Microsoft Excel Accounting Features

  • Format Painter
  • Sparklines for Data Display
  • Pivot Tables
  • Formulas and Result Viewing
  • Zero Values Hidden

When it comes to working as an accountant, it is very important that you stay organized. There are many software tools that you can use for a variety of job functions but one of the most affordable and most functional programs to consider is Microsoft Excel. Excel accounting functions can provide short cuts for every day work and they can make for much better records. This can be your go-to for all things budgeting and planning. If you have already been using Excel, you may be interested in what you can learn and improve upon. If you have never used it but want to know more about what it can do, let’s take a look at the five most important Microsoft Excel features that accountants typically use in their work.

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1. Format Painter

When you are working on a spreadsheet, whether it be entering data or formatting something, there are different columns, cells and rows that you can focus on. Once you have formatted your information, you can use the format painter function to apply the formatting you just set up to other areas of the spreadsheet. This is much faster than constantly re-formatting everything one at a time.

2. Sparklines for Data Display

This is a feature that is built into Excel as a way to display various smaller charts into your cells. This can be line charts, bar graphs, etc. When you want to select and include one of these Sparklines you simply select the number range you want to work with and click insert. You will be prompted with other options to select from. This is a great function to help you display data trends in a more compact way.

3. Pivot Tables

When you have a lot of detailed data, you can organize this data by using pivot tables. These are interactive functions that process, analyze and compare data. There is a pivot table wizard that will walk you through the process of creating and managing these tables.

4. Formulas and Results Viewing

Switching between data and formulas is much easier when you use the function: Control+Tilde. You can check your formulas while you are working on your spreadsheet and quickly move between the two functions.

5. Zero Values Hidden

When you are dealing with a large amount of data and you want to see different sets clearly, you can utilize the hidden zero values function. There are options in your Excel setup that allow you to control this. Go to the file drop down, choose ‘option’ and then select ‘advanced’.

Regardless of the profession, you are working in, how quickly and efficiently you can get your work done is very important. These are just some of the functions you can use through the Excel program when it comes to accounting. Look into others and practice with the program outside of just using it for work to really understand it and use it to its full potential.