How to create your presentation using Excel?
Hrideep barot.
- Presentation
MS- Excel, widely known as Excel, is famous for its spreadsheets and data handling. But little has been explored of this wonderful software other than the standard features.
Do you know that you can create and give your presentation using Excel? Are you curious of how to create a presentation in Excel?
Read till the end to get familiar with the steps and bonus tips in the end!
This is our game plan for this article.
Is excel presentation a good choice?
Step 1: choose a template, step 2: create slides, step 4: remove the grids, add a background picture, add colors to your data, font size matters, make use of cells, title slide, conclusion slide, product sales, comparative analysis, financial resolution or budget proposal, who all can benefit through excel presentations, does excel have presentation mode, how to export excel presentations.
Now, you might wonder: how can a simple spreadsheet be made presentable, especially a business report or pitch?
Well, using Excel might be more advantageous than you think. Here’s why:
Although PPT or PowerPoint Presentations gives a wide variety of options and templates to choose from, it can sometimes be too stretched out or contain lots of information that can be overwhelming.
Often, the main agenda of the presentation gets blurred, as we tend to emphasize and explain each and everything on the PPT.
If you want to give a crisp, short and effective presentation, then consider going for an Excel presentation.
There are fewer chances of your audience losing focus, as you emphasize only the needed information, especially if you are presenting a business report.
You will also save time of giving and making your presentation.
Now that you know why Excel is a good choice, let us see how we can use an Excel sheet in a presentation.
Creating a presentation in Excel
Creating a presentation in Excel can be the easiest way of making a presentation.
Follow these steps to make your presentation in excel:
The first step is to choose a template that goes with the aim of your presentation.
If your aim is to give a business presentation, you can go for templates like the ones seen in the above picture.
If you aim to present a business idea or budget, then you can choose templates such as planner and checklist or expense budget.
Choosing the right template would make things easier for you and your audience.
You might wonder how can I possibly create a slide in excel? Isn’t that a feature of PowerPoint?
Well, the idea is to create one similar to PowerPoint.
By using the sheets as slides, one can easily create an impactful presentation.
Make sure to name the sheets, and arrange them in order to give a smooth presentation.
Step 3: Organize your data
Now enter your required data and arrange it.
Simply select the required data by pressing the SHIFT key and use the ARROW keys to select.
Then, click on the Insert option from the menu tab and click on the Recommended Charts.
Now, select the type of chart you want.
Here are some possible options:
If you have data that depicts a financial report, and you want to explain the profits annually, then go for Line Graphs.
Remember to name your chart. You can click on the chart title to rename it.
If you want to present a monthly report on the expenses, then go for a pie chart.
Pie charts fit well when you present on a single aspect or topic.
Tables work for almost all purposes.
However, the information presented needs to be simple and short.
You can do this by making colored tables.
You can select your data, and from the Page Layout option from the menu, browse the themes and colors.
Go for lighter tones, as they look aesthetic and professional as well.
Also, the audience won’t find it difficult to read the data, which can happen if you use darker colors.
One of the main features of Excel are the grids, i.e., rows and columns.
Our last step is to get rid of the grids, as they can distract the audience and you may also run the risk of giving a shabby presentation.
To remove grids, go to the Page Layout option in the menu tab and unselect or uncheck the boxes under Gridlines and Headings.
After this step, your presentation would seem as if it was made using a PPT!
Tips for making a creative and professional presentation using Excel
Level up your presentation by setting a background picture in your Excel sheets!
In order to do this, go to the Page Layout and click on Background.
You can choose any of your saved pictures or choose from almost infinite options by searching one.
After you choose your picture, click on insert and your background picture is ready!
Last step is to remove the gridlines for a clean presentation.
You can also remove Headings and Formula Bar by unchecking them from the View tab.
It is quite a task to locate and understand data when everything is of the same color.
In other words, when you have a single color, say white, the audience would be busy tallying the data from right to left and not be able to concentrate on your presentation.
To resolve this issue, make your tables with two color tones.
You can choose them from Themes in Page Layout.
Here is the final result:
This table would take less time to locate the data in one row, as the color makes the task easy!
I bet you took some time to read this, especially if you are looking from a laptop or PC.
Did you feel any difference?
Your eyes were strained as you tried to read what was written.
Hence, make sure to have a decently larger font for making your information visible to everyone as not everyone sees your presentation from the same proximity as you.
If you don’t want a background picture, you can go for an image.
For adding an image, go to Insert and click on Illustrations.
You can add pictures, shapes, icons, 3D models and many more.
Remember to uncheck the Gridlines and Headings, before adding the images.
Cells in a spreadsheet can be used in creative ways.
Apart from entering data and doing calculations in a breeze, they can be turned into text boxes!
So make use of them as far as you can.
You can add in the main heading in the first sheet along with a background picture.
You can also use cells for short descriptions or notes below the tables or data for better comprehension for the viewers.
This is very important for all types of presentations and not just for Excel.
The main reason to categorize is to avoid “data dump”.
This happens when you put in too much information in one chart or sheet.
You might get confused or zoned out while presenting, and it is overwhelming from an audience’s perspective as well.
So, divide your data into various sheets and name them, ensuring they are in right order.
Doing so will also give your presentation a better clarity.
Sample Excel presentation
Suppose you are from the Sales department and are asked to give a presentation to the senior executives about the current vaccination drive status and future prospects.
Considering the period to be Jan-June 2021, here is a possible sample of how you can go about giving your presentation using Excel:
Here you can talk about your views on how the organization should carry forward the vaccination drive, and give suggestions on how to do it more efficiently.
What are some good Excel presentation topics?
Excel is a good medium to present product sales. The sample presentation above is a type of product sales.
It gives the organization a clear idea of the direction of the sales of a product and planning further marketing strategy.
If you have just begun your journey as an entrepreneur or are in the sales and marketing field, here is a useful article for you to enhance your skills of giving a business pitch to your clients! Pitch Perfectly: Crucial Public Speaking Tips for Startup Founders
Some topic ideas for product sales can be:
- Annual product review in XYZ branch
- Sales review of XYZ product
- Review of top-selling products in XYZ zone
- Sales promotion review 2020-21
Comparative analysis can be presented using Excel most effectively.
You can show data in simple charts and graphs, and compare the metrics using parameters such as time( weekly, monthly, annually) or regionally( within a company or branch, across branches, or internationally).
Some topics you can consider:
- Comparative analysis of student population taking XYZ stream/course
- Analyzing weekly donations to XYZ foundation
- Regional analysis of reported crimes in XYZ state
- Health and hygiene: A correlational study
Excel is a go-to application when it comes to finances.
With its easy tools and graphics, you can present budget proposals and financial resolutions with utmost ease.
You can consider these topics:
- FDIs for the year 2018-22
- Shares review 2020-21
- Annual review: Financial department
- Funds report: XYZ branch 2020-21
Although Excel is a great tool, it is not suitable for every type of presentations and professions.
It is an excellent medium for those engaging in quantitative data such as:
- researchers
- sales and marketing
- data analysts
- corporate executives
- logisticians, etc.
You can present your data in full-screen mode or presentation mode in Excel!
To do this, go to the View tab and select Full-screen mode, or press CTRL+ SHIFT+F1.
To go back to normal mode, right-click and choose the close full-screen option, or click on the three vertical dots on the top of the screen.
To export your Excel presentation, follow these steps!
STEP 1: Go to Files tab and select Export option.
STEP 2: In Export, click on create PDF/XPS document and name your file.
STEP 3: Click on Publish. Done!
Although we went through the steps of making an Excel presentation, do not leave the other aspect out!
Your body language and delivery style also matters!
If you are confused on what approach to take regarding body language while giving a speech, follow this article! To walk or stand still: How should you present when on stage?
For preparing your voice, follow along How to prepare your voice for a speech: Step-by-step guide .
We took a look into the steps for creating a creative and effective Excel presentation in just 4 steps!
Hope that the steps and tips would make your next Excel presentation a success and completely reinvent the way Excel is seen!
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5 Excel Presentation Tips for Reports
James palic.
- August 6, 2022
Last Updated on August 6, 2022
Microsoft Excel is the best tool in the Microsoft Office Suite for analyzing data. Yet Excel also has the charting and graphing features that help display your data in an easy to understand format. Not every presentation has to be in PowerPoint. In fact, Microsoft Excel can be a better medium for presenting data in many cases. Let’s discuss some Excel presentation tips that will help you present data in a compelling and visually appealing format.
1. Charts and Graphs
Effectively providing a visual summary of data using graphs and charts is an important presentation technique. But it’s just as easy to make a confusing chart as it is to make a helpful one. Cramming every bit of data possible into a visual can result in your presentation becoming cluttered and complicated. Will your audience be able to comprehend the data being portrayed? Could you possibly group or format it differently to make it more meaningful or easier to understand? Excel offers several choices for chart type that can turn the raw data of your excel workbook into an easy to understand format. Excel charts can also be used as embeds in PowerPoint presentations.
Make sure to use the excel chart type that best matches your data. Pie charts are used for presenting categories as a percent of the total. Line graphs are used when you have data collected over a period of time. Scatter plots are useful to show how two different values of a data set relate. Give your visual tools some thought before you present and use them appropriately to produce a convincing story.
2. Diagrams
If you have hierarchical excel data or you are trying to describe a process or a series of steps, then a diagram may be the best option. Diagrams are great if you’re creating organization charts, flow charts, or other data that would benefit from a visual layout. The simplest way to gain and keep someone’s attention is to show them an image that is eye-catching and easy to understand .
3. Highlighting and Borders
To call attention to sections of data in your spreadsheets, such as summary totals and conditional formatting, use color highlighting along with a border to make that section stand out. You can also create a key to describe what different highlight colors mean. Colors are visually appealing and draw the audience’s eyes to the specific information that you want to show them. If you provide a color-coded key, then they can easily determine what they’re looking at.
Excel has a wide selection of built-in themes that will distinguish column headers and other areas of the spreadsheet so that you present a pleasing color pallet. These themes provide a starting point for choosing fonts, formatting, and colors that are easy to read and visually appealing. People associate a coordinated color pallet with professionally done work and will be more likely to pay attention if they believe you carefully constructed your presentation.
5. Sparklines
Sparklines are small charts or graphs inserted as the background of a single cell. Sparklines are useful for illustrating trends or patterns in a data table without creating a full chart. And, unlike charts, sparklines are automatically printed along with the worksheet. Sparklines can be used to show trends or maximum and minimum values. Since sparklines don’t take up as much space as traditional charts and can be placed next to the data being described, they can be an effective tool for analysis.
With the Excel data presentation tips above, you can format your Excel spreadsheets to make a big impact on your audience. If you’d like to learn more about Excel and how you can use it for presentations, contact ONLC today.
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What's the difference between linking and embedding, how to link or embed an excel worksheet in microsoft powerpoint.
Sometimes, you want to include the data on an Excel spreadsheet in a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation. There are a couple of ways to do this, depending on whether or not you want to maintain a connection with the source Excel sheet. Let's take a look.
