Ken Puls, FCPA, MS MVP
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excelguru.ca
Ken Puls, FCPA, MS MVP
@excelguru.ca
370 followers 71 following 1.1K posts
I teach people how to use Excel (https://skillwave.training), host an Excel website (https://excelguru.ca), build software (https://monkeytools.ca) and enjoy watching football (aka soccer).
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excelguru.ca
Ken Puls, FCPA, MS MVP @excelguru.ca · Mar 2
Delivering expert training BY humans, FOR humans, Excelguru is dedicated to unlocking your team’s potential through:
🔹On-site workshops
🔹Online coached courses
🔹On-demand video courses
Contact us today for training options at excelguru.ca

#Excel #PowerBI #DataModeling #PowerQuery #DataAnalysis #DAX
(Excelguru logo) Passionate Instruction, Practical Skills Unlocking Your Team's Potential via Industry Leading Training The biggest issue facing corporate efficiency today is not recognizing what you already have and how to leverage it. Our training will help your team expand their knowledge of Excel and Power BI, find solutions, and be more proficient or accomplish certain tasks. Learn more about our in-person and online training options at excelguru.ca (Microsoft Excel and Power BI icons) (Headshot of Ken Puls)
excelguru.ca
I recently lead some #Excel training for a private client, and one of the topics discussed was how to safely and successfully use #ArtificialIntelligence. Based on that discussion, here's what I think are, in general, the three most important things an AI user must have: xlguru.ca/ai-success
What You Need for Success with AI
I recently lead some Excel training for a private client, and one of the topics discussed was how to safely and successfully use Artificial Intelligence. Based on that discussion, I thought I would…
xlguru.ca
September 21, 2026 at 7:05 PM
Reposted by Ken Puls, FCPA, MS MVP
thomasmike.bsky.social
In this week's YouTube video, I show you how to take a column of cells where each cell contains multiple items and turn it into separate columns of checkboxes, making the data much easier to read and analyse.
youtu.be/kwHUC3YVNDU
Excel: Convert a List into Checkboxes
YouTube video by Mike Thomas
youtu.be
September 21, 2026 at 2:23 PM
Reposted by Ken Puls, FCPA, MS MVP
curtisfrye.com
All users with a current version of Excel can now use the IMPORTCSV function to bring data into a workbook using a formula. No more messing around with external links! In this week's Techsoc movie, I show you how to create and manage these useful formulas. youtu.be/4pP12O702hM
Import comma-separated value (CSV) data into Excel using a formula
YouTube video by Curt Frye
youtu.be
September 21, 2026 at 5:13 PM
excelguru.ca
We had an awesome time at last week's Vancouver #PowerBI and Modern #Excel meet-up! Joseph Yeates went over some of the newest updates to Power BI, and then Melissa De Korte presented a deep dive into #PowerQuery for solving more advanced text-splitting challenges.
🎦 www.youtube.com/watch?v=yH6Z...
How to Split Without Making a Mess with Power Query Splitters | Melissa De Korte
In this Vancouver Power BI & Modern Excel User Group meetup, Melissa De Korte presents a deep dive into Power Query splitters and how they can be used to solve more advanced text-splitting challenges…
www.youtube.com
September 21, 2026 at 5:37 PM
excelguru.ca
Ever discovered errors in your data after unpivoting? 😬 Should you deal with them before you unpivot, or after? Can you remove all errors and still preserve a list of the records which contained errors? 😉 Join me to find out: www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJaX...

