Microsoft Excel is one of the most useful pieces of software for businesses and organizations. It can help you organize your work, help with presenting very complex data and can streamline figures in a helpful format.
Our guide examines the quick analysis tool on Excel and gives you what you need to know. Read on to learn more.
What Is Excel’s Quick Analysis Tool?
The quick analysis tool on Microsoft Excel is a set of options that you can choose from to quickly analyze your data. This can alter the format of your data into a chart, table and conditional formatting.
Additionally, this tool will sort out the type of data that you decided to select and show you specific options you may have to use for this data.
It’s important to note however, that the first use of the quick analysis tool came in with Excel 2013. Therefore, if you are using Excel 2010 or older – you will not be able to find or use this feature.
Generally speaking, the options provided by the quick analysis tool are fixed by Excel itself – but there are other areas in which you have some movement. One such option is the conditional formatting tab.
This will allow you to make changes and select other options when selecting dates compared when choosing numerical data.
If you simply hover over some of the options, you will be able to see some more descriptive information and examples.
Where Is The Quick Analysis Tool?
You won’t actually be able to find the quick analysis tool option on the main Excel ribbon area. Instead, if you take a look at the bottom right hand corner of the Excel screen, you will notice a square with a lightning strip.
Click this and the options will appear. However, you might not always be able to see this option. If this is the case, move onto the next point.
When You Can’t Find The Quick Analysis Tool
Sometimes, you may not be able to see this little icon in the corner of your screen. While this is unlikely, it can happen from time to time due to previously saved settings.
So, if this is the case – head to the file tab and then select options and then general. You will see a set of boxes which should all be ticked.
These boxes are the ones that allow certain features to appear on the main screen of Excel. If you see an empty box where it says “show quick analysis options on selection”, you will need to select the box and mark it with a tick.
Once this has been done, you should be able to go to the main ribbon and use the option. However, if this has not worked – go back and check the settings have been saved.
Moreover, if you do not see this option, this is likely because your Excel is older than Excel 2013, meaning that the quick analysis tool will not be available to you and you will need to update your version.
What Is The Keyboard Shortcut For The Quick Analysis Tool?
Keyboard shortcuts can be very time saving and very useful when you are working in a rapidly moving work environment.
If you want to quickly open the quick analysis tool on Excel, simply press CTRL and Q.
Luckily, if you have the option previously disabled and you do not see the quick analysis tool on your main ribbon – you will be able to access it through this keyboard shortcut.
How Do I Use The Quick Analysis Tool?
It’s a relatively simple tool to use to your advantage. All you have to do is select the data you are looking to analyze and then click the small box (the quick analysis icon) in the corner of your screen.
Select your chosen option from the tab that appears and organize your data in the way that you are looking for. And that’s it really!
It’s worth noting here though that the quick analysis tool does not remain on the screen without any data being selected. Therefore, if you do not see it – it is because you haven’t selected any data!
Additionally, it will not appear if you choose the whole row or column. So, ensure you are specifically choosing the correct data group.
What Can I Do With This Tool?
There’s plenty of options at your fingertips with this handy tool. Here’s some of the most commonly used options.
Create Data Bars
This is a really handy option if you want to present data of things like sales on a month by month basis.
When you click conditional formatting, you will see this option for data bars. Customization will be available for things like color schemes on the “manage rules” tab.
Analyze Dates
Do you have a lot of dates involved with your data? Then this will be an option for you. When you click formatting, you will see several date formats available to present your data in a much better way.
Create Charts In The Cells
Yes you can even create charts within a cell. These are helpful for things like sales frequency or analyzing “busy hours” for a business.
All you need to do is access the sparklines option and you’ll notice all the information you need to know.
The Bottom Line
The quick analysis tool on Excel can be extremely beneficial to you and your business, providing you know how to use it and you have an updated version of Excel.
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