You actually have three options for including a spreadsheet in a PowerPoint presentation. The first is by simply copying that data from the spreadsheet, and then pasting it into the target document. This works okay, but all it really does is convert the data to a simple table in PowerPoint. You can use PowerPoint's basic table formatting tools on it, but you can't use any of Excel's features after the conversion.
While that can be useful sometimes, your other two options---linking and embedding---are much more powerful, and are what we're going to show you how to do in this article. Both are pretty similar, in that you end up inserting an actual Excel spreadsheet in your target presentation. It will look like an Excel sheet, and you can use Excel's tools to manipulate it. The difference comes in how these two options treat their connection to that original Excel spreadsheet:
- If you link an Excel worksheet in a presentation, the target presentation and the original Excel sheet maintain a connection. If you update the Excel file, those updates get automatically reflected in the target presentation.
- If you embed an Excel worksheet in a presentation, that connection is broken. Updating the original Excel sheet does not automatically update the data in the target presentation.
There are advantages to both methods, of course. One advantage of linking a document (other than maintaining the connection) is that it keeps your PowerPoint presentation's file size down, because the data is mostly still stored in the Excel sheet and only displayed in PowerPoint. One disadvantage is that the original spreadsheet file needs to stay in the same location. If it doesn't, you'll have to link it again. And since it relies on the link to the original spreadsheet, it's not so useful if you need to distribute the presentation to people who don't have access to that location.
Embedding that data, on the other hand, increases the size of presentation, because all that Excel data is actually embedded into the PowerPoint file. There are some distinct advantages to embedding, though. For example, if you're distributing that presentation to people who might not have access to the original Excel sheet, or if the presentation needs to show that Excel sheet at a specific point in time (rather than getting updated), embedding (and breaking the connection to the original sheet) makes more sense.
So, with all that in mind, let's take a look at how to link and embed an Excel Sheet in Microsoft PowerPoint.
Linking or embedding an Excel worksheet into a PowerPoint presentation is actually pretty straightforward, and the process for doing either is almost identical. Start by opening both the Excel worksheet and the PowerPoint presentation you want to edit at the same time.
In Excel, select the cells you want to link or embed. If you would like to link or embed the entire worksheet, click on the box at the juncture of the rows and columns in the top left-hand corner to select the whole sheet.
Copy those cells by pressing CTRL+C in Windows or Command+C in macOS. You can also right-click any selected cell, and then choose the "Copy" option on the context menu.
Now, switch to your PowerPoint presentation and click to place the insertion point where you would like the linked or embedded material to go. On Home tab of the Ribbon, click the down arrow beneath the "Paste" button, and then choose the "Paste Special" command from the dropdown menu.
This opens the Paste Special window. And it's here where you'll find the only functional different in the processes of linking or embedding a file.
If you want to embed your spreadsheet, choose the "Paste" option over on the left. If you want to link your spreadsheet, choose the "Paste Link" option instead. Seriously, that's it. This process is otherwise identical.
Whichever option you choose, you'll next select the "Microsoft Excel Worksheet Object" in the box to the right, and then click the "OK" button.
And you'll see your Excel sheet (or the cells you selected) in your PowerPoint presentation.
If you linked the Excel data, you can't edit it directly in PowerPoint, but you can double-click anywhere on it to open the original spreadsheet file. And any updates you make to that original spreadsheet are then reflected in your PowerPoint presentation.
If you embedded the Excel data, you can edit it directly in PowerPoint. Double-click anywhere in the spreadsheet and you'll stay in the same PowerPoint window, but the PowerPoint Ribbon gets replaced by the Excel Ribbon and you can access all the Excel functionality. It's kind of cool.
And when you want to stop editing the spreadsheet and go back to your PowerPoint controls, just click anywhere outside the spreadsheet.
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Excel Tips Powerpoint: Essential Tips to Create Impactful Spreadsheets for Your Presentations
Microsoft Office programs are essential for any professional, and familiarity with Excel is particularly valuable. With its many functions and features, Excel can help you organize, analyze, and present data in a clear and concise manner. This article will provide you with essential tips and tricks for mastering Excel in PowerPoint presentations.
Whether you're an experienced Excel user or just starting, you'll find helpful information in the following sections. We'll cover everything from the basics of Excel to more advanced features like macros and pivot tables.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways:
- Excel proficiency is essential for creating impactful PowerPoint presentations.
- Mastering the basics of Excel is crucial for more advanced techniques.
- Formatting and validation techniques improve data visualization and accuracy.
- Advanced data analysis tools like sorting and filtering provide deeper insights.
- Collaboration tools and macros can improve efficiency and productivity.
Understanding Excel Basics
Before we jump into advanced Excel tips, it's essential to have a solid grasp of Excel basics . Understanding the foundational features and functions will help you get the most out of this powerful tool.
Excel is a spreadsheet program used to organize, analyze and manipulate data. Learning Excel can be a game-changer, whether you are a student, researcher or business professional.
The Excel Interface
The Excel interface consists of a workbook containing sheets that let you enter and store data. Each sheet has a grid of rows and columns called cells that hold information. The ribbon at the top provides access to different tabs containing various commands and functions.
Basic Functions
Excel has several basic functions, including:
- AutoSum: a function used to add up a series of numbers automatically.
- Average: calculates the average of a range or cell selection.
- Max/Min: returns the maximum or minimum value in a range or cell selection.
These basic functions lay the foundation for more advanced formulas and functions that can help streamline your workflow and boost productivity.
Data Types and Formatting
Excel has several data types, including dates, currency, percentage, and more. Applying formatting to data can help make it more visually appealing and understandable. You can adjust font styles, color, size and borders.
Keyboard Shortcuts
If you want to work more quickly, using keyboard shortcuts is a great way to save time. Here are some useful shortcuts:
- Ctrl+C: Copy
- Ctrl+V: Paste
- Ctrl+Z: Undo
- Ctrl+Y: Redo
Navigating Excel
To navigate your spreadsheet, you can use the mouse or the arrow keys. If you have a large spreadsheet, you can use the Ctrl and arrow keys to navigate to the end of the data. Using the Home and End keys can help you move to the start or end of the current row or column.
Formatting Tips and Tricks
Formatting is a crucial aspect of Excel that can make your tables and cells stand out. Applying formatting techniques can make your data visually appealing and more accessible to readers.
Let's explore some of the tips and tricks for formatting your Excel tables and cells:
Adjust Font Styles and Colors
Excel offers a wide range of font styles and colors to choose from, making it easy to customize your data and emphasize important information. Choose a font style that is easy to read and use colors that complement each other.
Tip: Avoid using too many different font styles and colors, as it may distract readers and make your data look cluttered.
Insert Borders and Lines
You can use borders and lines to separate different sections of your data or highlight specific cells. Excel offers a variety of border and line styles that can be adjusted to fit your needs.
Tip: Use borders and lines sparingly and consistently to maintain a professional look and make your data more readable.
Apply Conditional Formatting
Conditional formatting is a powerful tool that allows you to highlight cells based on their values or formulas. You can use it to create color scales, data bars, and icon sets to visualize your data more effectively.
Tip: Use conditional formatting to draw attention to the most critical data points in your spreadsheet.
Use Cell Styles
Cell styles are formatting templates that you can apply to your data to save time and maintain consistency across your spreadsheet. Excel offers a variety of built-in cell styles that you can use or customize to fit your needs.
Tip: Create your cell styles to match your branding or presentation theme and use them consistently throughout your spreadsheet.
By applying these formatting tips and tricks to your Excel tables and cells, you can create visually appealing and easy-to-read spreadsheets that help you communicate your data more effectively.
Data Entry and Validation
When working with Excel, entering and validating data accurately is crucial. In this section, we'll explore some efficient techniques for data entry and validation.
Auto-filling
Auto-filling is a smart Excel feature that enables you to quickly and easily fill values into a series of cells. Simply enter the starting value and drag the fill handle (the small square at the bottom right corner of the cell) in the direction you want to fill the values. Excel will automatically fill in the rest of the series, saving you time and effort.
Data Validation Rules
Data Validation is another useful tool in Excel that allows you to control what data can be entered in a cell. You can set rules such as "numbers only" or "maximum characters", ensuring data accuracy and consistency. To set up data validation, select the cell or range of cells that you want to restrict, go to the "Data" tab, and click "Data Validation". From there, you can choose from a variety of validation criteria to fit your needs.
Ensuring Data Accuracy
Ensuring data accuracy is crucial in Excel. One way to do this is through conditional formatting, which highlights cells that meet specific conditions. For example, you can use conditional formatting to highlight cells with data that don't fit a specific format or range. To set up conditional formatting, select the range of cells you want to apply it to, and go to the "Home" tab. Click "Conditional Formatting", and choose from the various options available to suit your needs.
With these techniques, you can maintain data accuracy and consistency, making sure your Excel spreadsheets are reliable and efficient.
Formula Magic
Excel formulas are an essential tool for automating calculations and saving time. Whether you're creating a simple spreadsheet or a complex financial model, mastering formula basics is crucial.
Basic Formulas
There are many built-in formulas in Excel that can help you perform basic arithmetic operations, such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. To create a formula in a cell, start by typing "=" followed by the formula you want to perform. For example, if you want to add the values in cells A1 and A2, type "=A1+A2".
Excel also offers a range of built-in functions that can help you perform more complex calculations. Functions are predefined formulas that take specific inputs and return a result. The most commonly used functions include SUM, AVERAGE, MAX, and MIN.
Function | Description |
---|---|
SUM | Returns the total of a range of numbers. |
AVERAGE | Returns the average of a range of numbers. |
MAX | Returns the highest value in a range of numbers. |
MIN | Returns the lowest value in a range of numbers. |
Advanced Techniques
To perform more complex calculations, you can combine basic formulas and functions with advanced techniques such as absolute and relative referencing, named ranges, and array formulas. These techniques can help you create dynamic and flexible spreadsheets that can handle complex data and calculations.
"Formulas are the lifeblood of Excel. By mastering the art of formulas, you can automate calculations and save time, giving you the power to make informed decisions faster."
Pivot Tables and Charts
Excel pivot tables and charts are powerful tools that enable you to analyze and present complex data in an easy-to-understand visual format. With pivot tables, you can quickly summarize and aggregate large data sets and customize the view of your data by rearranging rows and columns. In addition, Excel charts allow you to create eye-catching visuals that further enhance your data presentation.
To create a pivot table in Excel, start by selecting your data range and clicking on the "Insert" tab. Then, click on the "PivotTable" button and choose your desired location for the pivot table. Once you have created your pivot table, you can start organizing your data by dragging and dropping fields into the appropriate areas. You can also use filters and slicers to refine your pivot table view by selecting subsets of data.
Excel charts offer many customization options, including chart types, styles, and layouts. You can easily create a chart by selecting your data range and clicking on the "Insert" tab, then selecting the chart type that best suits your data. You can also add chart elements, such as titles and legends, and format individual chart elements to enhance the visual appeal of your chart.
When presenting your data in PowerPoint, you can easily copy and paste your pivot tables and charts from Excel into your presentation slides. To ensure that your pivot tables and charts update dynamically in your PowerPoint presentation, use the "Paste Special" option and select "Link" to create a dynamic connection between your Excel and PowerPoint files.
