With the increasing severity of natural disasters in recent years, many larger companies have started to develop and implement a continuity plan to ensure that they can still conduct business, no matter what happens. Businesses in the process of developing a plan will eventually need to decide if they want to use software or templates?

The decision between templates and software can be a tough one to make, as whichever one you choose, you’ll be using and relying on for a long time. To help you we’ve covered some pros and cons on both choices:

Using Software If you choose to go with a software program, you will be walked through the whole process allowing you to develop a useable plan. Another benefit of using software is that you’ll be able to develop reports if needs be.

The drawbacks of using software include cost, inflexibility and learning time. For the most part, business continuity planning software is not cheap, and at times can be inflexible due to limits within the program. If you have a niche need, the software may not cover it. In addition, as with mastering any program, the learning curve can be quite steep.

In general, using software would be advantageous for companies that have a bigger budget for the development of a continuity plan. Software is also a good bet if you don’t have staff who are experts in continuity planning, or if you operate in an industry where a continuity plan is necessary, e.g., companies working with healthcare insurance, or manufacturing companies that have introduced ISO 9000.

Using Templates If you feel that your company is not ready for software you can use templates to help you develop your plan. These solutions are mostly written plans that you adapt to meet your business needs. They’re useful if you’re just starting to do continuity planning, as they provide a normally solid foundation, and are generally a lot cheaper than software.

A limitation to using templates is that they can be a little too basic at times, and may not meet your needs. Granted, most plans will follow a basic structure and your developer will need to adapt some steps for your relevant region and industry.

As each industry is different, it’s hard to make a recommendation on what type of planning style companies should take. We recommend you take your time, do your due diligence and weigh out what’s best for your business. No matter which method you choose to go ahead with, ensure that it’s easy to implement, and that you’ll be able to teach your staff how to run the plan.

If you feel really lost or are not sure what to do, talking to professional consultants could go a long way in helping you develop a plan. If you’d like to learn more about business continuity planning please contact us - we are happy to help.

Google is well known for their practical apps, the most famous one obviously being Gmail. A few months ago Google updated their look, with the whole Google platform receiving a makeover. The change took users by surprise, bringing about mixed reviews. Google gave the users who didn’t like the change some respite, allowing them to stick with the old look.

Google recently announced some bad news for those who decided to opt-out of the new look: starting March 27, 2012 users will be migrated to the new look, whether they like it or not. For those who are about to move over, or are confused by Gmail’s new look, you are not alone - here’s some information on Gmail’s new look.

The Layout When you log into your Gmail account for the first time after the changes have been implemented, you will notice the layout has changed slightly. Across the top of the window is a black bar with a number of different Google apps, and your account name on the top right. Gone is the sign out button. Well, that’s a lie, if you click on your account name, a drop-down window will open, with sign out button at the bottom.

When you log into Gmail, on the left you will notice your mail folders, e.g., Inbox, and Google chat below your mail folders. If you press and hold the grey bar between the two you can shrink or expand the two areas, depending on your preference. Your emails will be in the centre of the screen with new emails in white, and opened emails in gray. Google has actually stopped calling emails, “emails”, and now calls them conversations. The people who are involved in each conversation are listed above the subject line. You’ll often see a (#) beside the participants, this means that there are multiple emails in the conversation.

When you click on a conversation, it’ll open with a preview of the first message, and the latest message at the bottom. If there are more than five emails in the conversation, you’ll see a number of lines between the oldest and newest. These are the other emails that have come between the first and newest conversation, and if you click on the lines, the other emails will open.

