Top 10 Excel Features You Didn’t Know Existed (But Should in 2025)

2 min read

Excel is over 35 years old, but it keeps surprising us! Every year, Microsoft adds new tools, functions, and shortcuts that can make your work faster, smarter, and even fun. By 2025, some of these features are still hidden gems — powerful tools many professionals don’t even know exist.

Here’s a list of 10 Excel features you should absolutely try this year:

1. XLOOKUP

Forget VLOOKUP and INDEX-MATCH. XLOOKUP is faster, simpler, and works in both directions. Find values in large datasets without worrying about column order.

2. Dynamic Arrays

Functions like SORT, FILTER, and UNIQUE let you manipulate entire ranges of data in one formula. No more copying formulas down rows manually!

3. LET Function

Simplify complex formulas by assigning names to calculation results. It makes long formulas easier to read and more efficient.

4. Power Query

This hidden powerhouse automates data cleaning and transformation. Merge tables, remove duplicates, split columns, and even combine multiple CSVs without writing a single formula.

5. Data Types (Linked Data)

Excel now connects to real-world data like stocks, geography, and more. Turn plain text into rich, structured data you can pull insights from instantly.

6. Dynamic Charts

Create charts that update automatically when your data changes. Combine with dynamic arrays for dashboards that practically run themselves.

7. Sheet View

Work on the same workbook with colleagues without affecting their filters or sorting. Perfect for collaborative reporting.

8. Power Pivot

Handle millions of rows and complex data models with ease. Power Pivot lets you build advanced calculations without slowing down Excel.

9. LAMBDA Functions

Write custom functions without VBA. Reuse formulas across sheets, making your workflow cleaner and more efficient.

10. Copilot (AI in Excel)

The newest and most exciting addition! Ask questions in natural language like:
“Show me total sales by region last quarter”
Copilot generates formulas, summaries, and even visualizations instantly — no formula expertise required.

Why These Matter in 2025

These features are not just gimmicks — they save time, reduce errors, and make data analysis much easier. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, exploring these hidden gems can transform how you work in Excel.