This Week's /r/Excel Recap for the week of May 16 - May 22, 2026
Our take
The recent discussions highlighted in the /r/Excel recap for May 16-22, 2026, reveal a vibrant community grappling with the evolving nature of spreadsheet technology. Among the top posts, the conversation around XLOOKUP replacing VLOOKUP stands out as a significant moment for users. One commenter succinctly articulated the sentiment, stating that XLOOKUP is “like if HLOOKUP, VLOOKUP and IFERROR had a beautiful baby.” This metaphor not only underscores the enhanced functionality of XLOOKUP but also illustrates a broader trend in spreadsheet evolution: the shift toward more intuitive and user-friendly tools. As users increasingly seek to streamline their workflows, these innovative solutions are crucial for enhancing productivity and reducing task frustration.
The discussions also reflect on the common challenges faced by users, such as the post about automating account labeling for a large dataset. A solution was provided that drastically reduces the time spent on what could otherwise be a tedious manual task. This scenario highlights a key aspect of modern spreadsheet use: the need for efficiency. As users confront the limitations of traditional tools, they are looking for ways to harness technology to simplify their processes. This echoes the themes seen in related articles, such as “SUMIF Working but SUMIFS not working :([/post/sumif-working-but-sumifs-not-working-cmpinmv9l0e23s0gl52t1d8ve” that showcase users navigating the intricacies of formulas in their daily tasks.
Furthermore, the emergence of innovative solutions within Excel, as demonstrated by the QR code generator showcased without macros or add-ins, emphasizes a significant shift in how users can leverage existing tools creatively. This kind of ingenuity not only enhances the user experience but also reaffirms the importance of adaptability in a world where data management tools must evolve continually. The ability to generate solutions that do not rely on additional software demonstrates a growing trend where users are empowered to innovate within their existing frameworks.
Looking ahead, it’s essential to consider how these conversations will shape the future of spreadsheet technology. As users share experiences and solutions, we can anticipate a growing demand for tools that prioritize accessibility and user empowerment. The ongoing dialogue around Excel's capabilities invites us to ponder: how will future spreadsheet innovations continue to bridge the gap between legacy systems and the demands of modern data management? The answer may lie in further embracing AI-driven solutions that simplify complex tasks while maintaining the user-centric focus that has become increasingly vital in today’s digital landscape. As we move forward, the challenge will be to ensure that these advancements remain accessible to all users, regardless of their technical expertise.
Saturday, May 16 - Friday, May 22, 2026
Top 5 Posts
| score | comments | title & link |
|---|---|---|
| 920 | 204 comments | [Discussion] XLOOKUP replaced VLOOKUP for me and honestly I don't know why I waited so long |
| 376 | 64 comments | [Discussion] That 5-minute task in Excel |
| 133 | 50 comments | [solved] I have 400,000 lines I need to start at line 1 and label it Account1, line 2 would be Account2. Dragging takes 20 min. Any way to speed it up? |
| 81 | 40 comments | [unsolved] How to Unprotect Excel Workbook Without Password? |
| 75 | 17 comments | [Show and Tell] Showcase: QR code generator in Excel without macros, fonts, add-ins or internet access |
Unsolved Posts
| score | comments | title & link |
|---|---|---|
| 19 | 18 comments | [unsolved] How can I make dates correspond to annual events for a calendar, such as "Dec. 25th always equals Christmas"? |
| 18 | 23 comments | [unsolved] Excel and SharePoint together as a non-US person is hot garbage |
| 15 | 30 comments | [unsolved] Excel formatting things like "2-2" as date, then when reformatting to text it inserts a random number |
| 14 | 16 comments | [unsolved] Excel is not sorting "everything in Alphabetical order", when I go to Data and press sort it out from A-Z |
| 11 | 11 comments | [unsolved] Formulas that depend on sorted data, how to 'lock' them? |
Top 5 Comments
[link] [comments]
Read on the original site
Open the publisher's page for the full experience
Related Articles
- This Week's /r/Excel Recap for the week of January 31 - February 06, 2026Saturday, January 31 - Friday, February 06, 2026 Top 5 Posts score comments title & link 100 52 comments [unsolved] Struggling to work with PDF data in Excel, feel like I’m missing something obvious 8 8 comments [unsolved] Assistance needed for Sage export - how to 'clean'? 5 6 comments [unsolved] Need support on a work tracker for my employees that will be a share document 3 6 comments [unsolved] How can I add two x-axis labels in a graph? 3 9 comments [solved] Count and sum cells with items decided by comers and “x” used for multiples Unsolved Posts score comments title & link 2 4 comments [unsolved] ctrl + [ for mac 2 17 comments [unsolved] Identify duplicate overlapping events Top 5 Comments score comment 323 /u/Difficult_Phase1798 said No. XLOOKUP is far superior to VLOOKUP 280 /u/Thiseffingguy2 said It was only a matter of time before “vibe coding” came for Excel… good lord, we’re doomed. 186 /u/MayukhBhattacharya said Its mainly because of Conditional Formatting, Circular References, Volatile Functions and unwanted formatting which can be avoided to large data sets. 184 /u/crabcountyreelestate said See table.buffer for a less convoluted workaround Edit: power query analyzes all your steps and performs them in the most optimal way according to their structure. Apparently sorting two ways back to... 121 /u/dexinfan said Try disabling automatic calculation; some formulas require re-calculating the whole sheet after eg. row deletion so it slows the whole workbook down. Also, XLSB may reduce the file size but not necess... submitted by /u/subredditsummarybot [link] [comments]
