In this series, we look at tips and techniques that chemical engineers can use to get the most out of Excel spreadsheets.
Want more Excel tips for chemical engineers?
If you know you want to delve even deeper than this blog series – or if our Excel tips leave you hungry for more – be sure to check out AIChE’s virtual combo course on spreadsheet problem solving and VBA programming. It’s taught by David E. Clough, the author of this series, and combines two of AIChE’s most popular spreadsheet courses, Spreadsheet Problem-Solving for Chemical Engineers and Excel VBA Programming for Chemical Engineers.
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Excel Tips for Chemical Engineers in 2017
Over the last few years, one of our most popular series has been Excelling With Excel, which takes a look at some incredibly use
Excel Tip #1: Avoid Mistakes with User-Friendly Cells
In this first tip of the series, we look at how you can make your life easier with smartly named cells. As spreadsheets grow in size, so do the benefits of using this tip.
Excel Tip #2: Master Selection, Copy, and Move
In the second installment of this series, we look at the frequently used Excel techniques of selecting, copying, and moving. Simple slip-ups in these common Excel operations can open your work up to major errors, but master them, and you can gain speed, efficiency, and more dependable spreadsheet calculations.
Excel Tip #3: Manage Units and Avoid “Magic Numbers”
We look at more pointers to manage units and explain why it's best to keep unit conversion factors outside of formulas.
Excel Tip #4: Set Up Calculations in Natural Sequence and Employ Targeting Methods
Many problems have a natural sequence, but for some, you may need to find one or more starting values that yield a desired final result.
Excel Tip #5: Take Advantage of Data Tables for Case Studies
Forget copying and pasting calculation results to build a case study—there's a better way with Excel's Data Table tool.
Excel Tip #6: Use Excel’s Iterative Solver to Close Recycles and Other Circular Calculations
Take advantage of Excel's Iterative Solver to make your spreadsheet more useful and reliable.