Tech

How to Combine Multiple Excel Files into One Sheet with Power Query

Are you spending hours at the end of each month or quarter opening dozens of departmental Excel reports and manually copying and pasting them? Tedious manual entry often leads to missing rows, duplicates, and unforced errors. You can merge every file into a single master sheet with just a few clicks—no VBA macros or coding required.

Quick Summary
Path: In Excel, go to [Data] > [Get Data] > [From File] > [From Folder]
Supported Versions: Built into Microsoft 365 and Excel 2016–2024 (Excel 2010 and 2013 require a free add-in)
Multi-Sheet Merge: Use the Excel.Workbook function and promote the first row to headers
Auto-Updates: Drop new files into the folder and press ‘Ctrl + Alt + F5’ to refresh instantly

Can You Use Power Query in Your Version of Excel?

Power Query is Excel’s built-in data transformation and combination engine. It automatically structures, cleans, and merges data across multiple workbooks without complex scripts. Think of it as an automated sorting machine that takes incoming mail from different desks and organizes it into a single standardized pile.

Availability depends on your version of Excel. Most modern versions include it by default, requiring no extra installation.

Support Type	Excel Version	How to Access
Built-in	Microsoft 365, Excel 2024, Excel 2021, Excel 2019, Excel 2016	Available directly under the [Data] tab
Add-in Required	Excel 2013, Excel 2010	Install the official Power Query add-in from Microsoft Download Center

Step-by-Step: How to Merge All Excel Files in a Folder

The simplest workflow is to place every file you want to combine into a dedicated folder and import the entire directory. As long as the files share the same layout, you can easily combine dozens of workbooks at once.

1. Open Excel and click the [Data] tab in the ribbon.

2. Select [Get Data] > [From File] > [From Folder].

3. Browse to the folder containing your Excel files and click Open.

4. In the preview window, open the Combine dropdown and click [Combine & Transform Data].

5. Select the target sheet from the sample file preview. The Power Query Editor will open, merging all files into one continuous dataset.

How to Merge Multiple Sheets and Clean Up Headers

If each workbook contains multiple sheets or offset header rows, you can standardize them in the Power Query Editor. Click [Use First Row as Headers (Table.PromoteHeaders)] on the Home ribbon to ensure consistent column headers throughout.

To extract data across all sheets in every workbook at once, add a custom column using Excel.Workbook([Content]), or write the M expression Table.Combine(List.Transform(Excel.Workbook([Content])[Data], each Table.PromoteHeaders(_))) to expand every sheet simultaneously.

Before closing, check for common errors. Mismatched column names or non-numeric values in date or number fields will trigger type conversion errors. Also, filter out temporary files (names starting with ~$) that appear when files are open, as they can break the query.

Why Adding New Files Only Requires a Single Refresh

Once you finish transforming your data, click [Close & Load]. The combined data appears in a new worksheet formatted as an Excel table. The real benefit comes when next month’s files arrive.

Simply save the new file into the target folder, open your master workbook, and click [Refresh All] or press Ctrl + Alt + F5 (or Alt + F5 in Excel for the web). Power Query automatically reruns all transformation steps and appends the new records to the bottom.

People often call this an “instant” merge because updating it takes only one click. Actual run times vary from a few seconds to several minutes depending on file size, row counts, and hardware specs.

Create a dedicated folder right now, drop your Excel reports into it, and click [Data] > [From Folder] to set up your automated pipeline.

References

1-Minute Summary Video

2026년 10월 14일

How to Sign a PDF on iPhone and Android Without a Printer

Did you receive a PDF that needs a signature and immediately look for a printer or scanner? Without the hassle of printing on paper, signing by hand, and taking a photo, you can add a clean handwritten signature using your phone’s built-in features alone.

Quick Summary
iPhone: Open PDF in ‘Files’ app → [Markup] icon → [+] button → Select [Signature] and position it on the document
Galaxy: Open ‘Samsung Notes’ app → Tap [Import PDF (PDF+)] → Sign in [Pen] mode → [More options] > [Save as file] > [PDF file]
Stamp overlay: Stamp on white paper and photograph it → Press and hold in Gallery to lift subject (remove background) → Insert as image on the document
Time required: 10 to 30 seconds using built-in features without installing paid apps

How to Sign a PDF on iPhone Using Built-in Markup

You can add a signature to a PDF directly in the default Files app on iPhone without installing any paid apps.

The process is simple:

1. Open Document: Open the PDF document you need to sign in the ‘Files’ app.

2. Enter Markup: Tap the pencil-shaped [Markup] icon at the top.

3. Create Signature: Tap the [+] button in the bottom-right corner and select [Signature].

4. Input and Position: Draw your signature on the screen with your finger or an Apple Pencil, tap [Done], then drag the signature box to the signature field and adjust its size.

Once created, your signature stays saved on the device so you can insert it with a single tap next time.

