Tips & tricks For Microsoft Excel, Power BI, SQL and more

Spider (radar) charts plot several variables on axes radiating from a central point and connect them into a polygon, making complex multivariate data easy to see at a glance. They help compare strengths, weaknesses, patterns and outliers. In Excel you simply lay out the data, choose Insert → Radar, then tweak titles, labels, colours and axes to suit.

Pi (π), the irrational constant ~3.14159 that underpins circular and spherical calculations, is crucial for geometry, trigonometry, and many real-world tasks. In Excel you can insert π with the =PI() function, adjust its decimals, add the π symbol, and embed it in formulas. For example, =PI()*r^2 to find a circle’s area. These techniques power advanced analytics in finance, engineering, architecture, fluid dynamics, and other business scenarios where precise circular measurements matter.

Microsoft 365 Copilot can super-charge Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Teams, but IT managers must align licensing, data governance, and clear business goals before launch. In this article, we discuss how engaging stakeholders early, piloting with a small cross-functional group, and phasing the rollout lets teams refine guidance and measure real productivity gains. Role-specific, hands-on training - prompt-engineering tips, quick-start resources, and “Copilot champions” - converts into confident daily use while resolving emerging user challenges.

A stacked bar chart lets you see both totals and the category-level breakdown within each bar, making comparisons richer than a standard bar chart. The article walks you through creating one in Excel: organise data by categories, select the range, choose Insert › Stacked Column, and fine-tune titles, legends, colours, and data labels. Best practices include limiting each bar to roughly four stacks, adding concise labels, and using clearly distinguishable colours to keep the visualisation readable. W

Excel’s percentage-change formula, =(New Value – Old Value)/Old Value, turns raw figures into actionable insights. By applying it across revenue, costs, and productivity data, you can build powerful KPIs and spot upward or downward trends over time. Linking those live Excel metrics into Power BI dashboards automates analysis and keeps decision-makers up to date without manual updates. Combined with targeted, small-group Excel training, these techniques equip teams to forecast accurately, optimize resources, and respond quickly to shifting business conditions.

Microsoft Copilot, OpenAI’s ChatGPT, and Google’s Gemini are leading AI assistants, each excelling in different environments. Copilot integrates deeply with Microsoft 365 to automate documents, data analysis, and email, while ChatGPT shines in open-ended conversation, creative writing, and flexible plugin-driven workflows. Gemini prioritises speed and factual accuracy within Google Workspace, offering powerful research and summarisation capabilities. Choosing the right tool depends on your ecosystem, need for customisation, and whether productivity, creativity, or precision is the top priority.

The guide explains that percentage change in Excel is calculated with the simple formula =(New Value – Old Value)/Old Value. It walks readers through entering data, applying the formula, formatting results as percentages, and using the fill handle to extend calculations across multiple rows. Finally, real-world examples—from revenue tracking to budgeting—show how this metric supports decisions, and a Q&A section answers common Excel questions.

In this guide, we look at how Excel’s AGGREGATE function turns messy, multi-source data into reliable, actionable reports by performing sums, counts, averages, percentiles, and other calculations while automatically ignoring specified errors or hidden rows. Best practices include labelling outputs clearly, testing formulas on small samples, combining AGGREGATE with pivot tables or filters, and using Excel’s error-checking tools to troubleshoot formulas for maximum accuracy and efficiency.

The article explains how businesses can quickly calculate value-added tax in Microsoft Excel using the formula =Net*(1+VAT), where the VAT rate is set with an absolute cell reference for accuracy. It walks through setting up columns for net sales, VAT rate, and gross sales; entering the formula; copying it down multiple rows; and double-checking results. Automating VAT this way streamlines invoicing, enhances financial reporting, and minimizes manual errors.