- This Week's /r/Excel Recap for the week of February 14 - February 20, 2026Saturday, February 14 - Friday, February 20, 2026 Top 5 Posts score comments title & link 9 12 comments [Waiting on OP] Turning a paragraph into excel data 7 19 comments [solved] Tools limited. How to automate multiple SQL server queries -> Excel workflow at work? 5 12 comments [Waiting on OP] BYROW with dynamic range, not working as expected? 5 12 comments [unsolved] Workbook from Microsoft Form encountering very long load times from excessive complex formulas 3 9 comments [unsolved] Conditional formulas when column groups are hidden? Unsolved Posts score comments title & link 2 0 comments [unsolved] Does advanced filtering work with sheetview? Top 5 Comments score comment 225 /u/loveLisega said formulas should definitely be protected by more than a color code. lock all cells that don't need user input and lock the sheet ! 202 /u/MayukhBhattacharya said My top recommendation before anything else, learn proper data structure first. Most beginners rush into formulas or Pivot Tables. But if the data is messy, everything feels harder than it should. Prop... 149 /u/soap_coals said Couldn't you use Sumifs() 123 /u/soap_coals said The only change for me has been to add additional steps to check for it and turn it off. It's also made me distrust documents produced by people who are new to the business. 109 /u/Parker4815-2 said Saves time. Chuck files in a folder. Hit refresh. Done. The problem is it takes time to setup and might go wrong a few times as steps are missed out (human error). That's when it gets hard to... submitted by /u/subredditsummarybot [link] [comments]
- This Week's /r/Excel Recap for the week of February 07 - February 13, 2026Saturday, February 07 - Friday, February 13, 2026 Top 5 Posts score comments title & link 53 71 comments [Discussion] Has anyone here tried switching away from Microsoft Office? 25 43 comments [unsolved] How yo diagnose is a .xls is "too big" or dosent follow best practices 22 17 comments [Waiting on OP] How would I make a workbook where the first sheet VSTACKS data from all subsequent sheets and then sorts them by column? 19 27 comments [Pro Tip] How to Split Strings and Join Values 13 13 comments [Waiting on OP] Replacing an xlookup with a better way? Database? Unsolved Posts score comments title & link 10 18 comments [unsolved] Assistance needed for Sage export - how to 'clean'? 8 14 comments [unsolved] IF/THEN formula with multiple conditions? 6 2 comments [unsolved] Better US heat maps? 6 11 comments [unsolved] Importing data from Excel to Word 5 6 comments [unsolved] Power Query with sticky manual columns. Is there a fix Top 5 Comments score comment 71 /u/Downtown-Economics26 said Apologies, I missed the one cell part of it. You can make a dynamic array list with FILTER then reference that list in data validation. =FILTER(H2:H13,IF(A1="",I2:I13="",I2:I13=A1),""... 71 /u/0xhOd9MRwPdk0Xp3 said Probably cell validation with silent error but if I find out you are getting fired for sure 70 /u/pauloh1998 said Holy shit And here I thought making a Star Wars xwing game in Delphi was an accomplishment 64 /u/cookie_soft_57 said **Update: I am absolutely blown away by the response! 5k views and top 2 on the sub?! Thank you so much for the support and even the donations on itch.io. I'm heading back to my desk in 30 minutes and... 63 /u/Inevitable_Exam_2177 said Hey they only just added (decent) checkboxes, give em some time! (Honestly, this would be great. I’d also like to see a “star rating” interface type.) submitted by /u/subredditsummarybot [link] [comments]
- This Week's /r/Excel Recap for the week of March 07 - March 13, 2026Saturday, March 07 - Friday, March 13, 2026 Top 5 Posts score comments title & link 415 81 comments [Discussion] vlookup + curly brackets 134 123 comments [Discussion] What is the most complex spreadsheet you have ever created? 48 59 comments [solved] how to hide xlookup if there is nothing to look up 15 32 comments [unsolved] Cleaning up Excel → PowerPoint workflow for monthly management reports 14 10 comments [unsolved] Best way to share Office Scripts? Unsolved Posts score comments title & link 5 4 comments [unsolved] What is the best way to check if the file exists, is not open, and is a CSV file? 4 3 comments [unsolved] Extracting reports from a website based medical records system, refining the data, and consolidating it in a sheet 4 6 comments [unsolved] Calculating a date based on three criteria 3 1 comments [unsolved] Insert row that once data from column A to W is filled in, it moves the row down? I saw something about adding a button to manually make it shift with developer insert. That would be ok, but it seems like its conflicting with the columns I have as drop down options. 3 6 comments [unsolved] Excel's Data>From Web feature no longer pulling in financial data from SEC.gov's EDGAR. Top 5 Comments score comment 258 /u/smcutterco said A global medical nonprofit operating in third world countries was doing their local employee payroll in Excel with minimal data validation or data integrity controls. They had sixteen managers submitt... 221 /u/thisismyburnerac said wtf is this sorcery? I might actually stay until 5 today to try this out. 145 /u/redmera said Excel freelancing was highly oversaturated market even before generative AI. It's possible to make money on it, but it's extremely difficult given the competition. However, Excel as a skill is like a... 119 /u/Kooky_Outcome_5053 said You are on the right path, power query, power pivot, data modeling, M and DAX, power bi, python in excel. VBA not so much 86 /u/philsov said not easily. Could you just not make the "sum up the column" function on Row 1 and freeze there instead? Else you might want to run with Split window. submitted by /u/subredditsummarybot [link] [comments]