The Toolbar Above your emails you will notice a number of icons:

• A blank square: This is the Select Options button. If you click on the similar looking box beside an email you will notice the email has been selected. You can press this button to get a drop-down menu, with options regarding the conversation you have selected, and tell Gmail what you want to do with the selected conversations.
• A file with an arrow: This is the Archive button. If you have conversations that are junk or unimportant you can select them by clicking on the blank square beside each one, and then clicking this button. It will archive the emails, cleaning up your inbox, but not deleting the conversations, more file them away to be forgotten about, much like a real filing cabinet.
• A stop sign with an !: This is the Report Spam button. If you think a conversation is spam, select it and press this button. You will be presented with a number of options including getting Gmail to try to unsubscribe you from the sender’s email list.
• A trash can: This isn’t Oscar’s home on Sesame Street, it’s the Delete button. Select conversations you’d like to get rid of, and press the button.
• A black folder: This button is Move To. Select conversations you’d like to move out of your inbox, and like a good friend, Google will help you move them.
• A Tag: This is the Tag button. You can select conversations, press tag and mark them for followup, or other options. This is useful for organizing your conversation to-do-list.
• The Cog: The button that has a cog in it is Settings. If you press it, a drop-down menu will open with options to change the layout. Play around with it and pick the one that suits you best. You can also access your account settings from here.

A New Search Box At first glance, the search box, located above the icons, is your standard Google search bar, much the same as google.com. But if you click the arrow beside it, you’ll get a drop-down menu filled with advanced search options that will help you wade through the tons of emails we all get. If that’s not enough, there’s an option to create a filter based on the search results.

The new changes can take a while to get used to, but once you do, you’ll find that the new Gmail is quite useful and maybe even better looking. If you have any questions regarding Gmail or other Google apps please let us know, we are here to help.

No matter what industry your business is in, managers and employees will at one time or another need to give a presentation. Presentations can at times scare many employees, causing undue stress and poorly created presentations that could cost a company a key contract.

It’s important that you, that as a manager, you ensure that your employees are creating PowerPoint presentations that are effective. Here are a few tips you can give to your employees to help them improve their presentations.

Simplify and minimize The best presentations are simple and minimal, often shifting focus from the presentation to the presenter. Minimal presentations follow the 6-6-6 rule. There should be no more than: 6 bullet points per slide, 6 words per bullet and 6 slides full of words in a row. Being visual creatures, you should encourage your employees to create slides with engaging and related visuals. A caveat: be sure that you have the rights to use the images.

A great rule taught in business schools across the country is: KISS (Keep It Simple, Stupid). Refrain from using confusing words, jargon, uncommon acronyms and irrelevant information. Keep it short, sweet, and to the point. Following these rules will help engage the audience and hold their attention for a longer period of time.

Be consistent “Consistency is key” - a saying often used but rarely followed in the creation of PowerPoint presentations. You should ensure that grammar and spelling are all consistent, and errors are minimal, if existent at all. Have another employee or manager review it for errors and inconsistencies.

For the slides, use the same background and font throughout. The easiest way to ensure this is by using a template. A word of warning: don’t use templates that are heavily animated because they can cause significant distractions, and don’t choose backgrounds that are similar in color to your font. The best slides have a light color for a background with a darker font for your text.

Summarize The goal of most presentations is to build interest and inform or update the audience. In fact, the majority of audiences just want a short summary so they can develop their own questions to ask after the presentation, or at a later meeting.

When creating the presentation, be sure to keep the audience in mind. If a presentation is being made to IT managers, chances are it does not need to have advanced financial spreadsheets. If you are presenting on a topic that has lots of graphs, extra information, or appendices, put the most important information in the presentation and the rest in a handout. This will keep the audience’s attention on the presenter, not the slides.

Practice, preview, review Practice makes perfect. In an ideal world there would be hours and hours to practice and tweak a presentation. Normally, that’s not true. Schedule at least a comparable amount of time the day before a presentation for a dry run. Always review the presentation with your team and ask them for feedback. This will help encourage employees to keep improving and developing themselves.

For more tips and tricks on giving presentations using Microsoft PowerPoint and other Microsoft products, please contact us.

