Master Excel Formulas with Copilot’s ‘Explain this Formula’

Master Excel Formulas with Copilot’s ‘Explain this Formula’

Understand the mystery behind complex Excel formulas with a single click, thanks to Microsoft 365 Copilot’s new explanation feature.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor 

July 7, 2025

Excel formulas are powerful but they’re not always readable. 

Especially when digging through inherited budget sheets, performance dashboards, or shared templates filled with nested functions and cryptic references.

Even seasoned users pause at logic like IF(AND(A1>100,B1<50),TRUE,FALSE). 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Use Microsoft 365 Copilot to Explain Excel Formulas in Plain English.

With Microsoft 365 Copilot’s “Explain this formula” feature, you don’t have to play guessing games. It gives you clear, plain-English explanations for even the most convoluted formulas.

Search for Templates in Word, Excel & PowerPoint for iOS

Search for Templates in Word, Excel & PowerPoint for iOS

Skip the blank page.  Microsoft 365 now lets you search templates on iOS, giving your presentations, budgets, and reports a polished head start.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

June 23, 2025

Caught in a Coffee Shop, Deadline Looming?

There’s nothing quite like trying to build a presentation on your iPhone with one thumb and a ticking clock. 

Whether you’re on the train, between meetings, or working from a park bench, starting from scratch isn’t just time-consuming.

It’s a creativity killer.

Here's a Cool Tip: Search for Templates in Word, Excel and PowerPoint for iPhone and iPad.

Microsoft has added a deceptively powerful feature to its Word, Excel, and PowerPoint mobile apps for iOS: searchable templates.

Microsoft Excel for the Web Now Lets You Share Links to Sheet Views

Microsoft Excel for the Web Now Lets You Share Links to Sheet Views

A new feature in Excel for the web makes collaboration easier—now you can share direct links to Sheet Views, allowing colleagues to see exactly the data you need them to focus on, without altering the original file.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

June 16, 2025

Ever had a messy Excel workbook where different team members apply conflicting filters? 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Use the New View Share in Excel for the Web.

Instead of frustrating back-and-forths or duplicate spreadsheets, Microsoft has introduced Sheet View sharing, a simple way to preserve custom views while keeping the original data intact.

This new sharing option is a game-changer for teams working on large datasets, educators analyzing grades, and business users managing reports. 

No more wondering, "Did someone mess up my filters again?"

How to Use Version History in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

How to Use Version History in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint 

Ever accidentally deleted the perfect paragraph or lost an important file change? 

Microsoft 365’s Version History is your safety net that allows you to restore previous versions of your Word, Excel, or PowerPoint files. 

Here’s how to master it for effortless file recovery and revision control.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor 

June 9, 2025

We've all been there. 

You hit “Save,” only to realize you’ve erased something essential—or worse, someone else overwrites your file. 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Restore Previous Versions with Version History.

Version History in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint is your secret weapon, letting you rewind time, restore changes, and keep your documents intact. 

Whether you're a business user, educator, or productivity enthusiast, knowing how to use Version History can save you from frustrating file mishaps.

Effortless Date Entry in Excel for the Web: Meet the Built-In Date Picker

Effortless Date Entry in Excel for the Web: Meet the Built-In Date Picker

No more manual date typing errors or cumbersome third-party add-ins! The Date Picker in Excel for the Web streamlines date entry with a simple double-click. Learn how to enable and use this feature to improve accuracy and efficiency.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

May 26, 2025

Have you ever accidentally mistyped a date in Excel, leading to frustrating errors in calculations or scheduling? 

Previously, users relied on VBA scripts or external add-ins to integrate a date picker. 

But Microsoft has now embedded this function directly into Excel for the Web—saving time and boosting accuracy for business users, educators, and productivity enthusiasts.

What You'll Gain

• Faster, more accurate date entry 
• No need for third-party add-ins 
• Seamless workflow improvements

Unlocking Seamless Navigation: Link to Slides in PowerPoint for the Web

Unlocking Seamless Navigation: Link to Slides in PowerPoint for the Web

Microsoft has introduced a game-changing feature in PowerPoint for the web—Link to Slides—allowing users to create dynamic, interactive presentations with seamless navigation. Whether you're building a clickable table of contents or guiding audiences through a non-linear story, this feature enhances engagement and efficiency.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

May 12, 2025

Have you ever wished for a smoother way to navigate through your PowerPoint presentations without manually flipping through slides? 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Use the New Link to Slides in PowerPoint for Web.

