Smart Formula Selection in Excel: What to Use When

Overview

Excel gives you multiple ways to solve the same problem - but which formula is the right one? This course teaches a decision-based approach to function selection, helping you confidently choose between similar and competing functions. Through real-world examples and side-by-side comparisons, you’ll learn when IFS or SWITCH is cleaner than nested IFs, how SUMPRODUCT can help with complex summarizing data, how to use LET in place of defined names, and much more. Ideal for professionals who want to make smarter, faster formula choices that are easier to maintain and audit.

This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

This course is being offered by a learning partner and will not be accessible on your My CPE page. Access information will be emailed directly to you by CPA Crossings.

Highlights

The major topics that will be covered in this class include:

Introduction to Strategic Formula Use:

Why choosing the right formula matters: clarity, performance, and maintenance
Common traps: overusing IF, defaulting to familiar tools, ignoring modern functions
How Excel offers multiple ways to solve the same problem and how to pick wisely

Conditional Logic and Branching Tools:

IFS vs SWITCH vs nested IF: comparing readability and structure
When to simplify logic and how to avoid nested nightmares

Summarizing Data:

SUMIFS vs SUMPRODUCT: multiple conditions, weighted sums, totals

Filtering and Output Control:

FILTER vs IF + INDEX: dynamic data extraction with vs without Excel 365
Trade-offs in backward compatibility and ease of use

Custom Output and Decision Trees:

CHOOSE vs SWITCH vs LOOKUP: logic trees and category mapping

Embedded Variables and Reusability:

LET vs named ranges: clarity and efficiency for long formulas
Using LAMBDA with LET to create custom functions
Simplifying and documenting complex calculations

Best Practices for Formula Selection:

Criteria for deciding: readability, flexibility, future maintenance
Tips for avoiding overengineering and formula bloat

Prerequisites

None

Designed For

All Excel users looking to elevate their formula skills with strategic guidance

Objectives

After attending this presentation, you will be able to...

Compare Excel functions that solve similar problems and select the most effective one for the task
Apply structured decision-making when building formulas to improve clarity and scalability
Distinguish when modern functions offer better solutions than legacy alternative