How I wish I had this function at my previous job!

I imagine it will be helpful to any team collaborating across locations and languages.

This week, we're getting into the practical applications of Excel's new TRANSLATE function.

And also:

• Python Editor coming to Excel
• looking at the new File menu in Office Web
• investigating Windows 11 Start menu changes

🎬 Auto-translate all your Excel files

Last week we brought you the news of new functions in Excel.

Now it's time to take a crack at some practical use cases for the brand new TRANSLATE() (currently rolling out to Office Insiders).

​

In the video, I take you through some actual scenarios from my time as a consultant.

We delivered Excel solutions for company branches across the world. In a lot of cases we needed to translate the instructions into different languages.

Back then, we had to keep each language version in the workbook. We ran VLOOKUPs (yep, no XLOOKUP back then) that returned the right version based on the selected language.

It was a pain to maintain. Whenever we updated the original, we had to manually update every language version.

But now, with the help of the TRANSLATE function, you can make it fully dynamic!

🤓 Geeky News

🐍 Python Editor coming to Excel

Python Editor first appeared as an Excel Labs add-in. It supports the Python in Excel experience by offering bigger editing space and many productivity features.

Now, it's becoming a built-in feature in Excel, currently rolling out to Insiders in the Beta channel.

From the Python Editor, you can:

• see a list of all the Python cells in your spreadsheet
• preview the output of each cell’s code
• write larger code blocks with ease
• rely on Intellisense, color-coding and function help
• click away without committing the code until it's ready.

You'll find the Editor in the Formulas tab, next to Insert Python. If you don't have it yet, you can still use the add-in version.

Meanwhile, Python in Excel is gradually rolling out to users running Current Channel (Preview). It's still Insiders but getting closer to general release.

If you want to be ready, check out our introduction to Python in Excel.

You can also grab our 👉 demo workbook here.

🕸️ Updated File menu for Office Web apps

Excel, PowerPoint and Word for the web have a redesigned File menu.

The previous one took up the whole screen. The new one is more streamlined, with a simple dropdown.

Since the web apps autosave (now indicated with a green icon), there's no need for a "Save As" command. Instead, you get "Create a Copy" which includes downloading a copy of the file.

To save as a different file type, e.g. PDF or CSV, go to Export.

You also get the Rename and Move commands, as well as Version History in the File Menu.

Microsoft updated the behavior of the title bar. You no longer get a flyout menu after clicking on the file name.

Now, you type directly in the title bar to rename your file.

💻 Microsoft experience in your Start menu

Another Microsoft 365-related menu update is proving less popular. This one affects the Windows Start Menu.

Currently, when you click on your profile picture you can Change account settings, Lock and Sign out.

With the upcoming update, the system account in the Start Menu will be integrated with your Microsoft account. And instead of the useful commands, you'll be seeing your Microsoft 365 subscription details. Even if you're not subscribed to a Microsoft 365 plan.

The Sign out and Switch user commands will be hidden under a ... (more options) menu.

And if you’ve configured the PC with a local account, you'll be seeing prompts to link your Microsoft account.

Also, this change causes confusion for users with organizational Microsoft 365 accounts. Domain licenses and cloud storage are not included in the overview. Honestly, I already found all these accounts and subscription options super confusing.

🗒️ Spellcheck in Notepad

Continuing our (unplanned) Spellcheck series... 😉 Spellcheck is coming to Notepad. For 40 years the app existed without it.

But now it's here. The experience is similar to Word. Start typing, and any typos will be underlined. Left-click on the underlined word, and you'll see suggested corrections.

You can disable it completely in Settings (click on the gear icon).

Or disable it for specific file types.

In log files and other file types associated with coding it's disabled automatically.

BTW, if you're looking for some whimsy, right-click on the Settings gear icon and watch it spin. 🌀

👏 Power Stories

Fantastic message from Bryan about the impact our Excel Power Pivot and DAX course had on his team.

Power Pivot can be transformative for company reporting - both in terms of insights and efficiency.

If you're interested in upskilling your team in Excel or Power BI, check out our business offer and reach out.

See you next week,

Leila

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