What does Excel 2019 look like?

What does Excel 2019 look like?

Excel 2019 is the latest version of the popular spreadsheet software from Microsoft. It offers a range of new features and improvements that make it easier and more powerful to work with data, perform calculations, create charts, and share your work with others. In this article, we will explore some of the major changes and enhancements that Excel 2019 has to offer.

New functions

One of the most noticeable changes in Excel 2019 is the addition of several new functions that simplify complex formulas and enable more flexible analysis. Some of the new functions are:

• IFS: This function evaluates multiple conditions and returns a value based on the first condition that is true. It is a simpler alternative to nested IF functions that can be hard to read and debug. For example, you can use the IFS function to assign grades based on scores, as shown below¹.

• MAXIFS and MINIFS: These functions return the maximum and minimum values from a range of cells that meet one or more criteria. They are similar to the existing SUMIFS, COUNTIFS, and AVERAGEIFS functions, but they allow you to find the highest or lowest values instead of adding, counting, or averaging them. For example, you can use the MAXIFS function to find the highest sales amount for a specific product and region, as shown below².

• SWITCH: This function evaluates an expression against a list of values and returns a corresponding result. It is useful for creating lookup tables or performing multiple comparisons without using nested IF or VLOOKUP functions. For example, you can use the SWITCH function to convert weekday numbers to names, as shown below³.

• TEXTJOIN: This function concatenates (joins) the text from multiple ranges or strings, and allows you to specify a delimiter (separator) between each text value. It is similar to the CONCATENATE function, but it can handle arrays (multiple values) and ignore empty cells. For example, you can use the TEXTJOIN function to create a comma-separated list of names from a range of cells, as shown below⁴.

• CONCAT: This function is a simpler version of the TEXTJOIN function that concatenates the text from multiple ranges or strings without any delimiter. It is similar to the CONCATENATE function, but it can handle arrays (multiple values) and ignore empty cells. For example, you can use the CONCAT function to combine first and last names from two columns into one column, as shown below.

New charts

Another major improvement in Excel 2019 is the introduction of several new chart types that enable you to visualize your data in different ways. Some of the new chart types are:

• Funnel chart: This chart type displays the values of different stages in a process, such as sales pipeline, website traffic, or project management. It shows how the values decrease as they move from one stage to another, creating a funnel-like shape. For example, you can use a funnel chart to show how many leads are converted into customers at each stage of your sales process, as shown below.

• Map chart: This chart type displays geographic data on a map using color-coded regions or bubbles. It allows you to compare data across different locations or regions, such as countries, states, or cities. For example, you can use a map chart to show the population density or GDP per capita of different countries in the world, as shown below.

• Waterfall chart: This chart type displays how a starting value is affected by positive and negative changes over time or across categories. It shows how the value increases or decreases at each step, creating a waterfall-like effect. For example, you can use a waterfall chart to show how your net income is influenced by revenue and expenses over a period of time, as shown below.

Enhanced visuals

Excel 2019 also offers some enhancements to the existing visual features that make your charts and tables more attractive and informative. Some of these enhancements are:

• Custom visuals: These are additional chart types that are not built-in to Excel but can be downloaded from the Microsoft AppSource website or created by yourself using JavaScript. They offer more variety and creativity for displaying your data in different ways. For example, you can use custom visuals such as word clouds, bullet charts, speedometers, gauges, and more.

• SVG graphics: These are scalable vector graphics that can be inserted into your worksheets as icons or pictures. They have high quality and resolution, and can be resized, rotated, colored, and edited without losing clarity. For example, you can use SVG graphics to add symbols, logos, diagrams, or illustrations to your reports or presentations.

• 3D models: These are three-dimensional objects that can be inserted into your worksheets as pictures or shapes. They can be rotated, zoomed, panned, and animated to create realistic and interactive effects. For example, you can use 3D models to add animals, vehicles, buildings, or planets to your worksheets.

Ink improvements

Excel 2019 also supports some new features for using a digital pen or touch device to write or draw on your worksheets. Some of these features are:

• Ink replay: This feature allows you to replay the sequence of your ink strokes as an animation. It can help you review or demonstrate how you created or solved a problem using ink. For example, you can use ink replay to show how you solved a math equation or drew a diagram on your worksheet.

• Ink equations: This feature allows you to convert your handwritten math equations into typed text that can be calculated by Excel. It can save you time and effort when entering complex formulas using ink. For example, you can use ink equations to write and solve a quadratic equation on your worksheet.

• Ink shapes: This feature allows you to convert your handwritten shapes into perfect geometric shapes that can be formatted and edited by Excel. It can help you create accurate and consistent diagrams using ink. For example, you can use ink shapes to draw and label a triangle on your worksheet.

Better accessibility features

Excel 2019 also provides some new features and improvements that make it easier and more accessible for people with disabilities to use the software. Some of these features are:

• Accessibility checker: This feature helps you identify and fix any issues that might make your workbook difficult or impossible for people with disabilities to read or use. It provides suggestions and tips for improving the accessibility of your content, such as adding alternative text, using proper headings, or avoiding merged cells.

• Read aloud: This feature reads the text in your workbook aloud using a natural-sounding voice. It can help you check for errors, review your data, or listen to your content. You can adjust the speed, volume, and pitch of the voice, as well as pause, resume, or skip the reading.

• Translator: This feature translates the text in your workbook into another language using Microsoft Translator service. It can help you communicate with people who speak different languages, or learn a new language yourself. You can translate selected text, an entire worksheet, or a whole workbook into over 60 languages.

Sharing is easier

Excel 2019 also makes it easier and faster to share your workbooks with other people online or offline. Some of the ways you can share your workbooks are:

• OneDrive: This is a cloud storage service that allows you to save your workbooks online and access them from any device. You can also share your workbooks with other people who have a OneDrive account, and collaborate with them in real time using co-authoring.

• SharePoint: This is a web-based platform that allows you to store and manage your workbooks online in a secure and organized way. You can also share your workbooks with other people who have access to the same SharePoint site, and collaborate with them using co-authoring or version history.

• Email: This is a simple and convenient way to send your workbooks as attachments to other people via email. You can also send links to your workbooks that are stored online on OneDrive or SharePoint, and allow the recipients to view or edit them online.

General improvements

Excel 2019 also includes some general improvements that enhance the performance and usability of the software. Some of these improvements are:

• AutoSave: This feature automatically saves your changes to your workbook as you work on it online on OneDrive or SharePoint. It prevents you from losing any unsaved work in case of power outage, network failure, or accidental closure.

• Quick access toolbar: This is a customizable toolbar that provides quick access to the commands that you use most frequently. You can add or remove any command from the ribbon or the backstage view (File tab) to the quick access toolbar.

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