Microsoft Excel Tips and Tricks You Need for Pivot Tables

Microsoft Excel Tips and Tricks You Need for Pivot TablesMicrosoft Excel Tips and Tricks You Need for Pivot TablesPicture this Your new boss needs to present zu sich annual budget to the executive team for sign-off, and shes asked you to gestaltat her Microsoft Excel spreadsheet so it looks sharp. What do you do? You try to piece together the key learnings from past Excel training sessions. But if your mind goes blank, dont fret. Professionals in administrative jobs often need to format reports, and weve got the Microsoft Excel tips and tricks you need to get the job done.Meet the pivot tableOne of the most useful Excel tips and tricks is the pivot table. When considering a format to best display your data, pivot tables are a wonderful option to work with. These tables summarize the data in your spreadsheet, extracting the most important points from large sets. This allows you to readily view your data from different perspectives.Proper use of pivot tables also allows users to displa y and print relevant data in an organized format. However, these tables can be hard to work with because of the way they are laid out on the screen. You can save a lot of time by selecting the easiest layout for your task before creating your report.A good source of Excel tips and tricks specific to pivot tables is ... well, Microsoft itself. Microsoft has createdhandy tutorials for Excel 2010, Excel 2013 and Excel 2016.There are three layout options for pivot tables in ExcelOutline form outlines data in the standard format for pivot tables.Compact form minimizes the need to scroll by showing all fields in one column. This layout contains field nesting for related fields.Tabular form lays out data in table form. This format makes it easy to copy cells to other spreadsheets.Keep in mind that outline form can be hard to work with because data is not easily seen or formatted. This format displays all available data, including subtotals that may not be relevant or necessary, making the report harder to follow. It may also display so much data that users have to scroll repeatedly to view relevant cells.With that in mind, heres another of our handy Microsoft Excel tips and tricks Before doing anything else, click anywhere in your pivot table to display the Design tab. Click Report Layout from the Layout group in that tab and then choose a layout more conducive to your needs. For example, use the compact layout rather than outline layout to display a cash flow report so you dont clutter your report with subtotals and other irrelevant data.Clean up your report with more Excel tipsOne of the challenges of working with reports is that they can overwhelm you with data. If you see a lot of data cluttering up your screen, you may not know where to begin Other Excel tips and tricks can help you overcome that.Eliminate clutter by umgebung Excel to hide unnecessary information. You can hide rows and columns by clicking anywhere in the pivot table to display the Options tab. T hen, go to Show/Hide in that tab. You can also hide fields you are not using, turn off display of subtotals you dont need to see, and hide empty rows and columns by going to the appropriate area in the Options tab.Use styles and banding for reportsExcel comes with a variety of style options for reports. Look at the available styles by clicking anywhere in the pivot table to display the Design tab and selecting the Style Gallery option. Choose a style that is easy on your eyes. Using a style will automatically format certain elements of the entire report, such as fonts, alignment and how numbers are displayed.You may also want to use banding to make reports easier to read. Banding makes alternate rows different colors so you can see data more clearly. Automatic banding can be added to the report by choosing Banded Rows or Banded Columns from the PivotTable Style Options group in the Design tab.Excel at administrative jobsUsing these Excel tips and tricks to add your own formatting to uches can help you make your reports easier for your manager and others to comprehend - and make you look like a tech-savvy star.OfficeTeam has the resources you need to succeed in your career. Explore all of our tech tips for more ways to make administrative jobs a little easier.More Microsoft Excel tips and tricks5 Excel Tips and Tricks for Fixing Your Broken Formulas5 Ways to Save Time Using Excel Shortcut Keys6 Excel Tips That Can Upgrade Your Spreadsheets

