Excel Breaks Decades-Old Rule, Allows Multiple Values in Single Cell

Microsoft has announced a major update to its Excel spreadsheet software, allowing users to store multiple values in a single cell. This feature, which has been years in the making, is now available for preview and promises to revolutionize the way users work with data.

Currently, when entering multiple values into a single cell, such as 'Carlos, Henrietta, Jacob', Excel treats them as one piece of text rather than separate items. This can make filtering and analysis much more difficult, particularly in projects that involve multiple people or locations.

The new feature, which is expected to reach the public soon, will allow users to create lists by selecting a cell and choosing 'Insert > List' or pressing Ctrl+J. Users can then type or paste items separated by commas or semicolons, depending on their regional settings, and Excel will recognize multiple values.

The update also includes four new functions designed to work with the new feature: HAS, HASANY, HASALL, and FLATTEN. These functions will allow users to check whether specific items are present, simplify nested arrays, and more.