Link to Slides in PowerPoint for the Web is a new feature that brings the flexibility of interactive slide linking to browser-based presentations. 

Users can now create intuitive, clickable pathways within their decks, making presentations more engaging and user-friendly.

Unlock Your Productivity Potential: A Deep Dive into Google Docs' Enhanced Templates

Unlock Your Productivity Potential: A Deep Dive into Google Docs' Enhanced Templates

Google Docs has significantly expanded its template offerings, providing users with a powerful toolkit to streamline document creation and boost productivity. This Cool Tip explores these enhanced templates.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

May 5, 2025

How much time do you spend staring at a blank document, wrestling with formatting and structure before you even begin writing? 

In today's fast-paced digital landscape, efficiency is paramount, and the ability to quickly create professional-looking documents can be a game-changer. 

Here's a Cool Tip:   Try the New Google Docs Templates.

Google Docs, a cornerstone of Google Workspace, has been quietly bolstering its template library, offering a wealth of pre-designed documents to kickstart your projects. 

Google Docs templates are pre-formatted document layouts designed for various purposes, ranging from resumes and cover letters to project proposals and meeting notes. 

These templates provide a ready-made structure, complete with suggested headings, formatting styles, and even placeholder text, allowing users to focus on content creation rather than the often tedious task of setting up a document from scratch. 

Boost Your Excel Productivity with this Cool Status Bar Tip!

Boost Your Excel Productivity with this Cool Status Bar Tip!

Unleash the hidden power of Excel's status bar to instantly calculate and analyze your data, boosting your productivity with quick insights. Learn how to customize it for even faster access to key information.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

April 28, 2025 (originally published April 24, 2023)

Are you looking for ways to improve your Excel productivity and efficiency? 

Check out this very Excel Cool Tip.

The status bar in Excel is a powerful tool that can help you quickly calculate and analyze data. 

It displays a variety of information about your worksheet, including the average, count, and sum of selected cells.

Inspect Hidden Data in Microsoft 365 Documents to Protect Your Privacy

Inspect Hidden Data in Microsoft 365 Documents to Protect Your Privacy

Learn how to use Microsoft 365's Document Inspector to identify and remove hidden data and personal information from your files, ensuring privacy and professionalism when sharing documents.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor 

April 21, 2025

Are Your Documents Giving Away More Than You Think?

When sharing documents, presentations, or workbooks, have you ever wondered what hidden data might be lurking beneath the surface? 

From personal information to invisible content, these details can compromise your privacy or professionalism. 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Use Document Inspector.

Microsoft 365's Document Inspector is here to help you uncover and remove these hidden elements, ensuring your files are clean and secure before sharing.

Unleash Your Inner Filmmaker: Try Google Vids

Unleash Your Inner Filmmaker: Try Google Vids

Google Vids empowers users to create professional-quality videos with ease. This Cool Tip shows how to use Google Vids, highlighting its key features, benefits, and practical applications.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

April 14, 2025

In today’s fast-paced digital world, video content reigns supreme. 

But what if you could create compelling, professional-looking videos without needing extensive technical skills or expensive equipment? 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Try Google Vids.

Google Vids is a powerful new tool designed to democratize video creation. 

Are you ready to transform your ideas into engaging videos? 

Curious about how to streamline your communication with dynamic visuals? 

Google Vids offers an intuitive platform that simplifies the entire video production process, making it accessible to everyone from educators to business professionals. 

What is Google Vids and Why Does It Matter?

Here's A Closer Look at Excel's Game-Changing Value Tokens

Here's A Closer Look at Excel's Game-Changing Value Tokens

Value Tokens in Excel are here to revolutionize how users work with rich data types. Learn what this innovative feature is, how it works, and why it could transform your data management experience.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor 

April 7, 2025

What if working with complex data in Excel could be as intuitive as recognizing an icon? 

