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Geeky Gadgets
5 days ago
- Geeky Gadgets
Master the Art of Combining Excel Files with Different Sheet Names with Power Query
Have you ever faced the frustration of trying to combine multiple Excel files, only to realize their sheet names don't match? It's a common headache for anyone working with data from varied sources. Manually sifting through files, renaming sheets, and copying data is not only tedious but also a recipe for errors. Enter Power Query—a innovative tool built into Excel that can transform this chaotic process into an effortless, automated workflow. With its ability to handle even the most inconsistent file structures, Power Query enables you to consolidate data with precision and speed, no matter how messy the starting point might be. Imagine turning hours of manual work into a task that takes just minutes—this is the promise of Power Query. In the video below Excel Off The Grid shows how Power Query can seamlessly combine Excel files with different sheet names, saving you time and eliminating the risk of human error. From dynamically detecting relevant sheets to automating repetitive tasks, this tool is designed to simplify even the most complex data consolidation challenges. Whether you're managing monthly reports, collaborating with teams, or preparing datasets for analysis, Power Query offers a reliable, scalable solution. By the end, you'll not only understand how to use its powerful features but also gain insights into best practices that will enhance your workflows and data organization. Sometimes, the most fantastic solutions are the ones hiding in plain sight. Power Query for Data Consolidation Why Power Query Simplifies Data Consolidation Power Query is specifically designed to handle complex data consolidation tasks, even when working with files that have varying structures or inconsistent sheet names. Instead of manually copying and pasting data from each file, Power Query enables you to extract, transform, and combine information from multiple Excel files into a single, unified dataset. This approach not only saves time but also significantly reduces the risk of human error. For instance, consider a scenario where you have a folder filled with Excel files, each containing a sheet with similar data but different names. Power Query can automatically identify and extract the relevant sheets, consolidating the data into a single table. By doing so, it eliminates the need to manually standardize sheet names, making the process faster, more reliable, and less prone to mistakes. Dealing with Inconsistent File Structures One of the most powerful features of Power Query is its ability to handle inconsistent file structures. When working with Excel files that have different sheet names or layouts, Power Query can dynamically detect and extract the necessary data. Its advanced transformation tools allow you to filter out irrelevant information, standardize column headers, and ensure the final dataset is consistent and ready for analysis. For example, if some files have a sheet named 'Sales_Data' while others use 'Revenue,' Power Query can be configured to locate and combine data from both sheets. This flexibility is particularly valuable when dealing with datasets from multiple sources or collaborators who may not adhere to a uniform naming convention. By automating this process, Power Query ensures that your data is consolidated accurately, regardless of the variations in file structure. Using Power Query to Combine Excel Files with Different Sheet Names Watch this video on YouTube. Here are more guides from our previous articles and guides related to Power Query that you may find helpful. Automating the Consolidation Process Automation is a key advantage of Power Query, allowing you to save time and effort on repetitive tasks. Once you've set up a query to consolidate data from your Excel files, you can save it and reuse it whenever new files are added to the folder. Power Query will automatically apply the same transformations and update the consolidated dataset with the latest information. This automation is particularly useful for recurring tasks, such as consolidating monthly sales reports from different regions. Instead of manually combining these reports each month, Power Query can automatically process the new files and update the consolidated dataset. This not only saves hours of manual work but also ensures consistency and accuracy across your datasets. Enhancing Workflows and Data Organization By simplifying the process of combining Excel files with varying sheet names, Power Query helps you optimize your workflows and focus on higher-value tasks. Instead of spending time on repetitive data preparation, you can dedicate your efforts to analyzing the consolidated data and generating actionable insights. This streamlined approach enhances both efficiency and the reliability of your analysis. Power Query also improves data organization by consolidating information into a single, structured table. This makes it easier to sort, filter, and analyze your data. Whether you're working with large datasets or preparing reports for stakeholders, Power Query ensures that your data is well-structured, accessible, and ready for use. This level of organization is particularly beneficial when managing complex projects or collaborating with teams. Best Practices for Using Power Query To maximize the benefits of Power Query, consider implementing the following best practices: Organize your files: Store all your Excel files in a dedicated folder to simplify the import process and ensure consistency. Store all your Excel files in a dedicated folder to simplify the import process and ensure consistency. Preview your data: Use Power Query's preview feature to verify your data before applying transformations, reducing the risk of errors. Use Power Query's preview feature to verify your data before applying transformations, reducing the risk of errors. Document your steps: Keep a clear record of each step in your query to maintain transparency and reproducibility, especially when collaborating with others. Keep a clear record of each step in your query to maintain transparency and reproducibility, especially when collaborating with others. Use advanced features: Explore custom functions and other advanced tools in Power Query to handle more complex scenarios and enhance your workflows. By following these tips, you can ensure that your use of Power Query is both efficient and effective, allowing you to tackle even the most complex data consolidation tasks with confidence. Streamlining Data Consolidation with Power Query Combining Excel files with different sheet names no longer needs to be a daunting or time-intensive process. Power Query offers a robust, automated solution for consolidating data, even when faced with inconsistent file structures. By incorporating Power Query into your workflow, you can save time, reduce errors, and improve the organization of your data. Whether you're managing recurring reports, analyzing sales data, or preparing dashboards, Power Query is an essential tool for streamlining your data analysis processes and enhancing your productivity. Media Credit: Excel Off The Grid Filed Under: Guides Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
Fast Company
12-06-2025
- Business
- Fast Company
The AI fluency gap is growing. Are you keeping up?
