Unlock the potential of Python in Excel with this essential first episode in a three-part series.  

Designed for accountants, finance professionals and Excel power users, this episode introduces the basics of integrating Python code directly into Excel cells.  

Learn how Python enhances Excel’s capabilities for data handling and visualisation without replacing core Excel functions. 

You’ll discover how Python in Excel works and how code is processed using Microsoft’s Azure platform.  

Understand the key steps to get started, including how to enter code using the =PY function and the role of the new Python editor in the Formulas tab. 

Also explained is how Python variables behave across sheets, the concept of data frames and how Python’s popular Pandas library comes into play when working with datasets.  

You’ll also learn how to manage calculation options and understand the new dependency logic within Python-enabled workbooks. 

Whether you're completely new to Python or already familiar with this programming language, this episode gives you the foundational knowledge needed to begin using Python confidently inside Excel.  

And don’t miss the fun trivia at the end to learn the surprising origin of Python’s name.  

Tune in now.  

Host: Neale Blackwood CPA. He has more than 20 years of experience as a Microsoft Excel educator and is the author of more than 200 INTHEBLACK articles as well as a book, Advanced Excel Reporting for Management Accountants. 

You can find a CPA at our custom portal on the CPA Australia website.  

Would you like to listen to more Excel Tips episodes? Head to CPA Australia’s YouTube channel.  

CPA Australia publishes four podcasts, providing commentary and thought leadership across business, finance, and accounting:  

With Interest 

INTHEBLACK  

INTHEBLACK Out Loud 

Excel Tips 

Search for them in your podcast platform.  

Email the podcast team at [email protected]  

Unlock the potential of Python in Excel with this essential first episode in a three-part series.  

Designed for accountants, finance professionals and Excel power users, this episode introduces the basics of integrating Python code directly into Excel cells.  

Learn how Python enhances Excel’s capabilities for data handling and visualisation without replacing core Excel functions. 

You’ll discover how Python in Excel works and how code is processed using Microsoft’s Azure platform.  

Understand the key steps to get started, including how to enter code using the =PY function and the role of the new Python editor in the Formulas tab. 

Also explained is how Python variables behave across sheets, the concept of data frames and how Python’s popular Pandas library comes into play when working with datasets.  

You’ll also learn how to manage calculation options and understand the new dependency logic within Python-enabled workbooks. 

Whether you're completely new to Python or already familiar with this programming language, this episode gives you the foundational knowledge needed to begin using Python confidently inside Excel.  

And don’t miss the fun trivia at the end to learn the surprising origin of Python’s name.  

Tune in now.  

Host: Neale Blackwood CPA. He has more than 20 years of experience as a Microsoft Excel educator and is the author of more than 200 INTHEBLACK articles as well as a book, Advanced Excel Reporting for Management Accountants. 

You can find a CPA at our custom portal on the CPA Australia website.  

Would you like to listen to more Excel Tips episodes? Head to CPA Australia’s YouTube channel.  

CPA Australia publishes four podcasts, providing commentary and thought leadership across business, finance, and accounting:  

With Interest 

INTHEBLACK  

INTHEBLACK Out Loud 

Excel Tips 

Search for them in your podcast platform.  

Email the podcast team at [email protected]  

Excel’s new functions, GROUPBY and PIVOTBY, offer a smarter way to build reports.  

Instead of relying on traditional pivot tables, these new tools allow you to summarise datasets using dynamic, formula-based solutions that update automatically when the underlying data changes. 

In this episode: 

• Understand the key differences between GROUPBY and PIVOTBY 

• See how these tools can save time and reduce manual errors 

• Explore practical applications for accountants and analysts 

• Discover how to modernise reporting with flexible, auto-updating formulas 

For fast reference use the episode timestamps.  

