Using excel's substitute function

I love the way Excel functions, like SUBSTITUTE, can save you time. If you are not familiar with this function, use SUBSTITUTE when you want to replace specific text in a text string. Let’s see how with the example below. I want to substitute “Cost” for “Sales” and use the formula highlighted on the Formula bar.

Can you think of any examples where you could use this? Companies often change their names so this function can be used to change Suntrust Bank to Truist Bank with minimal effort.

Contact me at sharon_daniel@att.net for support on using the SUBSTITUTE function. Need help with Excel - coaching, data analysis and/or training? Contact me at 561-289-9484 to discuss your needs.

Asking "What If" in Excel

What IF? We often ask this question! You can also ask it in an Excel formula using the IF function. A function is a predefined formula that performs calculations using specific values in a particular order. Excel includes many common functions including sum, average and count.

The IF function tests whether a condition is true or false and then performs an action. An example is shown in the screen shot below. If the value in L2 (the Total value) is greater than 500, then enter High in M2; if not, enter Low in M2, written as =if(L2>500,”High”,”Low”). Note - always enclose text in double quotation marks.

Contact me at sharon_daniel@att.net for support on using the IF function. Need help with Excel - coaching, data analysis and/or training? Contact me at 561-289-9484 to discuss your needs. See my website for a complete list of the ways I can help you - InfoExpressVBC.com.

Using Excel's Special number format

Excel Tip: Have you ever received a data file that had telephone numbers without formatting, like in the left screenshot below, starting in row 2? Without formatting, you don’t really know if it’s a regular number or a phone number. You can use the Special category on the Number formatting tab to correctly format the phone numbers. Select the Phone Number type in the Type box as indicated in the right screenshot.

For support on using the Special number format, contact me at sharon_daniel@att.net. Need help with Excel - coaching, data analysis and/or training? Contact me at 561-289-9484 to discuss your needs.