How often do you format numbers on your worksheets to currency format?  Here’s an Excel tip that’s easy to use and easy to remember.

Pressing Ctrl+Shift+$ will apply the Currency format with two decimal places and negative numbers in parentheses to the cells you have selected. This works in the UK to format £. Remember is it Ctrl+Shift+4 ($ not £). Excel format to you default  or local currency.

I was asked the other day “How do I change the text in an Excel spreadsheet so they’re all uppercase or all lowercase?” I guessed that text had already been entered so I gave this response.

Personally I don’t like upper case text it looks the writer is shouting. To convert cells that have upper case text to lower case use the =LOWER() function.

If you need to shout and use upper case then =UPPER() will convert text to upper case

If you are looking for titles try =PROPER(). This will convert to text that has the first letter of each word capitalised.

If I have the following text in a cell: Here is my Text

• UPPER() returns HERE IS MY TEXT
• LOWER() returns here is my text
• PROPER() returns Here Is My Text

I don’t believe that there is an option in Excel to enter data and have it formatted as Upper or Lower case.

Many users do not know that Excel has a spell check command. Excel’s Spelling command can eliminate some misspelled words. The file should always be reviewed for words that are spelled correctly but are not what the user intends. Unlike Microsoft Word, the spell check cannot be turned always on and does not have a grammar check.

When presenting spreadsheets to others in business or personal situations, it is important to prepare accurate and professional documents. Errors and misspelling reflect poorly on the presenter.