2020 12 Days

Day 1 – Excel’s new XLOOKUP function

• Return values to the left of the lookup
• Lookup within a row – replaces HLOOKUP
• Search from the bottom to the top

Day 2 – INTUNE (PART 1)

• Encrypt work files
• Restrict suspicious attachments
• Protect your company against data leaks

Intune works on both corporate and personal devices. On personal devices Intune only manages the corporate data – the employee’s personal data remains personal.

Day 3 – INTUNE (PART 2)

• Enforce Multi-factor Authentication
• Remotely wipe lost devices
• Support multiple devices per user
• Manage multiple devices/operating systems from one admin center
  • iOS/iPadOS
  • Android
  • Windows
  • macOS

Day 4 – Excel Data Connectors

Excel has prebuilt connectors for importing data from a number of data sources. You can also combine and transform the data as part of the import. The data from each of the sources can be refreshed without recreating the connection.

Getting data from a file is as simple as opening local or network files. Use the explorer to find the file and import the data. Supported file types include other Excel workbooks, Text/CSV, XML, JSON, PDF, and others.

Getting data from a database requires a username and password for the database. Once connected, you can browse the tables and pull in the data you need. Supported databases include SQL Server, Access, Oracle, IBM DB2, MySQL, PostgreSQL, Sybase, and others.

Getting data from online services also requires a login. Once logged in you can choose the particular data you want and pull it into Excel. Supported services include Microsoft Exchange, Dynamics 365, and Salesforce.

Many other data sources are also available.

Day 6 – Power BI and Excel

Power BI extends the analysis and data visualization capabilities of Excel to give better insight into your business. You can:

• Take the data you already have in Excel and easily transfer it to Power BI to get compelling data analytics and visualization capabilities.
• Schedule the Power BI reports to automatically get the latest data from your spreadsheet.
• Use data from multiple workbooks and worksheets in the same reports.
• User natural language queries to refine your dashboard visualizations.
• Easily see your Power BI data in Excel.

And it’s not just Excel… Power BI has built-in connectors to dozens of other data sources, letting you visualize and report on all aspects of your business.

Day 7 – Multi-Factor Authentication

Cybersecurity is increasingly important. During this time, we are putting more sensitive information out on the cloud, so protecting this data is vital. Hackers can use programs to “brute force” attack your password. Using strong passwords and changing them regularly help, but aren’t enough. Adding Multi-factor Authentication (MFA) greatly reduces the chance that a bad actor can break into your accounts and steal your private information.

MFA adds a device – typically a phone – and a unique personal attribute, like a fingerprint or your personal appearance, to the list of things a hacker must have to gain access to your account.

Using either the Microsoft Authenticator app or text messages on your phone lets you provide both of these easily. Logging into your account pushes a message to the app or a text to your phone and lets you confirm that you are the person accessing your account.

Without all three parts, no one can access your account. You are protected with minimal additional effort.

Day 9 – Teams Apps

Add to Teams functionality with integrated Apps:

To add Apps click the Apps icon at the lower left of the Teams menu.

Day 10 – Power Automate

Streamline repetitive tasks and paperless processes with Microsoft Power Automate—so you can focus your attention where it’s needed most. Here are some really useful things you can do with Power Automate:

Day 11 – M365 Business Premium Tools

Choosing Business Premium nets you some really useful tools:

Day 12 – Teams Holiday Fund