How to Import and Sign a PDF on Samsung Galaxy with Samsung Notes

Samsung Galaxy users can use the built-in PDF import feature in the pre-installed ‘Samsung Notes’ app.

1. Import PDF: Open the ‘Samsung Notes’ app and tap [Import PDF (PDF+)] in the top right to open the document to sign.

2. Enable Pen Mode: Select [Pen] mode in the top toolbar and choose your desired pen type, thickness, and color.

3. Enter Signature: Sign directly on the signature line using your finger or the S Pen.

4. Save PDF: Tap [More options (three dots)] in the top right > [Save as file] > [PDF file] to export the document in its original layout.

Without any third-party viewers or paid tools, you can finish a cleanly signed PDF file in 10 to 30 seconds.

How to Overlay a Physical Stamp or Handwritten Signature on White Paper

How to overlay a physical stamp or handwritten signature transparently

If you need an image of a physical stamp or seal rather than a handwritten signature, your phone’s default photo features can handle it.

Stamp clearly on a white sheet of paper and take a photo. In the Gallery or Photos app, long-press the stamp to isolate it from the background and save it as a sticker or transparent image.

Import this transparent stamp image using the sticker feature in iPhone Markup or via [Attach (paperclip)] > [Image] in Samsung Notes. Position and resize it over the signature field to create an authentic stamped appearance.

Comparing Signature Features by Device and Things to Keep in Mind

Built-in mobile signature tools save substantial time during everyday tasks and paperwork submissions.

Category	iPhone (iOS)	Galaxy (Samsung)
App Used	Default ‘Files’ app (Markup)	Default ‘Samsung Notes’ (PDF+)
Input Tool	Finger touch, Apple Pencil	Finger touch, S Pen
Stamp Overlay	Background cutout inserted as sticker	Gallery cutout attached as image
Time Required	About 10–30 seconds	About 10–30 seconds

However, for high-stakes agreements such as bank loans or real estate transactions requiring digital certificates or audit trails, standard PDF markup signatures may not meet legal requirements. Always verify the recipient’s submission criteria. Non-Samsung Android devices may also differ in available annotation features depending on their default viewer.

If you have a PDF document ready, open Markup or Samsung Notes now to save your signature for future use.

Related Guides

References

1-Minute Summary Video

2026년 10월 14일

How to Screen Record on Windows with a Shortcut (No Apps Needed)

Ever wasted time searching for screen recording software just to share a software bug with a coworker or save an online lecture? Most free third-party tools slap on watermarks or push paid upgrades. But Windows already comes with a built-in, high-quality screen recorder without watermarks.

Quick Summary
Start/stop window recording: Shortcut Win + Alt + R
Save location: Automatically saved as MP4 in Videos > Captures
Quality and duration: 30/60 fps, Standard/High quality, up to 4 hours
Record desktop or custom area: Use Win + Shift + R (Snipping Tool) in Windows 11

The Built-In Shortcut to Record Your Screen in Seconds

Windows 10 and Windows 11 include a built-in capture utility called Xbox Game Bar. You do not need to install or pay for third-party tools. Opening it is as simple as launching your phone’s stock camera app.

With the target window open, press Windows key + Alt + R to start recording immediately. Press the same shortcut again to stop. The file saves directly as an MP4 without navigating any menus.

Feature	Shortcut	Description
Start / Stop Recording	`Win + Alt + R`	Immediately record and save the active window
Open Full Overlay	`Win + G`	Open the Game Bar overlay and widgets
Toggle Microphone	`Win + Alt + M`	Turn microphone audio on or off while recording
Take Screenshot	`Win + Alt + PrtScn`	Instantly capture and save a screenshot

How to Adjust Audio, Video Quality, and Recording Length

You can customize video quality and audio directly in Windows Settings. Go to Settings > Gaming > Captures, or press Win + G to adjust system audio and microphone levels using the widget sliders. You can capture both computer audio and your voice simultaneously.

You can also adjust the frame rate and record limits to fit your needs. Setting a maximum recording duration prevents accidental storage overflow during long captures.

Setting	Options	Details
Video frame rate	`30 fps`, `60 fps`	60 fps provides smoother motion
Video quality	`Standard`, `High`	High is recommended for sharp text and demos
Maximum recording length	`30 minutes`, `1 hour`, `2 hours`, `4 hours`	Automatically stops when the time limit is reached
Background recording	Up to `30 minutes`	Buffers past activity so you can save it after it happens

Where Saved Files Go and How to Record the Desktop

Completed recordings are automatically saved as MP4 files in your PC’s Videos > Captures folder (%UserProfile%\Videos\Captures). Check this folder to review file sizes or manage your storage.

Note that Xbox Game Bar is designed to capture a single active application window. It will not record the Windows desktop, File Explorer, or certain core system utilities.

If you need to record the entire desktop or a custom cropped area, use the built-in Snipping Tool on Windows 11. Press Windows key + Shift + R and drag across the area you want to capture.

