Microsoft’s Windows 11 operating system offers a number of improvements over Windows 10, including a new Start menu and a more functional Taskbar. If you have just purchased a laptop running on Windows 11, or are planning to upgrade your current device, then you will need to know how to set it up. In this blog post, we will provide you with a guide on how to customize your Windows 11 laptop.

1. Set up how your device checks for updates

New laptops usually automatically check for updates, but you can also manually do this. Click the gear icon above the Start button to go to Settings, choose Windows Update, and then click Check for updates.

You can also type “updates” into the search box and click Check for updates.

2. Create a restore point

It is ideal to set up your laptop’s restore point, which is the backup of your entire operating system. Doing this can save you a lot of time, effort, and even money in case something goes wrong with your device.

To set up a restore point, simply type “restore” into the search bar and click Create a restore point. You’ll be taken to the System Protection tab of the System Properties window. From there, you can choose what you want to be included in the backup. Click the Configure button to apply your choices. Enable “Turn on system protection” if it’s not already on. Finally, choose how much disk space to reserve, which is ideally not more than 2–3% of your total disk space.

3. Choose a power plan

To help prolong your laptop’s battery life, you can choose from Windows 11’s Power Saver, High Performance, and Balanced power plans. Type “power plan” in the search button and choose either “Edit power plan” or “Choose a power plan.” Choosing the Edit power plan option allows you to set when the laptop display will be automatically turned off and when it will go to sleep. When you pick “Choose a power plan,” it will take you to a page where you can create and customize your power settings.

The default recommended plan is Balanced, but if you want to create your own, click on the “Create a power plan” option on the left part of the screen. You can choose from three options depending on how you plan to use your laptop: Balanced, Power Saver, and High Performance. After selecting your preferred plan, give your new power plan a name, then click Next to set the display and sleep settings for your laptop. Once done choosing your preferred power settings, click on Create and you’re good to go.

4. Set app installation tolerance level

For added security, you can restrict which apps can be installed on your laptop. Do this by going to Settings > Apps > Apps & features. From here, you can configure the “Choose from where to get apps” settings. You can choose whether to permit installations from only the Windows Store, any app installations (with a warning), or unrestricted app installations.

5. Remove bloatware

Some vendors package new laptops with bundled apps and software, which are mostly unnecessary and unwanted programs called bloatware.

Windows 11 offers an easy way to see which apps are installed on your new laptop and a quick way to uninstall those you don’t need. Head to Settings > Apps > Apps & features and peruse the list of installed apps. If you don’t want an app and are 100% certain that your computer doesn’t need it, click on the hamburger menu to the right of the app, then choose Uninstall.

6. Activate anti-ransomware

Ransomware is a form of malicious software that locks all your data until you pay a ransom to hackers.

To minimize the risk of ransomware attacks, type “Windows Security” into the search bar at the bottom of your screen and click on the Windows Security result. Go to Virus & threat protection, click Manage settings under “Virus & threat protection settings”, and go to “Controlled folder access”. From there, click the Manage Controlled folder access option and enable Controlled folder access; this protects you against ransomware attacks. By default, the Desktop, Documents, Music, Pictures, and Videos folders are protected, but you can add other folders that you’d like to be protected from ransomware.

There are myriad ways Windows 11 can be configured for optimization and security. This article barely scratches the surface of Window 11’s security and efficiency settings. Call us today for a quick chat with one of our Microsoft experts about taking your operating system to the next level.

Microsoft’s Windows 11 operating system (OS) offers a lot of improvements compared to its older OSes. Here are some easy steps you can follow to set up your Windows 11 laptop and enjoy its features.

1. Set up how your device checks for updates

New laptops usually automatically check for updates, but you can also manually do this. Click the gear icon above the Start button to go to Settings, choose Windows Update, and then click Check for updates.

You can also type “updates” into the search box and click Check for updates.

2. Create a restore point

It is ideal to set up your laptop’s restore point, which is the backup of your entire operating system. Doing this can save you a lot of time, effort, and even money in case something goes wrong with your device.

To set up a restore point, simply type “restore” into the search bar and click Create a restore point. You’ll be taken to the System Protection tab of the System Properties window. From there, you can choose what you want to be included in the backup. Click the Configure button to apply your choices. Enable “Turn on system protection” if it’s not already on. Finally, choose how much disk space to reserve, which is ideally not more than 2–3% of your total disk space.