An ever increasing number of businesses are starting to adopt the cloud and all its related programs as the main way to do business. One of the leading cloud integration companies is Google. With many Google Apps, users can collaborate on projects in real time allowing for a more dynamic approach to document creation. Google’s social networking program, G+, is now widely used by businesses as well. One feature, Hangout, can be a great way for multiple users to participate on projects. A recent update to Hangout has made it even easier to work together. Read on to learn how.

Google has been great at developing apps that promote teamwork. Until recently, many of the apps focused on one type of collaboration - e.g., Google Docs allows users to work together via chat and instant updates. It allows multiple users to edit the same document at the same time, however, unless you are sitting beside the involved team members, it is a bit hard to effectively communicate. A recent update to the Hangout feature of Google Plus, Google’s social networking medium, now allows users in the same Hangout to work together on a Google Doc.

Think of this as one of the closest things to face-to-face meetings. We can now see each other as we work on the same document, meaning we’ll be able to read people’s faces to gauge what their comment means - a notoriously hard task when we can’t see a person’s face.

How to Team Up with Hangouts When you need to work together on a project, simply start a Hangout on Google Plus, wait for everyone to show up and press the “Docs” button, on the top left of the window. You will be able to choose to start a new project, or open an existing document. A modified Google Docs window will open, with all the Hangout members at the bottom of the window. All the functionality of Google Docs will be available. Be sure that when the Hangout is finished to click the “Share” button on the Doc, to ensure it is shared with all the necessary members.

With this update, it’s even easier to work as a team on projects without the need for your colleagues to be in the same room. If you would like to learn more about Google Docs, Google Plus or other Google Apps, give us a call, we are more than happy to help.

It’s hard to find someone who isn’t using social media in some way, or at the very least isn’t aware of its existence. Companies are becoming wise to this and are starting to utilize social media tools to build their brand, or bring in new customers. If your company does not use any form of social media, it may be time to look into getting your business out there.

Social media, once called a fad, has become the norm and is going to be with us for some time. A large number of companies already have an online presence, and are taking advantage of the benefits that social media can bring. Here are a number of things you can do to get your social media adventures underway.

Be Clear on Social Media It’s important that before you start looking into the different forms of social media that are out there, you are clear on what social media is, and what it isn’t. Social media is a way to meet people, and share content and ideas with them. For companies it’s a form of non-traditional marketing - think of it as soft marketing - it’s not meant to be the place where you flog your products, rather a place to develop interest in your company, so people will want to do business with you. By using social media you can show people who your company is, and connect with them on a more personal level. If you are clear on what social media is from the beginning, there’s a higher chance that you’ll be successful when you develop your online presence.

Before You Launch Into Social Media There are a number of things that your company needs to have either already done, or considered, before you jump in:

• Have a website: It’s a good idea to have a solid website with information about your company, contact information, products and services. Most potential customers will look at your website after looking searching for you online, and before they choose to do business with you, so your website needs to provide the relevant information they are looking for. If you don’t have a website, or feel yours is lacking, it’s easier than ever to get a professional looking site. With a quick search you will be able to find some competent designers.
• Get educated: It will be beneficial to educate yourself on current trends regarding social media. This can be done by simply going to social media websites, taking the free introduction tours and reading blogs related to the sites. Beyond that you should also research your competitors’ websites and Internet presence. Observe what content they have online, and more importantly: what they don’t have. It will also help to connect with and observe industry experts, see what they post online, and note the style and tone they use. This will help provide you with a sound knowledge base from which you can then create a more effective online presence.
• Set goals: As with any step in business, you should have a plan with realistic goals. Aim for results that are achievable for your company. If you’re a small, local IT company that focuses on providing support for banks, don’t expect to have the same massive hype that Microsoft and Apple do. Clearly set objectives and review periodically.
• Develop a focus: In real life, you can’t be all things to all people. The same goes for social media. You need to develop a focus on what type of online content you would like to share. You should aim to create content that your customers will want to share with people.
• Stake a claim: You should to go to the main social media websites - Google+, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube - and reserve your personal and business usernames. This is important because it will make you look more professional by having the same username across all sites, and users will be able to find you easier.
• Ask for help if you need it: While some companies make social media sound easy, it can be deceptively hard to master. If you feel lost, or are having a tough time with it, there are knowledgeable consultants out there who are happy to help.

