Excel's convert function works well to convert between simple units. However, in engineering, there's often compounds units where simple units are either multiplied together or divided by one another. One example is the units for torque, where we multiply a force times a distance (i.e. N*m). … Read more about Using the CONVERT Function for Compound Unit Conversions
Using Excel’s Equation Editor to Document Equations
Another way to document equations in Excel is the Equation Editor. This is the same editor that's used in both PowerPoint and Word. It may be helpful to create a location in your spreadsheets to display the main governing equations that you're using, whether it's one section of a spreadsheet or … Read more about Using Excel’s Equation Editor to Document Equations
Using Excel Solver for Nonlinear Regression
Excel's Solver add-in can be used to find the best-fit line for nonlinear data. Worksheet 07f contains the flow and pressure data that was used in a previous example to illustrate fitting with LINEST. Delete the coefficients that are in the table from that example. For Solver to work, you'll need … Read more about Using Excel Solver for Nonlinear Regression
Constrained Optimization in Excel – Maximize Open Channel Flow
In this post, you'll learn how to perform constrained optimization in Excel through an example where we will maximize the flow rate in an open channel. The example will show that there is an optimal relationship between the channel dimensions that maximizes the flow rate for any required … Read more about Constrained Optimization in Excel – Maximize Open Channel Flow
Using Excel Solver for Linear Regression
The Excel Solver can be used to perform a least squares regression. For most situations, you can do regression using either trendlines in the chart or the LINEST function. However, there may be situations where you want to find a best fit manually. Even if you never need to do a manual fit, this … Read more about Using Excel Solver for Linear Regression
Unit Aware Calculations in Excel
Every engineer knows that for the results of engineering calculations to be correct, the units of the input values must be correct. In the case of a calculation like F=ma, the units must be consistent with each other (e.g. N, kg, m/s^2) and in the case of a unit-specific calculation like P=Tn/5252, … Read more about Unit Aware Calculations in Excel
Using Excel Form Controls to Control Spreadsheet Inputs
Excel provides another way to ensure input values meet certain criteria other than data validation: form controls like combo boxes, list boxes, and radio buttons. To add form controls, we have to enable the Developer tab, because it's not turned on by default when you install Excel. Go to File > … Read more about Using Excel Form Controls to Control Spreadsheet Inputs
Using Excel Data Validation to Avoid Errors
Excel's data validation tool allows you to constrain a cell's inputs to meet certain criteria. This can help prevent errors from occurring. In the example in the previous section, we can prevent the divide by zero error by forcing the diameter of the steel to always be less than the diameter of the … Read more about Using Excel Data Validation to Avoid Errors