Advanced Data Analysis
If you're looking to take your data analysis skills in Excel to the next level, there are a few advanced techniques you can use to gain valuable insights. Let's explore some of these features in more detail:
Sorting data in Excel can help you quickly identify patterns and trends. To sort data, select the column you want to sort by and click on the "Sort & Filter" button. From there, you can choose to sort A to Z, Z to A, or by custom order.
Filtering allows you to narrow down your data based on specific criteria. For example, you can filter by date range, numerical range, or even text values. Simply click on the "Filter" button and choose the criteria you want to filter by.
Conditional Formatting
Conditional formatting lets you apply formatting to cells based on specific conditions. This can be useful for highlighting important data points or identifying outliers. To apply conditional formatting, select the cells you want to format and choose "Conditional Formatting" from the Home tab.
Creating Custom Formulas
Excel's built-in formulas can be powerful, but sometimes you need to create your own custom formulas to analyze data in the way you want. Use the "Insert Function" button to create your own custom formulas.
"Effective data analysis requires being able to quickly sift through large amounts of data to find important information."
Collaboration and Sharing
Excel is a powerful tool for productivity and data analysis, but it can be even more effective when shared with others. Collaboration and sharing features allow multiple users to work on the same document, making it a great tool for team projects and group analysis.
Sharing and Co-Authoring
When working on a project with others, it's essential to ensure everyone has access to the same document. Excel offers several ways to share files, including OneDrive and SharePoint. With these services, collaborators can access and edit the document directly from the web, using any device without needing to download it. As a result, working remotely and despite different time zones and physical locations becomes incredibly easy, boosting collaboration among peers and colleagues.
Another valuable sharing feature is Co-Authoring. Co-Authoring allows multiple users to edit the same document simultaneously, ensuring everyone is up-to-date on any changes that have been made. This feature is incredibly useful for projects that require input from multiple team members or data sources.
Tracking Changes
When working with others, it can be challenging to keep track of who made what changes or when. Excel's tracking changes feature makes that much easier. It records every edit made to the document, providing a history view of any changes made. The feature also allows document owners or managers to review or accept or reject made changes that were submitted by other team members.
Excel Comments
Comments are a helpful way to add notes and additional information within an Excel spreadsheet. They allow team members to add context, instructions, and warnings about specific data cells or elements in the document. Comments provide general transparency and make it easier to communicate effectively when working on the same data set. It is also essential to add comments between the cells for data validation or any calculation disputes between users when there are inconsistencies or mistakes in the spreadsheet.
Automation with Macros
Excel macros can help you save time and avoid repetitive tasks by automating functions and processes. Macro is a series of commands and instructions which can be recorded and performed repeatedly with a click of a button. Here's how you can create and customize macros in Excel:
- Record a Macro: To record a macro, go to the Developer tab, click on Record Macro, and then perform the task you want to automate. For instance, you could record a macro that adds a formula to a row of cells.
- Run a Macro: Once you have created a macro, you can run it by clicking the button associated with the macro or by using the keyboard shortcut you assigned. This will automatically repeat the task you recorded in the macro.
- Customize a Macro: You can customize macros by editing the Visual Basic code that Excel generates. This way, you can add more commands and functions to your macros to make them even more powerful.
To summarize, Excel macros can help you automate repetitive tasks and increase your productivity when working with spreadsheets. Use the Developer tab to record and run a macro, and edit the Visual Basic code to customize it.
Tips for Presenting Excel in PowerPoint
When creating a PowerPoint presentation, Excel data and charts can be an effective way to convey complex information to your audience. Here are some tips for incorporating Excel objects seamlessly in PowerPoint:
Linking Excel Objects
One way to add Excel data to your presentation is by linking the spreadsheet to a slide. This allows you to update the data in real-time, without having to recreate the chart or table in PowerPoint. To do this:
- Open both Excel and PowerPoint, and navigate to the slide where you want to insert the object.
- In Excel, select the chart or table you want to use, and press CTRL+C to copy it.
- In PowerPoint, go to the Home tab, click on the dropdown arrow next to Paste, and select Paste Special.
- Choose the Paste Link option from the dialog box, and select Microsoft Office Excel Chart Object. Click OK.
- This will insert the chart into your slide, and any updates you make to the original chart in Excel will be reflected in the PowerPoint slide.
Embedding Excel Objects
Another way to incorporate Excel data into your presentation is by embedding the object directly into a slide. This method is useful if you want to edit the chart or table within PowerPoint, or if you need to share the presentation with others who may not have access to the original Excel file. To embed an Excel object:
- In PowerPoint, go to the Insert tab, click on the Object dropdown, and select Microsoft Office Excel Chart or Worksheet Object.
- Select the Create from File tab, and click Browse to locate the Excel file you want to embed.
- Choose the chart or table you want to embed, and click OK.
- The chart or table will now be embedded in your PowerPoint slide, and you can edit it as needed.'
Formatting Excel Objects
Before inserting Excel objects into a PowerPoint slide, it's important to make sure they are formatted correctly. This includes adjusting fonts, colors, and sizes to match the overall design of your presentation. To format an Excel object:
- Select the chart or table you want to format, right-click on it, and choose Format Object.
- From here, you can customize the fill color, font, and other design elements of the object to match your presentation.
- Be sure to preview the slide to ensure the formatting looks good in the context of the overall presentation.
With these tips, you can confidently integrate Excel data and charts into your PowerPoint presentations, ensuring a compelling and informative visual experience for your audience.
In conclusion, mastering Excel in PowerPoint presentations opens a whole new world of possibilities for professionals. With the tips and tricks we've provided in this article, you can take your skills to the next level. By understanding the basics of Excel, formatting tables and cells effectively, entering and validating data, using formulas, pivot tables, and charts, advanced data analysis, collaborating with others, automating repetitive tasks with macros, and presenting Excel data in PowerPoint, you can achieve impressive results.
Remember, Excel is not just about numbers and formulas. It's a powerful tool that can help you make informed decisions, communicate data effectively, and save time. Start practicing these techniques, and you'll soon become a proficient user of Excel. We hope this article has been helpful. Thank you for reading!
What are the basic features of Excel?
Excel is a powerful spreadsheet software that allows users to create, manipulate, and analyze data. Some of its basic features include creating tables, performing calculations, creating charts, and data validation.
How can I apply formatting to my Excel tables and cells?
To apply formatting to your Excel tables and cells, you can use the formatting toolbar or the Format Cells dialog box. You can adjust font styles, colors, borders, and other visual elements to make your data more visually appealing and easier to read.
What techniques can I use for efficient data entry in Excel?
Excel offers various techniques for efficient data entry. You can use the drag-fill handle to auto-fill data based on a pattern, use data validation rules to validate input, and use shortcuts like Ctrl+Enter to quickly enter data in multiple cells.
How can I automate calculations in Excel?
Excel offers a wide range of formulas and functions that can help automate calculations. You can use basic formulas like SUM and AVERAGE, as well as more advanced functions like VLOOKUP and IF-ELSE statements. These formulas can save you time and ensure accuracy in your calculations.
How can I analyze and visualize data in Excel?
Excel provides pivot tables and charts to help you analyze and visualize data effectively. Pivot tables allow you to summarize, filter, and manipulate data to gain insights, while charts help you present data visually through various chart types like bar graphs, pie charts, and line graphs.
Are there any advanced techniques for data analysis in Excel?
Yes, Excel offers advanced features for data analysis. You can sort and filter data, apply conditional formatting to highlight specific data patterns, and create custom formulas to perform complex calculations. These techniques can help you gain valuable insights from your data.
How can I collaborate with others on Excel spreadsheets?
Excel provides tools for collaborating with others on spreadsheets. You can share files with colleagues, track changes made by different users, and use comments to communicate and provide feedback. These collaboration features help streamline teamwork and increase productivity.
Is it possible to automate repetitive tasks in Excel?
Yes, you can automate repetitive tasks in Excel using macros. Macros are recorded actions that can be replayed to perform multiple tasks. You can customize and assign macros to buttons or keyboard shortcuts to automate tasks and save time.
How can I incorporate Excel data into PowerPoint presentations?
To incorporate Excel data into PowerPoint presentations, you can link or embed Excel objects in your slides. Linking allows you to update the data in PowerPoint automatically when changes are made in Excel, while embedding allows you to have a copy of the Excel file within the PowerPoint presentation.
How can I become proficient in Excel and PowerPoint?
To become proficient in Excel and PowerPoint, practice is key. Familiarize yourself with the software's features and experiment with different techniques. Take advantage of online tutorials, courses, and resources available. With dedication and practice, you can master these tools and enhance your productivity and presentation skills.
Excel Visualization: A Guide to Clear Data Presentation for Beginners
I once struggled with dull data tables.
Numbers clustered in rows and columns become a blur. But with Excel visualization , you can empower your audience to make informed decisions based on the data presented. Excel charts and graphs replace chaos, revealing patterns and trends.
Convey ideas efficiently with the right visual. It’s not just about creating a chart; it’s about making data understandable and engaging.
In this article, I’ll guide you step-by-step on transforming your Excel data into insightful visuals.
Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
Understanding the Basics of Excel Visualization
Excel provides various visualization options, whether 2D or 3D versions, standard, stacked, or 100% stacked options. It’s all about finding the right fit that best represents your data and message.
The Excel Charting Interface
Let’s start with creating a chart in Excel.
When you click on the Insert tab in Excel, you’ll see various chart types that you can use to visualize your data.
The Excel charting interface provides a wide range of options, from line and area charts to bar and column charts. When you click on a chart, the ‘ Chart Tools ’ contextual tab provides additional features for customizing your charts.
Types of Data for Visualization
Excel visualization data can be broadly categorized into numerical, categorical, and time-series data.
- Numerical data includes values that can be measured, such as sales figures or temperature readings.
- Categorical data includes information such as names, labels, or groups.
- Time-series data involves values measured over time, such as stock prices or website traffic.
Excel offers different chart types depending on your data type.
Selecting the Right Chart Type
Selecting the right chart type is half the battle for effective data visualization in Excel.
Pie charts are best for part-to-whole comparisons. Use line charts for time series or trends. Bar or column charts are the most suitable for categorical comparisons.
However, consider more advanced chart types for more complex data sets.
Scatter plots are excellent for correlation analysis , while histograms and box plots are ideal for distribution analysis of quantitative data.
It’s all about understanding your data and determining the best way to display it.
Steps for Visualizing Data in Excel – Creating Basic Charts
Creating basic charts in Excel is a fundamental skill for anyone looking to present data in a visual format.
Excel offers a variety of chart types, each with unique properties and use cases. The key to successful chart creation in Excel is understanding these different chart types and knowing how to present your data most effectively with them.
Organizing Your Data
Before you dive into creating Excel charts, it is crucial to organize your data correctly .
Well-organized data will make the charting process easier and the resulting charts more meaningful. Ensure your data is clean, error-free, and arranged clearly and logically.
This will make it easier to select the data for your charts and create visuals that effectively communicate your data analysis results.