00:17 - Two new functions that can change report creation 00:35 - PivotTables can create summary report based on a data set 00:52 - The limitation of PivotTables – Refreshing the data 01:06 - New functions GROUPBY and PIVOTBY 01:12 - Use a function to create a PivotTable report – no Refresh needed 01:36 - GROUPBY reports – row-based reports 01:41 - PIVOTBY reports - row and column-based reports 01:59 - Best practice data source – a formatted table 02:14 - GROUPBY arguments listed and explained 02:46 - Multiple columns and subtotals are possible but require other functions 03:09 - Two functions that combine columns – HSTACK and CHOOSECOLS 04:03 - Structured references include table names and column names 04:18 - Formatted tables automatically expand when new data is added 04:35 - Formatting subtotal rows differently using conditional formats 05:05 - Filtering and sorting is possible in the GROUPBY report 05:25 - Companion video has an example of a Slicer as filter 05:43 - Controlling sorting 06:18 - New function to add percentages to reports called PERCENT OF 06:42 - Companion video has a hack to easily combine SUM and PERCENT OF 07:02 - Multiple calculations add headings to the report – they can be removed 07:09 - Remove heading with the DROP function 07:25 - PIVOTBY function description and explanation 08:09 - Dates can be problematic as you want to group them by month 08:31 - Companion video shows the TEXT function solving the problem 08:53 - Allowing the user to modify the report 09:15 - INDIRECT function solution 10:05 - Explanation of the INDIRECT function 10:38 - Adding extra calculations to the report 11:07 - The LET function allows you to capture and modify the report 

Whether optimising month-end processes or improving team workflows, GROUPBY and PIVOTBY help turn complex datasets into clear, actionable reports. 

Listen now to stay up to date with these Excel capabilities. 

Host: Neale Blackwood CPA. He has more than 20 years of experience as a Microsoft Excel educator and is the author of more than 200 INTHEBLACK articles as well as a book, Advanced Excel Reporting for Management Accountants. 

You can find a CPA at our custom portal on the CPA Australia website.  

Would you like to listen to more Excel Tips episodes? Head to CPA Australia’s YouTube channel.  

CPA Australia publishes four podcasts, providing commentary and thought leadership across business, finance, and accounting:  

With Interest 

INTHEBLACK  

INTHEBLACK Out Loud 

Excel Tips 

Search for them in your podcast platform.  

Email the podcast team at [email protected]  

Need to turn stock market data into smart, professional reports? Discover how to use Excel’s new and powerful Stock History function to quickly transform raw share price data into clear, insightful reports.  

Learn how to streamline reporting, visualise trends and make better-informed decisions with ease. 

In this episode, gain the skills to: 

• Access daily, weekly or monthly data, including volume, opening/closing prices and highs/lows
• Set up stock codes, choose custom date ranges and define intervals with ease
• Use Power Query to import real-time stock exchange data directly into Excel
• Build interactive, professional-grade charts (including stock and combo charts) to visualise trends 

Whether you're preparing reports for clients, internal dashboards or just keeping a close eye on the stock market, this episode gives you the tools, steps and techniques you need to do it with confidence using Excel.  

For fast reference, use the episode timestamps: 

• 0:00 – Introduction to Excel Tips podcast 
• 0:18 – Overview of Stock History function  
• 0:31 – Using Stock History for reporting share price information  
• 1:00 – Internet access requirement for Stock History  
• 1:11 – Disclaimer for information accuracy  
• 1:35 – Options for reporting frequency (daily, weekly, monthly)  
• 2:08 – Setting up share code and trading day considerations  
• 2:47 – Defining start and end dates for reports  
• 3:45 – Reporting intervals and their corresponding numbers  
• 4:39 – Using MATCH function for human-friendly reporting  
• 4:59 – Customising report headers  
• 5:23 – Defining properties for the Stock History function  
• 5:35 – How to add multiple properties to reports   
• 6:30 – Importing stock exchange names and codes  
• 6:40 – Using Power Query for stock data updates  
• 7:20 – Overview of Excel stock chart features  
• 7:30 – Understanding stock price movements in charts  
• 8:25 – Overview of monthly vs weekly stock charts  
• 9:44 – Creating combo charts for better comparisons  
• 10:30 – Introduction to Sparkline charts  
• 10:05 – Converting vertical to horizontal data for Sparklines  
• 10:35 – Adjusting Sparkline chart vertical axes  
• 11:03 – Updating Sparklines for spill ranges  
• 11:18 – Function updates and internet speed considerations  
• 11:32 – Conclusion on the usefulness of Stock History 

Listen now to level-up your stock market share price reporting skills in Excel.  