Time to Get Social When you feel you know what direction you will take, it’s time to start developing your online profiles. It can be tough to decide which social media tools to utilize. Unfortunately there is no right answer. Most small businesses follow the crowd, and this means having pages on Facebook and Linkedin. This does not mean that you should join these networks simply because they have the most users. It is recommended that you follow what similar businesses or direct competitors are doing. If they are on one service but not another, do the same to begin with, but be on the lookout for new social media sites, or features being added to existing sites.

One Thing to Not Forget There is one really important thing we can share with businesses thinking of pursuing social media: it isn’t a turnkey operation. You can’t just, “set it and forget it.” To be successful, you need to be active by posting updates, news, and above all interacting with the people who reach out to you. After all, they are your customers. If you do establish your social presence but forget to keep it up to date, you will be the company that’s forgotten.

If you would like help with your social media strategy, please get in touch with us. We’d love to hear from you.

For employees developing Java applications, there are a number of ways they can go about it. In the past, many had to first develop a framework, then develop the applications around it. This changed when VMWare released the Spring Framework. The Spring Framework was recently updated, read on to learn more.

VMWare recently announced that extensions to its Spring Framework are now compatible with Spring 3.1. This update ensures extensions like Spring Android, Integration, Security, Data and Mobile, etc. play nicely with the latest version of Spring, allowing for developers to more quickly develop business solutions and applications.

Who is VMWare? VMWare was founded in 1998 on the platform of providing virtualization solutions and software to companies of all sizes. The company creates virtualization software to work on Microsoft Windows, Linux and Mac OS X with a focus on shifting businesses onto the cloud, without disturbing existing operations or compromising security.

What is Spring Framework? Spring Framework is a process that allows developers to develop applications that can be integrated with Web services, security, messaging and databases that use Java. The Spring Framework builds a framework for developers to use, so they don’t have to develop one themselves. Therefore, it allows them to focus on creating and deploying Java applications in a number of different environments.

What do the Updates Bring? With Spring 3.1, there are a number of updates to the existing framework. The biggest accomplishment with this update is that all of Spring’s Frameworks are compatible with each other. This allows developers to not worry about developing workarounds, if one part of the framework is out of date. In short, it makes developers more efficient, while giving them the ability to develop Java based applications much faster.

The computer and all its related gadgets is probably the most important device in business. Many of us spend our whole work day on the computer, we then go home and spend more time on another computer. One of the consequences to this is that there has been an increase in the number of computer related injuries.

The majority of injuries sustained while working with computers are not instantaneous, they happen over time. The most common form of computer related injury is the Repetitive Strain Injury, also known as RSI. Soft tissue, muscles, tendons, nerves and ligaments are all susceptible to RSI. With proper maintenance and knowledge, almost all RSIs can be prevented. If left unchecked, an RSI could lead to lost time and possibly irreparable damage.

Eye Strain Eye strain happens when you have overexerted your eyes. The most common symptoms include:

• pain around the eyes,
• dry eyes,
• fatigue,
• photophobia (sensitivity to light) and
• blurred vision.

Often, severe eye strain will also cause pain or tension in the neck and shoulders. The most common causes of eye strain are poor workspace layout and sub-par lighting conditions.

The good news is that in most cases, eye strain won’t lead to permanent vision complaints, but if left unchecked it could cause productivity problems. The easiest way to prevent eye strain is to work in a space with lighting that is neither too strong or weak, and have a light source that does not create glare. It is equally important to take short breaks from the monitor. Follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something (not another monitor) 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

Posture Related There are a number of related injuries to your posture, including: back pain, neck pain and headaches. These injuries typically come from bad posture, combined with sitting for an extended amount of time. It may not seem like you can injure yourself by sitting in a chair all day, but your muscles are not designed to stay in the same position for such a long period of time, and doing so can result in muscle pain. Poor posture at work can also lead to an increased chance of a herniated disc, commonly called a “slipped disc”.

