Making Excel Access Easier on a MacBook

    You must have accessed an Excel sheet on your MacBook many times but did you know a particular version of Microsoft Office written for MacBooks? Yes, this happened to let Mac users access PowerPoint, Excel, and Word files just like on any other branded laptop or PC.

    Here, macOS offers in-built support for the latest version of Microsoft Exchange Server to strengthen MacBooks' compatibility. However, running Microsoft Excel on a MacBook is no rocket science, but at the same time, it isn't as simple as installing the application and running it.

    It is necessary for MacBook users to either sign up for a subscription or buy the complete version outright for easy access. Plus, if you can customize your Microsoft Office package by deciding the specific applications you need. This is in the case of purchasing the version. Now, when talking about subscriptions, there are multiple options available to choose from.

    Latest Version of Microsoft Office for Mac -

    However, Microsoft Excel 2016 has been in talks until Microsoft 365 and Office 2019 came into existence. These versions brought a line of new features, appearance, and experience for Mac users that engaged the attention of millions of people worldwide. Those who have subscribed to the Microsoft Office subscription get a version update on a monthly basis to effectively strengthen its performance and security measures.

    Microsoft 365 has been designed with a different concept, whereas Microsoft Office 2016 and 2019 are two versions of the same office suite. People choose any of these based on their requirements and usage type. For instance - an IT professional prefers to rely on Microsoft 365 whereas students often move towards Microsoft Office 2016 and 2019.

    Using Microsoft Excel on MacBook -

    By the time Microsoft Excel 2016 release, users have been giving positive feedback for its seamless and easy-to-adopt features. It not just saves time but adds to productivity as well. Getting used to the usual Excel features seem difficult for an all-time Mac user. Therefore, we have got a string of hacks to make your Excel surfing experience easier than ever before.

    Charts -

    Choosing a type of chart to display your data and figures often seems challenging, especially when you have numerous good options in front of you. If you encounter it as a dilemma, consider going for the 'Recommended Charts' option that pours a list of best suitable charts for your purpose in seconds. It helps you view the data in different charts without selecting any of them. Select the range of data that you want to view on a chart, now go to the 'Insert' tab, click on 'Recommended Charts' to see how the data would look in a particular chart.

    Chart Formatting -

    Unarguably, Microsoft Excel offers a line of features and options to customize the charts and make them look more professional. But the struggle is to know those customization features and then use them. It comes with a formatting task pane that acts as a gateway to multiple styling features. Using this single pane, you can customize the charts, include new shapes, and text types to your Excel sheet without compromising the quality.

    Formula Builder -

    How many times have you forgotten the formula and then juggled with the internet to find out an accurate answer? That's common for people to forget the formula or syntax. Probably that's why Microsoft has introduced the exclusive Formula Builder option which makes everything easy, hassle-free, and quick. This Formula Builder has multiple features to insert, edit, or search for a formula. Plus, it works best to add data to predefined function arguments. To use it, all you would need is to click the fx button while keeping the cursor on the formula bar and then enter 'Shift+F3'.

    Enter Math Symbols -

    Entering a math symbol or formula in a Word file is way different from entering an Excel sheet. Sometimes the math symbol turns into a formula making it difficult for the user to find a solution. If you don't have any idea about the math symbols we are talking about, then you can look for them here https://setapp.com/how-to/type-math-symbols-on-mac and find out how it adds to your convenience. Plus, a Mac-based text editor helps add and edit images, text, math symbols, and formulas easily. If you want to follow a shortcut, you can launch the 'System Preferences' then open the 'Keyboard Menu', navigate to 'Input Sources' and check 'Show input menu in menu bar' and you are done.

    PivotTable Slicers -

    The slicers enable to filter the data in the PivotTable report. It consists of a set of buttons permitting the user to find the items that you want to filter without opening the drop-down list. Creating a new slicer is no rocket science. Select the PivotTable that you want to filter, click on the ribbon, go to the 'PivotTable Analyze' tab, click the 'PivotTable Analyze' tab, and now go to the 'Insert Slicer' feature to see a string of options available.

    Keyboard shortcuts -

    Use it for the sake of faster action or efficiency; keyboard shortcuts are added to enhance the operational workflow. Microsoft Excel 2016 is loaded with numerous keyboard shortcuts that easily achieve the objective without hampering the experience. This enables you to use common keyboard shortcuts like Ctrl+F, Ctrl+O, etc., with great ease. Generally, these are available in Windows OS only and not in macOS.

    To enable this setting on your MacBook, go to 'Apple', click on 'System Preferences' and then select 'Keyboard'. Now on the 'Keyboard' button, select the 'Use all F1, F2, etc. as standard function keys', and you are done.

    The bottom line -

    No matter how good features and experience Apple offers via MacBook, one has to look upon Microsoft for PowerPoint, Word, and Excel. This arises the need for either buying a subscription or purchasing the complete software. Here, the best part is one can have access to this required software flexibility. And what makes it even more progressive is the payment method which can be customized as per convenience.