Pie and Donut Chart
Pie charts are popular for showing the proportion of different categories within a whole. While visually appealing, they are often misused and can lead to misleading interpretations.
Generally, they are most effective when comparing a few categories representing parts of a whole.
On the other hand, donut charts are a variation of pie charts with a hole in the middle (as the name implies!). Like pie charts, they can display multiple data series, but they should be used sparingly.
To create a pie chart in Excel:
- Select the data you want to visualize
- From the “ Insert ” tab, choose “ Pie ” from the chart options.
- You can customize your chart by changing the colors, adding labels, and adjusting other settings in the “ Format Chart Area ” pane.
Here’s a video guide on how to create a donut chart:
Line and Area Chart
Line and area charts are handy when dealing with time-series data . These charts plot data points on a graph and connect them with a line, allowing you to see trends over time.
Check out this video for a step-by-step guide on how to create a line chart:
One of the business essentials when working with line and area charts is customizing the axis and gridlines. This can help make your chart more readable and meaningful .
The “ Format Axis ” pane allows you to customize the axis labels, adjust the scale, and add gridlines.
Column and Bar Graph
Bar and column charts are Excel’s most commonly used chart types. They are excellent for comparing different categories of data.
While bar charts and column charts are often used interchangeably, there is a difference: A bar chart presents data horizontally , while a column chart presents data vertically . This distinction can influence how easily your audience interprets the chart.
You can also choose between a stacked or clustered bar and column chart layout.
In a stacked chart , data series are stacked on each other, while in a clustered chart , they are placed side by side.
To create a bar or column chart:
- Select the data
- Then choose either “Bar” or “Column” from the chart options in the “ Insert ” tab
- Remember to format the chart and the axis labels to make the chart easier to understand
Advanced Charting Techniques
In this section, I’ll describe how to present complex data in a visually appealing and easily understandable format. Since each dataset is unique, treat these charts as ideas for meaningfully presenting your data.
Combination Charts
This type of chart combines the features of line and column charts, allowing you to present mixed data more comprehensively.
For example, when you have a target and actual data for comparison , a combination chart can be the perfect tool for visualization.
Clicking the Chart Design tab on the ribbon allows you to change the chart type and create a customized combination chart.
This allows you to have your target values in columns and the actual values marked along the line, which provides a clearer visualization of your data.
Trendlines and Data Analysis
Another essential feature of Excel charts is the ability to add trendlines. These can be linear, polynomial, or moving average trendlines.
A trendline graphically displays trends in your data , and you can extend it beyond the actual data to predict future values.
Along with trendlines, interpreting R-squared values is also crucial in data analysis. This will help you understand the relationship between your dependent and independent variables, thus enhancing your analysis results.
Check out our detailed how-to post on adding trendlines to Excel charts .
Conditional Formatting in Charts
Conditional formatting is another advanced charting technique in Excel that can enhance your data visualization. You can also add data bars, color scales, and icon sets.
These features allow you to customize your charts based on certain conditions, making it easier for your audience to understand your data. Applying these formatting options enables you to create more engaging and visually appealing charts for your data presentation.
Creating a Tornado Chart in Excel
Tornado charts are particularly effective when comparing and contrasting different variables . A well-crafted tornado chart can help you visualize how changes in several factors can impact a specific outcome – for example, the impact of inflation on NPV and IRR results.
Here’s a video showing you how to create a tornado chart:
Designing a Funnel Chart in Excel
Funnel Charts in Excel are highly effective tools for monitoring sales processes or any other process that narrows down over time.
Here are two quick methods for designing funnel charts in Excel:
Building a Waffle Chart in Excel
Waffle charts, also known as square pie or waffle bar charts, are a great way to visualize individual data points compared to the whole data set. They are a fun and engaging way to present percentages or proportions.
Here is a simple method for creating waffle charts:
Data Visualization Tips – Enhancing Chart Aesthetics
The aesthetics of your Excel chart play a significant role in how effectively your data is communicated.
A visually appealing chart is easier to understand and engages your audience. Enhancing chart aesthetics involves working with various chart elements and features, such as colors, styles, and data labels.
Adding data labels, for instance, provides additional information on your chart, making it easier to interpret.
Besides, you can customize the chart’s colors and styles to match your presentation theme or company branding.
Check out this post for more information on good dashboard design principles .
Working with Chart Elements
Working with chart elements can significantly improve the readability and effectiveness of your data visualization.
Some key chart elements you can manipulate include titles, legends, and data labels.
- Data labels provide additional context to your data and can be customized to suit your chart
- Modify axis labels and gridlines to adjust their appearance and improve readability. Check out this video on how to add gridlines to your Excel charts:
These chart elements can enhance your aesthetic appeal and make your data easier to interpret.
Customizing Chart Colors and Styles
Spicing up your Excel charts is easier than you think.
The ‘ Chart Design ‘ tab in the Excel ribbon allows you to alter your charts’ aesthetics significantly.
Navigate to the ‘ Chart Styles ‘ section, and you’ll see various styles for your chart.
Looking for a bit more customization? No problem! Simply click the ‘ Change Colors ‘ dropdown and choose a color scheme.
You can use Excel’s preset color schemes or create a custom color palette for brand consistency. Minor visual changes can significantly affect your chart’s overall look and feel.
3D Charts and Effects
Adding a third dimension to your charts can make them pop . But be careful.
While 3D effects can add a specific wow factor, they can also lead to misinterpretations of your data if they are not used properly.
To add 3D effects to your charts, click the ‘ Chart Styles ‘ and choose a style with 3D effects.
Remember, though, that 3D effects should be used sparingly and only when they can enhance the understanding of the data. Overuse of these effects can lead to cluttered, confusing charts. When it comes to 3D effects, less is often more .
Advanced Excel Graphics
Beyond the basic charts, Excel offers advanced graphics capabilities to take your data presentation to the next level.
This includes using Sparklines, shapes, and icons, among other features.
Sparklines are mini-charts within individual cells, each representing a row of data. They give a quick snapshot of trends, helping you understand your data at a glance.
Excel offers line, column, and win/loss types of Sparklines that you can add with the Quick Analysis tool.
Using Shapes and Icons
Remember to appropriately format these shapes and icons to convey the right message and not distract from the data.
Portraying a Story Through Data
Excel visualization is not just about creating charts or diagrams; it’s about telling a story with your data. This is where the concept of data storytelling comes in.
It’s about using visualization tools to highlight key points and trends in your data, making it easier for your audience to understand and absorb.
It’s not unlike creating a plot in a novel where rows and columns of data are the characters, and the chart is the narrative arc. Every element should convey your story effectively and compellingly, from simple bar charts to intricate trend analysis.
Exporting and Sharing Your Visualizations
Once you’ve created your data visualization in Excel, it’s important to know how to share it! This involves exporting the visual representation of data in a format that others can easily access.
Whether you’re sharing a simple bar graph or a complex infographic, the export method will depend on the intended use of the chart/graphic.
This process can be as simple as saving your chart as an image or embedding Excel visuals in PowerPoint presentations and documents.
Saving Charts as Images
One of the simplest ways to share visualizations is by saving them as images .
To do this, right-click the chart and select ‘Save as Picture.’ Several image formats are available, each with its uses.
For instance, JPEG is great for photographic images, while PNG is ideal for images with transparent backgrounds. However, it’s important to consider the resolution of your image. High resolution is crucial for clear, crisp images, especially if they’re intended for print.
Embedding Excel Visuals in Presentations and Documents
Embedding them in presentations and documents is another way to share your Excel visualizations.
This can be done in two ways: linking and embedding .
- Linking refers to connecting the original Excel file and the document where it’s inserted. Any changes made to the original file will automatically update in the document (assuming the link isn’t broken ).
- Embedding involves inserting a copy of the chart into the document. While this won’t update automatically, it ensures that the chart will always be available, regardless of the status of the original file.
Both methods have advantages and should be chosen based on your specific needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some common mistakes for beginners to avoid in data visualization with excel.
Common mistakes include overcrowding the chart with too much data, using inappropriate chart types, neglecting to label axes or data points clearly, and choosing colors or styles that reduce readability.
What are the best practices for presenting Excel data visually to a non-technical audience?
Focus on simplicity and clarity .
Use straightforward chart types, avoid technical jargon, and highlight key takeaways. Ensure your charts are well-labeled, and use annotations or callouts to draw attention to important data points.
What are some resources to learn more about Excel visualization?
For more tips and tricks, visit my YouTube channel . Alternatively, look at Chandoo’s training, where I learned many excellent dashboard design ideas.
Can Excel visualization help in career development?
Absolutely! Proficiency in Excel visualization is a valuable skill in many industries.
It’s especially relevant in fields like data science, finance, marketing, and others involving large amounts of data. Effectively communicating data through graphical representation can give you a significant advantage in your professional journey.
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How to Link or Embed an Excel File in PowerPoint? Quick Guide!
If you tend to work with data on a daily basis, learning how to integrate Excel data seamlessly within your PowerPoint slides is crucial .
Whether you're a business professional looking to include real-time financial data in your slides or a student preparing a data-rich project, understanding today's guide will be vital!
This tutorial teaches you how to link or embed Excel data into your PowerPoint slides . These features will not only impress your audience but save you a lot of time in the future (if you know how to apply them well!)
Today, we'll cover the following topics:
- What's the difference between Linking and Embedding Excel Files into PowerPoint?
- How do you LINK Excel Data to PowerPoint Slides?
- How do you EMBED Excel Data to PowerPoint Slides?
- Linking vs. Embedding an Excel File into PowerPoint: Which is your best option?
What’s the difference between Linking and Embedding Excel Files into PowerPoint?
Before we dive into the tutorial, I would like to highlight the differences between embedding and linking Excel files into PowerPoint .
While these terms may appear similar, their crucial differences significantly impact how Excel content is integrated into presentations.
Linking Excel Data to PowerPoint
Linking creates a dynamic connection between your PowerPoint presentation and the original Excel file .
Any changes to the Excel file are instantly reflected in the linked PowerPoint slide, ensuring real-time synchronization to display the latest data.
Embedding Excel Data into PowerPoint
Embedding involves placing a complete copy of the Excel file into the PowerPoint presentation. Think of it like taking a snapshot of your chart or graph and pasting it seamlessly into your slide .
The embedded content becomes a permanent part of your presentation, independent and unaffected by the original Excel file's location.
How do you LINK Excel Data to PowerPoint Slides? (Data is automatically updated)
If you frequently work with Excel and PowerPoint, this step-by-step guide is designed to save you time in your daily tasks significantly.
- The first step is to create the graph or chart you want in Excel. In this example, we are going to make a bar chart in Excel.
- If you want, you can customize your chart in the tabs Chart Design and Format.
- Save the Excel worksheet you want to link to PowerPoint.
- Press "Ctrl + C" to copy your Excel data.
- Open PowerPoint and go to the Home tab > Paste > Paste Special.
- A pop-up window will open, where you must check the option "Paste link as Microsoft Excel Chart Object."
- Press "OK," and you will now have Excel data inserted into PowerPoint.
How to Customize your Linked Data in PowerPoint?
