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IntenseMagic

IntenseMagic

Some grannies cuss a lot. I'm some grannies.
Pollywog
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Feb 28, 2012
Messages
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Today is Lotus 1-2-3 Day. It's the anniversary of the day in 1983 when the Lotus 1-2-3 spreadsheet program debuted. I use spreadsheets a lot! I have tons of spreadsheets for work and a few for home for tracking different things. I mostly use Google Sheets, simply because our district uses Google for everything. Mine are pretty basic, but I'm trying to learn how to do more complex ones.

Do you use spreadsheets?
What is your go-to spreadsheet program?
Do you have any really complex ones?
Any spreadsheet tips or tricks?
 
Do you use spreadsheets? Absolutely! For many different things.
What is your go-to spreadsheet program? Excel
Do you have any really complex ones? I have a couple that I downloaded from template websites that have some of the more advanced features that I've never learned.
Any spreadsheet tips or tricks? If you want to learn more, check out the YouTube Channel from Chester Tugwell. He has loads of videos on Excel and Word. He also has videos for Google Docs and Google Sheets.

I first taught myself about spreadsheets in the late 1970's using a program called MultiPlan. It was the precursor to Excel. I also used Quattro Pro which was the version of a spreadsheet developed by a company called Borland. It is now the default spreadsheet in the Word Perfect suite of products sold by Corel (now Alludo). When I first went to college, spreadsheets were an unknown thing and neither were personal computers! When I went back in the 1990's to get an accounting degree, I had to take a computer class on Excel. I had been working with Excel so it was an easy A. After graduation when I worked in a CPA firm, we used the Microsoft products and the job after that which I retired from after 16 years also used the Microsoft products. So I've used Excel for over 35 years. I do have a subscription to Microsoft 365 just for the Excel program so I always have the updated version.

Besides financial information (checkbook, envelope register and budget spreadsheet), I have quite a few spreadsheets for my scrapping. One is used to track digital supplies used. Another one is where I set up how I set up a Shutterfly book. I use that same spreadsheet to track which layouts I have done for my cousin and what ones I still need to do. I have several spreadsheets for medical bills especially since I have 2 insurances that I get EOB's for. Needed to have a way to match them up. There are so many more that I have that I won't go into. Excel is open on my desktop all day long, that's how much I use it.

I've said for years (and did a layout over 10 years ago)... I'M A SPREADHSEET JUNKIE!!!!
 
Lotus 123 - what a blast from the past! I actually really loved the Lotus suite of programmes, it's a shame they couldn't keep ahead of the game when Microsoft blasted their way into our lives! I also used Ami Pro way back when as well. I actually remember starting to use computers at work when it was dos based commands for making text bold or making numbered lists for example!

I very much taught myself for much of the time. However, a couple of jobs I had did send me on training which helped me discover quicker ways of doing things than the roundabout ways I had inadvertently discovered whilst fumbling through on my own. At my last company I had close contact with some great Excel whizzes so they helped me develop as well. A couple of times the company Excel trainer would give me 1:1 tuition when I had to achieve certain things as they weren't covered in any of the standard training modules. Thanks Richard!

In my current job I use spreadsheets for pretty well all of my tasks. Work uses Microsoft 365. I hate the online version because commands are in different places, but sometimes needs must when working on a shared spreadsheet. For the most part though I use the desktop version. I do use Google a lot when I get stuck as well as You Tube videos. I also find Facebook reels sometimes give a quick and easy view of something too.

I use pivot tables (love!) and charts all the time. Some of my spreadsheets have lots of tabs as they have evolved over years to include requests for this or that from different managers. I don't use many different functions as I'm generally representing quite standard data rather than anything mathematical or accounting wise. Vlookup, concantenate, If/error and sum functions are my go to. I also love conditional formatting as I work better with a lot of colour to identify sets of data.

I occasionally use a spreadsheet to do a check on my general budget, but I tend to use my mobile banking app to keep an eye of my own finances. I don't have a personal subscription to Microsoft products since I can use the company laptop for the very few times I want to use Excel or Word (I WFH so it's available to me all the time not just at work!). For tracking a lot of things I use One Note instead.
 
HavaDrPepper said:
Do you use spreadsheets? Absolutely! For many different things.
What is your go-to spreadsheet program? Excel
Do you have any really complex ones? I have a couple that I downloaded from template websites that have some of the more advanced features that I've never learned.
Any spreadsheet tips or tricks? If you want to learn more, check out the YouTube Channel from Chester Tugwell. He has loads of videos on Excel and Word. He also has videos for Google Docs and Google Sheets.

I first taught myself about spreadsheets in the late 1970's using a program called MultiPlan. It was the precursor to Excel. I also used Quattro Pro which was the version of a spreadsheet developed by a company called Borland. It is now the default spreadsheet in the Word Perfect suite of products sold by Corel (now Alludo). When I first went to college, spreadsheets were an unknown thing and neither were personal computers! When I went back in the 1990's to get an accounting degree, I had to take a computer class on Excel. I had been working with Excel so it was an easy A. After graduation when I worked in a CPA firm, we used the Microsoft products and the job after that which I retired from after 16 years also used the Microsoft products. So I've used Excel for over 35 years. I do have a subscription to Microsoft 365 just for the Excel program so I always have the updated version.