Host: Neale Blackwood CPA. He has more than 20 years of experience as a Microsoft Excel educator and is the author of more than 200 INTHEBLACK articles as well as a book, Advanced Excel Reporting for Management Accountants. 

You can find a CPA at our custom portal on the CPA Australia website.  

Would you like to listen to more Excel Tips episodes? Head to CPA Australia’s YouTube channel.  

CPA Australia publishes four podcasts, providing commentary and thought leadership across business, finance, and accounting:  

• With Interest
• INTHEBLACK 
• INTHEBLACK Out Loud
• Excel Tips 

Search for them in your podcast platform.  

Email the podcast team at [email protected]  

The Pareto principle is a powerful concept for business.  

In this episode we’ll explore this principle (also known as the 80/20 rule) and learn how to apply it effectively in Excel for smarter, data-driven decisions. 

Discover how to pinpoint vital data – such as the 20 per cent of clients generating 80 per cent of your revenue as an example – to create valuable insights. 

We’ll also dive into Excel's powerful analytical tools, including Pareto charts, the UNIQUE function, SUMIFS, and the power of PivotTables to bring your Pareto analysis data to life.  

You’ll understand how to combine these features with techniques such as conditional formatting and custom charting to segment your data, visualise the 80/20 distribution and prioritise your efforts for maximum effect.  

For fast reference, use the episode timestamps: 

• 0:07 – Introduction to the Pareto principle and Excel  
• 0:40 – Explanation of the 80/20 rule   
• 1:10 – Background on Pareto and the principle   
• 1:40 – Overview of Excel features related to Pareto analysis   
• 2:25 – Explanation of the Pareto chart   
• 3:25 – Limitations of the built-in Excel Pareto chart   
• 4:00 – Creating a combo chart to mimic the Pareto chart   
• 4:15 – Use of UNIQUE, SORT and SUMIFS functions in Pareto analysis 
• 4:45 – Overview of pivot tables and their role in Pareto analysis   
• 5:10 – Adding cumulative percentage to pivot tables   
• 6:25 – Tracking client progression over time with Pareto analysis   
• 6:55 – Using pivot table filters to identify top 80% clients  
• 7:45 – Introduction to slicers in pivot tables for segmentation   
• 8:22 – Segmentation with formulas and the FILTER function   
• 8:43 – Overview of conditional formatting related to Pareto analysis   
• 9:05 – Adding interaction to conditional formats   
• 9:44 – Importance of investigating the universality of the 80/20 rule   
• 10:00 – Conclusion and encouragement to focus on key factors in analysis   

Listen to this episode now to gain practical tips and techniques to apply the Pareto principle across various business scenarios, helping you work smarter, not harder. 

Listen now.  

Host: Neale Blackwood CPA. He has more than 20 years of experience as a Microsoft Excel educator and is the author of more than 200 INTHEBLACK articles as well as a book, Advanced Excel Reporting for Management Accountants. 

You can find a CPA at our custom portal on the CPA Australia website.  

Would you like to listen to more Excel Tips episodes? Head to CPA Australia’s YouTube channel.  

CPA Australia publishes four podcasts, providing commentary and thought leadership across business, finance, and accounting:  

• With Interest
• INTHEBLACK 
• INTHEBLACK Out Loud
• Excel Tips 

Search for them in your podcast platform.  

Email the podcast team at [email protected]

What if you could seamlessly collect and analyse data right inside Excel?  

In this episode, learn more about Microsoft Forms, a powerful tool in Microsoft 365 (which, by the time you read this may be renamed Microsoft 365 CoPilot).  

Discover how Forms integrates directly into Excel, making it easier than ever to gather feedback, conduct quizzes, and streamline processes like expense approvals and recruitment. 