There are a number of things you can do to minimize posture related injuries.

• Adopt a proper posture. Have a chair that pushes the small of your back (bottom) out, as this will promote a more natural spinal position. Try not to cross your feet, as comfortable as it is, as doing so puts pressure on your lower back.
• Get up and move around every 20 minutes to half hour.
• Stretch. Move your joints through their normal range of motion.
• If you have kinks or muscle pain, gently massage the area with a kneading motion.
• Get up. There is a rising trend of using a standing workstation - this could be another option.

Arm Related The most common type of injury to the arm is the well-known Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). This mainly happens in two places: the wrist and the elbow. CTS occurs when the median nerve (one of the main nerves) is compressed. CTS in the wrist is the most common RSI, and can be a costly injury. The median nerve also passes through the elbow. If compression occurs there, it can result in an injury commonly called “tennis elbow”. Symptoms include: numbness of the hand and arm, pain and weakness in grasping.

There are a number of things you can do to prevent CTS:

• Keep your mouse and keyboard close together.
• Type and hold the mouse gently.
• Remove your hands from the mouse and keyboard when not using them.
• Take frequent breaks to move your wrists and elbows through their natural range of motion. Be careful to not over extend.

With a combination of breaks, ergonomic workplaces, and other preventative measures you and your staff will see fewer injuries and higher productivity. If you would like to learn more ways to prevent injuries, or increase productivity please contact us.

Many companies have turned to the Internet as a way to build their brand, reach out to, and connect with customers. This means having a presence where customers are looking. When a customer wants to find out about a business, it is highly likely that the first place they go is Google. One of the most powerful apps businesses can use to get their name out there is Google Places. Are you using Google Places with your business?

Places, introduced in 2009, is actually two different services. The first service, is essentially a mini website, within Google, for local businesses with contact information, reviews, pictures, nearest transit stop, street view, and so on. Google realized that when people want to find a business or service they will typically type in the service and their location - e.g., if a person is in New York, and wants to find a computer repair center, they will typically enter something like: Computer Repair New York. Using Places, businesses in a particular area will be ranked to appear higher in search results if the user is in the same general area. While the results show up on search results, Places is actually a part of Google Maps. If a business has signed up, and provided their info, it will also show up as a pinpoint when a relevant search query is entered in Google Maps. The best part of Places is that it is free for businesses.

The second service is the Places App. This app is for everybody and is similar to popular local search services like Foursquare. You enter a search in Places and, based on your location and search, results will show up with the closest result first. People can call, email, review, and even suggest businesses. Places is available in Google search results, Google Maps and as a standalone App for smartphones.

How Do I Get My Business On Places?

If you are interested in getting your business on to Places you will need to get a few things ready before you apply:

1. A Google account: You will need a Google account that is related to your business. If you do not have one, it is free to sign up.
2. Any content you would like to show up on your Places page, including pictures, basic brochures or product information, and if you have them, videos. The more precise your information is, the better your organic result will be.

After you have your information ready, head over to the Places website and click Get Started. From there it’s as simple as following the on-screen prompts, and then waiting for Google to put your Places page online. Once it’s online you will be able to update information in real time, and be on the way to generating more customers.

