25 Excel Updates You Need to Try Now

1/20/2025

Excel’s newest updates bring smarter tools, enhanced usability, and features to revolutionize your workflow.

 

Watch the Video Overview

 

Exciting New Features in Excel

Excel continues to innovate with 25 exciting new features across desktop, web, and mobile platforms. From advanced tools like Python integration to usability upgrades such as the modernized grid for the web, these updates can elevate your experience regardless of your skill level.

Note: Features that are still in Beta testing are noted where applicable.

 

1. High Contrast Only in Color Picker

The color picker now recommends the best font color for your selected fill color (or the best fill color for your current font color). This ensures maximum readability in your workbooks.

 

2. Checkboxes

Checkboxes are now generally available and can be used for both simple checklists and more advanced solutions where dynamic values are required.

 

3. Focus Cell

The Focus Cell feature highlights the active cell, making navigation easier. You can toggle it on/off with the Focus Cell button and also select the highlighting color.

It also turns on automatically when you use Ctrl + F or the Find window.

 

4. New Theme

The updated Office theme introduces fresh fonts and color palettes.

 

5. GROUPBY and PIVOTBY

These new functions allow you to create summary reports with a single formula, offering a streamlined alternative to pivot tables.

 

6. TRIMRANGE and Trim References (Beta)

The TRIMRANGE function trims unused blank cells in column references, enhancing calculation speed and automatically updating when new data is added.

 

7. Improvements to Text Functions and Compatibility Versions (Beta)

Compatibility Versions let you update functions without affecting older models. For example, LEN now properly handles emojis when using the latest version of the function.

 

8. TRANSLATE & DETECTLANGUAGE Functions (Beta)

Translate cell values into any language and detect the language of a text string directly in Excel.

 

9. REGEX Functions

Regex functions like REGEXTEST, REGEXEXTRACT, and REGEXREPLACE bring advanced text pattern capabilities to Excel, enabling tasks like extracting dates or phone numbers.

 

10. Regex Modes for XLOOKUP and XMATCH (Beta)

XLOOKUP and XMATCH now support regex matching, adding even more flexibility to these already powerful functions.

 

11. Modernized Grid for Web

The web version of Excel has been further improved with a modernized grid for smoother navigation and usability. The most popular new feature is an easier way to insert new columns and rows.

 

12. Export to CSV for Web

The web version now supports exporting to CSV files, making it easier to share data using Excel for free.

 

13. Date Picker for Web

Double-clicking a cell containing a date in the web version brings up a date picker, simplifying date entry.

 

14. More Improvements for Web

Web users can now:

• Drag and drop rows and columns.

• Use more paste options.

• Autofill numbers and dates more efficiently.

 

15. Chart Data Task Pane for Web

The Chart Data Task Pane has been enhanced, providing easier access to data selection and visualization options.

 

16. Share Links to Sheet Views

Create links to specific Sheet Views, so coworkers can open a workbook and see it exactly as you intended.

 

17. Sync Forms Data for Web and Desktop

Generate Microsoft Forms directly from Excel and sync the results in real time. With this feature, you can create Microsoft Forms directly from Excel and sync the responses seamlessly across both platforms. As new data is submitted through the form, the linked Excel workbook updates automatically, saving time and eliminating manual data entry. This is especially useful for creating surveys, tracking registrations, or collecting real-time feedback.

 

18. KeyTips for Mac (Beta)

Mac users can now create keyboard shortcuts for ribbon buttons using ALT/Option sequences.

 

19. Power Query Refresh Data from Folder on Mac (Beta)

Mac users can refresh data from folders, making it easier to combine data from multiple files.

 

20. Copilot in Excel

Copilot is now available for Excel, helping users:

• Write formulas.
• Apply conditional formatting.
• Analyze data.

 

21. Python in Excel

Python integration allows you to analyze data, create advanced charts, and perform calculations directly within Excel.

 

22. Python Editor

The new Python Editor simplifies writing and debugging Python code, providing a visual breakdown of execution steps.

 

23. Copilot in Excel with Python (Beta)

Copilot now integrates with Python, offering advanced analysis, error detection, and code-writing assistance.

 

24. Sheet Protection on iPad

iPad users can now apply sheet protection, expanding functionality for mobile users.

 

25. Pivot Tables on iPad

The iPad version also supports creating and editing pivot tables, making it a more viable tool for professional use.

 

Source: excelcampus.com