Autoexpansion If you add a row directly below the last row of a table or add a column directly to the right of a table, the table expands to incorporate the new row or column. All table styles, conditional formatting, calculations, and data validation rules extend to the new row or column. Charts based on data from the table also are similarly updated. Likewise, if you add a new column adjacent to the table, the column is automatically incorporated into the table definition.

Structured referencing Formulas that reference elements of a table can use column names and other tags in place of ordinary cell addresses. This kind of referencing, exemplified in Figure 22-1, makes table calculations self-documenting and enhances reliability.

Sorting improvements Versions of Excel prior to 2003 let you sort data on as many as three criteria. Now you can sort on as many criteria as you please. You can also sort data on the basis of the font or fill colors assigned to cells.

Filtering improvements It’s easier now to filter a table so that you see only the rows in which you’re currently interested. You can filter on multiple criteria or on icon sets applied via conditional formatting. You can also use filters based on dynamic date definitions, such as last week or the current quarter.

Formula replication If you add a column that performs calculations based on table data (a column such as the one that generates total scores in Figure 22-1), Excel automatically replicates the calculation formula throughout the column.

Figure 22-1. Structured referencing, exemplified by the formula in E2, makes calculations easier to understand and less prone to error.

Removal of duplicate data A simple command lets you highlight and (optionally) remove duplicate rows from a table.

Table styles Excel 2010 comes with a large library of styles that you can use to apply gorgeous and consistent formatting to your tables. The styles are intelligent and dynamic. If you use a style that adds banding to a table (displaying alternate rows in contrasting colors), the banding adjusts correctly to changes in sorting, filtering, and table dimensions. You can also create your own table styles or customize any of the existing styles.