5 Excel Hacks That Make Analysts Stand Out

Author

DEEP CHATTERJEE
August 27, 2025

Most people think “data analysis” means SQL, Python, or dashboards.

But here’s the truth: Excel is still where most analysts live.

And if you know how to use it well, it feels like a cheat code.

Here are 5 hacks that helped me clean data faster, build dashboards quicker, and perform better in interviews.

1. Automate Cleaning with Power Query

Still cleaning the same messy files every week? Stop.

Power Query lets you:

  • Remove duplicates

  • Split columns

  • Merge CSV folders

  • Refresh when new data arrives

Set it up once. Automate forever.

2. Stop Using VLOOKUP

It works, but it breaks too easily.

  • Use XLOOKUP if you’re on the latest Excel.

  • If not, use INDEX + MATCH.

Example: 

=XLOOKUP("ID100", A2:A5000, C2:C5000, "Not Found")

Cleaner. Faster. Less stressful in interviews.

3. PivotTables = Instant Insights

Got 20,000 rows? Don’t freeze.

Build a PivotTable.
Slice by date. Filter by region. Add totals in seconds.

No formulas. Just clicks.

4. Shortcuts That Actually Matter

Don’t learn 100. Just use these:

  • Ctrl + A → Select All

  • Ctrl + D → Copy Down

  • Ctrl + 1 → Format Cells

  • Ctrl + Shift + + → Insert Row

  • Alt + = → AutoSum

  • F4 → Repeat Action

Even 3–4 will make you twice as fast.

5. Use Excel Tables (Ctrl + T)

Stop writing formulas like this:

=SUM(A2:A1000)

Tables are better. They:

  • Auto-expand as you add rows

  • Work great with PivotTables + Power Query

  • Let you write cleaner formulas:

=SUM(Sales[Revenue])

Once you switch, you won’t go back.

Final Thought

Excel isn’t outdated. It’s just underused.

If you want to:
✅ Work faster
✅ Automate boring tasks
✅ Impress recruiters

Start by mastering the tools you already have.

💡 Quick question: Which of these hacks do you already use?
👉 Reply here — I’d love to know.


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