3. Choose a power plan

To help prolong your laptop’s battery life, you can choose from Windows 11’s Power Saver, High Performance, and Balanced power plans. Type “power plan” in the search button and choose either “Edit power plan” or “Choose a power plan.” Choosing the Edit power plan option allows you to set when the laptop display will be automatically turned off and when it will go to sleep. When you pick “Choose a power plan,” it will take you to a page where you can create and customize your power settings.

The default recommended plan is Balanced, but if you want to create your own, click on the “Create a power plan” option on the left part of the screen. You can choose from three options depending on how you plan to use your laptop: Balanced, Power Saver, and High Performance. After selecting your preferred plan, give your new power plan a name, then click Next to set the display and sleep settings for your laptop. Once done choosing your preferred power settings, click on Create and you’re good to go.

4. Set app installation tolerance level

For added security, you can restrict which apps can be installed on your laptop. Do this by going to Settings > Apps > Apps & features. From here, you can configure the “Choose from where to get apps” settings. You can choose whether to permit installations from only the Windows Store, any app installations (with a warning), or unrestricted app installations.

5. Remove bloatware

Some vendors package new laptops with bundled apps and software, which are mostly unnecessary and unwanted programs called bloatware.

Windows 11 offers an easy way to see which apps are installed on your new laptop and a quick way to uninstall those you don’t need. Head to Settings > Apps > Apps & features and peruse the list of installed apps. If you don’t want an app and are 100% certain that your computer doesn’t need it, click on the hamburger menu to the right of the app, then choose Uninstall.

6. Activate anti-ransomware

Ransomware is a form of malicious software that locks all your data until you pay a ransom to hackers.

To minimize the risk of ransomware attacks, type “Windows Security” into the search bar at the bottom of your screen and click on the Windows Security result. Go to Virus & threat protection, click Manage settings under “Virus & threat protection settings”, and go to “Controlled folder access”. From there, click the Manage Controlled folder access option and enable Controlled folder access; this protects you against ransomware attacks. By default, the Desktop, Documents, Music, Pictures, and Videos folders are protected, but you can add other folders that you’d like to be protected from ransomware.

There are myriad ways Windows 11 can be configured for optimization and security. This article barely scratches the surface of Window 11’s security and efficiency settings. Call us today for a quick chat with one of our Microsoft experts about taking your operating system to the next level.

Windows 11 is available as a free upgrade for Windows 10 users, and many people — including laptop users — are taking advantage of this new operating system. If you’re one of them, then you need to know how to properly tweak Windows 11 features on your laptop so you can make the most of Windows 11.

1. Set up how your device checks for updates

New laptops usually automatically check for updates, but you can also manually do this. Click the gear icon above the Start button to go to Settings, choose Windows Update, and then click Check for updates.

You can also type “updates” into the search box and click Check for updates.

2. Create a restore point

It is ideal to set up your laptop’s restore point, which is the backup of your entire operating system. Doing this can save you a lot of time, effort, and even money in case something goes wrong with your device.

To set up a restore point, simply type “restore” into the search bar and click Create a restore point. You’ll be taken to the System Protection tab of the System Properties window. From there, you can choose what you want to be included in the backup. Click the Configure button to apply your choices. Enable “Turn on system protection” if it’s not already on. Finally, choose how much disk space to reserve, which is ideally not more than 2–3% of your total disk space.

3. Choose a power plan

To help prolong your laptop’s battery life, you can choose from Windows 11’s Power Saver, High Performance, and Balanced power plans. Type “power plan” in the search button and choose either “Edit power plan” or “Choose a power plan.” Choosing the Edit power plan option allows you to set when the laptop display will be automatically turned off and when it will go to sleep. When you pick “Choose a power plan,” it will take you to a page where you can create and customize your power settings.

The default recommended plan is Balanced, but if you want to create your own, click on the “Create a power plan” option on the left part of the screen. You can choose from three options depending on how you plan to use your laptop: Balanced, Power Saver, and High Performance. After selecting your preferred plan, give your new power plan a name, then click Next to set the display and sleep settings for your laptop. Once done choosing your preferred power settings, click on Create and you’re good to go.