For fast reference, use the episode timestamps: 

• 0:00 – Introduction to Excel Tips podcast
• 0:10 – Overview of Microsoft Forms
• 0:30 – Microsoft 365 subscription and CoPilot overview
• 1:35 – Update on Excel forms in the Insert ribbon
• 2:00 – Importing from Word or PDF documents
• 2:21 – Sharing forms and mobile compatibility
• 2:55 – Types of questions in forms (introduction)
• 3:10 – Straightforward choice: single and multiple selections
• 3:45 – Required questions and image inclusion
• 4:05 – Shuffle answers feature and branching based on responses
• 5:16 – Free-form text answer option
• 5:20 – Rating questions with symbols
• 5:45 – Date picker functionality
• 5:55 – Ranking type questions with drag-and-drop
• 6:25 – Introduction of Likert questions
• 6:55 – Using sections with Likert questions
• 7:20 – File upload feature in forms
• 7:35 – Net promoter score questions
• 8:11 – Sharing forms: URL, QR code, and embedding
• 8:30 – Limiting form access: public vs. organizational
• 8:40 – Built-in reporting mechanism for responses
• 9:15 – Closing remarks on Microsoft Forms capabilities 

xplore how to import questions from Word or PDFs, share Forms via email, QR codes, or websites, and ensure a smooth mobile experience.  

You’ll also learn about the diverse question types - choice, ratings, date pickers, file uploads, and even Net Promoter Score - and how Forms' reporting and branching features can enhance your workflows. 

If you're in accounting, business or finance, and want to optimise data collection and reporting, this episode is a must-listen. 

Level up your skills by tuning in now.  

Host: Neale Blackwood CPA has more than 20 years of experience as a Microsoft Excel educator. He is the author of more than 200 INTHEBLACK articles as well as a book, Advanced Excel Reporting for Management Accountants. 

Additional show notes, links, etc.  

CPA Australia publishes four podcasts, providing commentary and thought leadership across business, finance, and accounting:  

• INTHEBLACK 
• INTHEBLACK Out Loud
• With Interest
• Excel Tips 

Search for them in your podcast platform.  

You can email the podcast team at [email protected]  

Ready to unlock a hidden gem in your Microsoft Excel subscription?  

In this episode you’ll discover the power of checkboxes with practical examples to explore how this new function can streamline your workflow.  

This includes how to use TRUE/FALSE values in formulas and conditional formatting to dynamically control calculations and visuals. Learn from examples such as inflation adjustments in a budget model and applying a strikethrough format to a to-do list.  

Additionally, gain insight into how checkboxes are used in the logical test of the IF function and learn essential keyboard shortcuts for an efficiency boost. 

For fast reference, use the episode timestamps: 

• 00:21 Introducing the new checkbox feature  

• 01:03 How checkboxes work in Excel  

• 02:35 Using checkboxes in budget models  

• 03:23 Keyboard shortcuts for checkboxes  

• 04:19 Protecting checkbox cells 

• 04:50 Checkboxes with the IF function 

• 05:32 Using checkboxes for task management 

• 07:55 Checkboxes in formatted tables 

• 09:20 Conclusion and further resources 

You’ll find the new checkboxes function in the insert ribbon between illustrations and charts in the subscription version.  

Level up your Excel game by tuning in now.  

Host: Neale Blackwood CPA has more than 20 years of experience as a Microsoft Excel educator. He is the author of more than 200 INTHEBLACK articles as well as a book, Advanced Excel Reporting for Management Accountants. 

CPA Australia publishes four podcasts, providing commentary and thought leadership across business, finance, and accounting:   

• INTHEBLACK  

• INTHEBLACK Out Loud 

• With Interest 

• Excel Tips 

Search for them in your podcast platform.  

You can email the podcast team at [email protected]  

Ever struggled to extract crucial financial data from PDF files into Excel? 

As accountants and finance professionals, this can be a regular occurrence.  

To help you, this episode explores Microsoft Excel’s Power Query feature. You’ll uncover how to seamlessly import data from system-generated PDFs like invoices and statements. 