Hired! Persistence Pays off with Data-Storage Job

Hired Persistence Pays off with Data-Storage JobHired Persistence Pays off with Data-Storage JobSales manager seeks more job security and lands a senior analyst sttte without relocating.Curtis Breville got a new job when he wouldnt take no for an answer.Looking through job listings on Ladders last fall, he came across a position that had detailed requirements for a senior analyst at Enterprise Management Associates, a data storage company in Boulder, Colo. I had just about every one of those requirements nailed, he said. So I filled out the application form and attached my resume. Two days later, I received an e-mail saying essentially, Thanks, but no thanks, he recalls. The letter said, After looking at your resume, your experience does not meet our needs. It kind of ticked me off, he said, laughing.So the SalesLadder member sent a letter back to the recruiter that read, After reviewing your needs, Ive determined my background is very much what you are looking for. He also created a table that listed its requirements and across from that, his experience.For each of their 30 different requirements, I wrote my experience, he said. I fully expected them to say, This guy is a jerk, but I felt I had to stand up for myself. I welches qualified for this job. The next day, I got a request for an interview. And after I received a job offer, my new boss said that my letter proved to them how much I wanted the job.Breville said he had never done anything like that before but believes it was his experience in his previous position that gave him the confidence to push back.He had been working for a small French storage-management company as the North American sales manager. I was saying to people, Hey, weve got a product from a small French company that youve never heard of and not getting any interest, then trying again and eventually selling it. Once you do that, it gives you a lot of confidence in your ability to sell something. I had the confidence to push, and back up what I was pushing.Breville had been working at the companys Denver office for just a year when, this past fall, he suspected it was having financial difficulties. When the paycheck isnt in the bank when its supposed to be and expense reports are not paid on time, you see the writing on the wall. Two weeks after my paycheck wasnt there, I took some proactive steps to fix the situation.In late October 2008, he started looking for a new job. He found the job on Ladders the first night he looked at the listings, accepted an offer in November and started his job in December.Breville his wife and three children, ages two, four and 11, had moved to the Denver area just six months previous so he could work for his previous employer. Not wanting to uproot his family yet again, Breville made the decision to limit his search to the Denver area. A lot of the data-storage companies that I would look to for employment are headquartered here or have major offices here. Plus, we love Denver we lo ve being close to the mountains. We wanted to stay in this area.He was totenstill working for his previous employer when he began his search. And while he was a bit nervous about the economy, after doing some research, I saw jobs that needed people with my qualifications, and that calmed my nerves.According to Breville, data storage is a safe field of employment. There is never a lack of need for storage, he said. No matter how bad things get, companies need to buy storage. Every company uses it - every time a store or restaurant rings you up, thats a transaction they need to back up. Every day, millions of transactions take place that have to be saved. Every company that does business is saving its data. I went into this area because I thought it was a high-tech growth market.Initially, Breville was looking for a position in either sales or marketing. And he saw several jobs in that area. But when he saw the listing for the analyst position at EMA, he saw a job where he could use all his experience technical, customer relationship, management and sales.All that experience comes together in his new position, in which he looks at trends to predict where the market will go and what customers will be asking for. People are paying for your opinion, he said. Vendors of storage products contact them to hear me talk about their products and provide information that might help them produce or market it better. Im helping companies refine their messages, let them know if they are on target for what the market is asking for. I help them with research and development, so they can start coming up with new products and solutions.He also works with consumers who use his company as industry technology experts. Were not selling hardware or software were just helping them figure out the types of products they need.In the end, Breville said he is happy he made the change. His former company is still in business, but he feels better working for a bigger, more stable company. Hi s previous company had a terrific product, it was sorely overlooked, and it got hard hit by the economy. The company is still around it restructured, and is now about one-quarter the size they were before I left. If I didnt have young kids - if they were older and had moved out - and if I didnt have a mortgage, I could have taken a risk with paychecks coming in late. But right now, Im at a time in my life where I couldnt do that.