For decades, Excel has been the go-to tool for spreadsheet enthusiasts and data analysts alike. 

Yet, juggling intricate data types like geography, currencies, and stocks often felt like decoding a puzzle. 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Look for the NEW Microsoft Excel Value Tokens.

Excel's Value Tokens—is a new feature designed to simplify, streamline, and elevate your data experience. 

Curious how this innovation works and what it means for you? Let’s dive in.

What Are Value Tokens and Why Do They Matter?

Value Tokens are Microsoft's latest advancement in Excel, aimed at visually distinguishing rich data types in spreadsheets. 

Represented by small icons or color-coded backgrounds, these tokens serve as intuitive visual cues, indicating data categories like locations, currencies, or stock information. 

Available on Excel for Windows Version 2502 (Build 18623.20020) and later, Value Tokens take usability to a new level by reducing ambiguity and speeding up workflows.

Add Custom Tables to Word for Android and iOS

Add Custom Tables to Word for Android and iOS

Discover how Microsoft Word's latest feature empowers users to create custom tables effortlessly on Android and iOS devices, enhancing productivity and document precision.

Byline: By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor 

March 31, 2025

Ever struggled with inserting tables into Word documents on your mobile device? 

You're not alone. 

With over a million tables added monthly to Word for Android and iOS, users have long sought a more intuitive solution. 

Here's a Cool Tip: Use the New Insert Table feature in Word for Android and iOS.

Microsoft has answered the call with a groundbreaking update that simplifies table creation, making it faster and more efficient. 

Boost Productivity in Style by Adding Icons in Microsoft 365 Apps

Boost Productivity in Style by Adding Icons in Microsoft 365 Apps

Learn how to supercharge your Microsoft 365 experience by incorporating icons into your Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and more. This step-by-step guide offers insight into the feature's benefits, limitations, and real-world uses.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor 

March 24, 2025

Make Your Documents Pop!

Did you know that adding the right visuals to your documents can improve information retention? 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Use the 'Insert Icons' Feature in Microsoft 365 Apps!

Microsoft 365's "Insert Icons" feature helps you do with a library of ready-to-use, customizable icons. 

Whether it's a business presentation or classroom project, discover how a simple icon can make all the difference.

Understanding Microsoft 365's Icons Feature

The "Insert Icons" feature enables users to incorporate high-quality vector graphics directly into their Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or Outlook files. 

Boost Efficiency with Excel's Binary Workbook Format (.xlsb)

Boost Efficiency with Excel's Binary Workbook Format (.xlsb)

Discover the power of Microsoft Excel’s Binary Workbook (.xlsb) format. Learn how this hidden gem can dramatically improve file performance, reduce size, and streamline efficiency.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

March 16, 2025

What if a simple file format change could supercharge your Microsoft Excel experience? 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Use Microsoft Excel's .xlsb file format.

Excel’s .xlsb file format is often overlooked, but its advantages are game-changing for anyone managing large datasets or working on complex spreadsheets. 

Whether you’re struggling with slow-loading files or storage limitations, this Cool Tip walks you through the why and how of adopting the .xlsb format.

How to Create Stunning Presentations with Microsoft Sway

How to Create Stunning Presentations with Microsoft Sway

Discover how Microsoft Sway empowers you to create professional, interactive presentations effortlessly. This Cool Tip walks you through its features, benefits, and step-by-step instructions for optimal use.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor 

March 10, 2025

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information you need to present? 

What if there was a tool that could turn your content into a visually stunning, interactive experience with minimal effort? 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Use Microsoft Sway.

Microsoft Sway is your new best friend for creating engaging presentations that captivate and inform.

And you probably don't even know you have it!

Understanding Microsoft Sway

Microsoft Sway is a dynamic digital storytelling app designed to help users create visually appealing presentations, reports, newsletters, and more. 

With its intuitive design engine, Sway enables you to combine text, images, videos, and other multimedia elements seamlessly.

Master the UNIQUE Function in Google Sheets

Master the UNIQUE Function in Google Sheets

Slice through data clutter and extract precise insights with Google Sheets' UNIQUE function. This guide provides a step-by-step approach to simplify your data analysis.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

March 3, 2025

Have you ever stared at a sprawling spreadsheet, overwhelmed by a sea of duplicate entries? 

