ExcelTips FAQ

What Versions of Excel Are Covered?

Tips on this ExcelTips Web site are written for various versions of Excel. On this site you'll find tips written for Excel 2007, Excel 2010, Excel 2013, Excel 2016, Excel 2019, and the version of Excel provided with Office 365. (These are all PC/Windows versions of Excel.) Each tip is clearly marked as to which version it covers. (See the notation at the bottom of each tip.)

If you are looking for tips about how to use older versions of Excel (97 through 2003), visit our other ExcelTips site.

What Does the "Ribbon" Mean in "ExcelTips (Ribbon Interface)"?

Excel 2007, Excel 2010, Excel 2013, Excel 2016, Excel 2019, and Office 365 utilize a user interface commonly referred to as a "ribbon interface." This is different from earlier versions of Excel (those before Excel 2007), which relied more on a traditional menu-based interface. Specifically, the ribbon is the area just above the document that contains all sorts of tools to accomplish tasks. Just above the ribbon are tabs that control what is displayed on the ribbon.

What About Excel for the Mac?

Many ExcelTips are equally applicable to versions of Excel for the Mac. In fact, there are many newsletter subscribers who use only Excel for the Mac. The differences in implementation for the Mac are not pointed out in ExcelTips, however. In addition, I don't point out the basic usage differences between Windows and Mac systems, such as holding down the Ctrl key as you click the mouse to simulate a right-click.

Is There Any Charge for ExcelTips?

No. The information on this site and the information in the ExcelTips newsletters is provided free of charge.

When Is ExcelTips Published?

The ExcelTips newsletters are published each Saturday, before the end of the day. For many readers, this means that ExcelTips is waiting for them when they arrive at work on Monday morning.

What Do You Do With My E-Mail Address?

We add it to our list of subscribers, and that is it. We don't make the list of subscribers available to the public, and we don't sell our mailing list to anyone else. (Thus, if you receive any spam, it did not originate at our site.) For our complete privacy policy, check this Web page.

Who Writes ExcelTips?

ExcelTips is written and edited by Allen L. Wyatt.

Why Do You Do ExcelTips?

For two reason, primarily. First, I use Excel quite often, and I really enjoy the program. That being said, there are still many things that are frustrating, and I have had to search for how to accomplish them. I think many other people are in the same boat. The second reason is that I love to write. I have written about 50 computer books (type my name into Amazon) and you have to love writing to do that.

Does ExcelTips Cover Macros?

ExcelTips is not a tutorial in how to write macros, but many of the tips included in ExcelTips rely on macros to accomplish tasks. If you are interested in learning how to create and use macros, a good place to start is one of my Excel Macros Master Class courses.

How Can I Get Help With a Problem?

Each ExcelTips newsletter includes a Help Wanted section. The section is dedicated to those readers having problems making Excel behave the way they expect. It contains restated problems that were forwarded to ExcelTips. If you have a problem, visit this page to send it in. We can't guarantee you will get a prompt answer (or even an answer at all), but you may be able to finally get that nagging problem off your chest. If your question is included in the Help Wanted section, readers may respond with solutions. These solutions are then formatted into tips which appear in future issues of ExcelTips.

Can I Pass ExcelTips on To My Friends?

Yes, you can—to a point. We want people to hear about and use ExcelTips. ExcelTips may be circulated via MANUAL forwarding by e-mail to others, providing that 1) the file is transmitted in its entirety, and 2) NO FEE is charged. We would ask that you only do this to the same person up to three times. At that point, your friend should have decided whether to subscribe on their own. (After all, ExcelTips is free and anyone can get it.)

If you subscribe to ExcelTips Premium, weekly issues of that newsletter may not be passed on to others or shared with them.

Please invite your friends to visit the ExcelTips Web site. Thousands of people search through the answers there and get the help they need. It is a great place for people to get a feel for the quality of the newsletter's content and to make their own decisions.

Can I Post ExcelTips Newsletters on My Network?

Yes, as long as each issue is included with no alterations. People on the network must be able to subscribe on their own, as well. Note that this posting must not be accessible to anyone outside of your organization. This means you cannot post ExcelTips on your Web site, your FTP site, or your BBS. You cannot copy information from the ExcelTips Web site and post it to your network, although we encourage links to the Web site itself.

Can I Link to the Tips on this Website?

Yes; no problems there. Please feel free to link as much as you would like.

How Do I Subscribe to ExcelTips?

Simple—just use the subscription form at the right side of any page on this site, including this page.

How Do I Unsubscribe from ExcelTips?

There is a link at the bottom of any issue of ExcelTips.

How Do I Change My Subscription Address?

Again, use the link at the bottom of any issue of ExcelTips.

Can I Advertise in ExcelTips?

ExcelTips allows some advertising in the newsletter. If you would like to help support ExcelTips and promote your products or services, we have prepared another Web page with more information.

This Site

Got a version of Excel that uses the ribbon interface (Excel 2007 or later)? This site is for you! If you use an earlier version of Excel, visit our ExcelTips site focusing on the menu interface.

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