Maximize Excel: Sleeper Features
Presented by David H. Ringstrom, CPA
 
Event Date/Time: 02/04/26 12:00 PM Eastern
Duration: 100 minutes
 

In this presentation, CPA and author of "Microsoft 365 Excel for Dummies" David Ringstrom reveals powerful sleeper features that can significantly improve how you work in Excel. You’ll start by enhancing everyday workflows with Excel Tables, including total rows and slicers, before transforming data using multi-step Power Query techniques. David then demonstrates how dynamic array functions such as UNIQUE, SORT, FILTER, CHOOSEROWS, and CHOOSECOLS can replace traditional formulas while avoiding common #SPILL! errors. The session also covers productivity boosters like grouping worksheets, automating Center Across Selection, and creating simple macros with custom icons. By the end of the presentation, you’ll have a toolkit of lesser-known Excel features that can dramatically streamline analysis, automation, and reporting.

David demonstrates every technique at least twice: first, on a PowerPoint slide with numbered steps, and second, in the subscription-based Microsoft 365 (formerly Office 365) version of Excel. David draws your attention to any differences in the older versions of Excel (2021, 2019, 2016 and earlier) during the presentation as well as in his detailed handouts. David also provides an Excel workbook that includes most of the examples he uses during the webcast.

Microsoft 365 is a subscription-based product that provides new feature updates as often as monthly. Conversely, the perpetual licensed versions of Excel have feature sets that don't change. Perpetual licensed versions have year numbers, such as Excel 2021, Excel 2019, and so on.

 
Who should attend:
Professionals seeking to use Microsoft Excel more effectively.
 
Topics typically covered:

• Hiding and unhiding multiple worksheets with Custom Views.

• Reorganizing spreadsheet data to use XLOOKUP as a better alternative to nesting IF functions.

• Center Across Selection with the Macro Recorder

• Transforming an accounting report by way of Power Query.

• Filtering a cleaned-up accounts receivable aging report to display only overdue amounts.

• Dynamically sorting data with the SORT function in Excel 2021 and later.

• Creating PivotTables and PivotCharts based upon your data by asking natural language questions.

• Convert tickers into linked records and pull company details into your workbook.

• Filtering tables quickly using the Slicer feature.

• Unearthing Full Screen View to easily hide or show Excel’s ribbon and formula bar.

• Adding totals and filters that automatically adjust based on which rows are visible

• Executing the Center Across Selection macro to apply formatting.

 
Learning objectives:

• State which section of Excel's File menu enables you to mark a document as trusted.

• Identify the arguments that correspond to the UNIQUE function.

• Recall the key that allows you to group a series of adjacent worksheets at once.

 
Level:
Intermediate
 
Instructional Method:
Group: Internet-based
 
NASBA Field of Study:
Computer Software & Applications (2 hours)
 
Program Prerequisites:
Prior experience with Microsoft Excel
 
Advance Preparation:
None