Excel alternatives
Excel alternatives on Beyond Market Intelligence: a running collection of 83 stories we have gathered and hand-picked because they are worth your time. Every post here touches on excel alternatives in some way — the news, the analysis, the deep dives, and the occasional surprise find. Acme AI is the next-generation, AI-powered spreadsheet platform built to replace Excel and redefine how analysts, data scientists, and enterprise teams work with data. New stories are added to this page as we find them, so check back if you want to keep up with what is happening around excel alternatives, or subscribe to the RSS feed to get them as soon as they are published. Browse the collection below, or head back to the homepage to see everything Beyond Market Intelligence is covering right now.
American AI startup Poolside launches free, high-performing open model Laguna XS.2 for local agentic coding
American AI startup Poolside has made waves by launching Laguna XS.2, a free, high-performing open model optimized for local agentic coding. Unlike proprietary giants, Poolside’s new offering emphasizes affordability and accessibility, allowing developers to run the 33-billion parameter model on personal hardware without an internet connection. This innovative release, alongside the Laguna M.1 model, positions Poolside as a key player in the open AI landscape, inviting the community to experiment and build on cutting-edge technology designed for real-world applications.
Sync or map data of two automated columns to the filtering systems of other columns
In this scenario, you aim to sync columns C (Assigned Codes) and D (Positions) with the filtering systems of columns A (Country) and B (Leader Assigned). Using dynamic array filters allows real-time updates from the source workbook, but you face a challenge: the codes and positions do not align correctly when filtering. As a result, selecting a country like the USA only reveals partial data. We'll explore solutions to effectively map these columns to ensure accurate filtering and complete visibility of your data.
Maps that are not yet available in Excel 365
Creating unique visualizations in Excel 365 can be challenging, especially when working with specialized maps, like a municipality divided by parishes in Portugal. While Excel has robust mapping capabilities, it may not support all external map formats, such as DWG or various GIS formats like Shapefile and KML. Importing these maps directly into Excel is not straightforward. However, exploring alternative methods or creating your charts in CAD software could streamline your workflow.
Rearranging data to make a line chart with multiple series
Creating multiple line charts in Excel can enhance your data visualization, but it often requires careful arrangement of your data. To plot each series from Column A against the Sampling Date on the x-axis and your chosen variable from Columns C-E on the y-axis, you’ll need to ensure Excel recognizes these series correctly. If your initial attempt resulted in a single series, consider exploring features like PivotTables or the "Data Table" function to automate the rearrangement of your data.
How to get Pivot Table to display text in a value column?
If you're working with Pivot Tables and encountering issues with Lot codes displaying as zeros instead of their intended text, you're not alone. This common challenge often arises when numeric formats are incorrectly applied to text data. Fortunately, there are settings and techniques to ensure that your Lot codes are displayed correctly. By adjusting the field settings or exploring alternative methods to attach the Lot codes, you can effectively consolidate your company database and enhance your data analysis.
how did you improve your workplace's legacy vba macros?
Transitioning to a non-clinical role in a public health care system can be challenging, especially when navigating legacy VBA macros with limited documentation. A cumbersome workflow, involving multiple steps from data extraction to running macros, can hinder productivity. As a newcomer, you might feel overwhelmed by the complexities of these tools. However, exploring alternatives like Office Scripts in TypeScript could streamline your processes, making them more manageable.
Rows in file not getting deleted
If you're facing issues with deleting rows in your Excel dataset, where only the cell content disappears but the empty row remains, you're not alone. This frustrating challenge can disrupt your workflow, especially when it affects multiple sheets. Common solutions like using Ctrl + - or converting to tables may not always resolve the issue. Understanding the root cause can help restore your productivity and peace of mind. Let's explore possible explanations and effective strategies to regain control over your data management.