#PowerQuery #Excel #PowerBI
UnPivoting Error Values in Power Query - Monkey Shorts Episode 044
Have you ever discovered errors in your data after unpivoting? Should you deal with them before you unpivot, or after? Can you remove all errors and still preserve a list of the records which…
www.youtube.com
September 18, 2026 at 4:32 PM
excelguru.ca
Today's Vancouver #PowerBI and Modern #Excel meet-up gets underway at 12pm. 🕛 Joseph Yeates will first show us some of the latest and greatest in Power BI. Then, Microsoft MVP Melissa de Korte will explore cool ways to split our data using #PowerQuery. 🤓
RSVP here: www.meetup.com/vancouver-po...
How to Split Without Making a Mess | Melissa de Korte, Thu, Sep 17, 2026, 12:00 PM | Meetup
**SESSION TRACK:** Power BI & Excel **SESSION OUTLINE:** Joseph Yeates will start things off by showing us some of the latest and greatest in Power BI. Then, Microsoft MVP
www.meetup.com
September 17, 2026 at 4:11 PM
excelguru.ca
We're very proud of our Monkey Tools add-in, and love hearing from happy users! ❤️
Monkey Tools contains a set of tools to help you build better data models more quickly and follow #DataModeling best practices. Learn more about it at monkeytools.ca

#PowerQuery #DAX #DataAnalyticsTools #DataAnalysis
Monkey Tools Build better data models, faster Developed by Excelguru (Image of a cyborg monkey with its fist up for a fist bump) What do people think of Monkey Tools? "Monkey Tools is by far the best Excel Add-in available. Ken Puls has designed miracles for Power Query and Power BI. If you thought those 2 tools were great, just wait until you try them WITH Monkey Tools. You will never go back!" Sherry Barnes-Fox (headshot of Sherry) Try it for FREE with our 2-week Pro Trial! Go to: monkeytools.ca
September 16, 2026 at 4:15 PM
excelguru.ca
During an AKA call, an attendee brought a stubborn #PowerPivot problem: how do you show a single “Total Units” column in your #PivotTable, but show forecasts monthly without either duplicating a #DAX measure every single month, or ending up with a wall of blank columns that have to be hidden? 🧵
How do you show forecasts monthly without duplicating a DAX measure every single month, or ending up with extra blank columns to hide? Ken Puls’ fix involved two synced PivotTables and a dynamic array HSTACK formula! (Screenshot of a PivotTable with columns labelled End of Month, Sold, Forecast columns for 4 months, and Grand Total. A highlight over the Sold column says, “Show as total” and a highlight over the Forecast columns says, “Show Forecast by Month”) (Skillwave Training logo)
September 15, 2026 at 4:44 PM
Reposted by Ken Puls, FCPA, MS MVP
curtisfrye.com
This week's Techsoc video highlights a terrific resource that’s perfect for all learners, but especially those from Canada, the UK, and the British Commonwealth: the BC Open Collection. The Collection offers peer-reviewed textbooks and other resources you can remix as desired. youtu.be/lbRzHN2KG1Q
Resources: BC Open Collection
YouTube video by Curt Frye
youtu.be
September 14, 2026 at 5:47 PM
excelguru.ca
Learn how to unpivot data easily using #PowerQuery in #Excel (and #PowerBI). 🙌 In this video, I convert a human-friendly report layout into a clean tabular format that works beautifully for #PivotTables and #BusinessIntelligence: www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKKZ...
Unpivoting Data With Ease Using Power Query
Learn how to unpivot data easily using Power Query in Excel (and Power BI). In this video, Ken shows how to convert a human-friendly report layout into a clean tabular format that works beautifully…
www.youtube.com
September 14, 2026 at 4:31 PM
excelguru.ca
By default, when you unpivot a set of data in #PowerQuery, all null records are suppressed. But what if you need them in your unpivoted data set? 🙉 In this Monkey Shorts, I show 2 methods of doing so and discuss the impacts of each: www.youtube.com/watch?v=-j_q...

#Excel #PowerBI #DataAnalysis
Keep null Values During UnPivot Operations - Monkey Shorts Episode 043
By default, when you unpivot a set of data in Power Query, all null records are suppressed. But what if you need them in your unpivoted data set? In this week's episode of Monkey Shorts, Ken shows…
www.youtube.com
September 11, 2026 at 4:20 PM
excelguru.ca
Formatting the same report repeatedly is a time sink, especially when the data changes. 😢 At our Oct 1 meet-up, Jakob Nielsen takes a deep dive into Flow, an #Excel add‑in that automates layout. 😅
RSVP here: www.meetup.com/vancouver-po...
(Session will be recorded.)

