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How To Use ChatGPT To Improve Your Microsoft Excel Skills

Since ChatGPT’s debut in November, users have been turning to the popular chatbot created by OpenAI for help with everything from emailing coworkers and updating resumes to finding recipes ideas and overhauling dating profiles. 

While some fear the chatbot is already eliminating jobs, it has also introduced ways to help make work more efficient, allowing users to shift their energy toward other tasks and projects. 

One example is by using the generative AI for help with data processing programs workers often struggles with, like Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets. We asked ChatGPT how it can help alleviate spreadsheet woes — here’s what the chatbot had to say about how it can help make your Excel experience easier.

Assisting with tricky formulas, scripts, and templates

ChatGPT can help suggest the best formulas to use within data sets to identify insights you’re seeking and more quickly find results. The technology can also help write Excel scripts or macros, an action or set of actions that can be run repeatedly, like changing the font size or color of a group of cells, which can help make your work more efficient.

According to ChatGPT, it can assist in designing or finding a spreadsheet that fits a specific template with headings and categories already implemented. If a user needs a function that isn’t already available in Excel or Sheets, ChatGPT says it can help walk you through the process of writing it in a program like the Google Apps Script.

Identifying data trends and flagging errors 

According to ChatGPT, the technology can help analyze data by finding trends, summarizing information into a few key statistics, and even helping to create charts and different ways to visualize data. The technology can also help quickly identify errors or missing data points, offering remedial suggestions along the way.

ChatGPT said it can help users integrate data into other programs, or help with importing and exporting data to an Application Programming Interface, commonly referred to as an API.

Helping beginners learn common tricks

The chatbot can walk beginners through common Excel tricks to make the program more efficient, like keyboard shortcuts or step-by-step directions on how to format data in a certain way.

ChatGPT said it can also help with general troubleshooting as issues arise with a spreadsheet, which could be faster than looking through the help menu of a specific program.

Finally, the chatbot said it can recommend other tutorials or guides available online based on your current Excel skill level or what specific task you are looking to complete.

Use Excel with AI

Microsoft Excel is a powerful tool for organizing and analyzing data. It allows users to create spreadsheets, perform calculations, and visualize data in a meaningful way. However, with the advent of AI (Artificial Intelligence), Excel users can now take their data analysis to a whole new level. AI can be used to simplify the process of creating formulas, making it easier for users to analyze data and gain valuable insights.

Simple Steps to Use Excel with AI

Step 1: Go to Excel Insert

Open Microsoft Excel on your computer and click on the “Insert” tab located in the top left-hand corner of the screen.

Step 2: Add AI Functionality

Click on the “Get Add-ins”. & Then in the search bar, type “AI-aided formula Editor” and click on “Add”.

Step 3: Create an AI-aided Formula

Once you have added the AI-aided formula Editor to your Excel, you can start creating formulas with AI. Click on the “Formulas” tab and select “AI-aided formula Editor”. This will bring up a dialogue box where you can enter your data and specify the type of formula you want to create.

Step 4: Specify Data for the Formula

In the dialogue box, specify the range of data you want to use for the formula. You can choose from a range of options, including selecting specific cells or columns, or using a pre-defined data range.

Step 5: Specify the Formula Type

Next, specify the type of formula you want to create. The AI-aided formula Editor will offer suggestions based on the data you have selected, and you can choose from a range of options, including SUM, AVERAGE, MAX, MIN, and COUNT.

Step 6: Review and Apply the Formula

Once you have specified the data range and the formula type, click on “Review Formula” to see the suggested formula. If you are happy with the formula, click on “Apply” to add it to your Excel spreadsheet.

Example:

Using AI to create formulas in Excel can save time and make data analysis more efficient. With AI-aided formula Editor, users can create complex formulas quickly and easily, without having to learn complex Excel functions.