Spreadsheet Roundup 20150506
Here is a roundup of selected spreadsheet articles that I’ve read in the past month. You’ll find interesting tips, useful sample files, and new ideas for your own spreadsheets.
For a weekly Excel Roundup, please visit my Contextures blog.
If you have suggestions for next month’s spreadsheet roundup, please let me know. Thanks!
1. Spreadsheets in Education
In the Spreadsheets in Education journal, you can read a variety of interesting articles, including “Divination: Using Excel to explore Ethnomathematics” (Vol. 8, Issue 1). Some of the articles have workbooks that you can download.
Also, Alice Keeler, from the Teacher Tech blog, wants math teachers to start using spreadsheets in the classroom.
For teachers who are using Google Sheets, Corey Aylen lists a few helpful add-ons for education.
2. Project Tracking
Use Excel to track simple project tasks. Enter a task description, the estimated and actual times, date completed, and other info.
3. Google Sheets Chart Tricks
In a short video, Sara Silverstein shows how to create maps, add annotations, and show estimates, in Google Sheets charts.
Those features aren’t available in Excel charts, but James Hewitt lists 7 reasons to like Excel over Google Sheets.
4. Clustered Column Chart Alternatives
If you’d like a change from clustered column charts, you’ll be inspired by 6 new ideas from Ann K. Emery. She helped a colleague overhaul a chart, and wants to know which alternative you like the best.
5. Using Goal Seek
Goal Seek is one of the What If Analysis tools in Excel, and Winston Snyder shows how to use Goal Seek, manually, or with a macro. See how much you would have to adjust a number, to reach a target amount.
6. Function Tips
On the PC World blog, JD Sartain shared a list of 15 Excel function tips. There are 3 categories — entering formulas, formulas for common tasks, and bonus tips.
7. Understanding Array Formulas
Array formulas can be confusing and intimidating, if you don’t use them often, or haven’t used them before. On the Model Off blog, Dan Mayoh explains what arrays are, and how to use them in financial models.
8. Microsoft MVP Virtual Conference
The first ever (and free) Microsoft Americas MVP Virtual Conference will be held online, May 14-15, 2015, with sessions from 8 AM to 6 PM (Pacific Time), both days. If you don’t have time to attend the full online conference, you can see the full agenda, to find sessions you’re most interested in.
9. OpenVis Presentation Videos
The videos from the recent OpenVis conference are available online, and the interactive Table of Contents makes it easy to access them, and find topics of interest. Click on a topic or word at the top, and see a marker, where that occurs in the video.
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