The energy has shifted in 2025. You can feel it too, right? AI used to be this shiny side project, something people would experiment with in their spare time. There's been a massive change. AI is now baked into the way work gets done. Some people like myself have run with it, attempting to automate their entire workflow and educate their teams on the many do's and don'ts. Others are still staring at their screens and wondering where to start. The gap between those two groups is growing, and quickly. I have a secret to share, and this is where most people get it wrong: Closing the gap isn't about becoming a tech genius. It's about staying curious and getting scrappy. The AI skills gap is widening, but here's a game plan to keep up. 1. Build AI fluency, not just prompt tricks The first step to building AI fluency is learning how to prompt a chatbot. This is exactly where my own team began with our agency's weekly AI training program, coined 'Thursd-AI' (very clever, I know). In this stage, you build your skillset and learn what AI can actually do across your workflow, and how to structure your asks to get meaningful results. It's not a magic command per se, more of a collaboration mindset. And here's a pro tip: You can actually ask your AI chatbot 'how can I improve this prompt to get a more accurate/more detailed response?'—and it will tell you! 2. Pick one workflow and start automating Don't overhaul everything at once. Start with one task you do often (summarizing docs, writing content, analyzing feedback) and let AI take a pass. Then refine it. The more you experiment with this, the faster you'll get a feel for what's possible, and what's most realistic for you. 3. Follow the builders, not just the headlines The news is relentlessly covering AI, but that doesn't mean these stories are always packed with value. The real insights, the kinds that will make you stand out, are not in the stories with catchy headlines. Seek out case studies, tutorials, and demos from people are using AI in the wild. Follow technologists, no-code tinkerers, indie hackers, the companies making it happen, and people sharing real, tactical ways to apply AI today. A great place to start is OpenAI News, Google AI News, AI Foundations on YouTube, and Quantious's Weekly Tech Roundup (yes, a shameless plug for my agency's tech newsletter). 4. Make AI a daily habit The people staying ahead aren't just using AI occasionally, they're working with it every day. That means brainstorming with ChatGPT, creating reports with Perplexity, or turning text-to-image with Canva. You've likely heard this once, and I'll say it again; You need to treat AI as a team member. 5. Focus on what AI can't replace For now, ignore the news saying that AI is going to 'make us dumb.' AI is not meant to make us lazy, it's meant to allow us to take charge of our projects and our lives and empower us to be more powerful, more effective, and more creative. AI cannot replace soft skills, creative instincts, and emotional intelligence—this is where you come in. The more that AI handles the grunt work, the more you are empowered to use these skills. Use AI to buy back your time, and use that time to get better at being you. Use your critical thinking skills, trust your instincts, and embrace your human curiosity and creativity, while AI handles the little details. You know, the little details that used to leave you in a time crunch and keep you from being your fully present, creative self. The AI fluency gap isn't about who knows the most, it's about who is willing to put in the work learning by trial and error. You're never going to find a one-size-fits-all approach with AI. Stop waiting on a roadmap, and start building your own. In just a few months, you'll be amazed at how much you've learned and how far you've come. The biggest risk here is sitting still. If you're still reading this, you're further along than you think.
