TIPS Volume 3, No. 1
September, 2002

     Grade Level Key 
     = Elem,  = Middle
     = High, = Teachers

Tips from the Ambrose Office Expert

Insert Today's Date - To insert Today's date push <Ctrl>+; (semicolon)
Show the Paste Function -  (Function Wizard) Push <Ctrl>+F3
Name a Range of cells - To name a selected range, click in the Name box (far left on the formula bar) and type a one word name.
Step 1: Select your Range of cells 
Step 2: Select the cell location box and type a word to represent the cells selected

Step 3: Now you can replace the cell range D2:D4 with the word science
i.e.: A typical formula using this named range might look like this:

WOW!

Named Formula - To make a Name refer to a constant formula e.g. "TaxRate", go to Insert>Name>Define and type TaxRate in the "Names in Workbook" box and 36% in the "Refers To". Now enter =(10*TaxRate) anywhere on the Worksheet.

                                


Then click OK
Enter =(10*taxrate) on the spreadsheet.

Quick List - To quickly copy down the contents of a cell that has a list in the column to the left or right of it, simply click in the cell you want to copy and then Double click the Fill handle (little black square on the bottom right of the cell).
                                            

Adding Hidden Text to Formulas - Imagine you have a formula like: =$2018+$1056-4*$120. When you initially wrote it you knew what each number represented, but you come back later and can't remember. Add a hidden note to your formula by using the N() formula i.e. =$2018+$1056-4*$120+N("My Wage+Bonus-4 weekly loan repayments"). The N() function will convert text to zero.
My List - If you have a long list of Text with no blank cells between and you want to see a preview of what is in your list. Click in any cell within your list then right click and select "Pick from list", If you select one of the entries, Excel will insert it in the cell for you.

                         

See Formula cells - If you have a sheet full of formulas and you want to identify these cells at a glance go to Edit>Go to>Special and select "Formulas" then click "OK". Now go to Format>Cells or<Ctrl>+1 and select the "Patterns" tab and choose a color.