Besides financial information (checkbook, envelope register and budget spreadsheet), I have quite a few spreadsheets for my scrapping. One is used to track digital supplies used. Another one is where I set up how I set up a Shutterfly book. I use that same spreadsheet to track which layouts I have done for my cousin and what ones I still need to do. I have several spreadsheets for medical bills especially since I have 2 insurances that I get EOB's for. Needed to have a way to match them up. There are so many more that I have that I won't go into. Excel is open on my desktop all day long, that's how much I use it.

I've said for years (and did a layout over 10 years ago)... I'M A SPREADHSEET JUNKIE!!!!
Click to expand...
Thanks for the tips on the Youtube channel! I taught myself how to do some basic things, but I would love to be more proficient with it. I will definitely check out the videos! I would say that you are indeed a spreadsheet junkie!!
 
fruitysuet said:
Lotus 123 - what a blast from the past! I actually really loved the Lotus suite of programmes, it's a shame they couldn't keep ahead of the game when Microsoft blasted their way into our lives! I also used Ami Pro way back when as well. I actually remember starting to use computers at work when it was dos based commands for making text bold or making numbered lists for example!

I very much taught myself for much of the time. However, a couple of jobs I had did send me on training which helped me discover quicker ways of doing things than the roundabout ways I had inadvertently discovered whilst fumbling through on my own. At my last company I had close contact with some great Excel whizzes so they helped me develop as well. A couple of times the company Excel trainer would give me 1:1 tuition when I had to achieve certain things as they weren't covered in any of the standard training modules. Thanks Richard!

In my current job I use spreadsheets for pretty well all of my tasks. Work uses Microsoft 365. I hate the online version because commands are in different places, but sometimes needs must when working on a shared spreadsheet. For the most part though I use the desktop version. I do use Google a lot when I get stuck as well as You Tube videos. I also find Facebook reels sometimes give a quick and easy view of something too.

I use pivot tables (love!) and charts all the time. Some of my spreadsheets have lots of tabs as they have evolved over years to include requests for this or that from different managers. I don't use many different functions as I'm generally representing quite standard data rather than anything mathematical or accounting wise. Vlookup, concantenate, If/error and sum functions are my go to. I also love conditional formatting as I work better with a lot of colour to identify sets of data.

I occasionally use a spreadsheet to do a check on my general budget, but I tend to use my mobile banking app to keep an eye of my own finances. I don't have a personal subscription to Microsoft products since I can use the company laptop for the very few times I want to use Excel or Word (I WFH so it's available to me all the time not just at work!). For tracking a lot of things I use One Note instead.
Click to expand...
I hadn't thought about FB reels for things like that. I've learned a lot of other stuff from reels, don't know why I never thought of that. I love using color as well!
 
Do you use spreadsheets?
Yes but not nearly as much as I use Word documents

What is your go-to spreadsheet program?
Microsoft Excel

Do you have any really complex ones?
Not really at the moment. Probably the last time I did anything super complex was as part of my General Education paper back in 2015!

Any spreadsheet tips or tricks?
Nope not that I can think of. I'm more likely asking for tips & tricks when it comes to technology rather than being the giver of said tips & tricks
 
littlekiwi said:
Do you use spreadsheets?
Yes but not nearly as much as I use Word documents

What is your go-to spreadsheet program?
Microsoft Excel

Do you have any really complex ones?
Not really at the moment. Probably the last time I did anything super complex was as part of my General Education paper back in 2015!

Any spreadsheet tips or tricks?
Nope not that I can think of. I'm more likely asking for tips & tricks when it comes to technology rather than being the giver of said tips & tricks
Click to expand...
Yep, I'm the one asking most of the time :) I probably use documents more as well.
 
IntenseMagic said:
I probably use documents more as well.
Click to expand...

I'd be asking for help if I had to use Word. Heck, I learned how to prepare documents on a typewriter with carbon paper and erasing mistakes! Then I was able to work on a standalone word processor in the early 80's called a "DisplayWriter". The software on it actually became WordPerfect. So I ended up using WordPerfect when I needed a document. I still use it. Thankfully, in the jobs where we had Microsoft products, my job didn't entail writing many letters ;)
 
HavaDrPepper said:
I'd be asking for help if I had to use Word. Heck, I learned how to prepare documents on a typewriter with carbon paper and erasing mistakes! Then I was able to work on a standalone word processor in the early 80's called a "DisplayWriter". The software on it actually became WordPerfect. So I ended up using WordPerfect when I needed a document. I still use it. Thankfully, in the jobs where we had Microsoft products, my job didn't entail writing many letters ;)
Click to expand...
I remember using WordPerfect. I also remember using a typewriter. Computers/Word Processors were just making their entrance in to schools here around the end of HS for me. I learned to type on a computer my senior year, but used a typewriter all through college.
 