Boxing Sim Game made in Excel
Introducing my boxing simulation game, created entirely in Excel, where you can experience the thrill of the ring right from your computer. After refining my initial concept, I’m excited to share the playable file and gameplay video. Your feedback on performance and pacing would be invaluable, especially regarding the commentary system I've developed to enhance the experience. This project represents two months of dedicated work, and I look forward to discussing its features and improvements.
Arcee's new, open source Trinity-Large-Thinking is the rare, powerful U.S.-made AI model that enterprises can download and customize
Arcee has unveiled Trinity-Large-Thinking, an innovative 399-billion parameter AI model designed for enterprises seeking customization and control. Released under the open Apache 2.0 license, this U.S.-made model empowers developers to tailor solutions without the limitations of proprietary systems. As competitors shift toward closed architectures, Arcee positions itself as a leader in the open-source AI landscape, addressing the growing demand for domestic alternatives.
Assistance with advanced filter options
If you're grappling with filtering data in an Excel report generated from less-than-ideal software, you’re not alone. The challenge arises when filtering for specific names, like Bob, inadvertently hides crucial comments associated with those entries. Instead of relying solely on the standard filter function, consider alternative approaches, such as using advanced filtering techniques or creating a pivot table. These strategies can help you view Bob's name alongside his comments seamlessly, transforming your data into a more user-friendly format.
Imagine if your Teams or Slack messages automatically turned into secure context for your AI agents — PromptQL built it
Imagine a workspace where your Teams or Slack messages seamlessly transform into secure context for your AI agents. PromptQL is redefining the digital workspace by addressing the inefficiencies of traditional tools, turning casual conversations into actionable insights. This AI-native platform captures team interactions organically, creating a shared memory that enhances collaboration and productivity. By automating task assignments and maintaining a living internal wiki, PromptQL empowers organizations to move beyond mere communication, fostering a future-focused environment where AI and human efforts align effortlessly.
I there anything I can do about inconsistent keyboard shortcuts?
Inconsistent keyboard shortcuts can be incredibly frustrating, especially when they disrupt your workflow. Many users, like yourself, encounter different scrolling behaviors between Excel and SharePoint, leading to accidental zooming and confusion. While the Ctrl+Shift+Mousewheel shortcut works seamlessly in Excel, it reverts to zooming in SharePoint, causing unnecessary interruptions. If you're struggling to find a solution or adjust settings to create consistency across both platforms, you're not alone. Let's explore options that could help streamline your experience and enhance your productivity.
I'm sharing my professional expense tracker and the web app I created to automate it. Both are free to use.
I’m excited to share my professional expense tracker along with a web app I created to automate the process, both available for free. After years of refining a powerful spreadsheet that provides a clear annual view of my cost of living and savings rate, I sought to enhance that experience. Many existing apps fell short of my needs, so I designed a solution that maintains the expansive feel of a spreadsheet while streamlining workflows.
This Week's /r/Excel Recap for the week of March 21 - March 27, 2026
Welcome to this week’s recap of /r/Excel for March 21 - March 27, 2026. Dive into the top discussions, including tips on automating Power Query refreshes in SharePoint and engaging debates about nested arrays and alternatives to grouped rows. Unsolved queries, like filtering duplicates and tracking workouts in spreadsheets, highlight the ongoing challenges users face. Explore the insightful comments that have sparked conversations, offering solutions and shared experiences within the Excel community. Join us as we navigate the latest trends and insights in Excel productivity!
Get all unique values in column of pipe-separated values
If you're working with a column of pipe-separated values and need to extract all unique entries, you're not alone. For instance, with a dataset like "A|D," "B|A," and "C," your goal is to achieve a unique list of A, B, C, and D. While the standard approach using TEXTJOIN and TEXTSPLIT can be effective for smaller datasets, it faces limitations with larger, lengthy strings. Let’s explore practical alternatives to help you efficiently pull unique values without hitting character limits, ensuring your data management remains streamlined.
How do you vary colors of bar graph by day of the week?