If you want to explore more design options in PowerPoint, when pasting your graphic, you need to choose another type of paste:
- Go to the Home tab in PowerPoint > Paste > Paste Options.
- Click "Use Destination Theme and Link Data" or "Keep Source Formatting and Link Data." You can also use the shortcuts, the "L" and "F" keys, respectively.
- At first, the charts will have a transparent background, but you can edit the colors and layouts in the Chart Design tab.
Check the final result of our Excel file linked in PowerPoint:
Now, you know how to insert data from Excel to PowerPoint!
Let's check the second way to do it.
How do you EMBED Excel Data to PowerPoint Slides? (Data is not automatically updated)
To learn how to embed an Excel file into PowerPoint, we will use a data table as an example:
- First, build your table in Excel.
- Save the file on your computer.
- Select your table and press "Ctrl + C."
- Go to your PowerPoint file.
- Right-click on the slide to see different "Paste Options" (this is another way to paste information from Excel to PowerPoint).
- Choose the middle option: "Embed," and that's it!
- As this is a data table, you can freely edit the information in PowerPoint.
- Reminder: If you embed an Excel file into PowerPoint, the information you modify in Excel will not be reflected in PowerPoint.
How to Customize your Embedded Data in PowerPoint?
In case you want to use PowerPoint features to customize your chart, keep the following steps in mind when pasting your Excel chart:
- Right-click on the slide you want to paste your content.
- Choose either of the first two options: "Use Destination Styles" or "Keep Source Formatting." Also, you can use the shortcuts, the "S" and "K" keys, respectively.
- When you click on your chart, these tabs will be enabled: Table Design and Layout. There, you can edit the colors, line sizes, cell sizes, and more!
Here is the final result of our Excel file embedded in PowerPoint:
That's it! By following each step carefully, you will master how to insert an Excel sheet into PowerPoint.
But which option is the best for you? Let's figure it out!
Linking vs. Embedding an Excel File into PowerPoint: Which is your best option?
Which option do you need for your PowerPoint project? Still trying to figure out all their differences?
Here, we summarize the pros and cons of each inserting option:
Pros and Cons of Linking an Excel File to PowerPoint
Pros of linking an excel file to powerpoint.
- The information will be updated automatically if you edit any data in your Excel file.
- The PowerPoint file size doesn't increase since the linked content is not stored in it.
- You have access to PowerPoint features to edit your content.
Cons of Linking an Excel File to PowerPoint
- The linked content will be affected when you change the name of your Excel file or modify its location on your computer.
- If you want to share the file with more people, they can see the content in PowerPoint or Google Slides, but the Excel source file won't appear.
Pros and Cons of Embedding an Excel File into PowerPoint
Pros of embedding an excel file into powerpoint.
- If you want to share the file with more people, they can access the Excel source file without problems, both in PowerPoint and Google Slides.
Cons of Embedding an Excel File into PowerPoint
- The embedded content won't be updated automatically if you edit any data in your Excel file.
- If you add a lot of embedded content to PowerPoint, the file size can be very heavy.
- All your Excel worksheets will be accessible when you share the PowerPoint file, including the hidden sheets.
After reading this tutorial, inserting an Excel file into PowerPoint won't be complicated anymore!
There are several ways to share and present your Excel data in your slides. Just consider the pros and cons between linking and embedding content in PowerPoint, and take advantage of both software to the fullest.
At 24slides , we create world-class presentation designs and all the essential marketing collateral you need. Explore some of our creative work and book a call with us today !
You might also find this content interesting:
- PowerPoint 101: The Ultimate Guide for Beginners
- How to Make a PowerPoint Slideshow that Runs Automatically?
- How to Make a Picture Transparent in PowerPoint?
- How To Use PowerPoint Design Ideas - All Questions Answered!
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How to Insert Excel Table into PowerPoint: A Step-by-Step Guide
How to Insert Excel Table into PowerPoint
Inserting an Excel table into PowerPoint is a simple and effective way to share data visually. By following a few straightforward steps, you can seamlessly integrate Excel data into your PowerPoint slides. This process involves copying your table from Excel and pasting it into PowerPoint, where you can then edit and format it as needed.
Step-by-Step Tutorial: How to Insert Excel Table into PowerPoint
We’ve broken down the process into easy-to-follow steps that will guide you through inserting an Excel table into a PowerPoint slide.
Step 1: Open Your Excel File
Open the Excel file containing the table you want to insert.
Ensure that the table you need is formatted correctly for easy copying. Highlight any data within the table that you want to include.
Step 2: Copy the Table
Select the entire table, then press Ctrl+C (or right-click and choose "Copy").
The selected data is now on your clipboard, ready to be pasted into PowerPoint.
Step 3: Open Your PowerPoint Presentation
Open the PowerPoint presentation where you want to insert the table.
If you don’t have a presentation open, start a new one and navigate to the slide where you’ll insert the table.
Step 4: Paste the Table into PowerPoint
Click on the slide where you want the table, then press Ctrl+V (or right-click and choose "Paste").
The table should appear on the slide. You can adjust its position and size as needed.
Step 5: Format the Table
Once pasted, use PowerPoint’s formatting tools to make any necessary adjustments.
You can change the table’s color, font, and style to match your presentation’s overall design.
After completing these steps, your Excel table will be a part of your PowerPoint presentation. You can move, resize, and format it just like any other object within PowerPoint.
Tips for Inserting Excel Table into PowerPoint
- Use Shortcuts : Keyboard shortcuts like Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V can make copying and pasting faster and more efficient.
- Check Formatting : Before copying, ensure your table is well-organized and formatted correctly in Excel.
- Use Paste Options : PowerPoint often provides paste options like "Keep Source Formatting" or "Use Destination Styles." Choose the one that best fits your needs.
- Resize Carefully : When resizing your table in PowerPoint, keep the aspect ratio consistent to avoid distorting the data.
- Linking Tables : If you want the table to update automatically when changes are made in Excel, consider linking the table rather than just pasting it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do i link an excel table to update automatically in powerpoint.
When pasting, use the "Paste Special" option and choose "Paste Link." This will link the table, so updates to the Excel file reflect in PowerPoint.
Can I edit the table directly in PowerPoint?
Yes, you can format and style the table in PowerPoint, but significant data changes should be done in Excel.
What if my table is too large for the slide?
Resize the table by clicking and dragging the corners. You may need to adjust the font size or split the data into multiple tables.
Is there a way to maintain the Excel table’s original style in PowerPoint?
When pasting, choose the "Keep Source Formatting" option to retain the original style from Excel.
Can I insert just a part of the Excel table into PowerPoint?
Yes, select only the part of the table you need in Excel before copying and pasting it into PowerPoint.
- Open Your Excel File.
- Copy the Table.
- Open Your PowerPoint Presentation.
- Paste the Table into PowerPoint.
- Format the Table.
Inserting an Excel table into PowerPoint is a straightforward process that can enhance your presentations by adding detailed data. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can ensure that your data is presented clearly and professionally. Remember to take advantage of formatting options to make your table visually appealing and aligned with your presentation’s theme.
If you’re frequently working with data presentations, mastering this skill will save you time and improve your presentations’ effectiveness. For further reading, consider exploring more advanced PowerPoint features or learning about Excel functions that can enhance your data organization. Now it’s time to put what you’ve learned into practice and make your presentations shine!
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.
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Create PowerPoint Slides from Excel Data
Oct 5, 2019 | Articles
Undoubtedly Microsoft Excel is amongst the best tools for increased productivity in our workplace today. Microsoft Excel helps workers perform their assigned tasks easily. The use of Microsoft Excel has greatly improved productivity in organizations. It offers a quicker way to complete your task effortlessly. Many organizations now sort after Men and Women with good skill in Microsoft Excel.
PowerPoint is another outstanding program that enhances business excellence. PowerPoint offers a clear understanding and interpretation of data. It has a unique display setting that makes the audience appreciate the program, but it is static.
Some persons believe PowerPoint to be superior to Excel and vice versa. But recently, people create PowerPoint from Excel data. Excel is used for computations because it has a lot of data needed for the report. PowerPoint will help enhance the appearance of these reports. So, simply present your result in PowerPoint after all calculations from your Excel.
No More Copy & Paste
Automated powerpoint updates.
classic slide
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Four ways to improve your data presentation in Excel
1. Add a watermark text or a picture to the workbook with your company branding
See Adding watermarks to workbook for more details.
2. Add a background picture by choosing a graphics file to serve as a wallpaper for a spreadsheet like the wallpaper that you usually see on your Windows desktop:
See Adding a background image to the spreadsheet for more details.
3. Use conditional formatting to highlight cells in the worksheet:
See Applying Conditional Formatting for more details.
4. Use the drop-down list to simplify entering a value from the predefined set like countries, states, types, etc.
See Creating a Drop-Down List in a Cell for more details.
See also this tip in French: Quatre façons d'améliorer votre présentation de données dans Excel .
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Adding a header and footer to the worksheet
Insert a Table in PowerPoint from Excel? [Step-by-Step!]
By: Author Shrot Katewa
One of the conveniences that PowerPoint presentations provide is the ability to insert tables and make them dynamic in nature from any source, particularly Excel. This allows presenters to continue in the flow of their presentations without having to shuffle through multiple open windows.
To insert a table in PowerPoint from Excel, first, select and copy the table in Excel using the “Ctrl+C” shortcut. Then, open the specific slide in your presentation to paste the table. Use the shortcut “Ctrl+V” to paste the table in PowerPoint.
Does this seem too simple to imagine, doesn’t it? And, it is quite simple! However, to give you a few more options for inserting tables from Excel to PowerPoint, I have listed some methods below. Let’s get started.
1. Adding a Table from Excel to PowerPoint
The “Insert Table” feature in Microsoft PowerPoint allows you to only add new tables to your slide. However, you can add an existing table from a different source like Microsoft Excel also using the methods mentioned below.
To add a table from Excel to PowerPoint, you need to use the “Copy” and “Paste” features.
1.1 Method 1 – Using Copy and Paste (Unlinked)
Using the simple “Paste” feature in Microsoft PowerPoint, you can quickly add an Excel table to your slide without any hyperlinks. To do so, follow these steps.
Step-1: Click on the “Copy” option
The first step is to open the Microsoft Excel worksheet from where you want to copy the table. Then select the preferred columns and rows to highlight them. “Right Click” on it and click on the “Copy” option. Alternatively, you can press the “Ctrl+C” keys on your keyboard.
Step-2: Click on the “Paste” option
The next step is to “Right Click” on the PowerPoint slide where you want to add the table. In the right-click menu, click on your preferred option under “ Paste Options ” . You can alternatively press the “Ctrl+V” keys on your keyboard to paste the Excel table to your slide.
1.2 Method 2 – Using Paste Special
In Microsoft PowerPoint, the “ Paste Special ” dialog box offers options to paste the copied table in different special formats. To paste the Excel table with a hyperlink, follow these steps.
Step-1: Click on the “Paste Special” option
In the “Paste” group of the “Home” tab, click on the down arrow under the “Paste” icon that looks like a clipboard. Then click on the “Paste Special” option from the dropdown menu to launch a dialog.
