TL;DR Key Takeaways : Excel’s database functions offer a more flexible and efficient alternative to traditional methods like SUMIFS, especially for handling multiple criteria.

If you need to conditionally split values into multiple columns in Microsoft Excel, consider using the IF() function. Here's how.

In Excel, the INDEX function returns an item from a specific position (in a list, table, database). The MATCH function returns the position of a value (in a list, table, database).

Save this for the spreadsheet jocks in your office—we'd bet even the experts don't know all of these formula tips.