Do you find yourself manually sifting through rows, trying to isolate the distinct values that truly matter?

Here's a Cool Tip: Use the UNIQUE Function in Google Sheets.

In the age of data-driven decisions, the ability to quickly distill essential information is paramount. Google Sheets offers a powerful tool that can transform this tedious task into a seamless operation: the UNIQUE function. 

The UNIQUE function in Google Sheets serves a straightforward yet crucial purpose: it extracts a list of unique values from a specified range of cells. 

This functionality is invaluable for data cleaning, analysis, and reporting. Essentially, it allows you to eliminate redundancy and focus on the core elements within your data.

New Text Functions in Excel: REGEXTEST, REGEXEXTRACT, and REGEXREPLACE

New Text Functions in Excel: REGEXTEST, REGEXEXTRACT, and REGEXREPLACE

Explore the new text functions in Excel—REGEXTEST, REGEXEXTRACT, and REGEXREPLACE—that are revolutionizing text analysis and manipulation. Learn how these functions can enhance your productivity and streamline your data processing tasks.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor 

February 24, 2025

In the realm of data analysis, Excel has long been a trusted ally for professionals across various industries. 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Try the new Regex text functions in Excel.

With the introduction of new text functions—REGEXTEST, REGEXEXTRACT, and REGEXREPLACE—Excel is poised to elevate its capabilities even further. 

These functions leverage the power of regular expressions (regex) to simplify complex text operations, making data manipulation more efficient and precise.

What are These New Text Functions?

Regular expressions, or regex, are sequences of characters that define search patterns, commonly used for string searching and text parsing. 

Access Copilot Anywhere in Microsoft Word for the Web

Access Copilot Anywhere in Microsoft Word for the Web

Discover how the new feature in Microsoft Word for the Web allows users to access Copilot anywhere on the canvas, enhancing productivity and user experience.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor 

February 10, 2025

Ever wish you could seamlessly integrate advanced AI assistance right within your workspace?

Here's a Cool Tip:  Use the new Copilot in Microsoft Word for the Web.

Microsoft Word for the Web has just unveiled a game-changing feature that lets you access Copilot anywhere on the canvas. 

This upgrade promises to revolutionize the way you interact with documents, making your tasks easier and more intuitive.

Unlock Excel's Trace Precedents Feature

Unlock Excel's Trace Precedents Feature

Learn how to use Microsoft Excel's Trace Precedents feature to navigate complex spreadsheets with ease. Enhance your productivity with step-by-step instructions, real-world examples, and expert tips.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

February 3, 2025

Struggling to untangle complex Excel formulas? 

Want to see exactly which cells influence your calculations?

Here's a Cool Tip:  Use Excel's 'Trace Precedents' feature.

Excel's Trace Precedents feature is here to rescue you from this digital maze. 

Whether you're auditing spreadsheets or simply aiming to enhance your efficiency, understanding and leveraging this tool can revolutionize your Excel experience.

Trace Precedents is an Excel feature that visually maps the relationship between formulas and their precedent cells. 

By highlighting the cells that influence a particular formula, users can quickly trace the origins of any data discrepancies or errors.

Stale Value Formatting in Excel for Windows: The Ultimate Productivity Booster

Stale Value Formatting in Excel for Windows: The Ultimate Productivity Booster

Discover how the new Stale Value Formatting feature in Excel for Windows can help streamline your data management processes and increase productivity by identifying stale values needing recalculation.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor 

January 27, 2025

Imagine this: you're knee-deep in a complex Excel spreadsheet, juggling dozens of formulas and datasets. 

Suddenly, you realize some of your data hasn't updated correctly, leading to potential errors and wasted time. 

Sound familiar? 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Look for the Stale Value Formatting.

Fortunately, Microsoft has introduced a game-changing feature to alleviate this common headache—Stale Value Formatting in Excel for Windows.

Stale Value Formatting is a powerful new feature designed to enhance data accuracy by visually indicating which cells contain stale values that require recalculation.