Step-2: Click on the “Microsoft Excel Worksheet Object” option
In the “ Paste Special ” dialog box, click on the “Paste” option from the left column. Then in the box in the middle of the dialog box, click on the “Microsoft Excel Worksheet Object” option.
Step-3: Click on the “OK” button Now all you have to do is click on the “OK” button at the bottom of the “Paste Special” dialog box to paste the Excel table in your PowerPoint slide (shown above).
1.3 Method 3 – Using the Insert Object Option (Entire Excel Sheet)
Microsoft PowerPoint also allows you to paste the entire Excel sheet into your presentation slide. For this, you have to use the “ Insert ” tab. Follow the 4 steps below:
Step-1: Click on the “Insert” tab
In the menu ribbon located at the top of the screen, click on the “Insert” tab. Under the “Insert” tab, click on the “Object” option which is the last icon in the “Text” group.
Step-2: Click on the “Create File” option
In the left column of the “Insert Object” dialog box, click on the “Create from file” option. Now you can select an Excel sheet to add to the slide.
Step-3: Click on the “Browse” button
Click on the “Browse” button in the “Insert Object” dialog box to launch the “Browse” window. Select the Excel file and click on the “Open” button at the bottom of the “Browse” window (shown above).
Step-4: Click on the “Link” option
In the “Insert Object” dialog box, click on the “Link” option to hyperlink the Excel table. Click on the “OK” button at the bottom of the dialog box to finish the process.
2. How to Copy Tables from Excel to PowerPoint with Formatting?
When you copy a table from Excel, you can paste it into Microsoft PowerPoint in multiple different formats. For easy editing access, you can use the “Keep Source Formatting” feature.
You can also paste the table as a picture to avoid any accidental edits to the table.
2.1 Method 1 – Using Keep Source Formatting Option
To paste the Excel table as an editable object, you can use the “Keep Source Formatting” option. All you have to do is “Right Click” on the slide and select the “Keep Source Formatting” option under “Paste Options” in the right-click menu. The table in PowerPoint will retain the formatting from Excel.
2.2 Method 2 – Paste as an Image
You can paste the Excel table as an image if you do not want any edits to the table. To paste as an image, “Right Click” on the slide and click on the “Picture” option under “Paste Options” in the right-click menu.
3. How to Insert an Excel File into PowerPoint as an Icon?
Instead of pasting a table, you can add an Excel icon in Microsoft PowerPoint. Clicking on the icon during the presentation will lead you to the Excel worksheet. To insert an Excel file as an icon, follow these steps.
Step-1: Copy Table from Excel
Step-2: Click on the “Paste Special” option
In the “ Clipboard ” group of the “Home” tab, click on the down arrow under the “Paste” icon. Then click on the “Paste Special” option from the dropdown menu to launch a dialog.
Step-3: Click on the “Microsoft Excel Worksheet Object” option
Now just click on the “Microsoft Excel Worksheet Object” option in the “Paste Special” dialog box,
Step-4: Click on “Display as icon” The next step is to click on the “Display as icon” option in the right column of the “Paste Special” dialog box. A checkmark will appear beside the option. Now click on the “OK” button at the bottom to insert the Excel file as an icon (shown above).
4. How to Link Existing PowerPoint Table to Excel for Dynamic Data Updates?
In Microsoft PowerPoint 2019 and later versions, you cannot link an Excel worksheet to an existing PowerPoint table. However, any hyperlinked table from Excel in PowerPoint is automatically set for dynamic data updates.
To enable this feature, follow these steps.
In the “Home” menu, click on the down arrow under the “Paste” icon. Then select the “Paste Special” option from the dropdown menu.
Step-3: Click on “Paste Link”
In the left column of the dialog box, click on the “Paste link” option. This will link the table to its Excel source. You can edit the table in either PowerPoint or Excel and find the changes in both files.
Now click on the “Microsoft Excel Worksheet Object” option from the box in the middle of the “Paste Special” dialog box. Then click on the “OK” button to insert the table (as shown above).
5. How to Unlink Table in PowerPoint from Excel?
In PowerPoint, you can remove the hyperlink added to an Excel table. However, you must remove hyperlinks from all objects in the presentation at once. Follow the 2 quick steps.
Step-1: Click on the “File” tab
Click on the “File” tab in the menu ribbon located at the top of the screen. In the left sidebar of the “File” menu, click on the “Info” option.
Step-2: Click on “Edit Links to Files”
Now scroll all the way down to the bottom of the “Info” screen. At the right column, click on the “Edit Links to Files” option to remove all the hyperlinks.
6. How to Embed Excel in PowerPoint?
To embed an Excel sheet into a PowerPoint slide, follow these steps.
Step-1: Click on the “Object” option
In the menu ribbon located at the top of the screen, click on the “Insert” tab. Then click on the “Object” icon from the “Text” group.
Step-2: Click on “Microsoft Excel Worksheet”
In the “Insert Object” dialog, click on the “Create New” option from the left column. Then select the “Microsoft Excel Worksheet” option from the “Object Type” list. Finally, click on the “OK” button to embed the Excel sheet.
7. How to Insert a Scrollable Table from Excel in PowerPoint?
In Microsoft PowerPoint, all the embedded Excel tables are scrollable. To insert a scrollable table from Excel into your PowerPoint presentation, follow the steps discussed in Section 6. However, to make the table scrollable for your viewers, you will need to access the “Developer” tool.
Here’s a link to a Microsoft Support group addressing what you need to do in order to make your table scrollable. Make sure you check that out.
Excel Tutorial: How To Present Data In Excel
Introduction.
Presenting data effectively in Excel is crucial for making informed business decisions and conveying information clearly. In this tutorial, we will cover the importance of presenting data effectively in Excel and provide an overview of the topics that will be covered to help you present your data with clarity and impact.
A. Importance of presenting data effectively in Excel
B. overview of what will be covered in the tutorial, key takeaways.
- Presenting data effectively in Excel is crucial for making informed business decisions and conveying information clearly.
- Understanding the basics of data presentation, such as formatting cells and creating clear tables and charts, is essential.
- Utilizing Excel functions like SUM, AVERAGE, and COUNT, as well as conditional formatting, can help summarize and visually represent data.
- Designing visually appealing charts and graphs and avoiding clutter are important for effective data presentation.
- Using pivot tables for better data analysis and customization can enhance data presentation in Excel.
Understanding the basics of data presentation in Excel
When it comes to presenting data in Excel, it's important to understand the fundamentals of formatting cells and data, as well as creating clear and concise tables and charts. This chapter will cover these key aspects in detail.
Formatting cells and data in Excel is essential for presenting information in a clear and organized manner. Here are some key points to keep in mind:
- Choosing the right data format: It's important to select the appropriate data format for each type of information you are presenting, whether it's numbers, dates, or text.
- Applying cell formatting: Excel offers a wide range of formatting options for cells, including font style, size, color, and alignment. Utilize these features to enhance the visual appeal of your data.
- Using conditional formatting: Conditional formatting allows you to apply specific formatting rules to cells based on their values, making it easier to identify trends and outliers in your data.
Tables and charts are powerful tools for presenting data in a visually appealing and easy-to-understand manner. Here's how to make the most of them:
- Organizing data into tables: Excel's table feature allows you to easily organize and format your data, making it more readable and accessible for your audience.
- Choosing the right chart type: Whether it's a pie chart, bar graph, or line chart, selecting the appropriate chart type for your data is crucial for effective presentation.
- Customizing chart elements: Excel provides a range of options for customizing chart elements such as axes, titles, and legends. Take advantage of these features to tailor your charts to your specific data and audience.
Utilizing Excel functions for data presentation
When presenting data in Excel, it is crucial to use the appropriate functions to summarize and analyze the information effectively. By utilizing functions like SUM , AVERAGE , and COUNT , you can easily generate key insights and draw conclusions from your data. Here's how you can make the most of these functions:
A. Using functions like SUM, AVERAGE, and COUNT to summarize data
- SUM: The SUM function allows you to quickly calculate the total of a range of numbers. Whether you are adding up sales figures, expenses, or any other numerical data, the SUM function provides a simple way to obtain the sum total.
- AVERAGE: When you want to find the average value of a set of numbers, the AVERAGE function comes in handy. This function is particularly useful for determining the average performance, scores, or ratings.
- COUNT: The COUNT function enables you to count the number of cells in a range that contains numbers. This can be helpful for tracking the quantity of certain items, responses, or occurrences within your data.
B. Utilizing conditional formatting for visual representation of data
- Conditional formatting offers an effective way to visually represent your data based on specific conditions or criteria. By applying formatting rules, you can highlight important trends, outliers, or patterns in your data. This can include color-coding cells, adding data bars, or applying icon sets to make the information more visually appealing and easier to interpret.
Designing visually appealing charts and graphs
When it comes to presenting data in Excel, creating visually appealing charts and graphs is essential in effectively communicating your data to your audience. In this chapter, we will explore the importance of choosing the right type of chart for different types of data and customizing colors, labels, and titles for better visualization.
Choosing the right type of chart for different types of data
- Bar charts: Ideal for comparing values across different categories.
- Line charts: Useful for displaying trends over time.
- Pie charts: Suitable for showing the composition of a whole.
- Scatter plots: Helpful in visualizing the relationship between two variables.
Customizing colors, labels, and titles for better visualization
- Color selection: Choose a color scheme that is visually appealing and enhances the understanding of the data.
- Labels and titles: Clearly label each element of the chart and ensure that the title effectively summarizes the data being presented.
- Font size and style: Use appropriate font size and style for labels and titles to improve readability.
Tips for effective data presentation in Excel
When presenting data in Excel, it is important to ensure that the information is clear, concise, and accurate. Here are some tips to help you effectively present data in Excel:
Organize and format the data:
Use charts and graphs:, limit the use of unnecessary details:, set up data validation rules:, highlight erroneous data:, regularly update and review the data:, enhancing data presentation with pivot tables.
Pivot tables are powerful tools in Excel that allow you to analyze and summarize large amounts of data. They can help you present your data in a clear and organized manner, making it easier to identify trends and patterns. In this chapter, we will explore how to create and customize pivot tables to enhance data presentation.
How to create pivot tables for better data analysis
Creating a pivot table in Excel is a straightforward process that can greatly enhance the way you present and analyze your data. Follow these steps to create a pivot table:
- Select your data: Before creating a pivot table, you need to select the data range that you want to analyze.
- Insert a pivot table: Go to the "Insert" tab and click on "PivotTable." This will open a dialog box where you can select the data range for your pivot table.
- Drag and drop fields: Once you have inserted the pivot table, you can drag and drop fields from your data into the Rows, Columns, Values, and Filters areas to customize the layout of your pivot table.
- Summarize your data: Use the "Values" area to summarize your data using functions such as sum, average, count, etc.
Customizing pivot tables for clear presentation of summarized data
After creating a pivot table, you can customize it to present your summarized data in a clear and organized manner. Here are some ways to customize your pivot table:
- Format your pivot table: Excel offers various formatting options to customize the appearance of your pivot table. You can change the font, color, and style to make your pivot table visually appealing.
