Excel is uniquely flexible when it comes to storing data – no setup, no field definitions, just headings and data. But there’s more than one way to work with that data, and in this episode Mike explains the difference between a simple range and an Excel Table, and why it matters.
A range works perfectly well for some tasks but converting your data to a Table unlocks some genuinely useful extras. Tables are dynamic, meaning new rows are automatically included in your formulas, formatting, and pivot tables without any manual updating.
Mike also covers structured references (they look unusual at first, but they make formulas far more readable), how to name your tables, the handy Total Row feature, and a few quirks and limitations that are worth knowing about before you commit.
If you regularly work with lists of data in Excel, and who doesn’t, this episode will help you decide when a Table is the smarter choice.
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