Data consolidation is a very important technique in Excel that allows you to combine information from multiple worksheets or workbooks into a single worksheet. With this tool, you can simplify data analysis and facilitate decision making.
To consolidate data, you must first identify what information must be combined. You can consolidate data in different ways, such as summing values, counting records, or calculating averages.
To sum values, for example, it is necessary to select the cells that contain the data to be summed. Next, you need to go to the "Data" tab and click on "Consolidate". In the window that opens, it is possible to choose the "Sum" function and select the cells that must be added. By clicking "OK", Excel will create a new worksheet with the result of the sum.
In addition, you can consolidate data from different workbooks. To do this, you need to create a new workbook, then go to the "Data" tab and click on "Consolidate". In the window that opens, you can choose the "Reference to workbook" option and select the folders that contain the data to be consolidated. It is important to remember that folders must be open at the time of consolidation.
Another interesting option is consolidation by category. With this technique, you can combine data from different worksheets based on a common category. For example, you can consolidate sales data by region, grouping the information for each region into a single worksheet.
To consolidate data by category, you must select the cells that contain the information to be consolidated. Next, you need to go to the "Data" tab and click on "Consolidate". In the window that opens, you can choose the "By category" option and select the cell that contains the common category. When you click "OK", Excel will create a new worksheet with the information consolidated by category.
In summary, data consolidation is a very useful technique in Excel that allows you to combine information from different worksheets or workbooks into a single worksheet. With this tool, you can simplify data analysis and facilitate decision making.