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Chat with Copilot popup on every Excel launch
An ad for Copilot shows up every single time I open Excel. Clicking Not Now closes it, only for it to reopen again when I open Excel later. Is there any way to disable this or remember my selection each time? It is frustrating to have to deal with it all day long. I do not have a Copilot tab in File > Options. Optional connected experiences is already disabled. Microsoft® Excel® for Microsoft 365 MSO (Version 2511 Build 16.0.19426.20218) 64-bit Windows 11 Pro 25H2Playing with conditional formatting
This formatting is something I used to restructure the way I wrote formulas between 2015 and 2018. In the original I used VBA but now, as often happens, worksheet formulas used within conditional formatting are sufficient. The formula defining the condition is = DIRECTREFλ(A1) //Function to test for the presence of direct cell references DIRECTREFλ = LAMBDA(cell, IF(ISFORMULA(cell), REGEXTEST(FORMULATEXT(cell), "\b[A-Z]{1,3}\${0,1}\d{1,6}\b")) ); The original was pretty effective as a training aid to avoid the practice of relative referencing and use defined names! That said, not many followed my lead! Mind you when I posted a discussion on Chandoo it didn't meet with overwhelming support, though subsequent events in the form of spilt ranges have made my life so much easier! The post did however stimulate more discussion than I had anticipated. The A1 notation is an abomination that has no place within serious spreadsheet design -- discuss? | Chandoo.org Excel Forums - Become Awesome in Excel
EXCEL FORMULA INTEGRITY VALIDATION USING POWER AUTOMATE
OVERVIEW I built a Power Automate workflow to validate Excel financial models and alert errors in real-time. Excel Agent Mode can miss formula dependencies and reconciliation checks. This workflow ensures formula integrity and sends real-time email alerts when issues are detected. FLOW LOGIC Trigger – Starts when an Excel file in OneDrive is modified List Rows – Retrieves validation table Filter Array – Keeps rows where Status = "Error" Initialize Variable – Prepares summary string Apply to Each – Adds each failed check Condition – Sends email if errors exist Send Email – Include bold red highlights for errors SAMPLE EMAIL ALERT A validation error was found in your financial model. Net Income Flow-through: Error (11/04/2025 03:30) Test Error Trigger: Error (11/04/2025 03:30) Please review the Excel model and correct the issues. USAGE INSTRUCTIONS Upload your Excel file to OneDrive with the validation table Update the Power Automate flow to point to the correct file and table Ensure the Filter Array step checks Status = "Error" Save and test the flow; errors trigger email alerts Optional: Customize the email template for formatting or recipients WHY THIS MATTERS Excel Agent Mode may miss formula linkage or integrity issues Dependent relationships may be misinterpreted Workbooks may be modified without validation records This workflow ensures: Formula integrity is maintained Errors trigger real-time alerts Audit trails are preserved REFERENCE Microsoft Support: Agent Mode FAQ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/frequently-asked-questions-about-agent-mode-in-excel-frontier-1cfd906d-40b4-46be-8e2d-65b893e28a02?utm_source=chatgpt.com GITHUB REPOSITORY For full workflow and files: https://github.com/olufemiolamoyegun/excel-formula-integrity-validation?utm_source=chatgpt.comRequest: 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 https://www.linkedin.com/posts/olufemi-olamoyegun_excelat40-day-5-charting-the-future-activity-7364386306572828673-dpj8 🧠 Day 6: Formulas That Changed Everything From =SUM() to =XLOOKUP, Excel taught us how to reason with logic. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/olufemi-olamoyegun_excelat40-formulas-that-changed-everything-activity-7364968873474908161-PGNb 📈 Day 7: PivotTables Debut Celebrating Professor Pito Salas, the visionary behind dynamic data analysis. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/olufemi-olamoyegun_day-7-pivottables-debut-activity-7366077860282896384-euqr 🧬 Day 8: VBA Rises In 1997, Excel unlocked automation with Visual Basic for Applications. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/olufemi-olamoyegun_excelat40-day-8-vba-rises-activity-7366342708942008320-yJL7 🧩 Day 9: The Ribbon UI Revolution Excel 2007 introduced the Ribbon a bold redesign that changed how we work. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/olufemi-olamoyegun_day-9-the-ribbon-ui-revolution-activity-7367783381973053440-I-KK 🛡️ Day 10: Y2K Audits Excel’s role in averting global disaster during the Y2K crisis. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/olufemi-olamoyegun_y2k-audits-activity-7367795370120187904-5ewY 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().
