Help and How-to for Microsoft Office Excel 2003

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Analyze data with PivotTable reports

After you have built a PivotTable report, you can rearrange it to view your data from alternative perspectives.

Analyze XML data in Excel

Merging and analyzing financial data can be a thorny task when data (such inventory data, tax data, and purchase orders) are maintained in different programs. Learn more about using Extensible Markup Language (XML) for putting structured data into a text file that other programs can read.

Creating custom functions

Although Microsoft Excel includes a multitude of built-in worksheet functions, chances are it doesn't have a function for every type of calculation you perform. Learn how you can create your own functions.

Let Excel be your calculator

Instead of reaching for your calculator, use Excel to do the math!

Raise a number to a power

Want to calculate an extremely small tolerance level for a machined part or the vast distance between two galaxies? Learn how to raise a number to a power by using the "^" operator or the POWER function.

Roadmap to Excel 2003 training

With rich audio and visual components and interactive, hands-on practice sessions, training courses are a great way to become faster, smarter, and more effective at working with Excel. Read this article to find out what courses are available and what they cover.

Delete duplicate rows from a list in Excel

Do you have duplicate rows in a list of data? Learn how you can remove them from your worksheet.

Tracking career opportunities in Excel

Hunting for a new job? Excel can help you keep track of career opportunities and other job search information.

Track your home remodeling costs with Excel

So you've decided to remodel your home and you're wondering where to begin. With Excel and a little help from Templates on Microsoft Office Online, you can develop a preliminary budget, track your remodeling costs, and compare them.

Shading alternate rows on an Excel worksheet

To maximize the readability of endless rows of data, try shading alternate rows with different colors or patterns.

Locate duplicates by using conditional formatting

You can locate duplicates in a range of data by using conditional formatting and the COUNTIF function. Here are the details on how to make that work.

Print labels by using Excel data in a Word mail merge

Want to send a mass mailing to an address list that you maintain in a worksheet? Learn how to use a Microsoft Office Word mail merge to

Format text as strikethrough

Want to cross something out, but cannot find a strikethrough button on the Ribbon? Look for this option in the Format Cells dialog box and apply it to any text you want.

Add a comment to a cell

Comments can help you make a worksheet easier to understand. Learn how you can add them to provide additional context for the data in your worksheet.

Print comments

You can print comments with the worksheet data, either as they are displayed in the worksheet or at the end of the printout.

Using Solver to rate sports teams

Can you use Excel to set NFL point spreads? Read this article to find out.

Introduction to Monte Carlo simulation

Want to accurately estimate the probabilities of uncertain events? Monte Carlo simulation enables you to model situations that present uncertainty and play them out thousands of times on a computer.

Using Access or Excel to manage your data

When to use Access and when to use Excel? If that is the question, read this article to find the answer.

Create a custom dictionary

Prevent Excel from flagging the spelling of words that aren't in the main dictionary by using a custom dictionary.

Using angled text and borders in Excel

For better alignment of column labels, try using rotated text and cell borders.

Format text as superscript or subscript

Superscript or subscript are not available on the Formatting toolbar. Here's how you can apply these formats to your data.

Determining the reorder point: How low should I let my inventory level go before I reorder?

At what inventory level (or reorder point) should you place an order if your goal is to minimize the sum of annual holding, ordering, and shortage costs? Read this article to find out.

Using research services in Microsoft Office Excel 2003

Did you know that you can search for definitions, stock quotes, and other related references, and insert them directly in your worksheet? Here's how.

What's different after you export a PivotTable list from a Web page to Excel

When you export from a Web page to Excel, you may notice specific differences. Find out how these differences affect your worksheet.