4. Set app installation tolerance level

For added security, you can restrict which apps can be installed on your laptop. Do this by going to Settings > Apps > Apps & features. From here, you can configure the “Choose from where to get apps” settings. You can choose whether to permit installations from only the Windows Store, any app installations (with a warning), or unrestricted app installations.

5. Remove bloatware

Some vendors package new laptops with bundled apps and software, which are mostly unnecessary and unwanted programs called bloatware.

Windows 11 offers an easy way to see which apps are installed on your new laptop and a quick way to uninstall those you don’t need. Head to Settings > Apps > Apps & features and peruse the list of installed apps. If you don’t want an app and are 100% certain that your computer doesn’t need it, click on the hamburger menu to the right of the app, then choose Uninstall.

6. Activate anti-ransomware

Ransomware is a form of malicious software that locks all your data until you pay a ransom to hackers.

To minimize the risk of ransomware attacks, type “Windows Security” into the search bar at the bottom of your screen and click on the Windows Security result. Go to Virus & threat protection, click Manage settings under “Virus & threat protection settings”, and go to “Controlled folder access”. From there, click the Manage Controlled folder access option and enable Controlled folder access; this protects you against ransomware attacks. By default, the Desktop, Documents, Music, Pictures, and Videos folders are protected, but you can add other folders that you’d like to be protected from ransomware.

There are myriad ways Windows 11 can be configured for optimization and security. This article barely scratches the surface of Window 11’s security and efficiency settings. Call us today for a quick chat with one of our Microsoft experts about taking your operating system to the next level.

Windows 11, the newest operating system from Microsoft, is a breath of fresh air for PC users. Designed to provide a personalized experience, it offers many ways to change your PC’s interface, from how windows look to how apps can be accessed. Here are some Windows 11 customization features that will give you more control over your PC settings.

Change your theme

The easiest way to customize Windows 11 is by changing your theme, including your desktop background and lock screen image. Just right-click anywhere on your desktop, then click on Personalize. This will lead you to the Personalization menu, where you can preview and choose different backgrounds and themes. You can even create new themes by using images from your gallery. You can also see more themes in the Microsoft Store by clicking “Browse more”.

Use dark mode

If light or bright colors are not your thing, Windows 11 is here to the rescue. To change your desktop’s colors, right-click on your desktop, choose Personalize, and click Colors. Then, select Dark under “Choose your default Windows mode”. This changes the colors of your taskbar and Start menu. If you want to change the color of your apps from white to black, pick Dark under “Choose your default app mode”. To restore your default settings, follow the same procedure under “Choose your default app mode” but click Light.

Create virtual desktops

Having trouble separating work files from personal files? Try creating a virtual desktop. You can do this by clicking on the Task view icon on the taskbar. This will display all your open windows. Just drag any window to the “New desktop” space on the lower part of the screen to create another desktop. Repeat the process if you want to add more windows to the new desktop. To add more virtual desktops, hover over the Task view icon and click on the + sign. To remove a virtual desktop, hover over the Task view icon and click the X button on the desktop you want to delete.

Try snap layouts

Snapping is not a new feature, but Windows 11 makes it more efficient by letting you snap any app or window wherever you are on your PC. Access snap layouts by hovering over a window’s maximize button or pressing Win + Z. You can then see which layouts are available to you, and pick the one that best suits your needs.

Reorganize your Start Menu

You can also personalize how your apps are arranged on the Start menu. For one, you can rearrange applications by dragging them anywhere around the Start menu. Or, if you won’t be using a particular application, simply right-click the tile and select Unpin from Start. On the other hand, if you want even faster access to your most-used apps, right-click on an app and choose Pin to taskbar. 

Disable all your notifications

Some people prefer to receive notifications, but some don’t. If you’re one of the latter and wish to never see notifications ever again, click on the gear icon on the taskbar to open Settings. Then, choose System > Notifications. From there, you can switch off whatever app notifications you don’t want popping up on your screen.

Personalize your Windows 11 PC however you like by using some or all of these options. If you want more ways to customize your device or if you need information on anything Windows 11-related, give us a call.

