How to sort horizontally (by row) in Excel 2013

Generally, we sort the data in Excel by values in one or more columns i.e. using top to bottom values in particular column. However, sometimes we have different arrangement of data in Excel 2013 and might need to sort horizontally i.e. using left to right values in particular row.
Below is the quick way to sort horizontally in Excel 2013. This trick works fine in Excel 2007 and Excel 2010 as well.

Consider the sample data below and say we want to sort the data horizontally by values of "Number of employees" given in Row 8 (say smallest to largest)How to sort by row in Excel
1. Select the range of data which you want to sort horizontally. Generally we select the entire data (except headers) since other rows are interlinked with given row that we need to sort
2. Go to "DATA" tab >>> Click "Sort"  [Shortcut: Alt + ASS]
Note: If the data contains headers check "My data has headers" check-box. In our case, we have not selected the headers and hence we will keep it unchecked.

3. Now the most important step: Click on "Options…" >>> Choose "Sort left to right" >>> Click OK    
4. Select the row on the basis of which we want to sort the data (here Row 8 i.e. Number of Employees) and choose order "Smallest to Largest". Click OK.
This will give you the data sorted horizontally by row and the sorted data will look as below in Excel:

Remember: We had selected the entire data range although the sorting was done based on one row. This will ensure that corresponding data after sorting remain intact without any distortion.


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How to highlight alternate rows in Excel 2013

Shade every other or alternate rows in Excel
Highlighting alternate rows in Excel 2013 worksheet makes the data visually much more appealing. Instead of doing this manually, we can use Conditional Formatting feature to automatically shade every other row in Excel.
Conditional Formatting gives us flexibility to change the shade colour in case it is required. The biggest advantage of using Conditional Formatting is that the shading is dynamic i.e. it automatically updates if we insert or delete the rows.

Also read: How to Trace Precedents and Dependents in Excel 2013
Below steps will help you highlight alternate rows:
  1. Select the data range where we want to highlight alternate rows.
  1. Go to "HOME" tab >>> Conditional Formatting >>> Click "New Rule..."
  1. This will open conditional formatting dialog box. Click "Use a formula to determine which cells to format"
  1. Enter the formula =MOD(ROW(), 2)
  1. Click on "Format" button and choose the shade or format for alternate rows
  1. Click OK >> OK and you will see that alternate rows in selected data range are shaded as per desired format (here with GREEN fill)

How to create waterfall chart in Excel 2013

Waterfall chart (or Bridge chart) is great tool to analyze how an initial value is affected by series of intermediate positive or negative values.
Generally, the initial and final values are represented by whole columns, while the intermediate values shown by floating columns. Again, let’s show positive values with GREEN bars and negative values with RED bars.
For example, we take data below to create waterfall chart in Excel 2013:
To create a simple waterfall chart in Excel 2013 follow below steps:
DATA ARRANGEMENT
Insert additional columns between the given data. Here we will add 4 columns >>> "Ends", "Rise", "Fall", "Hide"
Ends – used to get the columns pertaining to first and last values
Rise – positive values contributing to increase in initial value
Fall – negative values (absolute) contributing to decrease in initial value
Hide – calculates values required to get starting point for Rise or Fall
INSERTING FORMULAS
Cell B2: =F2 (initial)
Cell D3: =MAX(F3, 0)     >>>>    Drag this formula to D8 (don't include FINAL row)
Cell E3: =MAX(-F3, 0)    >>>>    Drag this formula to E8 (don't include FINAL row)
Cell C3: =B2+C2+D2-E3   >>>>    Drag this formula to C8 (don't include FINAL row)
Cell B9: =F9 (final)
CREATE CHART
Now we have the data properly organized and formulas in place. Let's start creating the stacked column chart
  1. Select the data including the row and column headers; exclude "ORIGINAL" column
  1. Go to "INSERT" tab >>> Column Charts >>> Stacked Column
HIDDEN SECRET
Coming to the hidden secret of the Waterfall chart, we need to apply trick on "Hide" values (basically HIDE them).
  1. Select the "Hide" series by clicking on any column, then right-click and select "Format Data Series…"
  1. This will open "Format Data Series" dialog box on the right side
  1. Press on "Fill" icon and select "No fill" and "No line" option
FORMAT WATERFALL CHART
We have the basic structure of the chart ready. It's time to do little formatting.
Let's first decrease the GAP between the columns so that its visually appealing.
Double-click any column >>> Series Options >>> Gap Width >>> 10%
Quickly change colour of different columns: Ends >>> BLUE; Rise >>> GREEN; Fall >>> RED
Select Series >>>  Right-click >>> Format Data Series >>> Fill >>> Choose Colour
Add Data Label to make values of the columns visible.
Select Series >>> Right-click >>> Add Data Labels
Finally, remove unnecessary data labels and legends from the chart

