7 New Excel Features - Available Now for Everyone!

Introduction

This tutorial will explore seven exciting new features available in Excel for the web. These enhancements not only improve usability but also streamline various tasks, making your spreadsheet work more efficient. Whether you're a seasoned Excel user or new to the platform, these updates can significantly enhance your experience.

Chapter 1: Excel is Free

• Accessing Excel for the Web
  • Visit excel.new in your web browser.
  • If you don’t have a Microsoft account, sign up for a free one to start using Excel.

Chapter 2: Drag and Drop Enhancements

• Moving Columns and Rows
  • Hover over the column header until a six-dot icon appears.
  • Left-click and hold the icon, drag the column to your desired location, and release the mouse button.
  • A vertical bar will indicate where the column will be inserted.
• Undo Changes
  • Use Ctrl + Z to undo any moves.
• Difference from Desktop Version
  • In the desktop version, hold the Shift key while dragging to insert. On the web, the Shift key replaces the data instead.

Chapter 3: Inserting Rows and Columns

• Quick Insertion Method
  • Hover above the column header or to the left of the row header until dots appear.
  • Click the dots to insert a new column or row easily.
• Traditional Method
  • On the desktop version, right-click the row or column and choose "Insert" from the menu.

Chapter 4: Freeze Panes

• Applying Freeze Panes
  • Click and hold the blue line above the row headers, then drag down to freeze rows.
  • This keeps the selected rows visible while scrolling through data.
• Freezing Columns
  • Similarly, drag the blue line next to the column headers to freeze columns.
• Removing Freeze Panes
  • Drag the blue line back to its original position to unfreeze.

Chapter 5: Autofill

• Using Autofill
  • Type a value (e.g., "January") in a cell.
  • Drag the fill handle (small square at the bottom-right corner of the cell) down to fill adjacent cells.
• Autofill Options
  • After dragging, an options menu will appear where you can choose between "Fill Series" or "Copy Cells."
• Bug Note
  • Be aware that the autofill options menu may not always appear reliably.

Chapter 6: Paste Options

• Using Paste Special
  • Copy cells using Ctrl + C.
  • Right-click on the destination cell to access the new Paste Special menu.
  • Select "Values Only" or other options (like formulas and formatting).
• Keyboard Shortcut
  • Use Ctrl + Shift + V to paste values only.

Chapter 7: Links to Sheet Views

• Creating and Copying Sheet Views
  • Use the "View" tab to create a custom sheet view with specific sorting or filtering.
  • Right-click the table and select "Copy Link to Sheet View" to share the view via email or messaging.
• Bookmarking Views
  • Save links to sheet views in your bookmarks for quick access.

Chapter 8: Filters for Comments

• Managing Comments
  • Use the new filters to view comments that mention you, active comments, or resolved comments.
  • This is especially useful for busy spreadsheets with many comments.

Chapter 9: Date Picker

• Using the Date Picker
  • Double-click a cell formatted for dates or press F2 to open the date picker.
  • Navigate through months and years to select a date.
• Keyboard Shortcut for Today's Date
  • Use Ctrl + ; to insert today’s date and open the date picker.

Conclusion

These new features in Excel for the web enhance functionality and ease of use, from improved drag-and-drop capabilities to efficient comment management. By familiarizing yourself with these updates, you can streamline your workflow and make data management more intuitive. Explore these features further in your next Excel session to maximize your productivity!