Windows 11 offers a new and improved way to customize your PC. Whether you’re looking to improve your computer’s efficiency or just want to try different settings, there are plenty of options in Microsoft’s latest operating system that will suit you. Read on to find out the many ways you can personalize your Windows 11 PC.

Change your theme

The easiest way to customize Windows 11 is by changing your theme, including your desktop background and lock screen image. Just right-click anywhere on your desktop, then click on Personalize. This will lead you to the Personalization menu, where you can preview and choose different backgrounds and themes. You can even create new themes by using images from your gallery. You can also see more themes in the Microsoft Store by clicking “Browse more”.

Use dark mode

If light or bright colors are not your thing, Windows 11 is here to the rescue. To change your desktop’s colors, right-click on your desktop, choose Personalize, and click Colors. Then, select Dark under “Choose your default Windows mode”. This changes the colors of your taskbar and Start menu. If you want to change the color of your apps from white to black, pick Dark under “Choose your default app mode”. To restore your default settings, follow the same procedure under “Choose your default app mode” but click Light.

Create virtual desktops

Having trouble separating work files from personal files? Try creating a virtual desktop. You can do this by clicking on the Task view icon on the taskbar. This will display all your open windows. Just drag any window to the “New desktop” space on the lower part of the screen to create another desktop. Repeat the process if you want to add more windows to the new desktop. To add more virtual desktops, hover over the Task view icon and click on the + sign. To remove a virtual desktop, hover over the Task view icon and click the X button on the desktop you want to delete.

Try snap layouts

Snapping is not a new feature, but Windows 11 makes it more efficient by letting you snap any app or window wherever you are on your PC. Access snap layouts by hovering over a window’s maximize button or pressing Win + Z. You can then see which layouts are available to you, and pick the one that best suits your needs.

Reorganize your Start Menu

You can also personalize how your apps are arranged on the Start menu. For one, you can rearrange applications by dragging them anywhere around the Start menu. Or, if you won’t be using a particular application, simply right-click the tile and select Unpin from Start. On the other hand, if you want even faster access to your most-used apps, right-click on an app and choose Pin to taskbar. 

Disable all your notifications

Some people prefer to receive notifications, but some don’t. If you’re one of the latter and wish to never see notifications ever again, click on the gear icon on the taskbar to open Settings. Then, choose System > Notifications. From there, you can switch off whatever app notifications you don’t want popping up on your screen.

Personalize your Windows 11 PC however you like by using some or all of these options. If you want more ways to customize your device or if you need information on anything Windows 11-related, give us a call.

Windows 11 offers a wealth of customization features designed to provide users with a truly personalized and intuitive experience. Whether it’s changing the color of your windows or rearranging the apps on the newly designed Start menu, these features will make your Windows PC a better match for your needs and preferences. Check out the following Windows 11 personalization tips.

Change your theme

The easiest way to customize Windows 11 is by changing your theme, including your desktop background and lock screen image. Just right-click anywhere on your desktop, then click on Personalize. This will lead you to the Personalization menu, where you can preview and choose different backgrounds and themes. You can even create new themes by using images from your gallery. You can also see more themes in the Microsoft Store by clicking “Browse more”.

Use dark mode

If light or bright colors are not your thing, Windows 11 is here to the rescue. To change your desktop’s colors, right-click on your desktop, choose Personalize, and click Colors. Then, select Dark under “Choose your default Windows mode”. This changes the colors of your taskbar and Start menu. If you want to change the color of your apps from white to black, pick Dark under “Choose your default app mode”. To restore your default settings, follow the same procedure under “Choose your default app mode” but click Light.

Create virtual desktops

Having trouble separating work files from personal files? Try creating a virtual desktop. You can do this by clicking on the Task view icon on the taskbar. This will display all your open windows. Just drag any window to the “New desktop” space on the lower part of the screen to create another desktop. Repeat the process if you want to add more windows to the new desktop. To add more virtual desktops, hover over the Task view icon and click on the + sign. To remove a virtual desktop, hover over the Task view icon and click the X button on the desktop you want to delete.

Try snap layouts

Snapping is not a new feature, but Windows 11 makes it more efficient by letting you snap any app or window wherever you are on your PC. Access snap layouts by hovering over a window’s maximize button or pressing Win + Z. You can then see which layouts are available to you, and pick the one that best suits your needs.