Do you use spreadsheets?
Not at work, but yes at home- I do a monthly budget spreadsheet that we live/die by!

What is your go-to spreadsheet program?
Microsoft excel, although I have used google sheets when shared with me for team signups & stuff.

Do you have any really complex ones?
My monthly budget spreadsheet has evolved to be pretty complex for sure! It has some crazy formulas (if this then over budget/under budget; adds up expenses, shows extra $, etc etc.)

Any spreadsheet tips or tricks?
My husband is an excel guru- so he's my go-to for formulas & stuff so I guess my tip is to ask him! lol!
 
Do you use spreadsheets?
Only a little

What is your go-to spreadsheet program?
Google sheets

Do you have any really complex ones?
Nope

Any spreadsheet tips or tricks?
Nope
 
oh my Lotus... doesn't that bring back a memory!

Do you use spreadsheets? I only used 1 since I retired ; then last week I created a few more!
What is your go-to spreadsheet program? Microsoft Excel had always been my go to. Now not having that on my laptop, I am using Google Sheets
Do you have any really complex ones? No not since I left work. These are personal easy ones :)
Any spreadsheet tips or tricks? No
 
I have started using Libre office, which is totally free and is exactly the same as all the microsoft apps like word,excel, etc.. I haven't yet started using google forms.
The Libre office spreadsheet comes with tips each time you open up the app, which you can turn off if you want. It is useful in case you have forgotten to do something when you haven't used a function for a while.
 
Nope, not me.
But the Hubster was fantastic with it back in the day. Thankfully I have him for the spreadsheet stuff I need to have done.
 
Do you use spreadsheets? Occassionally. I used use them more often.
What is your go-to spreadsheet program? Now it's Excel. For awhile it was Google Sheets.
Do you have any really complex ones? No. I've never been that good with Excel. Now, back in the day, my mom was an Excel rockstar. Even taught classes for Chevron. So, if I needed anything complex, I just went to her.
Any spreadsheet tips or tricks? No.
 
Spreadsheets are clutch. I bounce between Excel and Google Sheets depending on the vibe, Excel when I need heavy lifting, Google Sheets for quick and dirty collaboration. My most ridiculous spreadsheet? A gaming backlog tracker that got so detailed it had release dates, review scores, and even hours-to-beat columns. Obsessed much?

Oh, and random tip, use CONCAT or TEXTJOIN for combining data from different cells. Makes things way cleaner
 
Do you use spreadsheets? Everyday both at work and at home
What is your go-to spreadsheet program? at work we use Excel as part of Microsoft 365. At home I use OpenOffice which can open and save excel files...most of the functions are exactly the same but it's free!
Do you have any really complex ones? At work I have huge reports that have to be done in excel and formulas within formulas. They can get complex but at least the formulas are standard and can just be adapted for whatever function I need. I am sort of the Excel expert at work and most people will ask me to help them out... comes from years of working with it.
Any spreadsheet tips or tricks? Not particularly... just work smarter not harder!

My spreadsheets I use for my scrapping as varied too...
I have one to track my monthly commitments and challenges,
one that I update with all my layouts created by date, album, ct and store... that takes the most brainpower I guess.
And then I have one that tracks the kits I have bought/downloaded ... this is to help me keep track so I don't buy duplicates... usually works pretty well, except when I miss something! Also helps me keep track of how much I've spent in dollars vs rands.
 
Do you use spreadsheets? Oh yeah! I love spreadsheets! I use them both at work and at home.

What is your go-to spreadsheet program? Mostly Excel, but some simple stuff I use Google Sheets.

Do you have any really complex ones? My budget is probably the largest one, but not terribly complex. I have every cent we've spent tracked since we got married in 2002. :giggle Plus I have the next couple of years roughed out because of college expenses. I needed to get a visual on whether we could actually afford to send two kids to college at the same time for 2 years. Eek!

Any spreadsheet tips or tricks? Not really, most of what I do is letting the spreadsheet do math for me, or keep tracking of lists of things (like my scrapbook!). I love when I find a new formula though and figure out how it works.
 
Do you use spreadsheets?
Yes

What is your go-to spreadsheet program?
google sheets now that I don't have excel

Do you have any really complex ones?
no, I mainly just track our home budget and my scrapbooking layouts

Any spreadsheet tips or tricks?
No. My hubby is uses excel for his accounting job, so I ask him or google, youtube videos etc if I need help
 
Do you use spreadsheets? I have one that I use to track croppers, crop fees, roommates, seating charts, and expenses for a twice yearly crop a friend and I host.
What is your go-to spreadsheet program? Excel
Do you have any really complex ones? No ... the one I use was made by my co-host and I've just made a few adjustments to it.
Any spreadsheet tips or tricks? No
 
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