Microsoft Excel is a robust spreadsheet application designed for effortless data processing and analysis. Using inserted tables facilitates data arrangement, analysis, and retrieval. In any form of spreadsheets, whether it be Google Sheets or Chrome spreadsheets, tables simplify and enhance understanding and usability.
Through this, you will learn how to insert tables, add filters, sort data, and edit duplicates to make your spreadsheets organized in an efficient manner.
1. How to Insert a Table in Excel
Thanks to Excel’s built-in filtering and formatting features, tables can now be used to visualize and sort data with ease.
Steps to Create a Table in Excel
- Open Microsoft Excel.
- Highlight the data range you want to convert into a table.
- Click on the “Format as Table” icon which can be found in the Home tab.
- Select a table style from the Light, Medium, and Dark options.
- Click on “OK” in the dialogue box that appeared.
- You will now see a new option called Table Tools on the ribbon under Design tab.
- To change styles or apply filters, click on “Design” to bring up new options for highlighting column or row styles.
Tables are preformatted for glossary lookups, making them easier to read and more manageable.
2. Applying Filters and Sorting Data in Excel
Sorting and filtering a dataset lets you access particular information with ease.
Applying a Filter in Excel
- Open the Excel sheet with data.
- Choose data range to perform filtering.
- Select the “Data” tab.
- Click on Sort & Filter section and chose Filter.
- Each column will have a drop-down arrow on the top row of the spreadsheet.
- Select criteria and drop down to filter data.
By using filters, you are able to extract relevant data without having to edit the base data set.
Sorting Data in Excel
- Highlight any cell in the column that you wish to sort.
- Go to the Data tab and chose Sort.
- Click on Ascending (A-Z) or Descending (Z-A).
- Furthermore, clicking the shortcut arrows next to the button is another option to sort data.
This method of sorting helps to manage information and simplify a piece of data to its most important components.
Clearing A Filter
- Choose the data that has been filtered.
- In the Sort & Filter section, select Clear.
Filtering results allow you to see items previously hidden and switch back to the full view of the data.
3. Deleting Duplicate Entries in an Excel Table
Duplicate records can result in mistakes or misrepresentation. Deleting duplicates helps ensure that records are thorough and accurate.
How to Delete Duplicate Values Within an Excel Document
- Highlight the whole table.
- Open the “Data” tab.
- Select “Remove Duplicates” from the list of options under Data Tools.
- A dialogue box opens — check or uncheck the boxes of the columns you want to be checked for duplicates.
- Select “OK” to delete duplicates.
Removing duplicates helps to reduce overwriting of information and organize your excel sheet systematically.
Final Thoughts
- Use Excel files for effective information management and evaluation.
- Use criteria to filter through certain pieces of information.
- Use the data filters to organize information in both ascending and descending order.
- Use item filters to simplify the need for data correctness.
By understanding these Excel features, you will be able to manage and read data more proficiently.