#DataVisualization #ExcelReport
(Power BI User Group logo) Vancouver Power BI & Modern Excel User Group Jakob Nielsen (Headshot of Jakob) Stunning Reports. Smarter Workflows.
September 10, 2026 at 4:18 PM
excelguru.ca
Some great #Excel learning resources here!
curtisfrye.com Curtis Frye @curtisfrye.com · 12d
Now that the academic year in the US has begun (and is soon to begin in the UK and mainland Europe), I'd like to share some of my free YouTube videos that might be useful to instructors and their students. The first video demonstrates how to hand data with leading zeros in Excel.
Entering numbers with leading zeros
YouTube video by Curt Frye
youtu.be
September 9, 2026 at 5:15 PM
excelguru.ca
When building #Excel solutions, we really like to indent our #ExcelFormulas. But you have to press Alt+Enter for every line break, and line things up with the spacebar. 😔
Our solution? The Indent Formula Monkey allows users to indent one or more cells instantly. 😁 Learn more at mkyt.ca/indent
Monkey Tools Build better data models, faster Developed by Excelguru (Image of a cyborg monkey with its fist up for a fist bump) Indent Formula Monkey Indenting your formulas in Excel is unfortunately a manual process, and it can get tricky and time-consuming with complex formulas that are several layers deep. The Indent Formula Monkey allows you to instantely indent one or more cells. Just select the desired workbook cell(s) and click Control+Shift+I! (Screenshot of a indented formula in the Excel formula bar) monkeytools.ca
September 9, 2026 at 4:46 PM
excelguru.ca
📰 Our newsletter went out earlier today, so time to check your inbox if you're a subscriber!
If you're not, sign up at xlguru.ca/newsletter and get expert content, what's new in #Excel and #PowerBI, info on courses, promotions, and events, and our free 'DIY BI' eBook series. 📕📙📗📘
News from the Data Monkey Brought to you by Excelguru and Skillwave (Image of a cyborg monkey in a superhero style crouch) September 8, 2026 In This Issue: - From the AKA Sessions - New video blog on using dynamic parameters - Monkey Tools Updates - What's New in Excel - Latest Meet-up Recording and Next Event Information - Upcoming Courses and Conferences - Available Training Options It's "back to school" time here on the West Coast of Canada, and we're all settling into the regular routines again. Ken is looking ahead to leading both in-person and online training for various groups this fall. However, he still has some availability through to the end of year, if you're looking for some private training for your group. Information on how to book a session can be found at the bottom of the newsletter.
September 8, 2026 at 7:16 PM
excelguru.ca
We had an awesome time at last week's Vancouver #PowerBI and Modern #Excel meet-up! Fay Bordbar showed us some real-world ways to use #ArtificialIntelligence tools such as #Copilot and #Claude inside Excel workflows. 🤓
Check out the recording here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=c85w...
Practical AI for Excel: Real-World Use Cases | Fay Bordbar
YouTube video by Skillwave Training
www.youtube.com
September 8, 2026 at 4:30 PM
excelguru.ca
A question came up in a recent AKA session about a tool built to automatically pull files from a folder for a client project using #PowerQuery. It worked perfectly on the developer's own machine, but broke the moment it landed on the client's system. 😧
I walked through the likely culprit. 🧵
The One-Letter Typo That Brok a Whole Workflow (Image of a man sitting at a desk with his head down on his arm in front of his laptop) (Skillwave Training logo)
September 7, 2026 at 4:06 PM
excelguru.ca
While #PowerQuery has a super easy way to merge columns, there is no easy-to-use UI command to merge multiple rows into a single cell. In this Monkey Shorts, you'll see how we can leverage a little bit of M code to make it happen: www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8X9...