Reorganize your Start Menu

You can also personalize how your apps are arranged on the Start menu. For one, you can rearrange applications by dragging them anywhere around the Start menu. Or, if you won’t be using a particular application, simply right-click the tile and select Unpin from Start. On the other hand, if you want even faster access to your most-used apps, right-click on an app and choose Pin to taskbar. 

Disable all your notifications

Some people prefer to receive notifications, but some don’t. If you’re one of the latter and wish to never see notifications ever again, click on the gear icon on the taskbar to open Settings. Then, choose System > Notifications. From there, you can switch off whatever app notifications you don’t want popping up on your screen.

Personalize your Windows 11 PC however you like by using some or all of these options. If you want more ways to customize your device or if you need information on anything Windows 11-related, give us a call.

Windows 10 and 11 are packed with various features that make it easier for users to accomplish their tasks. Among these features are time-saving keyboard shortcuts. In this blog, we’ve compiled our favorite ones that you might find useful.

Snap

Snap allows you to put two to four windows side by side, making it easier to compare documents or do two things at the same time. You can use Snap with these keyboard shortcuts:

• Windows Key + Left – snaps the current window to the left side of the screen
• Windows Key + Right – snaps the current window to the right side of the screen
• Windows Key + Alt + Up (Windows 11 only) – snaps the current window to the top half of the screen
• Windows Key + Alt + Down (Windows 11 only) – snaps the current window to the bottom half of the screen

You can also select a snapped window and press Windows Key + Up/Down to move it to your desired corner of the screen.

Taskbar

You can also use keyboard shortcuts to navigate the Windows 10 or 11 taskbar. Here are the ones you need to know:

• Windows Key + T – cycle through opened and pinned apps on the taskbar
• Windows Key + (number) – open the app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number. If the app is already running, pressing this shortcut will switch to that app.
• Windows Key + Shift + (number) – start a new instance of the app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number, even if one is already open

Task View

This window management feature allows you to see all of your opened windows and browser tabs so you can quickly return to a specific program, document, or web page. This is particularly useful if you have multiple windows open at once.

You can access Task View by clicking on its button on the taskbar or using these keyboard shortcuts:

• Windows Key + Tab – opens the Task View interface with windows from your current desktop
• Alt + Tab – switches between open windows and browser tabs on all desktops
• Ctrl + Alt + Tab – functions similarly to Alt + Tab but the thumbnails stay on the screen even after you release all the keys

Virtual Desktop

This handy feature enables you to create a new desktop that can display different open windows and apps. You can dedicate virtual desktops for certain functions. For instance, one virtual desktop could be used solely for work and another one for entertainment.

You can quickly manage your virtual desktops using the following keyboard shortcuts:

• Windows Key + Ctrl + D – opens a new virtual desktop
• Windows Key + Ctrl + F4 – closes the current virtual desktop
• Windows Key + Ctrl + Left/Right – switches to the virtual desktop on the left or right

If you’re looking for more time-saving technology tips or have any questions about how Windows 10 or 11 can help streamline your operations, just give us a call. Our IT experts are more than happy to assist you.

Using keyboard shortcuts activate computer commands faster than dragging a mouse. If you’re using Windows 10 or 11, you may want to try out the following keyboard shortcuts.

Snap

Snap allows you to put two to four windows side by side, making it easier to compare documents or do two things at the same time. You can use Snap with these keyboard shortcuts:

• Windows Key + Left – snaps the current window to the left side of the screen
• Windows Key + Right – snaps the current window to the right side of the screen
• Windows Key + Alt + Up (Windows 11 only) – snaps the current window to the top half of the screen
• Windows Key + Alt + Down (Windows 11 only) – snaps the current window to the bottom half of the screen

You can also select a snapped window and press Windows Key + Up/Down to move it to your desired corner of the screen.

Taskbar

You can also use keyboard shortcuts to navigate the Windows 10 or 11 taskbar. Here are the ones you need to know:

• Windows Key + T – cycle through opened and pinned apps on the taskbar
• Windows Key + (number) – open the app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number. If the app is already running, pressing this shortcut will switch to that app.
• Windows Key + Shift + (number) – start a new instance of the app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number, even if one is already open

Task View

This window management feature allows you to see all of your opened windows and browser tabs so you can quickly return to a specific program, document, or web page. This is particularly useful if you have multiple windows open at once.

