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Excel - Excel's 'Format as Table' Feature: Avoid Common Pitfalls & Maximize Efficiency - Episode 987

225 views · Published 7 April 2009 · 2:06 · Indexed 20 September 2026

Channel: MrExcel.com · 2009 · Education

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Microsoft Excel Tutorial - Excel's 'Format as Table' Feature: Avoid Common Pitfalls & Maximize Efficiency.

Welcome back to the MrExcel Netcast, where we dive into all things Excel. In this episode, we'll be discussing a new feature in Excel 2007 - the "Format as Table" command. While this command can be great for creating visually appealing tables, there are a few things you need to watch out for.

First, let's talk about the automatic calculation feature. When you enter a formula in the first row of a table, Excel will automatically fill it down to the rest of the rows. This can be a problem if you were just trying to do a quick calculation and didn't want it to be applied to the entire column. But don't worry, there's a simple solution. Just look out for the lightning bolt icon and click on "undo calculated column" to revert back to your original formula.

Another thing to keep in mind when using the "Format as Table" command is that it can affect your pivot tables. While it may be tempting to use this feature for cosmetic purposes, be aware that it can also cause your pivot tables to automatically expand. So make sure to weigh the pros and cons before using this command.

But don't let these potential issues discourage you from using the "Format as Table" command. It can still be a useful tool for organizing and presenting your data. Just be sure to keep an eye out for any unexpected changes and use the undo feature when needed. Thanks for tuning in to this episode of the MrExcel Netcast, and I'll see you next time for more Excel tips and tricks.

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Table of Contents:
(00:00) Introduction to MrExcel Netcast with Bill Jelen 
(00:14) Switching to Excel 2007 but discussing Excel 2003 tricks 
(00:24) New feature in Excel 2007: "Format as Table" 
(00:50) Watch out for automatic calculations and use "undo calculated column" or Ctrl Z 
(01:27) Benefits of using table functionality 
(01:42) Conclusion and thank you for watching 
(01:56) Clicking Like really helps the algorithm

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When you declare a range as a table in Excel 2007, any calculations entered to the right of the table are automatically copied throughout the table. Episode 987 talks about how to solve this problem.

This video is the podcast companion to the book, Learn Excel 97-2007 from MrExcel. Download a new two minute video every workday to learn one of the 377 tips from the book!

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