- Apply filters: Use the filter options in the pivot table to narrow down the data and focus on specific subsets of your data.
- Use slicers: Slicers are visual controls that allow you to filter data in a pivot table. They provide a quick and easy way to analyze and present your data.
- Add calculated fields: If the standard summary functions do not meet your needs, you can create calculated fields to perform custom calculations in your pivot table.
In conclusion, this tutorial has covered the key points of presenting data in Excel, including formatting, creating charts, and using functions to analyze data. Remember to practice these techniques and also explore more advanced features in Excel to take your data presentation skills to the next level. With dedication and exploration, you can become a proficient Excel user and wow your audience with compelling data presentations.
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How to Format Your Excel Spreadsheets (Complete Guide)
- Bahasa Indonesia
Think spreadsheets have to be boring? Guess again. When you learn how to format an Excel spreadsheet, you can bring data and insights to life.
When you focus on your Excel format, it's easier to share your data. Excel table formatting helps your audience analyze and understand a spreadsheet in less time.
In this tutorial, you'll learn Microsoft Excel spreadsheet formatting to help you style your spreadsheets. I'll use my decade of experience in accounting and finance to give you expert Excel file formats.
- How to Format an Excel Spreadsheet (Watch & Learn)
We've got a helpful video walkthrough for spreadsheet formats. This screencast will teach you how to format an Excel spreadsheet with common techniques.
Read on to find out more about the Excel formatting tools that you can use to change the look and feel of a spreadsheet. We've got an illustrated guide with Excel file format options to make your data digestible.
Jump to content in this section:
Why You Should Apply Excel Sheet Formats
- How to Use Excel Format Options
How to Use Built-in Cell Styles
- How to Achieve Faster Excel Formatting in Excel with Format Painter
How to Turn Off Gridlines in Excel
How to format excel data as a table, how to use conditional formatting in excel, basic ai excel sheet format tools, learn more about microsoft excel, the best source for excel templates (with unlimited downloads), you just learned how to format an excel spreadsheet.
If you're a creative, you might shy away from spreadsheets. Excel is for accountants, right?
Guess again. Spreadsheets are great tools for managing projects, organizing your work, and sharing information with others. And using stylish Excel file formats lets you exercise your creativity!
Formatting Excel spreadsheets isn't just about making them "pretty." It's about using the built-in styles to add meaning . A spreadsheet user should be able to glance at a cell and infer its meaning.
Above all, your Excel formats should be applied consistently. One example is using yellow shading each time you're making a calculation. This helps the user know that the cell's value will change. Let's learn more about tools for how to format Excel sheets.
How to Use Excel File Format Options
When you're thinking about styling a spreadsheet, it helps to know the tools of the trade. Let's start with the essentials of Excel format options. Here are some of the most popular Excel table formatting tweaks and how you can use them.
The tips in this section were written using Windows and Office 365. If you’ve got a different operating system or a different version of Excel, your steps may be slightly different.
1. How to Use Bold, Italic, and Underline
Bold, italic, and underline are basic Excel format options, but don't underestimate the meaning they can add.
To apply any of these effects, simply highlight the cells that you want to apply the effects to, and then click on the icons on the Font section of the Home tab.
You probably already know what these three tools do, but how should you use them for Excel file formats? Here are some ideas for how you can apply those styles:
- Bold . Draw attention to key cells using bold formatting. Apply bold to totals, key assumptions, and conclusion cells.
- Italic . I like to use this Excel format style for notes or text that I should de-emphasize.
- Underline . Add an underline to a summary cell, like a subtotal or conclusion.
In the example below, you can see a simple financial statement for a freelancer before and after I apply basic formatting. These are simple tweaks but dramatically increase the readability.
2. Apply Borders
Borders help to segment your data and wall it off from other sections of data in your spreadsheet. Excel's border tool can apply a variety of borders but can be a bit tricky to get started with.
Start by highlighting the cells that you want to apply a border to. Then, find the Borders dropdown menu and choose one of the built-in Excel format styles.
Learning how to format an Excel spreadsheet is easier with these pre-built options. As you can see from the dropdown options, there are many options for applying borders. Simply click on one of these border options to apply it to cells.
One of my favorite border styles is the Top and Double Bottom Border style. This is ideal for financial data when you've got a "grand total."
Another option is to change the weight and color of the border. With the bordered cells selected, return to the Borders dropdown menu. You can use the Line Color and Line Style settings to tweak the style of the borders.
Remember to use Excel sheet formats only for your key data. If you emphasize every cell, nothing stands out. Thick borders are ideal for setting a boundary for header columns or the subtotal at the bottom of your data.
3. Use Shading
Shading, also called fill, is the color that fills a cell. To use this, click and highlight any cells that you want to add shading to.
Then, click the arrow next to the paint bucket dropdown on the Font tab on the Home ribbon. You can pick from one of the many color thumbnails to apply it to a cell. I frequently use the More Colors option to open a full-featured color selection tool. Light shades are best for keeping the text readable.
You can highlight key data using shading. As I mentioned earlier, one idea is to use a consistent fill based on the contents of the cell, such as blue for any "input" fields where you manually type data.
Don't overdo it with shading. When you use too many Excel format options, it distracts from the content that's stored in the spreadsheet.
4. Change Alignment
Alignment refers to the way that the content in a cell is aligned to the edges. You can left align, center, or right align text. By default, content is left aligned in a cell. When you've got large data sets, you might want to alter the alignment to enhance readability.
One common change that I make is putting text on the left edge of a cell, while numeric amounts should be right-aligned. Also, column headers look great when they're centered along the top.
Change the alignment using the three alignment buttons on the Alignment tab on Excel's Home ribbon. You can also align content vertically, specifying whether the content aligns to the top, middle, or bottom of the cell.
One of my favorite ways to style a spreadsheet rapidly is to use built-in Excel formats. On the Home tab, click on the Cell Styles dropdown to apply one of the built-in styles to a cell.
Use these pre-built styles to save time. There's no need to rebuild your Excel doc formats from scratch. Use these as a way to take a shortcut to Excel spreadsheet formats.
For even more pre-built Excel file formats, check out the article below. You'll see top options for Excel formats for invoices, with ready-to-use spreadsheet format examples.
How to Achieve Faster Excel Formatting in Excel With Format Painter
Who wants to recreate Excel cell styles over and over again? Instead of recreating the wheel for each cell, you can use the Format Painter to pick up formatting and apply it to other cells.
Start by clicking in the cell that has the format that you want to copy. Then, find the Format Painter tool on the Home tab on Excel's ribbon. Click on the Format Painter , and then click on the cell that you want to apply the same style to.
Don't start from scratch with your Excel file format options! Learn more and master the format painter in the tutorial below:
As you probably already know, a spreadsheet is made up of rows and columns . Rows are ruled by horizontal lines and have numbers next to them. Columns are split with vertical lines and have letters at the top to refer to them.
Where rows and columns meet, cells are formed. Cells have names for which row and column they intersect. For example, where row 4 and column B meet is called B4.
Here's one of my top tips for how to format an Excel spreadsheet for sharing: turn off gridlines. It gives a much cleaner appearance and can be easier to read.
When you're working in Excel, gridlines are helpful. But when you want to share data , it might be best to turn them off for easier reading. Click on the View menu, and untick Gridlines.
Gridlines are imaginary and are only visible on screen. With proper borders added, it's best to turn off gridlines as a finishing step.
How to Print With Gridlines
What if you want to show gridlines throughout the spreadsheet when you print it? Instead of having to manually add borders to each and every cell, you can simply print your workbook and include those gridlines.
To turn on gridlines when printing, start by going to the File menu, and choose Print . Then, click on Page Setup to open the settings. This controls how your spreadsheet format prints.
On the Sheet tab, tick the box labeled Gridlines to include gridlines when you print your Excel workbook.
Keep in mind that this option will certainly use more ink when printing. However, it also might make it easier to read your printed spreadsheet.
One of my favorite ways to style a dataset quickly is to use the Format as Table dropdown option. With just a couple of clicks, you can transform a few rows and columns into a structured data table.
When you format data as a table, you unlock many helpful options. For example, you can use the Table Style Options section on the ribbon to add automatic subtotals, or use the built-in Table Styles for quick formatting.
This feature works best when you already have data in a set of rows and columns and want to apply a uniform style. It's a combination of style and functionality, as tables add other features like automatic filtering buttons.
Learn more about why tables are a great feature in the tutorial below:
What if the format of a cell could change based on the data inside it? This feature is built into Excel, and it's called Conditional Formatting.
Imagine using Conditional Formatting to highlight the top and bottom values in your cells. It makes it easy to visually scan your data and look for key indicators. And don't think that you have to manually adjust it every time your data changes!
Conditional Formatting is best used with numeric data. To get started, simply highlight a column or row of data and make sure that you're on the Home tab on the ribbon.
There are a number of styles that you can choose from the Conditional Formatting dropdown menu. Each of these applies a different style of Excel formatting to your cells, but each will adapt based on the cells that you've highlighted.
These are just a few tips to help you get started with conditional formatting in Excel. Check out the guide below to learn more about how to apply smart styles to your cells.
Artificial intelligence is a part of more apps than ever. Microsoft Office, including Excel, is no exception. These tools save time during Excel table formatting. In Excel, the Copilot tool can use conversational prompts to apply Excel file format adjustments.
For an AI-powered assist, check out the new Microsoft Copilot Assistant. It can even help you intelligently apply formatting. Learn more below:
The possibilities in Excel are endless. This tool powers companies of all sizes and is flexible for every purpose. But it also features a learning curve that takes time to conquer.
We've got you covered. You've learned how to format Excel spreadsheets effectively. Keep going with more tutorials that help you master Excel:
Need a jumpstart learning how to format Excel sheets? We've got you covered with pre-built templates that have the work done for you . On Envato , you can download unlimited templates, all in one place.
Think spreadsheets are doomed to be black and white? Now you know that's not the case. You learned how to format Excel sheets with meaning. Each cell's style can help the viewer analyze and understand faster than plaintext alone.
Don't forget that pre-built Excel templates give you great styles with less work. You can even use these styles as inspiration for your own spreadsheets.
Now, it's your turn. Put your new Excel file format options into practice. Open a spreadsheet, add new styles, and watch it come to life!
Contextures Blog
Excel tips and tutorials
PowerPoint Slides From Excel List
If you have a list of names or topics in Excel, here’s how you can quickly create PowerPoint slides from that list. Unlike most of my macros, these run in PowerPoint, to pull the data from Excel. That was easier than writing Excel macros to make things happen in PowerPoint!
Create a Slide for Each Excel Item
In these macros, the main PowerPoint slide is duplicated. Then, the data from Excel is added to the text boxes on the new slide.
There are 4 macros, with variations for
- 1 or 2 text boxes on the slide
- all Excel rows, or based on criteria
You can download the free files from my Contextures site . There’s a zipped folder with the PowerPoint presentation, and an Excel file with data for the slides.
Slide Data in Excel List
There’s a small named table in the sample Excel file, with data for the PowerPoint slides.
You can use this for testing, before trying the macros with your own Excel data.