You can access Task View by clicking on its button on the taskbar or using these keyboard shortcuts:

• Windows Key + Tab – opens the Task View interface with windows from your current desktop
• Alt + Tab – switches between open windows and browser tabs on all desktops
• Ctrl + Alt + Tab – functions similarly to Alt + Tab but the thumbnails stay on the screen even after you release all the keys

Virtual Desktop

This handy feature enables you to create a new desktop that can display different open windows and apps. You can dedicate virtual desktops for certain functions. For instance, one virtual desktop could be used solely for work and another one for entertainment.

You can quickly manage your virtual desktops using the following keyboard shortcuts:

• Windows Key + Ctrl + D – opens a new virtual desktop
• Windows Key + Ctrl + F4 – closes the current virtual desktop
• Windows Key + Ctrl + Left/Right – switches to the virtual desktop on the left or right

If you’re looking for more time-saving technology tips or have any questions about how Windows 10 or 11 can help streamline your operations, just give us a call. Our IT experts are more than happy to assist you.

Technology makes work easier, and something as simple as keyboard shortcuts can save you a lot of time. If you have a Windows 10 or 11 computer, then you may find these keyboard shortcuts very handy.

Snap

Snap allows you to put two to four windows side by side, making it easier to compare documents or do two things at the same time. You can use Snap with these keyboard shortcuts:

• Windows Key + Left – snaps the current window to the left side of the screen
• Windows Key + Right – snaps the current window to the right side of the screen
• Windows Key + Alt + Up (Windows 11 only) – snaps the current window to the top half of the screen
• Windows Key + Alt + Down (Windows 11 only) – snaps the current window to the bottom half of the screen

You can also select a snapped window and press Windows Key + Up/Down to move it to your desired corner of the screen.

Taskbar

You can also use keyboard shortcuts to navigate the Windows 10 or 11 taskbar. Here are the ones you need to know:

• Windows Key + T – cycle through opened and pinned apps on the taskbar
• Windows Key + (number) – open the app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number. If the app is already running, pressing this shortcut will switch to that app.
• Windows Key + Shift + (number) – start a new instance of the app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number, even if one is already open

Task View

This window management feature allows you to see all of your opened windows and browser tabs so you can quickly return to a specific program, document, or web page. This is particularly useful if you have multiple windows open at once.

You can access Task View by clicking on its button on the taskbar or using these keyboard shortcuts:

• Windows Key + Tab – opens the Task View interface with windows from your current desktop
• Alt + Tab – switches between open windows and browser tabs on all desktops
• Ctrl + Alt + Tab – functions similarly to Alt + Tab but the thumbnails stay on the screen even after you release all the keys

Virtual Desktop

This handy feature enables you to create a new desktop that can display different open windows and apps. You can dedicate virtual desktops for certain functions. For instance, one virtual desktop could be used solely for work and another one for entertainment.

You can quickly manage your virtual desktops using the following keyboard shortcuts:

• Windows Key + Ctrl + D – opens a new virtual desktop
• Windows Key + Ctrl + F4 – closes the current virtual desktop
• Windows Key + Ctrl + Left/Right – switches to the virtual desktop on the left or right

If you’re looking for more time-saving technology tips or have any questions about how Windows 10 or 11 can help streamline your operations, just give us a call. Our IT experts are more than happy to assist you.

Microsoft Excel makes it easy to create budgets, track inventory levels, and analyze sales. This software can handle huge amounts of information, making it an extremely useful tool for storing and analyzing data. No wonder Excel has become a staple in offices worldwide over the years. Its latest version, Excel 2021 for Windows, is packed with even more powerful features and functions that you can enjoy.

Features exclusive to Excel 2021 for Microsoft 365

The following new features are available for Excel for Microsoft 365, but not its long-term servicing channel (LTSC) version, which was formerly known as the “perpetual license” version.

