Want to create a top-notch spreadsheet on Excel or Google Sheets? Try these 6 tips for making it high-quality.

Looking to spruce up your spreadsheet? Check out these hacks for making your work stand out.



There are numerous reasons for creating a spreadsheet, such as business or school presentations, budgeting, tracking habits or books, and managing household chores. However, how can you make your spreadsheet stand out for an important meeting? How can you use Google Sheets or Excel to your advantage, rather than struggling to keep up with the software?

Fortunately, both programs have an array of useful features and shortcuts that enable you to work smarter, not harder. To transform into a spreadsheet pro, here are six tips that apply to both Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets.

Tip #1:  Alphabetize your data

Sort your data alphabetically for better organization. Whether it's in Google Sheets or Excel, sorting your data alphabetically or in reverse alphabetical order can be a helpful tool.

In Google Sheets, follow these simple steps:

1. Select the column you want to alphabetize or click on the column's letter.
2. Click the down arrow to display the dropdown menu.
3. Choose 'Sort sheet A-Z' to sort in alphabetical order or 'Sort sheet Z-A' to sort in reverse alphabetical order.

In Excel, the process is just as straightforward:

1. Select the column you want to sort.
2. Go to the Data tab.
3. Choose 'A-Z' to sort in alphabetical order or 'Z-A' to sort in reverse alphabetical order.

Tip #2:  Add checkboxes

Use checkboxes for task completion or habit-tracking. To-do lists are great, but checkboxes can make them even better. Here's how you can add them in Google Sheets or Excel.

In Google Sheets:

1. Select the column, cell, or row where you want to insert the checkbox.
2. Click 'Insert' in the toolbar.
3. Choose 'Checkbox'.

In Excel, the process is slightly different:

1. Click 'Insert'.
2. Under 'Form Controls', select 'Checkbox'.
3. Click on the cell where you want to place the checkbox, and it will appear.
4. To insert multiple checkboxes, highlight the column and drag the cursor down to the desired length.

Tip #3: Dropdown menu

Add dropdown menus for a more professional-looking spreadsheet.

In Google Sheets:

1. Select the column, cell or row where you want to add the dropdown menu.
2. Click 'Insert' in the toolbar.
3. Choose 'Dropdown'.

By default, the dropdown menu will have two options, but you can customize it further by clicking the edit icon.

In Excel, follow these steps:

1. Select the cells where you want to add the dropdown menu.
2. Go to the 'Data' tab.
3. Choose 'Data Validation'.
4. In the Data Validation pop-up, select 'Allow'.
5. Choose 'List' from the menu.
6. Enter the options for your dropdown menu, separated by commas.
7. Click 'OK' to save your changes.

Tip #4:  Totaling a column

Use formulas to quickly calculate data in your spreadsheet.

In Google Sheets:

1. Select an empty cell where you want to display the total.
2. Type =SUM( and select the range of cells you want to add.
3. Close the parentheses and press Enter. The sum total will appear in the selected cell.

Alternatively, you can use the preview feature to quickly calculate and display the sum, average, count, and other functions.

In Excel:

1. Select the range of cells you want to add.
2. Check the status bar at the bottom of the screen to view the total next to 'SUM'.

You can also use the 'AutoSum' function to quickly calculate and display the total in your chart.

Tip #5: Charts

Use charts to visually represent data in your spreadsheet.

In Google Sheets:

1. Enter the data you want to graph.
2. Highlight the columns you want to include in the chart.
3. Click 'Insert' from the toolbar and select 'Chart' from the dropdown menu.
4. A chart will appear and a customization menu will open on the right side of the screen. Use this menu to adjust the graph style, colors, and legend details.

The chart will update automatically as you add or change data.

In Excel:

1. Select the data you want to graph.
2. Click 'Insert' and choose 'Recommended Charts'.
3. Scroll through the options and select a chart type to display your data.
4. Use the chart elements, styles, and filters in the upper-right corner to further customize the chart.

Excel charts will also update automatically as you add or change data.

Tip #6:Keep columns or rows visible while scrolling

Navigating large datasets can be cumbersome, but freezing certain columns or rows in your spreadsheet can make it easier to access important information. This feature ensures that specific columns or rows remain stationary as you scroll through your data, making it especially handy for titles or headers.

To freeze columns or rows in Google Sheets:

1. Click on the column or row that you want to keep visible.
2. Click on the down arrow located in the corresponding column or row, or simply right-click it.
3. Choose "View More Column/Row Actions" at the bottom of the menu.
4. Click "Freeze Up to Column/Row [letter]". This will freeze everything above or to the left of the selected column or row.

In Excel, follow these steps:

1. Select the row and column you want to keep visible.
2. Click "View".
3. Click "Freeze Panes".

You can also freeze multiple rows and columns by selecting them in the same way.