If you use Microsoft Excel to stay organized at your workplace, then you’ll be happy to know that Microsoft has unpacked a plethora of new features to the tool to further enhance your productivity.
Here’s everything that was added to Excel in February:
Excel for the web
Microsoft is now making it easier for you to sort out PivotTables and PivotCharts by incorporating manual sorting. The feature was already available for the desktop client but is now shipping to the web.
With this new addition, users will now be able to arrange their PivotTable row and column items based on their preference. This means that you’ll no longer be limited to the standard ascending and descending arrangement. Here’s how it works:
Excel for Windows
First up, Microsoft rolling out a new feature to Windows Insiders that will automate the recalculation process to the active workbook and any of its interdependent workbooks. This way, productivity is enhanced as a lot of time is preserved.
What’s more, the Windows client will also be getting a new feature dubbed Block untrusted XLL Add-Ins. It is designed to add an extra layer of security to worksheets, thus protecting you from malware attacks coming through XLL add-ins. However, it is rolling out to Windows Insiders and is expected to hit general availability soon.
Excel for Mac
Mac users now have access to Power Query Editor which will allow them to author queries from local files, SharePoint, OData, as well as other sources.
What’s more, users will be able to import data from XML and JSON files, OData, SharePoint Online List, Blank Query, and Blank Table. This capability was previously limited to Excel workbooks and Text/CSV files.
The team at Microsoft Excel also indicated that Mac Insiders now have access to the capability that lets them import data from SQL Server databases using Power Query.
And finally, just like Excel for Windows Insiders, the Automatic Recalculation Optimization feature is also shipping to Mac Insiders.
That’s it for the month of February folks, we invite you to check out January’s recap in case you missed it. Be sure to also check out our expert guide which will help you learn how to document and track changes in Excel.
