Excel Pranks and Protections - Harmless Shenanigan |​ David Ringstrom

SESSION DETAILS
Think you know Excel? Think again.

In this lighthearted—but sneakily educational—session, Excel author and trainer David H. Ringstrom, CPA (author of Microsoft 365 Excel For Dummies) shares a series of spreadsheet pranks that double as clever, real-world techniques for controlling behavior in workbooks.

You’ll learn how to:

• Modify the Normal cell style to make data “disappear” (until you know where to look)
• Override Excel’s default month fill pattern with a custom AutoFill list
• Swap column letters for numbers using R1C1 reference style—confusing at first, but useful in the right hands
• Create a hidden workbook window that launches automatically from Excel’s XLSTART folder
• And more—all easy to undo, and surprisingly useful in day-to-day Excel work

Each “prank” showcases an underused Excel feature that’s equally suited to streamlining templates, locking down structure, or simply raising eyebrows in the best way.

If you’ve ever found yourself wondering, "What happened to my spreadsheet?"—this session will teach you both how to break things (gently) and how to fix them like a pro.

No code. No damage. Just good, clean spreadsheet mischief.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

David H. Ringstrom, CPA, has over 30 years of experience as a spreadsheet and accounting software consultant and speaker, having presented more than 2,500 live webinars. He has authored or co-authored eight books, including Microsoft 365 Excel For Dummies, Exploring Microsoft Excel’s Hidden Treasures, and QuickBooks Online For Dummies.

Find more about ​​​David Ringstrom's work and connect with him:
Website: https://www.davidringstrom.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidringstrom/

AGENDA (Eastern Time)
5:30 PM - 5:45 PM - Introduction by Celia Alves
5:45PM - 6:15 PM - "​Excel Pranks and Protections - Harmless Shenanigans (and the Tools to Undo Them)" by David Ringstrom
6:15PM - 6:30 PM - Q&A + Closing by Celia Alves

REGISTRATION
This session will be hosted on Microsoft Teams and recorded to share with others who could not attend live. You must register for the event to access the Teams Meeting link, which will become visible after you RSVP Yes.

JOINING THE EVENT
The link will be visible only if you RSVP beforehand.
During the speaker's presentation, we ask that attendees ensure they are on MUTE to avoid background noise and distractions.
Attendees can type questions and comments into the chat, which will be monitored by the event hosts.
At the end, there will be time for Q&A, where attendees can unmute their mic and even share their video to ask questions.

**NOTE: As mentioned, this event will be recorded and shared on YouTube and other social media platforms; therefore, attendee information may be visible in the recording.

We are looking forward to meeting you there!

A SPECIAL THANK YOU note to our lead sponsor: Sheetcast