In this practical webinar, Excel expert, David Ringstrom, CPA, demonstrates tricks and techniques you can use to improve the integrity of your Excel spreadsheets, prevent errors from being introduced into your workbooks, and audit spreadsheets created by others. In addition, you will learn the benefits and uses of several Excel features and functions, including the Hide and Protect feature, the Conditional Formatting feature, the VLOOKUP function, the SUMIF function, and more.
You will see each technique demonstrated at least twice: first, on a PowerPoint slide with numbered steps, and second, in the subscription-based Office 365 version of Excel. David draws your attention to any differences in the older versions of Excel (2019, 2016, 2013, and earlier) during the presentation, as well as in his detailed handouts. You will also receive an Excel workbook that includes most of the examples used during the webcast.
Office 365 is a subscription-based product that provides new-feature updates as often as monthly. Conversely, the perpetual licensed versions of Excel have feature sets that don’t change. Perpetual licensed versions have year numbers, such as Excel 2019, Excel 2016, and so on.
You will learn how to:
- Master the IFERROR function to display alternate values in lieu of a # sign error.
- Improve the integrity of spreadsheets with Excel’s VLOOKUP function.
- Use a simple design technique that greatly improves the integrity of Excel’s SUM function.
- Preserve key formulas using hide and protect features.
- Prevent errors from the start by choosing from thousands of free Excel spreadsheet templates.
- Improve the integrity of many Excel features by placing column headings within a single row instead of spanning two or more rows.
- Toggle the locked status of a worksheet cell on or off by way of a custom shortcut.
- Build resilience into spreadsheets by avoiding daisy-chained formulas.
- Sum disparate sections of a spreadsheet quickly with the SUBTOTAL function.
- Remove Conditional Formatting when it’s no longer needed within a spreadsheet.
- Perform dual lookups, which allow you to look across columns and down rows to cross-reference the data you need.
Upon course completion, you will be able to:
- Define the purpose of Excel’s IFERROR worksheet function.
- Recall what the SUMIF function returns if it cannot return a match.
- Describe the areas where the MATCH function can look within a spreadsheet.
Who Should Attend: Practitioners who wish to improve the integrity of their Excel worksheets or to audit the spreadsheets created by others.
Prerequisites: None. Previous Experience with Microsoft Excel Spreadsheets is recommended.
Advance Preparation: None
Program Level: Intermediate
Field of Study: Computer & Software Applications (2 hours)
Format: Live Webcast
Credit Type: Group Internet Based for the Live Program. [If you attend the program on-demand (after the live date), you will receive Self-Study credit. Please note that to receive Self-Study credit you will need to complete a final exam after viewing the webinar.]

David Ringstrom
David H. Ringstrom, CPA, is an author and nationally recognized instructor who teaches scores of webinars each year. His Excel courses are based on 25 years of consulting and teaching experience. David’s mantra is “Either you work Excel, or it works you,” so he focuses on what he sees users don’t, but should, know about Microsoft Excel. His goal is to empower you to use Excel more effectively.
Accounting Credits
Credit | Value | Field of Study | Format |
---|---|---|---|
CPE | 2 | Computer Software & Applications | On-Demand/Recording |
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CPE Credit - Maximum Credit Hours: Please see above. You must attend at least 50 minutes to obtain credit. Fields of Study: Please see above. Teaching Method: Lecture. Upon completion of this course, you will receive a certificate of attendance. Final approval of a course for CPE credit belongs with each state’s regulatory board.
Clear Law Institute has registered with the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy as a CPE Sponsor. This registration does not constitute an endorsement by the Board as to the quality of our CPE Program.
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