10 Benefits of Converting Data into Excel Tables

The table feature of Microsoft Excel allows you to manage and analyze related data easier. With Excel tables, you can manage rows and columns inside it independently from the data outside the table. In this post, I will show you the 10 benefits of converting your data into Excel tables.

You may also want to see our article 10 Microsoft Excel Tips to Save Time and Work Faster.

How to convert the data into Excel tables

You can use one of the following two methods to convert Excel data into a table.

  1. Select the dataset and got to Insert and select the table option in the table group.
  2. Select the dataset and press Ctrl+T

The main benefits of converting data into Excel tables will be explained under the following topics.

01. Always visible Header Row

When you scroll down your table, and when the table’s header row goes underneath the ribbon, the default column title of Excel (A, B, C) turns into your table’s column titles.

02. Banded rows and formatting

When you convert your range of data into an Excel table, by default, the Excel shades every other row in the table, making them easy to read. You can turn on/off the banded-row option from Table Style Options under the Design tab. You can also have banded columns. The style of the table can be changed from the Table Styles option under the Design tab.

03. Sorting and filtering

When you convert a set of data into an Excel table, the filter drop-down lists are automatically added to the header row of the table. You can sort data in ascending/ descending order, by color and you can set a custom sort order. You can also filter the table data and show only the required set of data. The filter buttons can turn on/off at any time by using the filter button checkbox in the Design tab.

04. Calculated columns

If you enter a formula in a cell, that formula is applied to all the other cells in that table column. This column is named as a calculated column. The calculated column automatically extends to include the additional rows added to the table.

05. Total row and calculating table data

The “total row” can be turned on/ off from the checkbox in the design tab. You can quickly do the calculations by selecting the required function from the drop-down menu. You can access all other excel functions from the “more functions…” options at the bottom of the drop-down menu. If you apply a filter, the total row only shows the calculations for the visible data.

The keyboard shortcut for the total row is Ctrl+Shift+T

06. Inserting and deleting rows and columns

In Excel tables, you can insert/delete columns or rows without affecting other parts of the worksheet, i.e., the column inserted inside the table does not continue to the section below the table.

There are several ways that you can add columns and rows to tables. Among them, using the mouse’s right button will be the easiest way.

To add a new row below the last row of the table, you can use the “Tab” key.

07. Using structured reference

When you use Excel tables, you can use table names and names of columns in functions, i.e., instead of =SUM(E2:E6), you can use =SUM(Table12[Line Total]). With the structured reference, the function itself clearly explains what it does. This is more useful when you are working with a large number of Excel sheets.

08. Easy data entering

It is very easy to do data entry tasks with excel tables. When you enter data to a new row at the end of the table, the table is automatically expanded to include that row. The always visible header row is also an advantage. You can also generate a data entry form connected to the Excel table to make the data entry simpler.

09. Ensuring data integrity

You can apply data validation to specific columns in the Excel table. For example, you can add a data validation rule to a column to accept only values with text lengths greater than 3.

10. Dynamic charts

As explained in the above 8th point, adding a new row next to the last row of the table dynamically expands to include that row. As such, if you create a chart based on an Excel table, the chart is also updated with the new values you added to the table.

Wrapping Up

There are numerous benefits of Excel tables. Therefore, it is always a good practice to convert related data into Excel tables. This will save your time in various ways, as shown above. And also, Excel tables provide a better interactive interface to your data. Therefore, always remember to press Ctrl+T by selecting your data set to convert them to an Excel table.

8 thoughts on “10 Benefits of Converting Data into Excel Tables”

  1. I like how you mentioned that storing your data in excel is a good way to easily enter data and to make data entry more simple. We like to use excel for our personal spreadsheets like budgets and taxes. I think using excel would also be good because it would be easy to convert excel spreadsheets to a database if need be.

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  2. I was always reluctant to use excel due to the fact that I found its functions confusing and baffling at times. I always avoided excel at all costs. This page have made me fond it. It is such a versatile listing of benefits I was never aware of. All the instructions and directions and given in quite detail which can be easily understood by people even like me. Thanks!

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  3. I have been working with excel for years, and still on a daily basis, and I have always wondered how to do number 1. How do I freeze just the top header row without using the freeze panes options?? I have freezing the panes because it freezes way too much freaking data. any help would be awesome

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