Microsoft Excel for Windows

Excel 2019 is a spreadsheet program developed by Microsoft. Excel for Windows is part of the Microsoft 365 suite (formerly known as Office 365) but it can be downloaded independently. The client communication program is a powerful and helpful tool you can use for data analysis and documentation. Since Excel 2016, this version has upgraded its advanced features such as the Power Pivot and Get & Transform.

New functions

The previous version of the office and news program did not have a viable function that does the calculation. Excel 2019 addresses these concerns by offering updated functions. For example, the new IFS function evaluates multiple conditions and return values that consider if all the characteristics are met. This helps create a complex set of logical conditions as opposed to creating multiple levels of nested IF functions. 

Two companion functions have also been added: MAXIFS and MINIFS. These are in charge of returning the maximum and minimum values from the data range. SWITCH is also a new function and it is designed to make it easier to find values within a range. It will evaluate an expression against a list of values, returning the result that corresponds to the first matching value. 

Users that want to concatenate values from multiple values into a single cell - as well as include delimiters between values - now have the TEXTJOIN function. It combines the text from multiple ranges or strings, placing the specified delimiter. The function uses the same delimiter between each entry or concatenates the data when you opt not to specify one. CONCAT is a similar function but it requires you to manually put in a space or quotation mark. 

New chart types

Microsoft has added a number of new chart types. It provides you more flexibility in summarizing your spreadsheet data. One of them is Sunburst. It is a multi-level pie chart that is arranged in hierarchical order. The highest-ranking of the chart is the center circle, and works its way outward. Treemap is also a chart that emphasizes hierarchical data through colors and rectangle sizes. 

Other new file types is the Waterfall, Funnel, and Filled Map. A Waterfall chart shows the effect of sequential intermediate values that increases or decreases the data set. It differs from a Funnel chart which shows the progressive change within an ordered data set so its suitable for data that progressively gets larger or smaller with each point. 

A Filled Map can be likened to a visual aid as it enables you to place values on a map according to nations, states, counties, etc. This is suitable for comparing statistics of areas that are in close proximity to one another. You could also create a worldwide chart, comparing the data of different continents. 

Is Excel 2016 the same as Excel 2019?

No, Excel 2016 and Excel 2019 are not the same. While they share the core functionality and interface, Excel 2019 includes several new features and improvements, such as:

• New functions: MAXIFS, CONCAT, TEXTJOIN, IFS, SWITCH, etc. These new functions can help users perform various calculations and data manipulation tasks more efficiently and effectively
• Enhanced charts and graphs: Funnel charts, 2D maps, timeline charts, etc. Excel 2019 introduces new chart and graph types that can help users visualize their data in a more engaging and informative way
• Improved data analysis tools: Power BI integration, 3D maps, Ideas pane, etc. Excel 2019 offers more powerful data analysis tools, allowing users to gain insights and patterns in their data that may not have been possible in Excel 2016
• Collaboration features: Co-authoring, real-time chat, version history, etc. Excel 2019 includes several features that make it easier for multiple users to collaborate on spreadsheets in real-time, which can improve productivity and teamwork
• Accessibility improvements: Text-to-speech, improved screen reader support, etc. Excel 2019 includes several accessibility improvements that can help users with disabilities work more effectively with the software

In addition to these new features, Excel 2019 also benefits from ongoing performance optimizations and bug fixes, making it a more powerful and user-friendly experience compared to Excel 2016. Overall, Excel 2019 offers many significant improvements and new features that can help users perform data analysis and manipulation tasks more effectively and efficiently.

However, both versions remain compatible with existing Excel files and share the same basic functions. Choosing between them depends on your individual needs and budget. If you primarily use basic features and don't need the latest enhancements, Excel 2016 might be sufficient. For those who require advanced features and performance improvements, Excel 2019 is the better option.

Can you have 2 versions of Office on the same PC?

You can have two (or more) versions of Microsoft Office installed on the same computer. Microsoft Office allows for multiple versions to coexist on a single system. 

This can be useful if you need to use specific features or compatibility with different versions of Office applications for various purposes.

However, there are a few things to keep in mind:

Installation order: Typically, it's best to install the older version of Office first and then the newer version. Installing in this order can help minimize potential compatibility issues

License and activation: Ensure that you have the appropriate licenses or product keys for each version of Office you want to install. Microsoft Office versions are typically licensed per user, so you may need separate licenses for each version

File associations: Be aware that file associations (which version of Office opens specific file types by default) may change when you install multiple versions. You may need to manually adjust file associations if needed 

Essential program for data analysts

Excel 2019 offers a wide assortment of functions and charts that you can use to summarize your data. The additional functions now allow you to simplify complex calculations, and new charts provide you more ways to present information. These will enable your audience to familiarize themselves with large quantities of data with one look.