Forbes
08-06-2025
- Forbes
How To Build Your Own Generative AI Toolkit To Stay Ahead At Work
How To Build Your Own Generative AI Toolkit To Stay Ahead At Work If you are waiting for your company to adopt AI, you are missing out on a personal opportunity to get ahead in your career. With generative AI you can build your own workflow, automate routine tasks, or create more compelling content. It doesn't take a technical background, but it helps if you have curiosity. The first question you should ask is: what is generative AI and what is a generative toolkit? Generative AI is a fancy term for artificial intelligence that creates new things by learning from existing data and using patterns to generate something original. A generative AI toolkit a collection of tools you can use to create new things like text, images, videos, or audio using AI. What Should Be In A Generative AI Toolkit To Help You Work Smarter? I use many tools that help me get things done more efficiently, and I encourage others to do the same. Don't let the sound of the following AI-related terms intimidate you. Once you start using them, they're easier than you might expect. Here are some of the tasks where I've found generative AI most useful, along with the tools that can help you do each one more effectively so you can be more productive and make a stronger impression. • Brainstorming: Use ChatGPT to generate ideas, outlines, and scripts for any content format. • Audio Creation: ElevenLabs can replicate your voice to narrate scripts. If you record your own voice or anything else, Adobe Podcast Enhance cleans up the audio and makes it studio-quality. • Visual Creation: Kling creates video clips quickly and inexpensively. Canva helps you design everything from presentations to videos to graphics. If you have a lot of expertise, you can use Photoshop as well. • Video Editing: Use Camtasia for editing and Submagic to add b-roll (video clips), captions, and supporting visuals. These platforms don't require a production team. Many are low-cost subscriptions or pay-per-use, making it easy to experiment and find your best-fit tools. How Can A Generative AI Toolkit Make You A More Effective Communicator? If you present ideas to clients, teams, or students, generative AI tools can help you create stronger, more polished content. I use them to work faster and communicate more clearly. Captions, visuals, and sound quality all contribute to how a message is received. Captions are essential, especially on mobile devices or in quiet settings. Submagic handles that seamlessly and can add visual enhancements to keep viewers engaged. Using ElevenLabs to adjust tone and pacing also improves how your message lands. These tools allow you to focus on the substance of your message while still producing something visually and audibly appealing. How Affordable Is It To Build Your Own Generative AI Toolkit? You don't need to invest thousands. Most of the tools I've mentioned are affordable and flexible. Some charge monthly. Others charge per project. Camtasia and Canva are widely used and offer significant value. Many people underestimate what Canva can do until they explore it. When I wanted to learn more, I took a short course through for under one hundred dollars. I have no affiliation with them (or any of the other tools I mention here), but the course was far more useful than a recent graduate-level university certification I completed from one of the top technology schools. That program cost thousands and didn't include real-world applications or hands-on training. How Does Curiosity Help You Get The Most From Your AI Toolkit? Learning how to use AI tools starts with curiosity. You don't need to understand every feature. You just need to be open to trying something new. People often wait until they feel completely prepared. That delay is what slows progress. I recently attended an event hosted by HRNxt, where we discussed how hard it can be to adopt new technologies. Jessica Hanan, Head of Workforce Enablement at Altruistic, told a story that captured the problem well. When cars were first introduced, some had fake horse heads attached to the front to make passengers feel more comfortable. We're in a similar place now with AI. People need help getting past their initial discomfort. One simple way to make adoption easier is to divide learning across a team. Assign one person to experiment with ChatGPT for scripting. Another can test ElevenLabs for voiceover. A third can use Adobe Podcast Enhance for audio quality. Someone else can explore for visuals. Make the group goal a final video project. That structure gives everyone a role and makes learning more purposeful. How Do You Know When Your Generative AI Toolkit Is Working? You'll know it's working when your process feels smoother. Maybe you spend less time on repetitive tasks or feel more confident creating something that used to take hours. You don't need dozens of tools. Just a few that work well for you. Once people get started, they tend to personalize their stack. One person might use their toolkit for presentations. Another may use it to create educational materials or social content. The point is to start building your own system that supports your work. What's The Best Way To Get Started With A Generative AI Toolkit? Start with one real task at work that takes too long or could be better. Choose one tool to improve that task. If you need clearer audio, try Adobe Podcast Enhance. If you want help writing, test ChatGPT. If you need short videos, explore Document what works and refine from there. This kind of simple experimentation builds your skills quickly without being overwhelming. Why Should You Build A Generative AI Toolkit Now? You don't have to wait for your company to catch up. The best time to start using AI is when you still have the space to experiment without pressure. The people gaining the most value from creating a generative AI toolkit are professionals who stay curious, take small steps, and learn by doing. This is your chance to get ahead while others hesitate. Pick one tool and share what you learn. The sooner you start, the more confident and capable you'll be when these tools become a standard part of work.