• Co-authoring – lets you work simultaneously with other users on the same Excel workbook and see each other’s inputs in a matter of seconds
• Threaded comments – allows you to have better discussions with other users in an Excel workbook, thanks to the ability to reply to comments inline
• Visibility of active co-authors – lets you see the other users who are also working with you and where they are in the workbook

XLOOKUP function

Similar to the VLOOKUP, HLOOKUP, and INDEX+MATCH functions, XLOOKUP searches for an item in a range or table and returns the matching result. However, XLOOKUP is more powerful than other lookup functions since it requires only three basic parameters to perform the search:

• The value you are looking for
• The list that should contain the value
• The list where the result should come from

XLOOKUP can search anywhere in the data and find the result, not just on a specified column or row like with the VLOOKUP and HLOOKUP functions. Moreover, XLOOKUP finds the exact match by default, so you don’t have to indicate “True” or “False” in the formula.

LET function

The LET function allows you to assign names to calculation results. For example, you can apply names, such as “monthlySales” and “totalSales” to an associated value, which makes formulas easier to read. The LET function supports up to 126 name/value pairs. Take note that the names work only within the scope of the LET function.

To use the LET function, you need to provide at least three parameters:

• Name
• Associated value
• Calculation that uses the name and associated value pair/s

For example:
=LET(x,1,x+2) → x+2 → 1+2 → 3

6 New dynamic array functions

For the longest time, Excel allowed users to use just one formula per cell. However, this has changed with the recent introduction of dynamic arrays wherein any formula that returns an array of values automatically spills into neighboring cells.

To leverage dynamic arrays, Excel 2021 for Windows introduced six new functions:

• FILTER – filters data based on the predefined criteria
• SORT – sorts a cell range by a specified column
• SORTBY – sorts a cell range by another range or array
• UNIQUE – takes out unique values from a range of cells
• SEQUENCE – creates a list of sequential numbers
• RANDARRAY – creates an array of random numbers

XMATCH function

The more powerful successor to the MATCH function, XMATCH looks for a specified item in an array or range of cells and then returns the item’s relative position in vertical or horizontal ranges. It can also return a value in an array.

The XMATCH function assumes that you want an exact match, so it requires only two parameters (i.e., lookup value and lookup array) to work. However, you can add an optional third parameter to change the default matching type to “next smaller,” “next larger,” or “wildcard match.”

XMATCH has another optional parameter that allows you to indicate whether to search from the top or bottom of the lookup list, or whether to conduct a binary search on ascending or descending values.

These are just some of the great new features you can leverage in Excel 2021 for Windows. For more Microsoft Office productivity tips, consult our IT experts today.

Businesses use Microsoft Excel to record sales, manage finances, and track inventory levels, among other activities. The new version of Microsoft Excel for Windows offers some great new features and functions that will make your life easier.

Features exclusive to Excel 2021 for Microsoft 365

The following new features are available for Excel for Microsoft 365, but not its long-term servicing channel (LTSC) version, which was formerly known as the “perpetual license” version.

• Co-authoring – lets you work simultaneously with other users on the same Excel workbook and see each other’s inputs in a matter of seconds
• Threaded comments – allows you to have better discussions with other users in an Excel workbook, thanks to the ability to reply to comments inline
• Visibility of active co-authors – lets you see the other users who are also working with you and where they are in the workbook

XLOOKUP function

Similar to the VLOOKUP, HLOOKUP, and INDEX+MATCH functions, XLOOKUP searches for an item in a range or table and returns the matching result. However, XLOOKUP is more powerful than other lookup functions since it requires only three basic parameters to perform the search:

• The value you are looking for
• The list that should contain the value
• The list where the result should come from

XLOOKUP can search anywhere in the data and find the result, not just on a specified column or row like with the VLOOKUP and HLOOKUP functions. Moreover, XLOOKUP finds the exact match by default, so you don’t have to indicate “True” or “False” in the formula.

LET function

The LET function allows you to assign names to calculation results. For example, you can apply names, such as “monthlySales” and “totalSales” to an associated value, which makes formulas easier to read. The LET function supports up to 126 name/value pairs. Take note that the names work only within the scope of the LET function.

To use the LET function, you need to provide at least three parameters:

• Name
• Associated value
• Calculation that uses the name and associated value pair/s

For example:
=LET(x,1,x+2) → x+2 → 1+2 → 3

6 New dynamic array functions

For the longest time, Excel allowed users to use just one formula per cell. However, this has changed with the recent introduction of dynamic arrays wherein any formula that returns an array of values automatically spills into neighboring cells.

