Seeing If a Workbook Has Been Saved

If you want to know whether a workbook has been saved or not, Excel provides an easy-to-find indicator. If you want a more noticeable indicator, then the information in this tip will help.

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(Thanks to Ryszard Raciborski, Brian Dorey, Elliot Penna, Alan Cannon, Brian Lair, and James Woolley for contributing to this tip.)

Returning Blanks with VLOOKUP

Normally the VLOOKUP function returns a value, and if it can't return a value it returns a zero. Here's how you can use the function within a formula to be more discriminating in what is returned.

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(Thanks to Michael Avidan (MVP) for contributing to this tip.)

Macros! Macros! Get Your Macros Here!

Learn all the best methods for creating and using Excel macros. ExcelTips: The Macros is the best single source for learning about macros or improving your existing skills. Be the person everyone looks to when something needs to happen in Excel. Get yours today!

Formatting Subtotal Rows

Excel automatically formats subtotals for you. But what if you want to change the default to something more suitable for your worksheet? Here's how to change the formatting of subtotals whether you use them sparingly or frequently.

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Copying and Pasting Non-Contiguous Ranges of Cells

Excel makes it easy to copy and paste a range of cells. Easy, that is, unless the range isn't contiguous. If you have a need to copy and paste such data, the only way to do it is through the use of a macro, as described in this tip.

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(Thanks to Willy Vanhaelen for contributing to this tip.)

This section is for those having problems making Excel behave. If Excel is giving you fits, feel free to submit your own Help Wanted question.

If you have a solution for the problems below, click the link after the problem to send us your answer. (All responses become the sole property of Sharon Parq Associates, Inc., and can be used in any way deemed appropriate.) If your response is used in a future issue, you will be credited for your contribution to the answer.

Referencing an Unchanging Data Range for a Chart

I have a chart that pulls its data from a data range that starts with column B. Every month I need to add new data before column B, so I insert a new column and add the data. This means that I then have to go into the chart and adjust the data range. Is there a way to make sure that the chart always refers to my data range (B1:F32) so I don't need to edit the data range each month?
—Dave Worley (provide an answer for this Help Wanted question)