How to find and highlight cells with formula in Excel 2013

Find cells with formula in Excel
Excel 2013 has introduced some awesome new functions that can help professionals save time.
Some of the amazing new functions include: DAYS, IFNA, ISFORMULA, XOR, ISOWEEKNUM and many more.
The new ISFORMULA function detects if the cells contains formula. We can use CONDITIONAL FORMATTING along with ISFORMULA function to identify and highlight cells containing formula.
Syntax: ISFORMULA (reference)
  • Reference can be a cell reference, a formula, or even a name that refers to a cell.
Suppose we have data-set as shown below, with expense occurred in each month and column H have formula for total expenses.
How to find and highlight cells with formula in Excel 2013
Follow the below steps to identify and highlight cells with formula:
  1. Select cell range A4:H4 and keep A4 as active cell
    Identify cells with formula in Excel
  2. Go to "HOME" tab >>> Conditional Formatting >>> Click "New Rule..."
    Open conditional formatting
  3. This will open conditional formatting dialog box. Click "Use a formula to determine which cells to format"
  4. Enter ISFORMULA function giving reference to active cell (here A4 cell) =ISFORMULA(A4)
    Insert New Rule in conditional formatting in Excel

  5. Click on "Format" button and choose the format for the cells with formula
    Format cells in Excel 2013
  6. Click OK >> OK and you will see that all cells with formula are coloured with desired format (here with GREEN fill)
    Highlight cells with formula in Excel

Top 7 new features in Excel 2013 that every Professional must know

Excel 2013 Features for all professionals

Flash Fill feature
"Flash Fill" is the magical feature introduced in Excel 2013
Flash Fill detects a pattern in your initial data entry which enables it to figure out remaining data you want to enter.
How to use Flash fill
For example, combining first names and last names from different columns is detected by Flash Fill and applied across multiple rows based on pattern detection.
Chart Recommendations
Now this is pro-active feature launched by Excel 2013!! Based on the selected data, Excel recommends appropriate chart which makes it more intuitive.
Follow below steps to use this feature:
  1. Select the data >>> Go to "INSERT" tab >>> select "Recommended Charts"
    Working with Recommended charts in Excel 2013
  2. This will open a dialog with range of charts. The interesting part is we can click on each chart and see the preview of that chart.
    Recommended charts dialog box
  3. Choose the desired chart and hit OK. Your chart is ready!!
Quick analysis Tool
This is again an excellent tool introduced in Excel 2013 to preview the data in insightful ways.
In order to use this tool, select the data you want to analyze and instantly the Quick Analysis icon appears at the bottom-right corner. This tool has lot of design and formatting options which is worth exploring. Additionally, it provides preview before actually applying any option.
Extensive Cloud support with SkyDrive
Excel 2013 allows users to share their Excel workbooks on SkyDrive. This enables quick and easy access to your Excel files on any device running Excel 2013 (which can include your windows tablet, smartphone, desktop or laptop).
Also, with Office 365 subscription one can review and edit workbooks online using almost any web browser.
Sharing on Social Networks
This is an innovative feature introduced keeping in mind the growing use of Social Networks. 
To share Excel files on Social Networks follow below steps:
  1. Go to "FILE" >>> Share >>> Post to Social Networks
  2. Select any social network that is linked with your Office 2013 account
  3. Select privacy options of read-only or edit for the shared worksheet
  4. Include any message in the message box and press "POST" button

Pivot Tables Recommendation
Pivot Tables helps immensely for data analysis and managerial decisions, but most of us usually face difficultly in effectively using it. Excel 2013 has almost solved this problem by introducing "Recommended Pivot Tables" feature.
Again, it’s extremely easy to use it:
Click inside data range >>> Go to "INSERT" tab >>> Recommended PivotTables
This will open a dialog box showing the list of recommended pivot tables along with explanations.
Select the table which suits your output and press OK. It's done!!
Introduction of great new functions
What's more!! Excel 2013 has introduced some awesome functions that can help professionals save time.
Some of the amazing new functions include:
  • DAYS – returns the number of days between two dates
  • IFNA – returns specific value if the formula gives #N/A error
  • ISFORMULA – detects the cells containing formula
  • XOR – detects expressions and returns FALSE only when all expressions are FALSE
  • ISOWEEKNUM – returns ISO week for a date
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