Are you tired of creating Excel spreadsheets? Today I will teach you how to use the amazing tool Windsurf to tackle it. Whether you’re making financial reports or data statistics, you can easily handle it, and your efficiency will take off!
Create a Project, Get Started Quickly
First, let’s create a new project:
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Open Windsurf and click on “New Project” in the toolbar -
Select “Excel Spreadsheet Creation” from the pop-up template list -
Name the project, for example, “2023 Sales Report”
Done! Now you have a workspace specifically for creating Excel spreadsheets.
Tip: Remember to select the right template, or you may find the functions difficult to use later. I once accidentally selected “Web Design” and spent a long time figuring out what was wrong.
Design the Spreadsheet Structure, So Easy
Next, it’s time to design the spreadsheet structure, which is really simple:
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Click on “Add Worksheet” on the left, and name it, for example, “Sales Data” -
In the top cells, enter column names like “Date”, “Product”, “Sales Volume”, “Amount” -
Select these column names and click “Set as Header” in the toolbar
Look, a basic spreadsheet structure is ready. I usually set up monthly reports like this quickly, saving a lot of time.
Data Entry, Let AI Help
Now comes the most tedious part, data entry, but with Windsurf’s AI assistant, this step becomes super easy:
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Click on “AI Assistant” in the toolbar -
In the pop-up dialog, describe the data you want to enter, for example, “Help me enter the sales data for the last 30 days, with 50-100 products sold each day, and prices between 100-500 yuan” -
The AI assistant will automatically generate simulated data that meets the criteria
This feature is simply a lifesaver! I often use it to generate large amounts of simulated data during testing, saving a lot of effort.
Formulas and Functions, No Need to Memorize
Can’t remember many Excel formulas? No problem, Windsurf can help you:
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Select the cells you want to calculate -
Click on “Formula Wizard” -
Type in the calculation you want in the search box, such as “Calculate Total Sales” -
Windsurf will recommend suitable formulas, you just need to choose one
It not only helps you fill in the formulas but also explains their meanings. I have learned many advanced formulas like VLOOKUP using this feature, and now I use them smoothly.
Data Visualization, One-Click Done
Having just numbers is boring; let’s add some charts:
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Select the data range for the chart -
Click on “Insert Chart” -
Select the chart type, like bar chart or pie chart -
Adjust the colors, labels, and other details
Done! A beautiful chart is born. I love using this to create sales trend charts, so the boss can understand the situation at a glance.
Tip: Don’t be greedy; having too many charts in one spreadsheet can look messy. I made this mistake before and got criticized by my boss for it, which was really awkward.
Format Adjustment, One-Click Beautification
The spreadsheet is done, but it looks ugly? Don’t worry, Windsurf has a one-click beautification feature:
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Select the entire spreadsheet -
Click on “Smart Beautify” -
Select a style you like from the pop-up style library
Ta-da! It instantly becomes pleasing to the eye. I particularly like using this feature to beautify meeting reports, and I often receive a lot of compliments for it.
Data Validation, Prevent Errors
It would be even better if we could prevent data entry errors, and Windsurf has thought of that too:
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Select the column you want to set validation for -
Click on “Data Validation” -
Set rules, such as date format, value range, etc.
This way, if someone inputs incorrect data, the system will alert them immediately. I have eliminated many basic errors using this feature, and I no longer worry about inaccurate data.
Collaborative Editing, Teamwork Boosted
Lastly, I want to mention the collaborative editing feature, which is really fantastic:
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Click on “Share” in the upper right corner -
Enter your teammates’ emails -
Set permissions (like can edit or can only view)
This way, you and your teammates can work on the same spreadsheet in real-time. Xiao Li from the finance department and I often collaborate like this, and our efficiency has increased more than twice.
Using Windsurf to create Excel spreadsheets is truly fast, good, and worry-free. Give it a try, and I’m sure you’ll love this tool too! If you have any questions, feel free to ask me, and let’s master Excel together!