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Microsoft Excel 2010 – Extract Data From a Cell Using LEFT Function

In the following example there is a column of stock codes. The numbers represent our Supplier and the letters after the hyphen (-) indicates our Item number.

Excel Training LEFT Function

Suppose we need to extract the Supplier and Item codes and place in separate cells. If our Supplier codes were all equal length e.g. 3 numbers long, we could simply use the LEFT function.
In the Excel 2010 Training Courses here in London this is a common question.

Example:
Excel Training London Using the LEFT Function

Result:
Training Excel London Results of using LEFT Function

 

The problem we have is that not all Supplier codes are 3 numbers in length.
We can correct this by using another Excel function word, FIND.

FIND function can return a number value of where a particular character appears, e.g. if we have a word “BEST-STL TRAINING” the FIND function would tell us that the hyphen is the 5th character.

We could use this inside (nested) the LEFT function – But remember we do not want to include the hyphen (-) in our final result so we need to subtract 1.

Example:
Excel 2010 Training Learn to use FIND Function

NOTE: Without subtracting 1 in the above example, it would return a value of 4

Final Code: =LEFT(A2,FIND(“-“,A2)-1)

We could repeat this for the Item code by using a combination of RIGHT, LEN and FIND nested.

 

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Excel Training

Excel 2010 Training – Excel Slicer Tool for Pivot tables

A new feature introduced in 2010 version of Excel is the Slicer tool. Used to visually and quickly filter data within a Pivot Table.

Although the Pivot Table feature makes it extremely easy to manipulate the layout of data lists in Excel, we have found most attendees of our Excel 2010 training Courses are excited by the power of the new Slicer tool.

Create a standard Pivot Table and from the Insert Ribbon click the Slicer tool in the Filter Section.

This will display the Insert Slicers Dialog. From the Insert Slicers dialog tick the fields you would like to filter on.

Training Excel 2010 - Slicer Dialog

 

This will display a box for each field selected. These can be moved and resized to suit available space on the sheet.

Excel Training in London - Excel Slicer Boxes

To filter data, click on the relevant data. In our example below we have chosen the Bristol and London Store with Departments of Sales and Payroll. (You can select multiple items by holding the Control key while clicking).

Microsoft Excel Training Courses - Slicer and Pivot table filer

The results are immediate, and the slicer dialogs visually show what is currently filtered.

To clear the filters, click the small funnel icon in the top right of the Slicer boxes.

NOTE: This Slicer feature is disabled if you have workbooks from earlier Excel versions running in compatibility mode. To enable Slicer, Save the workbook as a 2010 file format, then re-open.