More than 2,000 add-ins are currently available for Microsoft Excel. This article will take a closer look at ten of the most popular Excel add-ins, as well as their functions.
What is a Microsoft Excel Add-In?
Add-ins for Microsoft Excel function similarly to the apps you purchase or download for a computer or mobile phone. Once installed into Excel, these mini software tools provide users with additional features, such as time-saving tools, shortcuts, and tasks, which are not included in the stand-alone Excel application. Add-ins are created by a third party, and in order to make them, it typically requires extensive coding knowledge with languages like VBA and XML. Their easy-to-use interface allows these add-ins to perform seamlessly with Excel.
10 Popular Excel Add-Ins
The following list highlights ten of the most popular and useful Microsoft Excel add-ins for 2022:
- PowerPivot is a powerful add-in for performing data analysis and making data models. It speeds up the analysis process and makes it easier to collect large volumes of data from various sources, as well as collaborate by sharing insights. PowerPivot is a more robust data model than the one provided in Excel’s workbook. It helps users make calculated columns and provides options for fast calculations and analysis. This add-in uses Data Analysis Expression (DAX), a formula language that can be used to extend Excel’s abilities to manipulate data.
- ASAP Utilities is considered to be the most popular Excel add-in. This add-in provides a collection of helpful, time-saving tools and macros that have applications for importing, exporting, version control, filling, and formatting, among others.
- Ablebits is a great all-around tool for Excel work. It includes the necessary features and functions to perform a variety of basic and complex Excel tasks. This add-in can clean data, reshape or combine worksheets, and perform advanced find-and-replace functions. It’s especially helpful for handling complex data analysis tasks. Over 60 different tools are available with Ablebits, such as sum/count by color, duplicate remover, unpivot tables, and trim spaces.
- Kutools is another hugely popular add-in for Excel. Their loaded toolbox tackles many of the most time-consuming Excel tasks and operations that would otherwise have to be completed manually. This add-in features over 300 useful Excel functions, such as deleting blank or hidden rows, unhiding cell ranges in worksheets, and providing advanced dropdown lists. In addition, the Kutools website is a great resource that provides guidance on how best to use each tool so that users don’t find the assortment of options confusing or overwhelming.
- Devart stands out from other Excel add-ins in that it focuses more on how Excel connects with external online databases. This add-in is able to connect Excel with cloud applications and databases, like SQL, Hubspot, Salesforce, Oracle, and Bigcommerce, among others. It can then retrieve data from each of them in Excel, refresh it, and save edited data back in the external database. Devart can also handle live data directly in Excel.
- Peltier Tech Charts is an Excel product created by Excel expert Jon Peltier. This add-in provides an array of interesting options for charting data visualizations that aren’t included in Excel. This add-in is a must-have for Data Analysts, as well as anyone who uses Excel to visualize data. In addition to various chart options, Peltier tech Charts also comes with tools for charting data management, formatting, and exporting. Two-dozen chart options are included in this add-in.
- Excel Training and Tips helps those who are new to Excel learn the basics of this application and its interface. This free add-in provides users with access to cheat sheets and “how-to” documents designed to teach functions, formulas, and other fundamental Excel concepts. Excel Training and Tips can also send data over the internet, as well as read a spreadsheet and make changes to it.
- XLTools.net Data Cleaning is a great resource for helping Excel users clean up their spreadsheets. This add-in provides an easy and streamlined way to rid spreadsheets of clutter. Instead of having to go through cell by cell, with just one click this scrubbing add-in is able to spot and eliminate line breaks, extra spaces, and non-printing symbols that would otherwise clutter a worksheet. In addition, this add-in can be used to standardize data by applying changes such as changing sentence case, transforming numbers to text, or text to numbers.
- Transform Data by Example can execute a reverse search function in order to convert Excel data. For most Excel users, it takes up a lot of time to search for the necessary formula or function for data transformation. This add-in helps Excel users select the best function for converting data based on the one example with which it is provided. In addition, Transform Data by Example users can also incorporate their own data transformation code into the collection for further customization options.
- People Graph helps Excel users make beautiful data visualizations based on their data. Although Excel comes with some design and chart tools, this add-in provides a way to make the data that is being visualized even more vivid. Three chart types are available from People Graph, as well as colorful themes and various shapes that make data easier to access and understand for non-technical audience members.
The above list includes just a small fraction of the thousands of add-ins that are currently available to help you get the most out of using Excel and to tailor this application to best suit your professional needs.
Get Started Learning Excel with Hands-On Classes
A great way to learn more about how to work with Excel is to enroll in one of Noble Desktop’s Excel courses in NYC and live online. Classes are available for those who are new to Excel, as well as learners who regularly work with this spreadsheet application and wish to brush up on their skills. In addition, there are also in-person and live online Excel courses available through Noble Desktop or one of its affiliate schools. A variety of course options are offered, ranging in duration from three hours to two days and costing between $229 and $1,099.
Noble Desktop’s Excel Bootcamp provides a great option for those who want to master core Excel concepts, such as working with VLOOKUP and PivotTables. Students who enroll in this rigorous, 21-hour course can elect to study in person in Manhattan or learn in the live online environment. This small class comes with the option of a free retake and covers a variety of Excel concepts applicable to the business world.
Additionally, if you want to find learning options close to home, you can use Noble’s Classes Near Me too to browse more than 140 in-person Microsoft Excel classes.