If you’ve used Excel for a while, you probably rely on the basics, SUM, IF, maybe VLOOKUP when needed. And while those work, they can only take you so far. Eventually, the manual tasks pile up. Reports get repetitive. Spreadsheets get heavy. That’s where the lesser-known functions come in. They’re simple, powerful, and built to save you time. We’ll uncover a few underrated Excel features that are easy to use and can make your workflow faster, cleaner, and a whole lot smarter.
Smarter Formulas, Built to Scale Have you ever found yourself scrolling endlessly through a formula just to figure out what it’s doing? The LET function solves that problem by allowing you to define values once and reuse them throughout the formula. It brings structure and clarity, especially when you're building something complex. In simple terms, LET helps your formulas read like a plan, not a puzzle. The result is cleaner logic, fewer errors, and a sheet you don’t have to decipher like a codebook every time you revisit it.
Combine Data with Precision When you're working with names, addresses, or product details across columns, the last thing you want is to piece them together manually with a mess of ampersands. TEXTJOIN gives you a cleaner way to merge values using custom separators, and it even skips blanks for you. Whether you're generating polished customer exports or preparing a mail merge, this function helps you produce professional output in seconds, not hours.
Find What Truly Matters Removing duplicates manually or relying on filters can be tedious, not to mention error-prone. UNIQUE instantly returns a clean list of distinct values and dynamically updates as your data changes. It’s ideal for sales pipelines, product lists, or any recurring datasets where you need to stay on top of what's new, different, or missing. It’s clean, automatic, and just works.
Instant Lists Without the Drag Need a set of numbers, timestamps, or IDs? Don’t waste time dragging cells down or manually building your lists. SEQUENCE does it instantly, letting you fill structured data in just one step. This function is perfect for templates, project trackers, scheduling models, and anywhere you need predictable values at scale. One move, no manual entry, no errors.
Real-Time Filtering, Fully Automated Instead of applying filters and manually copying the results to a new location, FILTER gives you a dynamic, criteria-based list that updates as your data evolves. It’s clean, contextual, and ideal for building live dashboards or filtered views that never need rework. This is one of the most powerful ways to replace repetitive filtering, especially for client lists, task statuses, approvals, or inventory reports. Once set, it just runs.
The Modern Way to Search and Return Data VLOOKUP had a long run, but it's time for something better. XLOOKUP is flexible, intuitive, and built for today’s data challenges. It lets you search in any direction, handle errors gracefully, and simplify your formulas, all in one sleek function. If you're managing pricing, referencing data across sheets, or syncing reports, this is the upgrade that’ll save you from countless small frustrations.
The smartest Excel users aren’t the ones who know the most, they’re the ones who work the smartest. These underrated functions are designed to help you do just that. They remove friction, cut down on manual effort, and create space for deeper thinking and sharper execution. If you’ve been spending too much time on the small stuff, now’s the moment to take Excel further. These tools aren’t complicated, they’re just underused. But once you integrate them into your workflow, they’ll become your new go-to shortcuts for better, faster work. Because Excel isn’t just a spreadsheet tool. When used right, it’s your silent productivity engine.
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