Whether you’re just getting started with Excel or looking to streamline a specific task, these tutorials are designed to help you work more efficiently without unnecessary complexity.
Browse step-by-step tutorials covering formulas, functions, data cleanup, formatting, PivotTables, dropdown lists, lookups, printing, automation, and more. Each tutorial focuses on solving a practical problem with clear explanations, companion articles, and downloadable resources when available.
Use the search box or browse the topics below to find the tutorial you need.
New tutorials are added regularly as I discover practical ways to solve everyday software and technology challenges.
Latest Tutorials
How to Remove Extra Spaces in Excel
Learn how to remove extra spaces from text in Microsoft Excel using the TRIM function. This beginner-friendly tutorial explains what TRIM removes, when to use it, and why it’s one of the most useful functions for cleaning imported or inconsistent data.
How to Create an Order Form with Drop-Down Menus in Microsoft Excel
Learn how to create a professional order form in Microsoft Excel using drop-down menus, Data Validation, and named ranges. This step-by-step tutorial also covers formatting dates, ZIP codes, and credit card fields to build cleaner, more accurate spreadsheets for real-world business use.
Excel Basics & Setup
These are tutorials that help users understand Excel basics, interface options, and foundational spreadsheet skills.
How to Turn on Focus Cell in Excel to Highlight the Active Cell Row and Column
Learn how to enable the Focus Cell feature in Microsoft Excel to highlight the active row and column. This simple productivity feature makes it easier to navigate large spreadsheets, improve accuracy, reduce eye strain, and quickly locate the cell you’re working in.
How to Delete a Pattern of Rows in Excel
Learn how to delete repeating patterns of rows in Microsoft Excel using a helper column, AutoFill, and sorting or filtering. This simple technique makes it easy to remove groups of rows from large datasets without writing formulas or manually selecting each row.
2 Ways to Create a Dropdown List in Excel
Learn two easy ways to create dropdown lists in Microsoft Excel using Data Validation. This tutorial demonstrates both the typed list method and the named range method, explains when to use each one, and includes downloadable practice files and a quick reference guide.
How to Manage Prospects or Leads in Excel
Learn how to create a simple lead and prospect tracker in Microsoft Excel using Data Validation, drop-down lists, filters, and notes. This tutorial demonstrates an easy-to-maintain system for organizing contacts, tracking follow-up activities, and managing sales or networking opportunities.
How to Show the Developer Tab in Excel
Learn how to show the Developer tab in Microsoft Excel so you can access advanced features like macros, VBA, form controls, and automation tools. This quick tutorial walks you through the Ribbon settings to enable the Developer tab in current versions of Microsoft Excel.
2 Easy Ways to Separate First & Last Names in Excel
Learn two easy ways to separate first and last names in Microsoft Excel using Flash Fill and Text to Columns. This tutorial explains when each method works best, how to split names safely, and includes a downloadable practice workbook so you can follow along.
How to Solve a Fraction Word Problem in Excel (Pizza Party Example)
Learn how to solve a fraction word problem in Microsoft Excel using a simple pizza party example. This tutorial shows how to format cells as fractions, calculate the number of pizzas needed, determine leftovers, and organize math problems into easy-to-follow steps using Excel.
How to Solve a Fraction Word Problem in Excel (Ice Cream Party Example)
Learn how to solve a multi-step fraction word problem in Microsoft Excel using an ice cream party example. Calculate how many students want each flavor, determine the full packs required, and find the leftover cups while learning fraction formatting, multiplication, division, rounding, and subtraction.
How to Enable VBA in Excel
Learn how to enable VBA in Microsoft Excel by displaying the Developer tab, configuring macro settings, and enabling access to the VBA project object model. This guide explains what each setting does, when it’s needed, and important security considerations for working safely with Excel macros.
How to Divide Fractions in Excel (2 Easy Methods)
Learn two easy ways to divide fractions in Microsoft Excel using the example 7/8 divided by 5/4. Enter the entire calculation in one cell or divide fractions stored in separate cells, then format the result to display the answer as 7/10 instead of a decimal.
Formulas & Functions
These focus on formulas, functions, and using Excel to perform calculations or manipulate information.