PowerPoint Main Slide
In PowerPoint, the first slide in the presentation has two text boxes.
The macro duplicates the first slide, and puts the Excel information in those text boxes
In the sample file, don’t move the main slide, if you want the macros to work correctly!
That first slide in the presentation is based on a Master slide.
- You can edit its Master slide, to change the background or text box settings.
- You can also replace that chart icon with your company logo, or add other features.
More PowerPoint Slides
In the PowerPoint file that you can download from my Contextures site, there are 2 other slides.
- Those additional slides have notes on using the macros, and formatting the Slide Master.
- These slides aren’t needed by the macro, and you can delete them.
How to Run Macro to Create Slides
To create PowerPoint slides, from a list in Excel, follow these steps:
- Open the Excel file where your list is stored
- Activate the sheet where the data is stored – the list must be formatted as a named Excel table
- Open the PowerPoint presentation that contains the macros and main slide
- Be sure the main slide, that you want to duplicate, is the first slide in the presentation
- At the top of PowerPoint, on the View tab, click Macros
- Select one of the Create Slides macros, and click Run
Check the New Slides
After the macro runs, you can check the new slides that were added to the PowerPoint presentation.
- In this example, I ran the macro for 2 text boxes, and checked column 3 in the data, for a “Y”
- Three of the rows have a “Y”, so 3 slides were added to the presentation.
NOTE : This macro code is further down the page, and all four macros are in the sample PowerPoint file.
Save the PowerPoint Slides
After you run the macro, and create the duplicate slides:
- Save the PowerPoint file with a new name .
- Then, in that new file, delete the main slide and the two notes slides, or hide them.
NOTE : If you simply export the new slides, you’ll lose the formatting, because they’re based on the Master Slide in the original PowerPoint file.
Create a Presentation Template
Another option is to save the PowerPoint file in PowerPoint Macro-Enabled Template (potm) format.
By default, that file will be saved in your Custom Office Templates folder.
Then, to create a new set of slides from Excel data:
- In PowerPoint, click File, then click New
- In the Templates section, click Personal
- Click on the Slides from Excel template, then click Create
PowerPoint Slides From Excel Macro Code
Here is the code for the CreateSlidesTest_Text2 macro that fills two text boxes on a slide, and checks the Excel table for criteria.
NOTE: To use the macro with a different Excel table, you can change the variable settings, in this section of the macro code.
This macro creates slides for items in the Excel list, after checking a criteria cell, and fills 2 text boxes.
- In Excel, checks the test column ( colTest ), and creates a slide if it contains the specified text string ( strTest )
- In the PowerPoint slide, text from the specified columns ( col01 and col02 ), is entered in the 1st text box and 2nd text box
Learn More About PowerPoint Macros
There are PowerPoint code samples on the Microsoft site , that helped me get started with these macros to create slides from Excel data.
For more examples, you can check the StackOverflow forum, or PowerPoint sites.
Get the PowerPoint Slide Files
The macros that create slides are stored in the PowerPoint file. There are no macros in the Excel workbook
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PowerPoint Slides from Excel List
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4 thoughts on “PowerPoint Slides From Excel List”
Does this work on Macs? I keep getting the “No Excel table found on active sheet” when I try to run it. I’ve been using the sample slides and sample worksheet and I am sure to have the sheet with the table “activated” (clicked on? this just means clicked on, right?) when I try to run the macros. None of them work, they all give the sam error message. I also went into VBA editor Tools/References in both programs to make sure the other was clicked on. No luck. Thoughts? Help?
I don’t think it works on Macbook. I had the same error, tried it on a Windows laptop and worked perfectly.
It also has some problems with large data sets and stops running the code after a few hundred rows, (I had almost 1000 rows) but a quick fix would be to delete the rows that it has already done and run again. It will add the new slides after the last slide in the powerpoint.
To the person behind this: thank you so much. You have saved me hours of my life. I was populating each of my slides manually and it took me the whole day to get through 1/16th fo the work. With this code, took me <5 minutes. Thank you so much.
Did you ever figure out how to do this on a mac? If so, please share…
When I click RUN, it only makes about 10 of 219 slides. I am trying to do a list of names. The error says “Could not complete Slides”
Any help would be appreciated
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6. Add an image. Whether it's a photograph, an artistic sketch or your logo, images go a long way in making your spreadsheet better. Images make your presentation look official and possess the professional feel in many of the beautiful presentations you have seen. Pictures speak a thousand words.
Creating a presentation in Excel. Step 1: Choose a Template. Step 2: Create slides. Step 3: Organize your data. Line Graph. Pie chart. Table. Step 4: Remove the grids. Tips for making a creative and professional presentation using Excel.
Let's discuss some Excel presentation tips that will help you present data in a compelling and visually appealing format. 1. Charts and Graphs. Effectively providing a visual summary of data using graphs and charts is an important presentation technique. But it's just as easy to make a confusing chart as it is to make a helpful one.
Start by opening both the Excel worksheet and the PowerPoint presentation you want to edit at the same time. In Excel, select the cells you want to link or embed. If you would like to link or embed the entire worksheet, click on the box at the juncture of the rows and columns in the top left-hand corner to select the whole sheet.
This includes adjusting fonts, colors, and sizes to match the overall design of your presentation. To format an Excel object: Select the chart or table you want to format, right-click on it, and choose Format Object. From here, you can customize the fill color, font, and other design elements of the object to match your presentation. ...
Step 1: Open Your PowerPoint Presentation. Open the PowerPoint presentation where you want to insert the Excel spreadsheet. Make sure you're on the right slide where you want to insert the Excel spreadsheet. If you haven't created a slide yet, you can easily add a new one by clicking on "New Slide" in the Home tab.
To create a pie chart in Excel: Select the data you want to visualize. From the " Insert " tab, choose " Pie " from the chart options. You can customize your chart by changing the colors, adding labels, and adjusting other settings in the " Format Chart Area " pane. Here's a video guide on how to create a donut chart:
In Excel, click and drag to highlight the cells you want to copy. Right-click the copied cells and select Copy. In your PowerPoint presentation, right-click and select the Paste Options you want: Use Destination Styles - Choose to edit your copied cells like a PowerPoint table, but with PowerPoint's color scheme and fonts.
In PowerPoint, on the Insert tab, click or tap Object. In the Insert Object dialog box, select Create from file. Click or tap Browse, and in the Browse box, find the Excel workbook with the data you want to insert and link to. Before you close the Insert Object box, select Link, and click OK. Important: The linked object in your presentation ...
First, build your table in Excel. Save the file on your computer. Select your table and press "Ctrl + C." Go to your PowerPoint file. Right-click on the slide to see different "Paste Options" (this is another way to paste information from Excel to PowerPoint). Choose the middle option: "Embed," and that's it!
Step 4: Paste the Table into PowerPoint. Click on the slide where you want the table, then press Ctrl+V (or right-click and choose "Paste"). The table should appear on the slide. You can adjust its position and size as needed.
First, copy the column names to the first rows of the table from your options. The Start filling Data automatically will set to 2. Then click OK to close. The data file automatically copies to the table. Then select all cells that have numeric data, and click on DataPoint and Table again.
See Adding a background image to the spreadsheet for more details. 3. Use conditional formatting to highlight cells in the worksheet: See Applying Conditional Formatting for more details. 4. Use the drop-down list to simplify entering a value from the predefined set like countries, states, types, etc. See Creating a Drop-Down List in a Cell for ...
Method 2 - Use Paste Special to Generate Slides from Excel. STEPS: Open Excel's saved worksheet to insert data. Select the dataset you want to copy. Click on Copy or press Ctrl + C. Open PowerPoint and click on the slide where you wish to connect the Excel data. Click Paste or right-click and select Paste Special. A new dialog box appears.
To embed an Excel sheet into a PowerPoint slide, follow these steps. Step-1: Click on the "Object" option. In the menu ribbon located at the top of the screen, click on the "Insert" tab. Then click on the "Object" icon from the "Text" group. Step-2: Click on "Microsoft Excel Worksheet".
A. Formatting cells and data. Formatting cells and data in Excel is essential for presenting information in a clear and organized manner. Here are some key points to keep in mind: Choosing the right data format: It's important to select the appropriate data format for each type of information you are presenting, whether it's numbers, dates, or ...
Then, click on Page Setup to open the settings. This controls how your spreadsheet format prints. On the Sheet tab, tick the box labeled Gridlines to include gridlines when you print your Excel workbook. On the Page Setup box, tick Gridlines on the Sheet tab to add them to your printed copy.
To create PowerPoint slides, from a list in Excel, follow these steps: Open the Excel file where your list is stored. Activate the sheet where the data is stored - the list must be formatted as a named Excel table. Open the PowerPoint presentation that contains the macros and main slide. Be sure the main slide, that you want to duplicate, is ...
Data organization guidelines. Put similar items in the same column Design the data so that all rows have similar items in the same column. Keep a range of data separate Leave at least one blank column and one blank row between a related data range and other data on the worksheet. Excel can then more easily detect and select the range when you ...
Select a cell or a range of cells. From the Format menu, select the Cell option. If it's not already done, select the Numbers tab. In this window, there are six tabs that offer all the possibilities for cell presentation. As you can see, there are a lot more options available from the Format toolbar.
P.S- All these charts are data-driven and excel-linked, taking your presenting game a notch higher. Top 30 Excel Linked Data-Driven PowerPoint Slides and Templates . Tornado Chart For Population Excel Chart Template 1 The core of every business's success lies in properly analyzing the data and using it to one's advantage.
Excel offers a quicker way. Click the first cell, hold down the Ctrl key, and click a second cell. Look at the status bar at the bottom and you'll see the sum of the cells calculated for you. Keep ...
To format the title with the Center Across Selection option, follow the steps below: Select the row of the title. We selected the range B2:G2. Click the Format Cells dialog box launcher from the Alignment group. The Format Cells dialog box will appear. In the Format Cells dialog box: Go to the Alignment tab.
However, on reopening the file and updating the image is resized (much smaller) than the original from the excel file. I spent time ensuring the Excel chart was the correct size and format for the PowerPoint to limit my requirements to play with additional formatting. Example my excel chart is 8x14 cm but the resized image in PP is 4.8x8.3cm.
As part of your presentation skill set, it helps catch and maintain the audience's attention, helping them remain focused while minimising passive response, ensuring the message is delivered correctly, and encouraging a call to action. Stage presence. During a presentation, projecting confidence can help keep your audience engaged.
To do this. Press. Move to the Tell me or Search field on the ribbon and type a search term for assistance or Help content.. Alt+Q, then enter the search term. Open the File menu.. Alt+F. Open the Home tab and format text and numbers and use the Find tool.. Alt+H. Open the Insert tab and insert PivotTables, charts, add-ins, Sparklines, pictures, shapes, headers, or text boxes.
* Word to PDF: Ensure that your Word document is stable in format and not easy to be tampered with when sharing and saving. * Excel to PDF: Make Excel tables present in standardized PDF format, which is more suitable for printing and circulation. * PowerPoint to PDF: Fixes presentations in PDF format for easy saving and sharing.