How to Automate Data Entry in Excel

How to Automate Data Entry in Excel

If your work involves manually entering a lot of data in Microsoft Excel, automating data entry in Excel can help you save time and reduce errors when working with large amounts of data.

By automating data entry, you can use formulas, macros, and other Excel features to automatically populate cells with data rather than manually typing it in. In this article, we will go through how to automate data entry in Excel.

How to Automate Data Entry in Excel?

There are several methods to automate data entry in Excel. Some are simpler than others. You can choose whichever is more suitable for you and closer to your type of work. Here are some ways how to automate data entry in Excel:

1- Use Data Validation

Data validation is a feature that allows you to create a dropdown list of options for a cell. By using data validation, you can ensure that the user enters only valid data, saving a lot of time and effort in the long run.

2- Use Formulas

Formulas can help automate data entry in Excel. For example, suppose you have a formula that calculates the total of a column of numbers. In that case, you can copy and paste the formula to other cells instead of manually entering the formula each time.

3- Use Power Query

Power Query is a tool that allows you to import, transform, and load data from various sources into Excel. By using Power Query, you can automate importing and cleaning data, saving time and effort.

4- Use Developer Tab

Use Developer Tab in excel

 

Important: You must activate the “Developer” option in Visual Basic Applications (VBA) before automating data entry.

The majority of users typically leave the Developer choice unchecked. Find out how to make the Developer Page show up first.

  • On a new Sheet, right-click on Insert.
  • Right-click on the Ribbon at the top of your Excel window.
  • Consequently, click on “Customize the Ribbon.”
  • Check the “Developer” Box from it, and click “Ok.”

5- Use Fillable Form in Excel

The first step in automating most data input work is to create a fillable form rather than entering data directly into Excel. The steps involved in making a fillable form can be broken down into Layout Design, Interactive Design, and Finishing.

6- Custom Python Code

For data entry with a fixed pattern, you can write a custom python code to fetch and store data. You’ll use python libraries like Pi GUI and Selenium to make such a bot. To learn more about it, check out our blog on how to make a bot in python.

7- Get Custom Built Bots

You can also get custom bots built for specific needs to automate Excel data entry. You can use a reliable bot builder like ScrapeWithBots and get the work done in very less time with 100% customer support all the time.

Free Data Entry Software in Excel

Free Data Entry Software in Excel

Well, we’re here to help you find the answer to this question.

We bring you a list of the most popular data entry software you need to remember when choosing the right one for your organization.

Let’s get started.

Infinity

Infinity is a user-friendly data entry program to maintain all your information in one place. It is a management tool that takes and organizes your data well using excel and other programs.

FormTools

FormTools is a free online data entry tool that offers its customers strong and adaptable solutions. This open-source web-based data entry system effectively manages the forms and data. Users can build new forms without having any specialized programming knowledge.

DKAN

DKAN is an open-source data entry program that grants businesses and people the freedom to create and access structured data. Users will find this free data entry application to be adaptable and agile. It is straightforward to use and simple to adopt.

FAQS: How to Automate Data Entry in Excel?

You can use Power Automate Desktop, a free program from Microsoft, to automate work-related or personal chores on any Windows computer. Using data from an Excel file to fill out an online form is one of the most common uses for Power Automate Desktop.

You can get a custom bot made by ScrapeWithBots to automate data entry from Excel to Web for your specific job. It'll increase the process efficiency and reduce the input needed from human resources.

Final Words

Overall, automating an Excel sheet is quite easier than you thought after knowing how to automate data entry in excel. It can help save time and reduce errors. Using the tools and techniques outlined above, you can streamline your data entry process and improve productivity.

Contact us for any custom order to automate your data entry process. We’ll provide you with a robust solution to get the job done.