Watch Out! Common Mistakes Made by Businesses Here are four common mistakes business often make when establishing their Places profile:

• Unclear Keywords: Places lets you select keywords and categories for your business. Many businesses make the mistake of selecting categories that don’t fit their business model, and this will potentially confuse viewers, resulting in many needless calls and emails about your services. Google Places allows a maximum of five categories. We suggest picking one or two pre-built options, (if there are similar ones to your business model), and three custom ones. Try to develop keywords that specify exactly what you do.
• Get the Basics Right: The mobile version of Places allows and encourages users to call businesses. Therefore, it is important you have not only the right phone number, but the right format - e.g., many phone numbers in Canada require you to input the area code regardless of the location. If you don’t have it, no one will be able to contact you. Also, ensure you are using the correct name for your company. Put the name of your business as it is registered with your phone and Internet company.
• Proper Citations: Citations are references to your business that, when used correctly, help place your business higher in local search results. It is important that when building citations your company name, phone number and other information are exactly the same as what you have listed on Places. If you have used N.W. in Places, and on another site  like Yelp, you have cited your business address with North West, the results will be diminished and your business will show up lower in search results.
• Too Many Chiefs, Not Enough Indians: It is important that you limit the number of people who have access to the account you use for your Places page. The more people who have access, the higher the chance your information can be changed, often with negative results.

Places, if leveraged right, is a great way to help boost your online presence and marketing potential. If you would like to learn more about Google Places or any other Google App, please get in touch.

March is almost over, many of the big companies and MNCs have released their bonus figures, tax season is in full swing, the economy is kind of rebounding and people are looking for work. Chances are, your company will be hiring a new staff member or two in the near future. One of the most popular ways is to conduct interviews via VoIP based programs such as Skype and Microsoft Lync. Do you conduct interviews using VoIP?

Let’s face it, there are very few people out there who love conducting interviews. The ones that do, are journalists, the rest of us see it as a means to the end. But that doesn’t mean that you should put interviews on the back burner. Remember, the purpose of the interview is to find an employee that meets your needs and is a good fit for your business. Many of us have watched or conducted interviews over VoIP, and have walked away unimpressed, or unsure of the results. Here are some tips to ensure you get the most out of VoIP while interviewing.

Remember the Rules Many of us have another identity or personality when we are online, it’s common to see people who are usually quiet and reserved in real life become very vocal when placed in front of a computer. This also happens when people conduct interviews online, another personality often comes out during the interview. Remember: even though you are conducting an interview over VoIP, it is still an interview, and as such, you need to follow the same rules and guidelines you would when conducting a face-to-face interview. One of the biggest things interviewers forget when they conduct interviews via VoIP is that you are a representative of your company and its brand, the interviewee will form their own opinion based on what you say and how you act. Adopt your face-to-face interview persona, not the online persona.

Lights, Camera, Office? When conducting the interview it is best to pick a well-lit spot, with minimal to no distractions. Your office may be the one with Nirvana posters on the wall - which is cool - but they’re probably not the best thing to have as your background during the interview. The best spot to conduct face-to-face interviews is in a conference room, so why not conduct the online interview there? If you don’t have a conference room, pick a quiet spot in the office. Wherever you settle, be sure you are comfortable there, as chances are you will be conducting more than one interview.

When you have found a good spot, be sure to turn off your cellphone, or at least put it on silent. Also be sure to turn the various sound alerts on your computer off. Nothing is more annoying to interviewees than being interrupted mid-sentence by a telephone call, or the ubiquitous IM alert.

Test the Tech Before you conduct the interview, ensure you are familiar with the program you are using. You don’t want to accidentally mute the interviewee, or even worse, hang up on them. It is a good idea to set up in the place you are going to be conducting the interview, and check that the internet connection is stable, or if you are using WiFi, that the signal is strong. Conduct a test call with a colleague or another person to ensure that your webcam is working correctly, and you can hear the other person. It is best to do this a few days in advance, so you can iron out any glitches or problems with lots of time to spare.

If a technological mishap occurs during the interview, or you lose your connection, don’t give up and walk away, simply call the interviewee back, apologize and carry on. Better still, establish at the outset that if there is a problem, you will definitely call back. This will ensure that the interviewee isn’t calling you when you are calling them.