Forbes
06-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
The AI Paradox: When More AI Means Less Impact
Young business man with his face passing through the screen of a laptop on binary code background AI is in the news every day. On the one hand, this highlights the vertiginous speed at which the field is developing. On the other, it creates a sense saturation and angst that makes business organizations either drop the subject altogether or go at it full throttle without much discernment. Both approaches will lead to major misses in the inevitable AI-fication of business. In this article, I'll explore what happens when a business goes down the AI rabbit hole without a clear business objective and a solid grasp of the available alternatives. If you have attended any AI conference lately, chances are that, by the end, you thought your business was dangerously behind. Many of these events, even if not on purpose, can leave you with the feeling that you need to deploy AI everywhere and automate everything to catch up. If you've succumbed to this temptation, you most likely found out that is not the right move. Two years into the generative AI revolution, a counterintuitive truth is emerging from boardrooms to factory floors. Companies pursuing 100% AI automation are often seeing diminished returns, while those treating AI as one element in a broader, human-centered workflow are capturing both cost savings and competitive advantages. The obvious truth is already revealing itself: AI is just one more technology at our disposal, and just like every other new technology, everyone is trying to gain first-move advantage, which inevitably creates chaos. Those who see through and beyond said chaos are building the foundations of a successful AI-assisted business. The numbers tell a story that contradicts the automation evangelists. Three in four workers say AI tools have decreased their productivity and added to their workload, according to a recent UpWork survey of 2,500 respondents across four countries. Workers report spending more time reviewing AI-generated content and learning tool complexities than the time these tools supposedly save. Even more revealing: while 85% of company leaders are pushing workers to use AI, nearly half of employees using AI admitted they have no idea how to achieve the productivity gains their employers expect. This disconnect isn't just corporate misalignment—it's a fundamental misunderstanding of how AI creates value. The companies winning the AI game aren't those deploying the most algorithms. They're the ones who understand that intelligent automation shouldn't rely on AI alone. Instead, successful organizations are orchestrating AI within broader process frameworks where human expertise guides strategic decisions while AI handles specific, well-defined tasks. A good AI strategy always revolves around domain experts, not the other way around. Consider how The New York Times approached AI integration. Rather than replacing journalists with AI, the newspaper introduced AI tools for editing copy, summarizing information, and generating promotional content, while maintaining strict guidelines that AI cannot draft full articles or significantly alter journalism. This measured approach preserves editorial integrity while amplifying human capabilities. AI should be integrated strategically and operationally into entire processes, not deployed as isolated solutions to be indiscriminately exploited hoping for magic. Research shows that 60% of business and IT leaders use over 26 systems in their automation efforts, and 42% cite lack of integration as a major digital transformation hurdle. The most effective AI implementations focus on task-specific applications rather than general automation. Task-specific models offer highly specialized solutions for targeted problems, making them more efficient and cost-effective than general-purpose alternatives. Harvard Business School research involving 750 Boston Consulting Group consultants revealed this precision matters enormously. While consultants using AI completed certain tasks 40% faster with higher quality, they were 19 percentage points less likely to produce correct answers on complex tasks requiring nuanced judgment. This 'jagged technological frontier' demands that organizations implement methodical test-and-learn approaches rather than wholesale AI adoption. Harvard Business Review research confirms that AI notoriously fails at capturing intangible human factors essential for real-world decision-making—ethical considerations, moral judgments, and contextual nuances that guide business success. The companies thriving in 2025 aren't choosing between humans and machines. They're building hybrid systems where AI automation is balanced with human interaction to maintain stakeholder trust and capture value that neither could achieve alone. The mantra, 'AI will replace your job,' seems to consistently reveal a timeless truth: everything that should be automated will be automated, not everything than can be automated will. The Path Forward The AI paradox isn't a failure of technology—it's a lesson in implementation strategy. Organizations that resist the allure of complete automation and instead focus on thoughtful integration, task-specific deployment, and human-AI collaboration aren't just avoiding the productivity trap. They're building sustainable competitive advantages that compound over time. The question isn't whether your organization should use AI. It's whether you'll fall into the 'more AI' trap or master the art of 'smarter AI'—where less automation actually delivers more impact.