How to Remove Extra Spaces in Excel
Learn how to remove extra spaces from text in Microsoft Excel using the TRIM function. This beginner-friendly tutorial explains what TRIM removes, when to use it, and why it’s one of the most useful functions for cleaning imported or inconsistent data.
How to Auto-Populate Fields in Excel Using a Drop-Down and VLookup
Learn how to combine a drop-down list with VLOOKUP to automatically populate customer information in Microsoft Excel. This step-by-step tutorial demonstrates a practical business workflow that can be adapted for order forms, packing lists, customer databases, contact management, and other data-entry tasks.
How to Use XLOOKUP for Multi Criteria Searches in Excel
Learn how to use XLOOKUP to retrieve data based on multiple criteria in Microsoft Excel. This step-by-step tutorial demonstrates how to combine values from multiple columns to perform more flexible lookups using a practical real-world example.
How to Create a Searchable Drop-down List in Excel
Learn how to create a searchable drop-down list in Microsoft Excel using the FILTER function, named ranges, and Data Validation. This tutorial includes downloadable examples for partial, exact, and case-sensitive searches, with solutions for both Microsoft 365 and older versions of Excel.
How to Combine Multiple Names Based on Same or Different Last Names in Excel
Learn how to automatically combine names in Microsoft Excel based on whether two people share the same last name. This tutorial uses IF, AND, and TEXTJOIN to create mailing label-friendly names while supporting households with one or two people.
Choosing the Right Method to Combine Text in Excel
Learn four easy ways to combine names or other text in Microsoft Excel using CONCAT, TEXTJOIN, the ampersand (&) operator, and CONCAT with ranges. This tutorial explains when to use each method and how to preserve your combined results after merging your data.
How to Keep the Zero at the Beginning of a Number in Excel
Learn three easy ways to keep the zero at the beginning of a number in Microsoft Excel. Whether you’re working with ZIP codes, employee IDs, or other fixed-length numbers, this tutorial explains the best method for your data and why Excel removes those beginning zeros in the first place.
How to Randomize a List in Excel
Learn how to randomize a list in Microsoft Excel using the RANDBETWEEN function and Excel’s Sort feature. This quick tutorial shows how to shuffle names, numbers, or other data into a random order for drawings, group assignments, surveys, and many other real-world uses.
How to Create a Cryptogram in Excel
Learn how to create your own cryptogram in Microsoft Excel using MID, RANDBETWEEN, VLOOKUP, and sorting. This fun project demonstrates how multiple Excel functions work together to build custom substitution ciphers that you can print, share, or customize for classrooms and games.
How to Split a String of Text Into Individual Rows in Excel
Learn how to split a word or text string into individual rows in Microsoft Excel using the MID and ROWS functions. This tutorial explains how the formula works, why each function is used, and how to convert the results into permanent values after separating the text.
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Working with Data
Clean, organize, sort, and transform your data more efficiently.
How to Create a Searchable Drop-down List in Excel
Learn how to create a searchable drop-down list in Microsoft Excel using the FILTER function, named ranges, and Data Validation. This tutorial includes downloadable examples for partial, exact, and case-sensitive searches, with solutions for both Microsoft 365 and older versions of Excel.
How to Manage Prospects or Leads in Excel
Learn how to create a simple lead and prospect tracker in Microsoft Excel using Data Validation, drop-down lists, filters, and notes. This tutorial demonstrates an easy-to-maintain system for organizing contacts, tracking follow-up activities, and managing sales or networking opportunities.
Analysis & Reporting
These tutorials help users analyze information, highlight patterns, and create useful insights.
How to Sort & Filter in Excel
Learn how to sort and filter data in Microsoft Excel to organize large spreadsheets and quickly find the information you need. This tutorial explains single and multi-level sorting, filtering by specific values, and the difference between sorting data and temporarily hiding rows.
Printing & Sharing
These tutorials help users prepare spreadsheets for printing, exporting, and sharing with others.
How to Create Mailing Labels in Word From an Excel List
Learn how to create mailing labels in Microsoft Word using an Excel spreadsheet with Mail Merge. This step-by-step tutorial shows you how to connect your data, insert merge fields, preview your labels, and print professional mailing labels. Includes downloadable sample files and a printable quick reference guide.
Security & Workbook Management
These tutorials focus on protecting, controlling, and managing workbook content.
