=SOLVE(problem, faster)
Solve spreadsheet problems, faster.
Find, fix, and understand Excel and Google Sheets formulas for real work — every one tested with sample data and explained in plain English.
Tested, not generated
Every formula is executed against real sample data before publishing.
Plain English
Each argument explained — no jargon walls, no guesswork.
Both platforms
Excel and Google Sheets versions, with the differences called out.
Start with the workhorses
All formulas →Compare Two Columns and Find Differences
Compare two columns row by row and flag matches and mismatches with a simple IF formula that works in Excel and Google Sheets.
=IF(A2=B2,"Match","Mismatch")VLOOKUP with an Exact Match
Look up a value in another table and return the matching result — with the FALSE argument that stops VLOOKUP returning wrong answers.
=VLOOKUP(E2,A2:B10,2,FALSE)XLOOKUP: The Modern Lookup Formula
XLOOKUP replaces VLOOKUP with a simpler, safer lookup: exact match by default, looks in any direction, and has a built-in not-found message.
=XLOOKUP(E2,A2:A10,B2:B10,"Not found")INDEX + MATCH Lookup
The classic flexible lookup: MATCH finds the row, INDEX returns the value. Works in every Excel version and looks in any direction.
=INDEX(B2:B10,MATCH(E2,A2:A10,0))Count Rows That Meet Multiple Conditions
Use COUNTIFS to count rows matching several conditions at once — like overdue tasks in one department — in Excel and Google Sheets.
=COUNTIFS(A2:A20,"Sales",C2:C20,"Overdue")Sum Values That Meet Multiple Conditions
Use SUMIFS to total only the rows that match your conditions — like sales for one region above a threshold — in Excel and Google Sheets.
=SUMIFS(C2:C20,A2:A20,"Sales",B2:B20,">100")Skip the blank grid
Trackers with the formulas already wired in — download, replace the sample rows, done.
Sales Pipeline Tracker
Track every deal by stage with probability-weighted values, open-pipeline and won totals — the whole funnel on one sheet.
.xlsx · freeBudget Tracker
Budget vs. actual by category with variance in dollars and percent, plus totals — negative variance shows in red automatically.
.xlsx · freeInvoice Tracker
Log invoices with automatic due dates from payment terms, days-overdue tracking, and an outstanding-balance summary.
.xlsx · freeBrowse by problem
10 of 10 categories live · new formulas added weekly
One useful formula in your inbox.
Tested formulas, templates, and fixes — about twice a month. No filler.