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Change in return of AVERAGE function - Mac Excel
I was puzzled that a spreadsheet I use daily generated an error today that had not existed in earlier versions. Attempts to confirm the validity of the spreadsheet functions by running prior versions that had previously run error free resulted in the same error. Eventually, it seems that the operation of the AVERAGE function has been changed in an Excel program update that was installed yesterday. Previously, if an AVERAGE function addressed a range of empty cells, it would return a zero value. Now it is returning the error #DIV/0! This is strange because the AVERAGE function will now return zero if the addressed range contains zeros rather than just being empty. Not sure if Microsoft intended this change or if the change might also apply to other functions. In muy case, I'm able to change my spreadsheet to provide for this but it would have been nice to have some warning.
Loss carry forward for limited years
Hello Excel Community, Excel Version: O365 (Enterprise) I’m running into a mental block trying to model loss carryforward with limited years using a spill formula. Below is a simplified example of what I’m trying to build a formula for. Rules: • A loss from any year can be carried forward for N years, after which it expires and can no longer be used. • In any year with a positive tax liability, if there is any remaining loss from the past N years, you deduct using a FIFO approach (oldest losses used first). • Any unclaimed balance from year N+1 expires, even if it hasn’t been fully used. I’ve found plenty of examples showing loss carryforward without expiration, but I’m struggling to build something that handles both FIFO and expiration in a dynamic array formula. I feel like this must be a solved problem and I’m just missing something obvious. Any help would be greatly appreciated! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Excel crashes whenever file tab is clicked
I have been having a lot of issues with Excel on a vm that we use, and I cannot try and fix these issues due to not being able to click on the file tab. Whenever the file tab is clicked, excel freezes and if anything clicked again goes to not responding. I do not get anything from windows diagnostics. I have also reinstalled Office 365 several times and excel always has this issue. the VM is a 2019 data Center and excel is 32 bit. running in safe mode does nothing. Book.xltx or Sheet.xltx is not in the XLSTART folder, if it was, I would have to wait for plant downtime to restart the vm. Deleted the excel key in HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Excel, restarted excel and issue still persists.
Request: Please Professionally Enhance My Gantt Chart Template
Hi everyone, I’ve created a basic Excel Gantt chart template for suppliers to use when discussing project timelines with landowners. The chart lists tasks on the left and shows the duration of works by month from October 2025 to April 2026. My Excel skills are quite basic, so I’d really appreciate if someone could directly improve the template for me. Specifically, I’m looking for: A more professional and visually appealing layout Clearer formatting for tasks and timelines Automatic highlighting of active months for each task Conditional formatting to make the chart easier to read Any other practical enhancements that would make it more effective for supplier discussionshttps://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1SdPU8HEsHDjOHljwYsPnRmRHHNrJ5Whq/edit?usp=drivesdk&ouid=104511246399228274463&rtpof=true&sd=true This is only a template and contains no sensitive data. I’ve attached the file—please feel free to make changes directly to the chart. Thank you very much for your help!Celebrating 40 Years of Excel: A Journey of Impact, Innovation, and Community
🎉 Celebrating 40 Years of Microsoft Excel This year, Microsoft Excel turns 40! From its debut in 1985 to becoming the world’s go-to tool for analysis, decision-making, and creativity, Excel has shaped how we work, learn, and share insights. 📊 Excel in Pop Culture Over the decades, Excel has appeared everywhere — from TV shows to internet memes — proving it’s more than just software; it’s part of our culture. ⏳ Excel Through the Decades From the first release in 1985, to the introduction of pivot tables, charts, Power Query, dynamic arrays, and now AI-powered Excel, the journey has been remarkable. 💼 Excel’s Impact on Business For entrepreneurs, enterprises, and analysts alike, Excel has been a cornerstone of productivity, unlocking insights and driving smarter decisions. 💚 A Thank You to the Excel MVPs & Community A heartfelt thank you to the Excel MVPs and community for teaching, inspiring, and sharing knowledge with millions of users worldwide. Your passion has kept Excel thriving for 40 years. 🎂 Here’s to the Next 40 Years From formulas and charts to AI and beyond, the future of Excel is bright. Happy 40th birthday, Excel! 🎉 #ExcelAt40 #ExcelJourney #ExcelImpactExcel at 40: Days of Innovation, Insight, and Impact
Lookup Logic and Formula Mastery (Days 12–13) Day 12: INDEX + MATCH INDEX-MATCH offers precision and control that VLOOKUP can’t match. It allows searching in any direction, handling dynamic ranges, and building smarter formulas. Takeaway: INDEX-MATCH remains a favorite for its flexibility. Day 13: IF Statements The IF function is Excel’s gateway to decision-making — from flagging errors to categorizing data and building nested logic. Takeaway: IF unlocks conditional logic, the foundation of intelligent spreadsheets. Formatting and Data Integrity (Days 14–16) Day 14: Conditional Formatting Highlight trends, flag errors, and guide decisions — all without formulas. Takeaway: Color isn’t decoration; it’s direction. Day 15: Named Ranges Named ranges make formulas readable, reusable, and scalable. Takeaway: A named cell is a documented cell. Day 16: Data Validation Prevent errors before they happen. Data validation ensures consistency and control. Takeaway: Validation is your first