Power Query first
Shape, merge, and refresh data with repeatable M steps. Prefer refreshable queries over copy-paste pipelines that break every month.
Power Query techniques →Companion brand for spreadsheet craft
Smarter Excel work, less busywork
Practical patterns for automation, Power Query, VBA, and AI-assisted spreadsheets — built for people who ship real workbooks, not slide decks about them.
What Nifty Excel is for
A focused companion brand for anyone automating Excel: analysts, controllers, ops teams, and builders who want durable patterns instead of one-off macros.
VBA when it earns its keep
Use macros for UI glue, batch ops, and legacy control surfaces — with clear structure so the next person can maintain them.
VBA patterns →AI as a co-pilot
Prompt for formulas, M snippets, and refactor ideas — then verify, test, and own the result. AI speeds drafting; you ship quality.
AI + Excel Hub →Start here
Short, actionable entry points. Each links to fuller write-ups on Techniques or the AI Hub.
Stop retyping monthly packs
Connect source files once with Power Query, parameterise the folder path, and refresh. Document the steps so handovers are boring — in a good way.
Name ranges and tables properly
Excel Tables (Ctrl+T) plus meaningful table names make formulas, pivots, and VBA references far more stable than floating A1 ranges.
Let AI draft, you validate
Ask for a XLOOKUP with fallback, or an M transform for messy dates — then test edge cases. Never paste generated code into production without a dry run.
Separate data, calc, and presentation
Keep raw extracts, calculation sheets, and dashboards apart. Your future self (and anyone inheriting the file) will thank you.
Tools, references, and learning paths
Curated links for Microsoft docs, Power Query M, VBA reference material, and AI workflow ideas — all in one place.