How to Enable VBA in Excel
Learn how to enable VBA in Microsoft Excel by displaying the Developer tab, configuring macro settings, and enabling access to the VBA project object model. This guide explains what each setting does, when it’s needed, and important security considerations for working safely with Excel macros.
Real-World Projects
Learn Excel by solving practical business problems.
How to Create an Order Form with Drop-Down Menus in Microsoft Excel
Learn how to create a professional order form in Microsoft Excel using drop-down menus, Data Validation, and named ranges. This step-by-step tutorial also covers formatting dates, ZIP codes, and credit card fields to build cleaner, more accurate spreadsheets for real-world business use.
How to Auto-Populate Fields in Excel Using a Drop-Down and VLookup
Learn how to combine a drop-down list with VLOOKUP to automatically populate customer information in Microsoft Excel. This step-by-step tutorial demonstrates a practical business workflow that can be adapted for order forms, packing lists, customer databases, contact management, and other data-entry tasks.
How to Create Mailing Labels in Word From an Excel List
Learn how to create mailing labels in Microsoft Word using an Excel spreadsheet with Mail Merge. This step-by-step tutorial shows you how to connect your data, insert merge fields, preview your labels, and print professional mailing labels. Includes downloadable sample files and a printable quick reference guide.
How to Manage Prospects or Leads in Excel
Learn how to create a simple lead and prospect tracker in Microsoft Excel using Data Validation, drop-down lists, filters, and notes. This tutorial demonstrates an easy-to-maintain system for organizing contacts, tracking follow-up activities, and managing sales or networking opportunities.
All Excel Tutorials
How to Auto-Populate Fields in Excel Using a Drop-Down and VLookup
Learn how to combine a drop-down list with VLOOKUP to automatically populate customer information in Microsoft Excel. This step-by-step tutorial demonstrates a practical business workflow that can be adapted for order forms, packing lists, customer databases, contact management, and other data-entry tasks.
How to Use XLOOKUP for Multi Criteria Searches in Excel
Learn how to use XLOOKUP to retrieve data based on multiple criteria in Microsoft Excel. This step-by-step tutorial demonstrates how to combine values from multiple columns to perform more flexible lookups using a practical real-world example.
How to Create a Searchable Drop-down List in Excel
Learn how to create a searchable drop-down list in Microsoft Excel using the FILTER function, named ranges, and Data Validation. This tutorial includes downloadable examples for partial, exact, and case-sensitive searches, with solutions for both Microsoft 365 and older versions of Excel.
How to Combine Multiple Names Based on Same or Different Last Names in Excel
Learn how to automatically combine names in Microsoft Excel based on whether two people share the same last name. This tutorial uses IF, AND, and TEXTJOIN to create mailing label-friendly names while supporting households with one or two people.
How to Turn on Focus Cell in Excel to Highlight the Active Cell Row and Column
Learn how to enable the Focus Cell feature in Microsoft Excel to highlight the active row and column. This simple productivity feature makes it easier to navigate large spreadsheets, improve accuracy, reduce eye strain, and quickly locate the cell you’re working in.
How to Delete a Pattern of Rows in Excel
Learn how to delete repeating patterns of rows in Microsoft Excel using a helper column, AutoFill, and sorting or filtering. This simple technique makes it easy to remove groups of rows from large datasets without writing formulas or manually selecting each row.
How to Create Mailing Labels in Word From an Excel List
Learn how to create mailing labels in Microsoft Word using an Excel spreadsheet with Mail Merge. This step-by-step tutorial shows you how to connect your data, insert merge fields, preview your labels, and print professional mailing labels. Includes downloadable sample files and a printable quick reference guide.
2 Ways to Create a Dropdown List in Excel
Learn two easy ways to create dropdown lists in Microsoft Excel using Data Validation. This tutorial demonstrates both the typed list method and the named range method, explains when to use each one, and includes downloadable practice files and a quick reference guide.
How to Manage Prospects or Leads in Excel
Learn how to create a simple lead and prospect tracker in Microsoft Excel using Data Validation, drop-down lists, filters, and notes. This tutorial demonstrates an easy-to-maintain system for organizing contacts, tracking follow-up activities, and managing sales or networking opportunities.
