The database capabilities of Excel are very powerful. In fact, not only can Excel be used to create a simple searchable database, it also can be used to create a proper relational database.

Here's how to create a pivot table in Excel to slice and dice your data, letting you perform in-depth analyses and spot important trends.

To create data bars in Excel, select your cells and then choose data bars from Conditional Formatting.

Excel's Data Model feature allows you to build relationships between data sets for easier reporting. Here's how to use it to make data analysis easier.

Drop-down lists in Excel let you create a list of valid choices that you can select for a given field. We'll show you how to use tables, named ranges, formulas, data validation, and table styles.

In other words, these references will never change—I will always use the ID to create the lookup, and the database will always be in these cells.

We all know that in uncertain times, a forecast underlies a company's success or failure. Forecasts keep prices low by optimizing business operations-including cash flow, production, staff, and ...