Microsoft has released a new Excel Formula by Example feature that can be 10x more powerful than Flash Fill. With this feature, users can give Excel an example or two and it will suggest a formula to complete the task. It can be used to split, join, or rearrange text, write math formulas, number rows, and number inventory, among many other use cases.
Excel's Flash Fill tool, introduced in 2013, is a highly rated feature that uses machine learning techniques to automatically reformat data based on one or two examples provided by the user. With Flash Fill, you can swiftly split, reformat, and combine text without using complex formulas or VBA. For example, Flash Fill can be used to correct inconsistent formatting in a list of names, adjust spacing in hyphenated names, or reformat numbers and text by adding a character to the string. It can also append text to a list, create email addresses from a list of names, split data into multiple columns, and convert text to dates. Flash Fill should be on by default but can be checked and turned on in Excel Options. It automatically starts filling your data when it detects a pattern. If it doesn't, you can manually invoke it. To use Flash Fill effectively, you should format your headers differently from your data and provide examples of the final result you want for each permutation in your data.However, there might be instances where Flash Fill may not interpret the pattern correctly or leave some items blank. In these cases, you can add an example for the remaining items, or if a mistake is made, correct one of the entries and it will fix the rest.
Flash Fill is available on Excel 2013 or later. The tool was developed as a result of a chance meeting between a Microsoft senior researcher and a businesswoman on a flight.
Formula by Example can help users with a wide range of tasks, from the simple to the complex. It can be used to manipulate text, create numeric formulas, and even write formulas to automate tasks. Additionally, users can get help with Excel questions on the Excel Forum at www.myonlinetraininghub.com/excel-forum.
Formula by Example is a great tool for saving time and maximizing efficiency. It can be used to quickly generate formulas and save users from having to manually type in long, complex formulas. Additionally, it can be used to automate tasks like sorting, formatting, and formatting data. Formula by Example is an invaluable tool for anyone looking to take their Excel skills to the next level.