How to Show the Developer Tab in Excel
Learn how to show the Developer tab in Microsoft Excel so you can access advanced features like macros, VBA, form controls, and automation tools. This quick tutorial walks you through the Ribbon settings to enable the Developer tab in current versions of Microsoft Excel.
Choosing the Right Method to Combine Text in Excel
Learn four easy ways to combine names or other text in Microsoft Excel using CONCAT, TEXTJOIN, the ampersand (&) operator, and CONCAT with ranges. This tutorial explains when to use each method and how to preserve your combined results after merging your data.
2 Easy Ways to Separate First & Last Names in Excel
Learn two easy ways to separate first and last names in Microsoft Excel using Flash Fill and Text to Columns. This tutorial explains when each method works best, how to split names safely, and includes a downloadable practice workbook so you can follow along.
How to Keep the Zero at the Beginning of a Number in Excel
Learn three easy ways to keep the zero at the beginning of a number in Microsoft Excel. Whether you’re working with ZIP codes, employee IDs, or other fixed-length numbers, this tutorial explains the best method for your data and why Excel removes those beginning zeros in the first place.
How to Randomize a List in Excel
Learn how to randomize a list in Microsoft Excel using the RANDBETWEEN function and Excel’s Sort feature. This quick tutorial shows how to shuffle names, numbers, or other data into a random order for drawings, group assignments, surveys, and many other real-world uses.
How to Create a Cryptogram in Excel
Learn how to create your own cryptogram in Microsoft Excel using MID, RANDBETWEEN, VLOOKUP, and sorting. This fun project demonstrates how multiple Excel functions work together to build custom substitution ciphers that you can print, share, or customize for classrooms and games.
How to Split a String of Text Into Individual Rows in Excel
Learn how to split a word or text string into individual rows in Microsoft Excel using the MID and ROWS functions. This tutorial explains how the formula works, why each function is used, and how to convert the results into permanent values after separating the text.
2 Ways to Split a String of Text Into Individual Columns in Excel
Learn two easy ways to split a word or text string into individual columns in Microsoft Excel. This tutorial demonstrates both Text to Columns and a formula using the MID and COLUMNS functions, explains how each method works, and helps you choose the best approach for your project.
How to Sort & Filter in Excel
Learn how to sort and filter data in Microsoft Excel to organize large spreadsheets and quickly find the information you need. This tutorial explains single and multi-level sorting, filtering by specific values, and the difference between sorting data and temporarily hiding rows.
How to Remove Spaces at the Beginning of Text in Excel
Learn how to remove unwanted spaces at the beginning of text in Microsoft Excel using a combination of the FIND, MID, TRIM, and LEN functions. This tutorial also explains how to fix non-breaking spaces copied from websites when the formula doesn’t work as expected.
How to Solve a Cryptogram Using Excel & VLOOKUP
Learn how to solve a simple substitution cryptogram in Microsoft Excel using the VLOOKUP function. This step-by-step tutorial shows you how to build a lookup table, automatically decode letters throughout a puzzle, and better understand one of Excel’s most useful lookup functions through a fun, hands-on project.
How to Solve a Fraction Word Problem in Excel (Pizza Party Example)
Learn how to solve a fraction word problem in Microsoft Excel using a simple pizza party example. This tutorial shows how to format cells as fractions, calculate the number of pizzas needed, determine leftovers, and organize math problems into easy-to-follow steps using Excel.
How to Solve a Fraction Word Problem in Excel (Ice Cream Party Example)
Learn how to solve a multi-step fraction word problem in Microsoft Excel using an ice cream party example. Calculate how many students want each flavor, determine the full packs required, and find the leftover cups while learning fraction formatting, multiplication, division, rounding, and subtraction.
How to Enable VBA in Excel
Learn how to enable VBA in Microsoft Excel by displaying the Developer tab, configuring macro settings, and enabling access to the VBA project object model. This guide explains what each setting does, when it’s needed, and important security considerations for working safely with Excel macros.
How to Divide Fractions in Excel (2 Easy Methods)
Learn two easy ways to divide fractions in Microsoft Excel using the example 7/8 divided by 5/4. Enter the entire calculation in one cell or divide fractions stored in separate cells, then format the result to display the answer as 7/10 instead of a decimal.
Simple Software Tutorials 