Microsoft is making Excel’s formulas easier

Post by function_seven » Thu, Dec 29, 2022, 8:40 PM UTC

cm2187 wrote: post #27

function_seven wrote: post #2

My current #1 wish for Excel formula entry: Please let me use [Tab] and [Enter] in the formula bar without trying to commit the change! I like to format my formulas with multiple lines and indentation, but to do that I have to hold down [Alt] and mash the spacebar like a caveman. I am happy with the new features I've been seeing. LAMBDA() and the new TEXT functions are nifty.

Then how do you suggest you commit the change then (which is much more commn than adding tabs to a formula)? Hopefully not some combination of keys.

Post by cm2187 » Thu, Dec 29, 2022, 8:43 PM UTC

function_seven wrote: post #31

cm2187 wrote: post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Then how do you suggest you commit the change then (which is much more commn than adding tabs to a formula)? Hopefully not some combination of keys.

[Ctrl]+[Enter] would be awesome. Or just a double enter would work. Or clicking on the sheet somewhere. I don't want Excel to change the default behavior. The way it works now is the right way for most people. I just want to be able to enter a mode where I get to freely edit the formula as if it were in a text editor, then exit that mode when I'm satisfied. Whether that is some checkbox option buried in the settings…

Post by function_seven » Thu, Dec 29, 2022, 8:48 PM UTC

cm2187 wrote: post #33

function_seven wrote: post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

[Ctrl]+[Enter] would be awesome. Or just a double enter would work. Or clicking on the sheet somewhere. I don't want Excel to change the default behavior. The way it works now is the right way for most people. I just want to be able to enter a mode where I get to freely edit the formula as if it were in a text editor, then exit that mode when I'm satisfied. Whether that is some checkbox option buried in the settings…

CTR+ENTER is already taken. Select a range of cells, press F2, enter your formula, CTR+ENTER applies and fills that formula to the whole range (very useful).

Post by rr808 » Thu, Dec 29, 2022, 8:50 PM UTC

ayemojay wrote: post #23

unsupp0rted wrote: post #13

Recently I started building Excel addons with custom formulas (e.g. =company.inventory(upc, WAREHOUSE), which call an api. This has blown the minds of non-tech folks among my clients. They equate this to magic. I was forced into doing this because after a year of digging to find out what reporting they wanted in the dashboard (“oh a thousand things… where’s the Excel spreadsheet export button?”), I gave up and now de…

What is your language of choice for building custom formula? Python + xlwings: most successful (relatively speaking) to build custom finance functions in my line of work. Downside is the slowness and deploying on other computers. Rust + xladd: really enjoyed this but feels immature still. Better performance than python and easier to distribute as single dll. VBA: options above make this almost obsolete, however can’t…

Post by cm2187 » Thu, Dec 29, 2022, 8:55 PM UTC

function_seven wrote: post #35

cm2187 wrote: post #33

Earlier quoted context omitted.

CTR+ENTER is already taken. Select a range of cells, press F2, enter your formula, CTR+ENTER applies and fills that formula to the whole range (very useful).

Oof. I actually use that frequently as well. Okay, okay, How about this? My wished-for option would just be to swap the behavior of [Enter] and [Alt]+[Enter]. Normally the first one commits the formula, the second one inserts a newline. I want to reverse that and make a naked [Enter] insert the newline, and the [Alt]+[Enter] commit the formula.