Maximum Values within a Specific Hour Each Day

If you have a bunch of readings that are tied to dates and times, you may want to determine the maximum readings between a particular start time and end time each day. This tip examines three ways you can get the desired information, based on your version of Excel.

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(Thanks to Paul Hignett, Steve Aprahamian, Ryszard Raciborski, Brian Dorey, Stephen Argent, Fred Potter, and David Watssman for contributing to this tip.)

Using the XIRR Function

One of the financial worksheet functions provided in Excel is the XIRR function. This is used to figure out an internal rate of return when the payments associated with an investment are not evenly spaced. Here's how to use the function.

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Lookup Exactly the Data You Want

Excel's lookup functions are easily the most powerful worksheet functions you can use. Master these seven functions you'll never again view a worksheet full of data in the same way. The power these functions provide you is anything but small. Take your first step today!

Non-Tiled Background Pictures

Background pictures are repeated over and over again (tiled) by Excel. If you want them to not be tiled, you may be out of luck.

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Calculating TV Time

In some industries it is necessary to work with time resolutions of less than a second. If you need to keep track of such detailed time divisions, you'll appreciate the techniques presented in this tip.

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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.

Counting Numeric and Text Cells

Column A of my worksheet contains cells that are numeric and others that are text. Some are even blank. I would like to get a count of the cells that contain text and a count of those that contain numbers. I'm sure there's an easy way to do this, I just don't know what it is.
—Wendy Cuthbert (provide an answer for this Help Wanted question)