Should you use a filter or slicer? 🤔

Hello! 🌷 I was today years old when I learned that the “spring smell” we know and love actually has a name. It’s called geosmin, a compound produced by bacteria in soil that becomes more active as temperatures rise.

As we look ahead to spring and summer, I’d love to know:

Let’s Talk Filters vs. Slicers

It’s a Thursday afternoon when your co-worker swings by your desk.

“Check this out,” they say, opening their laptop. “I’m analyzing sales by region for tomorrow’s presentation. Pretty cool how I can filter by North, East, South, and West regions, right?” 

There are two options for your next move 👀

1. Nod politely. 

2. Show them something that’ll seriously upgrade their presentation. 

Since you’re a good friend, we’re going for option two! Time to introduce your co-worker to slicers—interactive buttons you can place outside of your Pivot Table, making it easy to toggle through your data. 

Here’s how to create a slicer in three easy steps: 

All that’s left is to move your slicer where it fits best (and to prepare for the inevitable “Thank you” once your co-worker sees how much you’ve leveled up their spreadsheet 😉). 

Get Ahead Of the AI Curve in 2025! 

“There are too many AI tools and I don’t know where to begin.” “I don’t have the technical background to learn AI.” “AI is just advancing too quickly.” 

Sound familiar? It’s not just you! The AI landscape is developing crazy fast—which is exactly why I created my course, AI With Miss Excel!  

In just a few hours, you’ll learn practical skills with ChatGPT, Microsoft’s Copilot, and Google Gemini that’ll transform your workflow and position you as the go-to AI expert in your circle. 

Ready to stop watching the AI revolution from the sidelines? Use my code WORKBOOK20 for 20% off! 

The Courage to Conserve Your Energy 💫

Isn’t it wild how our definition of success is always changing? For years, my version of “success” meant thriving at my 9-5 consulting job. 

And I was good at it! I genuinely loved my co-workers and found the work challenging in all the right ways. But after years of the consulting grind, I started to feel energetically depleted. 

The problem was that I’d tied my identity to being a consultant, and I was terrified of stepping away from a position that had brought me stability, comfort, and accomplishments. 

I had a realization, though: If there’s one thing I fiercely protect, it’s my energy. The more you prioritize yourself and your happiness, the more abundance you can hold and share with others. 

No matter how “successful” the job was, if it drained me, it wouldn’t be long before my career—and other areas of my life–started to suffer. So I made the leap and bet on myself by launching Miss Excel. 

And honestly, it turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve made. Not only was I able to help more people, but I also recouped my creative energy. 

This was my biggest lesson in my 20s: that sometimes, the best decision is letting go of something that no longer serves you—no matter how successful it may be. 

Here’s what this could look like for you: 

• Declining a promotion that would double your stress and halve your free time in favor of preserving your energy to find a new career that better aligns with you. 

• Holding off on nonstop networking events to focus on more energizing ways to connect (such as posting on LinkedIn or having 1:1 coffees!). 

It’s terrifying to say no. But remember, it’s your energy that matters most—because that’s what fuels your creativity, ability to show up for others, and, ultimately, your future. 🤍

• How to remove the “Grand Total” section from your Pivot Table 🙇

• Need to hit snooze on your Outlook emails? I’ve got you. 💤

• The evidence-backed way to achieve your goals in 2025 💥

• This “Minimum Win” productivity strategy is going viral on Reddit. 👀

• “Mind blown,” says a comment on my video on Excel’s Quick Navigation feature! 🤯

If you find yourself spending too much time on your phone (and let’s be real…who doesn’t?), try turning it into grayscale for a bit. I’ve found that whenever my phone’s screen is in black and white, the urge to scroll fades pretty quickly. 

Stay Exceling,

Kat