To leverage dynamic arrays, Excel 2021 for Windows introduced six new functions:

• FILTER – filters data based on the predefined criteria
• SORT – sorts a cell range by a specified column
• SORTBY – sorts a cell range by another range or array
• UNIQUE – takes out unique values from a range of cells
• SEQUENCE – creates a list of sequential numbers
• RANDARRAY – creates an array of random numbers

XMATCH function

The more powerful successor to the MATCH function, XMATCH looks for a specified item in an array or range of cells and then returns the item’s relative position in vertical or horizontal ranges. It can also return a value in an array.

The XMATCH function assumes that you want an exact match, so it requires only two parameters (i.e., lookup value and lookup array) to work. However, you can add an optional third parameter to change the default matching type to “next smaller,” “next larger,” or “wildcard match.”

XMATCH has another optional parameter that allows you to indicate whether to search from the top or bottom of the lookup list, or whether to conduct a binary search on ascending or descending values.

These are just some of the great new features you can leverage in Excel 2021 for Windows. For more Microsoft Office productivity tips, consult our IT experts today.

Microsoft Excel is a powerhouse in data management and analysis. With each new release, it becomes even more powerful. The latest version, Excel 2021 for Windows, includes many new features and functions that will make your life easier. Here’s how to make the most of them.

Features exclusive to Excel 2021 for Microsoft 365

The following new features are available for Excel for Microsoft 365, but not its long-term servicing channel (LTSC) version, which was formerly known as the “perpetual license” version.

• Co-authoring – lets you work simultaneously with other users on the same Excel workbook and see each other’s inputs in a matter of seconds
• Threaded comments – allows you to have better discussions with other users in an Excel workbook, thanks to the ability to reply to comments inline
• Visibility of active co-authors – lets you see the other users who are also working with you and where they are in the workbook

XLOOKUP function

Similar to the VLOOKUP, HLOOKUP, and INDEX+MATCH functions, XLOOKUP searches for an item in a range or table and returns the matching result. However, XLOOKUP is more powerful than other lookup functions since it requires only three basic parameters to perform the search:

• The value you are looking for
• The list that should contain the value
• The list where the result should come from

XLOOKUP can search anywhere in the data and find the result, not just on a specified column or row like with the VLOOKUP and HLOOKUP functions. Moreover, XLOOKUP finds the exact match by default, so you don’t have to indicate “True” or “False” in the formula.

LET function

The LET function allows you to assign names to calculation results. For example, you can apply names, such as “monthlySales” and “totalSales” to an associated value, which makes formulas easier to read. The LET function supports up to 126 name/value pairs. Take note that the names work only within the scope of the LET function.

To use the LET function, you need to provide at least three parameters:

• Name
• Associated value
• Calculation that uses the name and associated value pair/s

For example:
=LET(x,1,x+2) → x+2 → 1+2 → 3

6 New dynamic array functions

For the longest time, Excel allowed users to use just one formula per cell. However, this has changed with the recent introduction of dynamic arrays wherein any formula that returns an array of values automatically spills into neighboring cells.

To leverage dynamic arrays, Excel 2021 for Windows introduced six new functions:

• FILTER – filters data based on the predefined criteria
• SORT – sorts a cell range by a specified column
• SORTBY – sorts a cell range by another range or array
• UNIQUE – takes out unique values from a range of cells
• SEQUENCE – creates a list of sequential numbers
• RANDARRAY – creates an array of random numbers

XMATCH function

The more powerful successor to the MATCH function, XMATCH looks for a specified item in an array or range of cells and then returns the item’s relative position in vertical or horizontal ranges. It can also return a value in an array.

The XMATCH function assumes that you want an exact match, so it requires only two parameters (i.e., lookup value and lookup array) to work. However, you can add an optional third parameter to change the default matching type to “next smaller,” “next larger,” or “wildcard match.”

XMATCH has another optional parameter that allows you to indicate whether to search from the top or bottom of the lookup list, or whether to conduct a binary search on ascending or descending values.

These are just some of the great new features you can leverage in Excel 2021 for Windows. For more Microsoft Office productivity tips, consult our IT experts today.