Guides
13 guides from XcelFormula.
Working with dates in Excel and Google Sheets
How spreadsheets store dates, entering UK-format dates reliably, calculating days, working days, months and ages, and fixing dates stored as text.
How to learn spreadsheets for free
A free learning path for Excel and Google Sheets in the UK: official tutorials, practice ideas, free courses and qualifications, what employers look for, and how to show your skills.
Ten Excel and Google Sheets habits that save hours
Ten practical habits for Excel and Google Sheets, from tables and named ranges to XLOOKUP, data validation and keyboard shortcuts.
Automating spreadsheets without code: a starter guide
Ways to automate repetitive spreadsheet work in Excel and Google Sheets without writing code: tables, Flash Fill, data validation, conditional formatting, Power Query, imports, forms, macro recorders and notifications.
Build a simple household budget spreadsheet
A step-by-step guide to building a monthly budget in Excel or Google Sheets: categories, a transactions log, SUMIFS totals, budget vs actual, and a chart.
XLOOKUP step by step, in Excel and Google Sheets
Learn XLOOKUP step by step with worked examples: exact matches, not-found messages, looking left and returning several columns.
Ten spreadsheet mistakes and how to avoid them
The spreadsheet mistakes that cause wrong answers in Excel and Google Sheets: hard-coded numbers, broken references, VLOOKUP's approximate match, numbers stored as text, merged cells, date formats and more, with fixes for each.
Conditional formatting: a practical guide
How to use conditional formatting in Excel and Google Sheets: built-in rules, custom formulas that highlight whole rows, deadlines, duplicates, and keeping rules manageable.
LET and LAMBDA: cleaner formulas
How to use LET and LAMBDA in Excel and Google Sheets to make long formulas shorter, faster and easier to read, create your own reusable functions, and use helpers like MAP, BYROW and REDUCE, with worked examples.
How to Create Dynamic Inventory Reports with Excel & Google Sheets Formulas
Managing inventory can be challenging, especially when trying to maintain accurate, up-to-date reports. Many businesses struggle with static reports that…
Efficient Data Filtering with Google Sheets: Exploring the Power of the FILTER Function for Accurate Insights
Managing large datasets can be challenging, especially when you need to extract specific information quickly. This is where Google Sheets' FILTER function…
The AI-Enhanced Spreadsheet: How New Features in Excel/Sheets are Changing Formula Use (and What Tutorials You Need) in 2026
When I first heard the whispers of Microsoft 365 Copilot integrating directly into Excel, I was skeptical. My initial thought, back in 2023, was that it would b
The Unseen Revolution: How Excel's 2026 AI Copilot Will Redefine Formula Mastery
Let me make a bold claim right upfront: If you’re currently slogging through formula tutorials, memorising every `XLOOKUP` nuance or battling with `INDEX/MATCH`