Are you looking to vary the colors of your bar graph in Excel by day of the week? It’s a common challenge that many users face when trying to enhance their visual data presentation. While Excel offers a "vary colors by point" option, it often defaults to a limited palette that may not suit your needs.
Fetch form responses using Graph API
If you're using Microsoft Forms to collect data that is recorded in Excel, leveraging the Graph API can streamline your workflow. However, if you're facing challenges fetching updated data programmatically, it can hinder efficiency, especially when running daily cron jobs. Without access to Power Automate, exploring alternative methods to retrieve your data seamlessly is crucial. This discussion aims to identify effective solutions that ensure you can access the latest information without manually opening Excel on the web, enhancing your overall data management process.
Is there a better alternative to grouped rows?
Managing large datasets in traditional spreadsheets can be a challenge, especially when dealing with multiple layers of grouped rows. In your case, an Excel sheet with 4,000 items, complex labor costs, and extensive conditional formatting can lead to crashes and slow performance. Exploring modern alternatives could streamline your process. Solutions like web apps with integrated databases may offer a more efficient way to organize and filter data.
Excel macros work locally but not properly from SharePoint (data validation errors)
Hello everyone, I’m currently troubleshooting an issue with an Excel (.xlsm) file stored in SharePoint that relies on macros. While macros function perfectly when the file is copied locally, users encounter data validation errors when accessing it directly from SharePoint. This discrepancy raises questions about macro execution and data validation dependencies in this environment. I’m seeking insights on whether macros can fully run from SharePoint, potential causes for these errors, and the best practices for ensuring smooth functionality. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.
Data validation is not displaying error alert for blank cells even when "Ignore blank" is not checked
If you're facing an issue with data validation in Excel 365, where error alerts for blank cells aren't triggered despite "Ignore blank" being unchecked, you're not alone. This situation often arises with tables containing year, month, and day columns. While your validation settings seem correct, encountering a lack of alerts for empty cells can be frustrating. In this discussion, we’ll explore potential causes and solutions, ensuring your spreadsheet achieves the desired functionality and effectively handles blank entries as you intend.
Invert Multiple Colors in Alternate Rows
If you're looking to invert multiple colors in alternate rows on your spreadsheet, there's a straightforward solution that can save you time and effort. Instead of manually selecting and adjusting 500 rows, consider using a formula or VBA script to automate the process. This method allows you to efficiently redefine row colors that are currently filled, transforming your sheet with minimal hassle. Embrace this innovative approach to streamline your data management and enhance the visual appeal of your spreadsheet. Explore the possibilities today!
Autosums, Checkboxes, and Various Options from Dropdowns
Managing an NCAA pool can be complex, but automating scoring can simplify the process significantly. By utilizing dropdown menus for team selections and checkboxes on a master scoring sheet, you can streamline point calculations for each entry. When a team wins, checking the corresponding box will automatically update the scores across all entry tabs based on the team's seed and the round of play.
24 Codecademy Alternatives For 2026 — For Every Goal, Budget, and Learning Style
In a world overflowing with coding platforms, finding the right fit for your learning style, goals, and budget can be a daunting task. While many platforms promise to teach you how to code, the true challenge lies in discovering one that aligns with your unique needs from the outset. This curated list of 24 Codecademy alternatives for 2026 empowers you to explore diverse options, ensuring you invest your time wisely in building essential skills rather than starting anew.
I desire to combine values based on date, and then multiply those values by another tables date value
Navigating the complexities of cost basis determination for bitcoin can be challenging, especially with a substantial dataset like yours. You have a detailed spreadsheet of mined transactions alongside a table of daily bitcoin values, totaling around 10,000 entries. To streamline your calculations, consider summing the amounts for each date before multiplying by that day's bitcoin value. Alternatively, you could multiply each individual entry by the corresponding daily value and then aggregate the results. This approach will clarify your cost basis effectively.