How to not let winter get you down

How to not let winter get you downHow to not let winter get you downDo you dread the winter months? Do you feel tired and depressed when the clocks go back and the nights start drawing in? If you also have mood swings, sleep problems, carbohydrate cravings, headaches, irritability, weight gain or feel you have little interest in life, you may be one of the estimated 2 million people in the UK who suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) or the less-severe form, often referred to as the winter blues.Nobody really knows what causes SAD or the winter blues. But some experts believe SAD described by the NHS as a type of depression that has a seasonal pattern is caused by fewer hours of sunlight during the winter months that deplete your bodys levels of serotonin often called the feel-good chemical which affects your mood.Low light levels are thought to affect the production of a brain chemical called melatonin, which can disrupt the bodys internal clock (or circadian rhythm). Th e pineal gland produces more melatonin during the hours of darkness, making you feel sleepy. But some people who have SAD are thought to produce more melatonin than usual, making them feel tired throughout the day.If youre diagnosed with SAD, your GP may recommend treatment with antidepressants called selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Talking therapies, such as cognitive behavioural therapy, are also often recommended.But if you have milder symptoms, thewellbeing charity CABAhave some tips you can try to protect yourself against the winter slumpSee the lightGetting outdoors on a bright winter day may help relieve the symptoms of SAD and the winter blues. Try getting out of your home or office at some point during the day for around 20 minutes or longer. And if you cant get outside, try sitting near a window whenever possible to soak up some natural light.Many people with SAD or the winter blues also respond to light therapy, which involves sitting in front of a speci al light therapy lamp or light box at home. These lamps produce very bright light, and using one often during the morning is thought to help boost serotonin production while suppressing your melatonin levels.If you decide to buy a light box, make sure it has been made by a fully certified manufacturer and is designed for treating SAD.Get activePhysical activity is widely thought to be an effective way to boost your mood, and theres a solid body of evidence that suggests exercise may help to alleviate depression. Exercising outdoors, especially when its sunny, may have an even stronger effect on SAD/winter blues symptoms.You dont have to turn into a fitness fanatic. Just being more active in your day-to-day life can have a huge benefit on the way you feel, especially during the winter. For instance, try taking a walk in the park instead of lunching at your desk, or walk to the shops instead of taking the bus.Pack your bagsMost people take a holiday during the summer, but for anyo ne who suffers from SAD or the winter blues it might be worth going away in the winter instead. Many people affected by SAD say their symptoms are at their worst during January and February, so its a good idea to take advantage of the cheap off-peak package holidays and get some winter sun after Christmas.Eat mood-boosting foodsMany experts believe what you eat can make a huge difference to your mood, especially during the winter, particularly foods that contain the amino acid tryptophan, which converts into serotonin in the brain. Foods rich in tryptophan include bananas, turkey, chicken, fish, cheese, eggs, milk, nuts, avocados and pulses.Many nutrition experts also recommend eating carbohydrate snacks throughout the day because carbohydrates help with the tryptophan-to-serotonin conversion in the brain. Try to choose complex carbohydrates such as brown rice, wholemeal bread and wholemeal pasta. These release glucose into your bloodstream more slowly than processed carbohydrates s uch as white bread and sugary foods, which may help keep your blood sugar levels stable.Some also believe omega-3 fatty acids may enhance serotonin activity, so eat oily fish such as salmon, mackerel, sardines and fresh tuna at least once a week (if youre a vegetarian or vegan, try adding flaxseeds or chia seeds for an omega-3 boost).Also, try to avoid fluctuations in your blood sugar levels, which can make you crave sweet foods and feel tired and irritable. Always start the day with a good breakfast and try not to let yourself get too hungry have smaller meals with healthy snacks in between, and avoid anything sugary.Stay warmSome SAD sufferers say their symptoms improve when they keep warm, so make sure your home and workplace are properly heated and wrap up well when you go outdoors. If you find it difficult to stay warm in bed, take a hot water bottle with you or invest in an electric blanket (never use both at the same time and always follow the safety instructions that come wi th your electric blanket).Winter has only just begun, and the shorter days may make you feel less able to cope with the symptoms of depression or winter blues. It can also be difficult to tell if you or your loved one is experiencing SAD, so the wellbeing charity CABA has tips available on spotting signs of depression and understanding its effects.