From tackling tricky formatting issues to cleaning up messy rows, learn through real-world examples using an Australian Tax Office (ATO) PDF as a case study.  

Additionally, you’ll gain smart strategies for handling regularly updated PDFs to automate your workflows.  

For fast access, use these timestamps:

• 0:17 - Introduction to Importing Data from PDFs using Excel's Power Query feature.
• 0:37 - Types of PDFs and Their Reliability
• 1:05 - Use Cases for Importing PDF data
• 3:17 - Accessing Power Query and Importing a PDF
• 4:15 - Tables vs. Pages in PDFs
• 5:40 - The Complexity of Importing PDF Data
• 6:25 - Removing Repeated Headers
• 7:05 - Addressing Errors and Dealing with Extra Rows
• 9:20 - Creating a Filter Column
• 9:45 - Reversing Rows Again
• 10:05 - PDF File Names
• 11:20 - Reusing Power Queries
• 11:42 - Conclusion

If you’re ready to save time and streamline your data handling processes, this episode is a must-listen. 

Host: Neale Blackwood CPA has more than 20 years of experience as a Microsoft Excel educator. He is the author of more than 200 INTHEBLACK articles as well as a book, Advanced Excel Reporting for Management Accountants.

CPA Australia publishes four podcasts, providing commentary and thought leadership across business, finance, and accounting:  

• With Interest
• INTHEBLACK 
• INTHEBLACK Out Loud
• Excel Tips 

Search for them in your podcast platform.  

You can email the podcast team at [email protected]  

Excel doesn’t have a built-in timeline chart but we’ll show you how to create one. In this episode you’ll learn how using a scatter chart can help you build a timeline chart.

For easy reference, here are the episode timestamps:

• 0:17 - About timeline charts in Excel
• 1:33 - Hacking the scatter chart to make a timeline chart
• 2:43 - Formatting dates using the range
• 3:32 - Universal formatting shortcut
• 4:27 - Working with the data series and points
• 5:40 - The structure of the data to build the chart
• 7:21 - Linking the title to the cell
• 8:07 - The date format used by Excel and keyboard shortcuts
• 9:29 - Timeline charts overview and recap

Whether you’re tracking historical events or planning future milestones, a timeline chart is a useful tool to create in Excel.

Tune in now to learn this simple technique and start creating your own timeline charts.

Host: Neale Blackwood CPA has more than 20 years of experience as a Microsoft Excel educator. He is the author of more than 200 INTHEBLACK articles as well as a book, Advanced Excel Reporting for Management Accountants.

CPA Australia publishes four podcasts, providing commentary and thought leadership across business, finance, and accounting:

• INTHEBLACK
• INTHEBLACK Out Loud
• With Interest
• Excel Tips

Search for them in your podcast platform.

Calendars are your go-to tool for planning. In this Excel Tips episode, you'll learn the steps to create a single-month calendar from scratch.

Discover how to combine advanced functions to build a two-dimensional calendar structure, and how to format your dates and highlight weekends and holidays.

You'll also gain knowledge of how to customise the calendar to fit your specific needs.

For quick reference, here are the timestamps:

• 0:17 – Introduction to building a calendar
• 2:12 – Functions used in this tutorial
• 4:29 – How the different functions work
• 8:11 – Using formulas to create headings
• 10:30 – Changing the calendar to start the week on Monday
• 11:53 – Building a custom function with LAMBDA
• 13:28 – Applying conditional formatting for weekends
• 14:59 – Shortcuts covered in the tutorial
• 15:58 – Recap and summary of what we've learned

Tune in now to easily create personalised calendars that suit your planning needs.

Host: Neale Blackwood CPA has more than 20 years of experience as a Microsoft Excel educator. He is the author of more than 200 INTHEBLACK articles as well as a book, Advanced Excel Reporting for Management Accountants.

CPA Australia publishes four podcasts, providing commentary and thought leadership across business, finance, and accounting:

• INTHEBLACK
• INTHEBLACK Out Loud
• With Interest
• Excel Tips

Search for them in your podcast platform.

You can email the podcast team at [email protected]