These Excel Functions Were Great… 10 Years Ago (Time to Upgrade)

Key insights

• Copilot in Excel: The new AI assistant, Copilot, helps users analyze data and automate tasks using natural language. This tool simplifies both numeric and text analysis directly within Excel.


• Advanced Text Functions: Functions like TRANSLATE and DETECTLANGUAGE let users translate and detect languages inside cells. These updates make text manipulation easier and more powerful.


• Dynamic Arrays: New functions such as UNIQUE, VSTACK, TEXTBEFORE, and TEXTSPLIT allow for dynamic organization of data without complex formulas. They replace older manual methods for handling lists and tables.


• SCAN and REDUCE Functions: The SCAN function provides running totals or reductions over arrays, replacing traditional cumulative sum formulas with a more efficient method.


• Regex Functions: With new functions like REGEXTRACT, users can easily find patterns or extract information from text, greatly improving data cleaning capabilities in Excel.


• Python Integration in Excel: Users can now run Python scripts directly within workbooks, enabling advanced data analysis and visualization without leaving Excel.

Excel Functions: Outdated vs. Modern Approaches

Over the past decade, Microsoft Excel has undergone a significant transformation, moving beyond its traditional formulas to adopt newer, more powerful tools. In her recent YouTube video, Mynda Treacy (MyOnlineTrainingHub), an Excel MVP, explains why functions that were once essential—like VLOOKUP, HLOOKUP, and CONCATENATE—are now considered outdated. She emphasizes that recent updates, especially those released through 2024 and early 2025, have introduced advanced capabilities that streamline data analysis, text manipulation, and automation.

As Excel shifts from a static spreadsheet application to a dynamic data platform, users are encouraged to upgrade their skill set. This transition is not just about learning new formulas but also about embracing a new way of working with data. The result is a faster, more intuitive, and robust experience for everyday users and professionals alike.

The Rise of AI and Dynamic Arrays in Excel

One of the most significant changes highlighted by Treacy is the integration of AI-powered Copilot directly into Excel. This feature enables users to analyze text, generate insights, and automate complex workflows using natural language. By leveraging AI, Excel becomes more than just a number cruncher—it becomes a comprehensive tool for both numeric and textual data analysis.

Moreover, dynamic array functions such as UNIQUE, VSTACK, TEXTBEFORE, and TEXTSPLIT allow users to organize and manipulate data without the need for complicated formulas or manual intervention. These dynamic arrays automatically expand to fit the data, making previously complex tasks much simpler. As a result, users can achieve more with fewer steps, reducing errors and saving valuable time.

Advanced Text and Data Manipulation Tools

Excel's new text functions, including TRANSLATE and DETECTLANGUAGE, empower users to handle language translation and detection directly within their spreadsheets. This integration is particularly useful for organizations working with multilingual data sets, as it eliminates the need to rely on external tools.

Additionally, functions like REGEXTRACT bring regular expression support into Excel, enabling robust pattern recognition and data cleaning. The SCAN and REDUCE functions further optimize operations such as running totals or cumulative calculations, replacing older, more cumbersome methods. These enhancements make Excel a more versatile platform for data preparation and analysis.

Python Integration and Enhanced Collaboration

A standout feature in the latest Excel versions is the seamless integration of Python scripting. Users can now perform advanced data science tasks and create visualizations without leaving Excel. This opens up new possibilities for analysts and data scientists who require more sophisticated modeling tools.

Furthermore, Excel’s collaboration tools have improved significantly. Features such as real-time change tracking, focus cell navigation, and high-contrast formatting boost productivity and accessibility. The introduction of checkboxes and QR code generation also provides more options for interactive data management and sharing.

Tradeoffs and Challenges in Adopting New Excel Functions

While the new features offer significant advantages, transitioning from older formulas to modern functions can present challenges. Long-time users may face a learning curve as they adapt to new syntax and workflows. In addition, some organizations might need to update their training materials or invest in upskilling employees to fully benefit from these improvements.

However, the tradeoff is clear: by embracing modern Excel functions, users gain efficiency, reduce manual errors, and unlock new capabilities. Staying current ensures that individuals and teams remain competitive in today’s data-driven environment, even though the initial adjustment may require effort.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Excel

With continuous updates and the integration of AI, dynamic arrays, and programming languages like Python, Excel is well-positioned to remain a leading tool for data analysis and automation. The introduction of functions such as TRIMRANGE—which streamlines data cleaning by removing empty rows and columns—demonstrates Microsoft’s commitment to user-friendly innovation.

As Mynda Treacy’s video demonstrates, keeping up with these changes is not just beneficial but necessary for anyone serious about working efficiently with data. By upgrading their approach and embracing new Excel functions, users can ensure that their skills and workflows stay relevant in the years to come.

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