Advanced Excel Guides

Deep-dive tutorials for users who want more than the basics, from complex formulas to higher-leverage spreadsheet workflows.

16 articles

AI in ExcelAdvanced
2026-03-18

The Karpathy Loop for Excel: How Autoresearch Changes the Way We Optimize Spreadsheets

Learn how Karpathy's autoresearch pattern — the AI experiment loop that ran 700 tests in two days — applies to Excel formula optimization, VBA macros, and AI-assisted spreadsheet workflows....

#ai#automation#formulas#optimization
9 min read
Read Article
AI in ExcelAdvanced
2025-11-14

AI in Excel: Practical Guide to Copilot, ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini

Learn how to use AI in Excel with Copilot, ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini. Compare strengths, limitations, use cases, and how to verify AI-generated formulas, analysis, and automation....

#ai#data-analysis#automation
16 min read
Read Article
Advanced
2018-06-20

Ready, Set, Scatter: How to Make a Scatter Plot in Excel

This article consists of all the basics of how to make a scatter plot in Excel. By using the guide, readers will be able to generate their own plots as well as format them and add design features....

#charts
7 min read
Read Article
AdvancedFormattingIntermediate
2018-06-13

How to Alphabetize in Excel: Fast & Simple

Using Excel we can properly organize data for our businesses or personal finances. Learn how to alphabetize in excel so it is easy to read and refer back to whenever necessary....

#alphabetize
12 min read
Read Article
AdvancedFeaturesFormatting
2018-04-25

The Drop Down Basics: How to Make a Drop Down List in Excel

This article shows you how to make a drop down list in excel. It provides two ways for you to quickly and easily make dropdown lists in an Excel spreadsheet. You can follow the instructions to create a new dropdown list...

#drop-downs
7 min read
Read Article
Advanced
2012-02-29

Check the Analysis ToolPak Add-In in Excel 2003 [VBA Code]

This VBA code checks to see if the Analysis TookPak Add-In is installed in Excel 2003 when the file is opened, and will notify the user if not....

#excel-legacy#vba
3 min read
Read Article
Advanced
2011-12-20

Select a Column of Non-Sequential Data

This macro will select a column of non-sequential data when the active cell is located in the column heading....

#vba
2 min read
Read Article
AdvancedProduct
2011-07-12

Microsoft Query Incompatible with Mac OS X Lion [Updated]

Excel for Mac users should beware, Microsoft Query is an incompatible app in the upcoming Lion upgrade for Mac OS X....

#excel-for-mac
2 min read
Read Article
AdvancedFormattingFormulasTime and Date
2011-07-08

International Short Date Formatting for the TEXT Function

A quick method to automatically give the TEXT function a short date format that matches the computers region settings by using some VBA code in Excel....

#vba
3 min read
Read Article
Advanced
2011-05-04

Select One Column of Data with VBA

Select one column of data in a table by using some simple VBA code and a Form button....

#vba
2 min read
Read Article
Advanced
2011-04-19

The Table Address and Structured Data in Excel

Structured data in Tables include #All, #Data, #Headers, #Totals, and @ which are available in formulas to reference different parts of the Table....

2 min read
Read Article
Advanced
2011-03-23

Speeding up VBA with the PrintCommunication Property in Excel 2010

Excel 2010's PrintCommunication property in VBA suspends communication with the printer while the code for PageSetup runs, making the code faster....

#vba
4 min read
Read Article
Advanced
2010-12-22

Automatically Expand a Named Range in Excel

Automatically expand the name reference of a data table when a user adds more data by using the sheet deactivate routine to call a simple subroutine....

#vba
2 min read
Read Article
AdvancedFormulasTime and Date
2010-12-08

Calculate the Xth Weekday of Any Month in Excel

A simple formula to calculate the Xth Day of any month using four inputs: Year, Month, Week, and Day. Data validation with custom formatting required....

#excel-legacy#excel-for-mac
5 min read
Read Article
AdvancedFormulas
2010-11-13

Single-Cell Array Formula in Excel

The Evaluate Formula dialog box shows interim calculations for single-cell array formulas to reveal array values Excel holds in internal memory....

#arrays
4 min read
Read Article
Advanced
2010-11-06

Hide or Show Names in Excel with VBA

Names can be hidden or shown in Excel with some simple VBA code....

#names#vba
4 min read
Read Article

About Excel Semi Pro

Since 2010, we have been helping people improve their Excel skills. Here, you will find beginner and intermediate tips on navigating spreadsheets to achieve results.

Read more about us