enter formulas and perform multiple clicks to get what you want. But worry not, as this post will go over the best tips, tricks, and shortcuts you can use without advanced knowledge to take your Excel game to a whole new level. 

Use Cell Borders Appropriately

Adding borders to cells is an excellent way to make your data stand out when using excel. Your cells will be automatically filled with a solid colour by default, but you can easily change that.

All you have to do is select the cell or range of cells you want to add a border in Excel, create a custom border style, or remove a border. After that, you can go to the Font group under the Home tab and adjust all border settings, including colour and style, or pick one of the available presets. 

Use Pivot Tables in Excel to Make Sense of Data.

Pivot tables can be a great tool to make the most of your data. While this feature does not change the available data, it allows you to use your Ms Excel sheets to perform data analysis, compare different information in your spreadsheet, and draw conclusions based on the information.

To access pivot tables, click on the Statistics tab and proceed to the Pivot Table button. From here, you can sort and filter your data the way you want, similar to how you would use filter and sort functions in Microsoft Word. 

Transpose Rows into Columns

Sometimes you might want to transform rows of data in your spreadsheet or just one item in one of the rows into columns, or vice versa. Copying and pasting headers one after the other would take so much of your time and energy. 

Luckily, you can use the transpose feature in Excel to make the long process easy. With this feature, you can easily convert the rows in your Excel sheet into columns, or the other way around, by simply clicking on the Transpose Row button. 

Use the IF Formula to Automate Different Functions in Excel.

The IF function can be pretty beneficial when performing calculations based on certain conditions. As a conditional function, the IF formula will help you define a logical test that returns one value if that test evaluates as true and a different value if it is false. 

To make the most out of this formula, you must set multiple conditions. As a result, it becomes relatively easy to get more realistic outputs and manage data in your spreadsheets based on the results. 

This formula is accessed on the “IF” button in the top right corner of the formula bar. You can also add it to your formula bar from the list of your Excel formulas. 

Make Sure You Use the Right Colours for Your Cells.

Your cells will be automatically filled with a solid colour by default, but you can change that. This is very easy with a colour picker on the Home tab. 

Additionally, you can use "Conditional Formatting" from the Home menu to make cells automatically change colour based on data. A good example is if you want to flag specific numbers that are above average or a certain percentage in your spreadsheet.