#Excel #PowerBI #DataPreparation
Merging Multiple Rows to a Single Cell - Monkey Shorts Episode 042
While Power Query has a super easy way to merge columns, there is no easy-to-use user-interface command which allows you to merge multiple rows into a single cell. In this week's episode of Monkey…
www.youtube.com
September 4, 2026 at 5:03 PM
excelguru.ca
One hour until today's Vancouver #PowerBI and Modern #Excel meet-up! ⏰ Fay Bordbar will walk us through practical, real-world use cases where #AITools and Excel work together, from speeding up everyday tasks to tackling problems that used to feel out of reach.
🖱️RSVP: www.meetup.com/vancouver-po...
Practical AI for Excel: Real-World Use Cases | Fay Bordbar, Thu, Sep 3, 2026, 9:00 AM | Meetup
**SESSION TRACK:** Excel **SESSION OUTLINE:** AI is changing the way we work with data — but where does it actually fit alongside Excel? In this session, Fay Bordbar will
www.meetup.com
September 3, 2026 at 3:02 PM
excelguru.ca
The Basic Explicit Measure Monkey provides a simple interface to build basic #DAX measures without writing any code yourself. 😎 It also gives aggregation choices based on your data types, shows the DAX written, and lets you set default measure formats. Learn more: mkyt.ca/bem

#Excel #PowerQuery
Monkey Tools Build better data models, faster Developed by Excelguru (Image of a cyborg monkey with its fist up for a fist bump) Basic Explicit Measure Monkey This Monkey gives you a wizard-like interface to build your DAX measures without code, providing you with aggregations that are valid for your column's data types. It is targeted at those who are new to DAX and need help with getting the syntax correct. (Screenshot of the Create Basic Measures in PivotSleauth interface with settings for what to aggregate, the type of aggregation, measure name, default number format, and more) monkeytools.ca
September 2, 2026 at 4:24 PM
excelguru.ca
See how the Parameter Table and Function feature in Monkey Tools can automatically add the fnGetParameter() function and the required parameter table setup into your #Excel workbook. It's useful when you want your #PowerQuery solutions to be easier to move, update, and maintain: youtu.be/Y0lVI6sPdpo
Using Dynamic Parameters Easily: fnGetParameter() function and Monkey Tools
In this video, Ken shows how the Parameter Table and Function feature in Monkey Tools can automatically add the fnGetParameter() function and the required parameter table setup into your Excel…
youtu.be
September 1, 2026 at 5:03 PM
Reposted by Ken Puls, FCPA, MS MVP
curtisfrye.com
This week's Techsoc video shows you how to control how Excel table styles are applied. You can keep existing formatting or replace it entirely...the choice is yours.
youtu.be/lG0p4KEUy68
Control how Excel table styles are applied
YouTube video by Curt Frye
youtu.be
August 31, 2026 at 10:07 PM
excelguru.ca
An AKA partipipant asked something every #DAX writer has quietly wondered about: why a VAR statement always snaps back up next to the first = sign, no matter how many times Alt+Enter gets pressed to give it its own line. 😡
I dug into how DAX's parser tokenizes formulas the real culprit...🧵
Why Won't My VAR Statement Stay on Its Own Line? Q: How come a VAR statement always snaps back up to the first = sign, no matter how many times Alt+Enter is pressed to give it its own line?? A: DAX's parser strips out any whitespace or comments immediately following the = sign, no exceptions. Takeaway: Not every quirk has a workaround, but understanding the why provides assurance that it’s not just you! (Skillwave Training logo)
August 31, 2026 at 4:38 PM
excelguru.ca
DYK that when merging columns in #PowerQuery, the behaviour is different depending on whether you trigger the command from the Transform or Add column tabs? 🤯 See why adding a new column may be better than merging existing ones: www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8ym...

#Excel #PowerBI #DataAnalysis
Merging Columns with Power Query - Monkey Shorts Episode 041
Did you know that when merging columns in Power Query, the behaviour is different depending on whether you trigger the command from the Transform or Add column tabs? (And no, we're not talking about…
www.youtube.com
August 28, 2026 at 6:56 PM
excelguru.ca
Years after we did it in our Monkey Tools add-in, Microsoft has FINALLY listened to our feedback and has started unrolling two highly requested #Excel features across the Beta Channel:
☑️ The ability to name a table when you create it, and
☑️ Centre Across Selection added to the Merge & Centre menu.
August 28, 2026 at 4:04 PM