Enjoying Summer

I hope that your summer is going well and that you are enjoying the sunshine and longer days. (Well, I can share that hope with you if you live in the northern hemisphere. In parts "down under," I know that you are experiencing shorter days and colder temperatures.)

I also hope you enjoy the tips in this week's newsletter.

—Allen
     

ExcelTips (ribbon) for 14 June 2025

Editing
Removing Spaces around Dashes

A common editing task with Excel data is to remove spaces that may surround dashes within text. This tip presents several ways that you can accomplish the task.

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(Thanks to Charles Johnson, Steve Aprahamian, Ryszard Raciborski, Dave Newcomer, Allan Rockett, Greg Presnall, Alex Blakenburg, Michael Avidan (MVP), Andrija Vrcan, Brian Dorey, Leszek Rozpedek, Leslie Glasser, Tzvi Liberman, Kevin Keyser, and Craig Korfanta for contributing to this tip.)

 
Formulas
Changing the Reference in a Named Range

Define a named range today and you may want to change the definition at some future point. It's rather easy to do, as described in this tip.

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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!

 
Tools
Understanding Add-Ins

The primary way to extend what Excel can do is through the use of add-ins. This tip explains what they are and the benefits of using them.

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Macros extend Excel
Changing Directories in a Macro

Need to specify which directory on your hard drive should be used by a macro? It's easy to do using the ChDir command.

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Help Wanted

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.

 
Filtering is Unavailable when Selecting Entire Worksheet

I use filtering quite a bit on my huge worksheets. When I select my entire worksheet, the Filter button is grayed out and I can't use it. This didn't use to be the case. I can access the button if I only highlight the header row, but that doesn't help.
—Mary Lish (provide an answer for this Help Wanted question)

 
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