Estimators use Excel all the time but I am continuely amazed at the poor use of this tool. For example it is very easy to start a series of numbers and just highlight and click to have it continue to populate each cell. So if you solution to sequentially number a series is to go to the 2nd cell and have “1+A1” then it is past time to improve your Excel skills. Pivot tables are so easy and a great tool to create totals. It doesn’t take long to upgrade your Excel skillset.

I encourage all Excel users to improve their skill level Excel by watching a few video tutorials. Even if you simply know where to look to find out how to build the right functions is a leap in the right direction. I found this playlist of videos on Youtube. The videos start off a little easy so feel free to skip around.

Think about the time an estimating team spends in Excel and what a time savings can be achieved if things can be done faster and more accurately in Excel.