[Anonymous]

Hi Everyone,

In the midst of constantly tapping F5 waiting for my REG score, I saw my an open excel spreadsheet and thought about all the wonderous things that program has done for me. Then I thought it might be fun to here how other young accountants are finding great new ways to use the program. What is your favorite formula? Do you use macros to write your own mini programs? Anything you would like to share about your experiences and uses of this program would be interesting to hear. I know I know….. It sounds lame, but then agains we are all beating our heads against a keyboard waiting for scores that will tell us whether or not we can be accountants yet. Haha. Let’s hear what you have to say about excel?

[Anonymous]

I've learn in excel it is so much faster to use the keyboard vs the mouse.

Examples

SHIFT + END + Down Arrow = to highlight all the text in that column…

or the shortcuts like

ALT + D + F + A = advance filter

or adding buttons to the top of the screen…

the PASTE VALUES button is my favorite

yes this is very nerdy..but hell i did major in accounting and finance..

[Anonymous]

Ah yes, the PASTE VAlUES button is amazing, especially with client-prepared TB's.

[KatieLouWho]

I have to say “if,then” formulas. 🙂

(IL) AUD 86 ~ BEC 75 ~ REG 76 ~ FAR 80

[Anonymous]

also the =Vlookup()

pivot tables are also a huge time saver.

[Anonymous]

How do you feel about the forecast and regression analysis formulas? Has anyone ever tried running some expected values or even forecasted financials/business valuations using them? Kaitelouwho…I definitely believe IF, THEN formulas keep me from screaming a lot.

[Anonymous]

We use self-written macros to access and open files as well as sort and filter the data within these files extensively. It saves a ton of time doing otherwise monotonous tasks (i.e. pressing one button instead of having to go into the firm's Intranet and finding the link, wasting up to 20-30 seconds).

[Anonymous]

@JeremyinCA:

I love Excel but it is extremely weak for regression analysis especially compared to other software out there (R, eViews, etc.). I've tried to make regression analysis efficient on Excel but have never been able to, especially with non-linear models such as the binomial LOGIT or PROBIT models when using a discrete dependent variable. In this case it's easiest to put the raw data into Excel and then use another program to do the actual work. Excel's lack of recursion ability also makes certain tasks difficult as well. It's also subpar at multivariable analysis (three dimensions plus) but I guess you can't have everything in one package!

[Anonymous]

Capitalgains,

Have you ever tried writing your own macros/formulas/program code in visual basic? It is quite possible and although it would take a good chunk of time to develop, I believe that over the long run, cost savings/efficiency would be greatly improved.

[Anonymous]

I haven't tried that yet, mainly because I'm not too familiar with VB. I have a pretty good knowledge of C++ and Java from when I was a CS&E major before I switched to accounting, so I might learn that sometime in the future. I toyed with VB some back in college when working with reports/forms in databases such as Access, but nothing too involved. I can definitely see the benefits outweighing the costs though, because it has the potential to save time for so many people.

[Anonymous]

wow excel really????????? are you kidding me…….go buy that new COD MW2 that program is way more fun

[Maasman]

=vlookup(column,indirect([named range]),match([row,indirect([named header]),false),type)

you may modify the vlookup to accomodated some “dynamics”

just check out the functions indirect and match

good luck to everyone

[Anonymous]

Hey maasman,

I will definitely look into that. Looks like it couldbe very useful.

Cowpatty,

I have never heard of these programs. Can you tell me a little more?

[Anonymous]

Cowpatty,

Just looked again at what you posted. Disregard my previous question. Haha. Not much of a gamer so it took me a few.

On a side note, I have minimized a lot of work using the CONCATONATE function as well.

[Anonymous]

yeah; I had to put in a joke about my favorite computer game

I wish we had excel in the SIMS instead of that no-name knock off brand

[lockhartm2]

i was a fan of vlookup for a time. then my boss showed me the sumif and it changed the way i look at life. (yes i am a huge dork)

sumif is great because you can insert rows and columns, and it still works while with vlookup it can get screwed up with inserted columns/rows. its great for monstrous excel files, like financial projections, where things are constantly changing.

could you imagine if excel were actually what we use for the SIMs. i think all business would fail!

FAR - 85; BEC - 79; AUD - 92; REG - 86!!!

[Author]

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