The Interview Remember that you are using technology for the interview, and this technology has many useful features, the most pertinent being the ability to record. Being able to play the interview back later if you feel you have missed something, or want to know other employees’ opinions, is an excellent perk to using VoIP. Be sure to let the interviewee know that their interview will be recorded, as it could be illegal to record the person without their consent.

One common oversight by both the interviewer and interviewee is time. It may happen that you need to conduct an interview with someone in another timezone. It’s important to be aware of the time difference and ensure that both parties are on the same page. Also, if you’re in an area that has Daylight Savings Time, be aware that some places don’t observe it, and adjust accordingly. If you know the interviewee is in another timezone, clearly state when you are setting up the interview time, if you mean your time or the interviewee’s time.

Finally, when conducting the interview: be aware of where you are looking. Most programs will have the other person in a large image with you in a smaller image. Look at the image of the person when they are speaking, and at the camera when you are speaking. This is the best way to replicate eye-contact in a face-to-face interview.

When you remain professional and can execute a good interview using VoIP software, you can be sure that the interviewee will be impressed and will want to join your company. Good luck! If you would like to know more about using VoIP for interviews, or other business operations give us a call - we are more than happy to hear from you.

Many business owners and managers use Microsoft’s spreadsheet program, Excel, on a daily basis. It has become the go-to program for basic book keeping, forecasting, scheduling, chart making, and much more. It’s safe to say we are comfortable with it, and some may even call themselves experts. For those who are less comfortable, there are a number of errors that can cause confusion. Read on to learn about the most common ones.

While most of us are comfortable with Excel, there are many times when we have had an error pop up that is more or less confusing. Let’s face it, when we see “!#%&” characters many of us are at a loss. Here are some of the most common errors you come across in Excel, what they mean, and how to fix them.

####### This is one of the most common errors, with the # sign filling the cell. This error means that you have entered data in the cell that is longer than the cell’s size. For example, 1234567890 will show up as ##### if that column is not wide enough to fit all those numbers. This error will also show up when you have formatted a negative number as a date.

To fix this error, simply re-size the column (A, B, C, etc.) by clicking the edge of the column and dragging to the right to make larger. Or check to see if you have a negative number that is formatted as a date, and if so format the cell as a negative number instead..

?Name# This error means you have have an error in the formula or range. For example, =counif(!6:B99, “Y”) In this case, “counif” should be “countif”. Also, the “!6” should be a column letter and 6 (i.e., B6).

To fix this error, click on the cell with the error, and look at the formula in the formula bar, usually located above the spreadsheet, and correct the formula like this: =COUNTIF(A6:B99, “Y”)

#REF! If you have a formula that refers to other cells in the spreadsheet, and then you change one of those cells to data that does not compute in your formula, you will get the #REF! error. For example, if your formula for C6 is: =SUM(A1:A5, B1:B5, C1:C5) and you delete B1, you will get #REF! in C6.

The easiest fix to this is to hit: CTRL+Z, or Undo under Edit. If you made the error a long time ago and Undo does not work, then make sure all cells referenced in the formal contain valid information.

Circular Reference You get this error when you have entered a formula that includes the cell where you have entered the formula. For example, the formula =SUM(A2:A5) is entered into A5. Excel is essentially telling you that it is chasing its own tail, and can’t catch it.

The easiest way to fix this error is to simply click on the original cell, and remove the reference to the cell that the formula is entered in.

The Little Green Triangle in the Cell If you see a little green triangle in the top left corner of a cell, Excel is telling you there is an error with the formula. This is useful if you aren’t sure about what the error means. If you click on the arrow, you will get an ! with Trace Error. Click this, and Excel will give you a drop-down menu with options.

What if I Can’t Find the Error? If you are having trouble locating the error, or do not want to spend time searching for the error in a long formula, click the Formula tab and the arrow beside Error Checking. You can click either Trace Error or Circular Reference and Excel will point out the error, or provide the cell name with the error. From there, select the cell and look at the formula or data entered to determine the problem.