line of defense. Advanced Functions and Developer Thinking (Days 17–18) Day 17: LET and LAMBDA Reusable logic, cleaner formulas, and modular thinking. Takeaway: Write once, reuse everywhere. Day 18: Excel as Code Excel can be structured, recursive, and debuggable. Treat it like code. Takeaway: Excel is a logic engine, not just a grid. Visualization and Dashboards (Days 19–20, 24–25) Day 19: Charting Excel’s Visual History From bar charts to dynamic visuals, Excel’s charting tools have evolved to tell better stories. Day 20: Sparklines Tiny visuals with huge impact — sparklines bring context to rows and columns. Day 24: Dashboard Design Tips Whitespace, hierarchy, and purpose-driven visuals matter. Day 25: Data Storytelling Turn numbers into narratives. Takeaway: Good visuals don’t just show; they persuade. Automation and Integration (Days 21–23) Day 21: Power Query Transform messy data into structured insights with just a few clicks. Day 22: Power Pivot Build relationships, create measures, and model data like a pro. Day 23: No-Code Automation Workflows that connect Excel to the Power Platform. AI, Python, and the Future of Excel (Days 26–32) Day 26: Copilot and Python in Excel Ask questions, run code, and automate analysis. Day 27: Excel in Schools and Turing Power Excel teaches logic, empowers students, and builds future thinkers. Day 28: Driven Impact Excel powers AI models and NGO dashboards — smarter sheets, bigger change. Day 29: Excel and GitHub Trigger reports from commits. Excel meets DevOps. Takeaway: Excel is part of your automation stack. Day 30: Excel Humor REF errors. Merged cell chaos. We have all laughed and cried. Day 31: Quick Excel Tips CTRL + SHIFT + L CTRL + E ALT + = Day 32: Excel and AI Predictions From reactive to predictive with natural language, smart forecasts, and proactive insights. Takeaway: Excel is not just reactive; it is predictive. Global Impact and Community (Days 33–36) Day 33: Global Impact and MVP Stories From classrooms to boardrooms, Excel empowers a global community. Takeaway: Excel is powered by people — educators, creators, and problem-solvers. Day 34: Excel in NGOs Supporting development, transparency, and impact measurement. Day 35: Excel in Enterprises Scaling models, compliance, and business-critical decisions. Day 36: Excel in Everyday Life From personal budgets to side hustles, Excel powers daily problem-solving. Final Thoughts Excel is more than a spreadsheet — it is a platform for logic, design, automation, and storytelling. As we celebrate 40 years of innovation, I am grateful for the Excel MVPs, product teams, and the global community of users who keep building smarter with Excel. What is your favorite Excel feature or moment? Share your thoughts and let’s celebrate the journey together.How to Be an Excel Detective: Finding and Highlighting Formulas
Hi everyone, I recently wrote a blog post on some simple, yet powerful, techniques for anyone who works with Excel spreadsheets, especially those with complex data. I wanted to share a summary of it with this community, as it might be helpful to others who are looking to understand and protect their work. The post covers two main things: Quickly Revealing All Formulas: A simple keyboard shortcut (Ctrl + `) or the "Show Formulas" option can instantly reveal all formulas in a worksheet. This is a great way to quickly see how a spreadsheet is structured. Permanently Highlighting Formulas: The article shows how to use the "Find & Select" > "Formulas" feature to select all cells containing formulas and then permanently highlight them with a fill color. This visual cue can help prevent accidental edits and protect your data. Watch This in Action: For a step-by-step guide on how to use these techniques, you can watch the video on my https://www.youtube.com/@BIGurus. 🔗 https://youtu.be/1x-1dbqlWXk You can also read the full article here: https://medium.com/@anandsharad/how-to-be-an-excel-detective-finding-and-highlighting-formulas-fe9d4fdbc1b1 I'd be happy to answer any questions you have or discuss other Excel tips and tricks in the comments!📣 ExcelAt40 – Days 5 to 10 Recap
Hello Excel Community 👋 I’ve been running a daily series called #ExcelAt40, celebrating 40 years of Microsoft Excel through stories, innovations, and personal reflections. Here’s a recap of Days 5 to 10 — each post dives into a pivotal moment in Excel’s evolution: Day 5: Charting the Future Before dashboards ruled the world, Excel gave us the power to visualize data with clarity Excelat40-day-5-charting-the-future 🧠 Day 6: Formulas That Changed Everything From =SUM() to =XLOOKUP, Excel taught us how to reason with logic. Excelat40-formulas-that-changed-everything 📈 Day 7: PivotTables Debut Celebrating Professor Pito Salas, the visionary behind dynamic data analysis. Pivot Tables Debut 🧬 Day 8: VBA Rises In 1997, Excel unlocked automation with Visual Basic for Applications. VBA Rises 🧩 Day 9: The Ribbon UI Revolution Excel 2007 introduced the Ribbon a bold redesign that changed how we work. https://www.linkediThe Ribbon UI Revolution 🛡️ Day 10: Y2K Audits Excel’s role in averting global disaster during the Y2K crisis. Y2k Audits I will love to hear your thoughts: 💬 Which Excel feature changed the way you work? 📌 What’s your favorite moment in spreadsheet history? Let’s celebrate the legacy together. #ExcelAt40 #MicrosoftExcel #OlufemiBuilds #NoCode #TechLegacy #ExcelCommunityExcelAt40 — Day 4: The Birth of Financial Modeling
When Excel launched in the late 1980s, it wasn’t just a new spreadsheet tool — it was the beginning of a revolution in financial modeling. The =NPV() function became a cornerstone for analysts, enabling precise valuation of future cash flows without leaving the grid. This wasn’t just a formula. It was a gateway to: 📈 Investment analysis 🏦 Corporate finance modeling 💼 Startup valuation Excel empowered a generation of finance professionals to build models that shaped decisions, raised capital, and forecasted futures. As we celebrate 40 years of Excel, we honor the formulas that built industries — starting with =NPV().
