◆ Data & Lookups · drill · Spreadsheet Formulas & Data track
Sort the table
the sort is re-runnable — the log is live, so the late deal takes its rank and not one figure is retyped.
The pipeline log went out ranked by size and a seventh deal signed an hour later. Rank the log largest-first, put the late deal on the marked row, and rank it again so the newcomer sits where it belongs. Then total the column and close the line. Nothing here gets retyped — the log is live, and the second ranking costs the same four keys as the first.
The shortcuts in this drill
Alt walks: tap Alt, release, then the letters in sequence — each key steps one ribbon menu. On a Mac, tap ⌥ and use the same letters (KeyTips, Excel 2024+).
Ctrl+Shift+↓⌘⇧↓ on macExtend selection to the edge of data
Select from here to the edge of the data — the standard grab before formatting or filling a column.
Alt a s d e⌥ a s d e on macSort descending (Data tab)
Sort the tape before reading it — biggest positions first is how a book gets reviewed.
Alt+=⌥ = on macAutoSum the adjacent range
AutoSum reads the block above or beside the cursor and proposes the SUM — foot rows and columns without typing a formula.
Ctrl+B⌘B on macBold
Bold marks structure: titles, total rows, anything the reviewer’s eye should land on first.
Alt h b p⌥ h b p on macTop border
Top border above a total row — the accounting ruling that says “this line sums the ones above.”
The optimal line
the par-setting sequence, straight through:
D4 ctrl+⇧+↓ · alt a s d → e expands and sorts Z→A · C10 Ridge ↵ · D10 220 ↵ · grab again · alt a s d e · D11 alt+= ↵ · C11:D11 ctrl+b alt h b p · ctrl+s
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