Let’s learn how to create a color changing line chart using Excel. This is what we will create.

Looks interesting? Read on. Continue reading →

One of the most powerful applications of a checklist is the T-Minus list. The T-Minus list gives you the ability to plan out what you need to do before an event, capturing it so you don’t have to think about it again. Continue reading →

Hi folks… As promised, our 2015 holiday sale is on. Please click here if you want to avail the offers. Note: the sale ends day after tomorrow (Friday, December 11th – 2015). Hurry up. Read on for details. What is this sale? Every year, around the start of December, we run a holiday sale to celebrate. […] Continue reading →

Today is a school holiday for kids. So we (Jo & I) are taking them to zoo for a day of walking, picnic and family time. Before I rush, I want to share two quick announcements with you.

KPI contest winners:

Thanks for everyone who participated in our recent KPI data visualization contest. Each and everyone who made the final list is a winner in my book. You have creativity, passion and a sense of sharing.

After reviewing all the entries and considering our judge’s opinions, here are the winners: Continue reading →

This is going to be epic!!! In the 50th session of Chandoo.org podcast, we have 50 Excel tips to make you awesome.

What is in this session?

In this podcast,

• Thank you message
• Fifty tips in 5 buckets
  • Shortcuts & Productivity
  • Formulas
  • Managing Data
  • Charts
  • Using Excel better

Continue reading →

Here is an interesting twist on the good old VLOOKUP. How to find the pricing applicable for given quantity of a product?

Something like above.

Looks interesting? Then read on… Continue reading →

Hello all, prepare to be amazed! Here are 43 creative, fun & informative ways to visualize KPI data.

About a month ago, I asked you to visualize KPI data. We received 65 entries for this contest. After carefully reviewing the entries, our panel of judges have discarded 22 of them due to poor charting choices, errors or just plain data dumps. We are left with 43 amazing entries, each creatively analyzed the data and presented results in a powerful way.

How to read this post?

This is a fairly large post. If you are reading this in email or news-reader, it may not look properly. Click here to read it on chandoo.org.

1. Each entry is shown in a box with the contestant’s name on top. Entries are shown in alphabetical order of contestant’s name.
2. You can see a snapshot of the entry and more thumbnails below.
3. The thumb-nails are click-able, so that you can enlarge and see the details.
4. You can download the contest entry workbook, see & play with the files.
5. You can read my comments at the bottom.
6. At the bottom of this post, you can find a list of key charting & dashboard design techniques. Go thru them to learn how to create similar reports at work.

Thank you

Thank you very much for all the participants in this contest. I have thoroughly enjoyed exploring your work & learned a lot from them. I am sure you had fun creating these too.

So go ahead and enjoy the entries. Continue reading →

In the 49th session of Chandoo.org podcast, let’s talk about data dumps!

What is in this session?

In this podcast,

• What is a data dump
• Examples of data dump
• Why we dump
• Ways to avoid data dumps
  • Go for information dumps
  • Sort the dump
  • Filter the dump
  • Give a table
• Resources for you

Continue reading →

Many time management systems say that you should block out time on your calendar for everything you need to do. This means that if you need to take out the garbage, you should schedule time on your calendar to do so. However, this sort of planning can be counterproductive, stifling and rigid.

But it doesn’t have to be this way. You can have better time management with goals.

I’m not talking about the project-based goals, or life goals or finish-line goals here. I’m talking about a targeted list of things you would like to get done.

I’m talking about setting your sights on a few things to accomplish during the day, without sewing yourself into a calendar so tight you can’t sit down.

The post Better Time Management With Goals appeared first on Whole Life Productivity.

Continue reading →

Let’s keep this simple & short.

Whenever you are editing cells or formulas, the usual sequence is like this:

1. Double click on the cell you want to edit
2. For existing cells: Go to the left most / right most part and start typing
3. For blank cells: start typing right away

Here is a faster sequence:

Read on… Continue reading →