Geeky Gadgets
06-06-2025
- Geeky Gadgets
10 Essential MacBook Tips You Need to Know Now!
Your MacBook is a powerful tool, packed with features designed to enhance productivity and simplify your workflow. Whether you're a new user or a seasoned Mac enthusiast, there are hidden tools and shortcuts that can make your experience more efficient and enjoyable. These ten tips will help you unlock your Mac's potential, stay organized, and keep your system running smoothly. Let's dive into how you can make the most of your MacBook. The video below from Proper Honest Tech gives us more details on these awesome Mac tips. Watch this video on YouTube. 1. Organize Tasks with Multiple Desktop Spaces Managing multiple tasks can quickly become overwhelming, but your Mac's Mission Control feature offers a practical solution: virtual desktops. These allow you to create separate workspaces for different activities, helping you stay focused and organized. For example: Use one desktop for work-related apps like spreadsheets, presentations, or project management tools. Reserve another desktop for personal tasks, such as browsing the web or chatting with friends. To access Mission Control, swipe up with three fingers on your trackpad or press the Mission Control key. This feature declutters your workspace, allowing you to switch between tasks seamlessly and maintain focus. 2. Save Time with Drag-and-Drop File Saving Saving files to the right location doesn't have to be a hassle. Mac's drag-and-drop functionality simplifies this process, allowing you to bypass tedious navigation through folders. Here's how: Open Finder and locate the folder where you want to save your file. Drag the folder icon directly into the save dialog box. This method eliminates unnecessary steps, making sure your files are saved in the correct location quickly and efficiently. 3. Customize the Weather Widget for Quick Updates The weather widget in your Mac's Notification Center is a convenient tool for staying informed about current conditions and forecasts. Personalizing this widget can make it even more useful: Add your location to receive accurate, real-time weather updates. Adjust the display settings to prioritize the information you find most relevant, such as hourly forecasts or weekly trends. With this feature, you can plan your day without needing to open a separate app or website, saving time and effort. 4. Use File Inspector for Instant File Details When working with multiple files, quickly accessing their details can save you valuable time. The File Inspector feature provides dynamic file information without requiring you to open multiple windows. To use it: Select a file and press Command + Option + I to open the Inspector. to open the Inspector. The Inspector updates automatically as you navigate through different files. This tool is particularly useful for managing large projects with numerous documents, allowing you to stay organized and informed. 5. Refine Spotlight Searches with Filters Spotlight is more than just a basic search tool—it's a powerful resource for finding files, emails, and other information quickly. By using filters, you can narrow your search results with precision. For example: Type 'kind:email' to locate emails specifically. to locate emails specifically. Search 'invoice kind:PDF' to find PDF invoices in seconds. These filters help you save time and streamline your workflow, making Spotlight an indispensable tool for productivity. 6. Turn Your iPhone into a Microphone Apple's Continuity feature allows you to use your iPhone as a microphone for your Mac, which is especially useful for video calls, voice recordings, or presentations. To set it up: Ensure both your Mac and iPhone are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Go to your Mac's Sound settings and select your iPhone as the input source. This feature enhances audio quality during remote meetings or voice-enabled tasks, providing a seamless integration between your devices. 7. Monitor Battery Health for Longevity Maintaining your Mac's battery health is essential for making sure long-term performance. Monitoring its condition can help you identify potential issues early and extend its lifespan. To check your battery health: Click the battery icon in the menu bar and select Battery Preferences . . Enable optimized charging to reduce wear and tear on your battery over time. By keeping an eye on these metrics, you can ensure your Mac remains reliable and efficient for years to come. 8. Diagnose Performance Issues with Activity Monitor If your Mac is running slower than usual, the Activity Monitor can help you identify resource-heavy apps or processes. This tool provides real-time data on your system's performance. To use it: Open Activity Monitor from the Utilities folder in Applications. Review CPU, memory, and energy usage to pinpoint resource-intensive apps. Close unnecessary apps directly from the Activity Monitor to free up system resources. This feature is invaluable for troubleshooting and maintaining optimal performance. 9. Speed Up Workflows with AI Dictation Typing long documents can be time-consuming, but Mac's AI-powered dictation tool offers a faster alternative. This feature allows you to convert your voice into text with impressive accuracy. To enable it: Go to System Preferences and turn on Dictation under the Keyboard settings. Start speaking, and your Mac will transcribe your words in real time. This tool is ideal for drafting emails, writing notes, or transcribing meetings, saving you time and effort. 10. Keep Your Mac Clean with AI Tools Over time, your Mac can accumulate unnecessary files that slow down its performance. AI-powered cleaning tools can help you maintain a clean and efficient system by: Identifying and removing junk files that take up valuable storage space. Optimizing your storage to ensure you have room for important files and applications. Monitoring system performance to prevent potential issues. Regular cleanups with these tools ensure your Mac remains organized and runs smoothly. Maximize Your MacBook's Potential By incorporating these MacBook tips into your daily routine, you can unlock the full potential of your MacBook. From organizing tasks with multiple desktops to optimizing performance with Activity Monitor, these features are designed to enhance your productivity and streamline your workflow. Whether you're saving time with drag-and-drop functionality, customizing widgets, or using AI tools, each tip contributes to a more efficient and enjoyable Mac experience. Start exploring these features today and take your MacBook usage to the next level. Here are more detailed guides and articles that you may find helpful on Mac productivity tips. Source & Image Credit: Proper Honest Tech Filed Under: Apple, Guides, Laptops Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
