Microsoft is currently working on several new updates for its spreadsheet software that will make it easier to work with formulas in Excel.
For those unfamiliar, formulas allow you to use the built-in functions in Excel to perform calculations and solve problems more easily.
If you’re just getting started using formulas in Microsoft’s spreadsheet software, you can also download the company’s Formula workbook that walks you through Excel’s most common formulas in a guided tour. The workbook even contains real-world examples with helpful visuals so you’ll be able to Sum, Count, Average and Vlookup like an Excel pro.
Multiline formula bar and argument assistance
In the first update to the Microsoft 365 Roadmap, the company revealed that it plans to add a multiline formula bar to Excel which should be generally available in March.
Once this feature rolls out, users will be able to resize the formula bar which will make it much easier to navigate when working with longer formulas.
In a separate update, Microsoft announced that it will be adding a new card called Argument Assistance to Excel in March as well. This card will appear when a user is writing a formula and will remain on screen during the arguments insert/edit phase.
The Argument Assistance card will also help users be more efficient while writing formulas and will help reduce the risk for errors. It even includes descriptions of the formula and the different arguments being used as well as an example.
If you haven’t used formulas in Excel yet as part of your workflow, there’s never been a better time to start using Microsoft’s spreadsheet software to its full potential.