On older or entry-level hardware, Game Bar features may be limited depending on hardware encoder support. Audio recording toggles in Snipping Tool can also vary across Windows builds, so keep Windows updated to the latest version.

Open the window you want to capture and press Win + Alt + R to start your first screen recording right now.

References

1-Minute Video Summary

2026년 10월 13일

How to Take a Full Page Screenshot in Chrome Without Extensions

There are many times when you need to save an entire scrolling webpage or long news article. Most people search for browser extensions or download third-party screen capture tools. However, Google Chrome has a built-in feature that lets you capture an entire page in about three seconds.

At a Glance
Open DevTools: Press F12 or Ctrl + Shift + I (Mac: Cmd + Option + I)
Open Command Menu: Press Ctrl + Shift + P (Mac: Cmd + Shift + P) and type full
Select Capture full size screenshot: The full page saves automatically as a .png file in your Downloads folder
Works identically in both Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge

Take a Full Page Screenshot with Two Shortcuts (No Software Needed)

Take a full page screenshot with two shortcuts without installing programs

Much like unrolling a scroll of paper to photocopy the whole sheet at once, Chrome DevTools lets you capture an entire webpage all the way to the bottom. This feature also works in Chromium-based Microsoft Edge.

The workflow is simple: open DevTools, call the Command Menu, and trigger the capture command.

Step	Windows / Linux Shortcut	macOS Shortcut	Action
Step 1	`F12` or `Ctrl + Shift + I`	`Cmd + Option + I`	Open Chrome DevTools
Step 2	`Ctrl + Shift + P`	`Cmd + Shift + P`	Open Command Menu
Step 3	Type `screenshot` or `full`	Type `screenshot` or `full`	Select `Capture full size screenshot`

Once selected, the browser renders the full page—including content outside the current viewport—into a single .png file and saves it straight to your default Downloads folder.

4 Built-in DevTools Screenshot Modes for Different Needs

Chrome’s Command Menu includes four screenshot options depending on what area you need to capture.

Screenshot Mode	Command Label	Description
`Capture full size screenshot`	Capture full size screenshot	Captures the complete page down to the very bottom
`Capture screenshot`	Capture screenshot	Captures only the currently visible viewport
`Capture area screenshot`	Capture area screenshot	Captures a custom rectangular area dragged with your mouse
`Capture node screenshot`	Capture node screenshot	Captures only the specific HTML element selected in the Elements panel

Use Capture node screenshot when you want to isolate a single table, image card, or container. Use Capture screenshot if you only need what is currently visible on your display.

Tips and Precautions for Clean Full-Page Captures

Pages that use lazy loading—where images only load as you scroll past them—need a quick manual scroll first. Scroll all the way to the bottom and back to the top before capturing to ensure every image loads properly without leaving blank placeholders.

The resulting capture downloads directly as a file. Native DevTools screenshot commands currently do not copy the image directly to your clipboard.

Websites with sticky or fixed navigation headers can sometimes render headers repeatedly or glitch depending on how their CSS is configured. Check the saved image after downloading to ensure the layout rendered cleanly.

Try it now on this page: press F12, press Ctrl + Shift + P, and search for full.

함께 읽으면 좋은 글

참고자료

1분 요약 영상

2026년 10월 13일

How to Fill Blank Cells in Excel at Once

Ever downloaded an Excel sheet from a company database only to find it full of empty gaps? Dragging your mouse down across hundreds of rows is exhausting and wastes time. Is there a way to fill every blank cell without manual drag-and-drop, using just two keyboard shortcuts?

Quick Summary
Select your range, press Ctrl + G (or F5) > [Special] > select [Blanks] to highlight only empty cells
Type 0 or - and press Ctrl + Enter to fill all blanks at once
To fill with the value above, type =, press the up arrow (↑), and press Ctrl + Enter
After using a formula, press Ctrl + C then Ctrl + Alt + V > [Values] to lock data and prevent errors

Why You Shouldn’t Leave Blank Cells in Excel Data

When you export reports from enterprise systems, identical categories are often merged or duplicate entries are omitted, leaving blanks behind. It may look clean to the eye, but the moment you start analyzing the data, it causes serious errors.

Leaving blank cells means rows get dropped during Pivot Table calculations, or conditional functions like SUMIF fail to calculate properly. When sorting data in ascending or descending order, rows become mismatched, throwing the entire dataset out of order.

It is like missing teeth on a gear—the whole machine spins without catching. Blanks also trigger errors when uploading spreadsheets to databases, making filling blank cells an essential first step in data preparation.

Step 1: Select Blank Cells Instantly with `Ctrl + G`

You do not need to hunt down hundreds of blank cells by hand. Excel’s ‘Go To Special’ tool lets the program locate every empty cell within a range automatically.

Drag to highlight your target range or press Ctrl + A to select all, then press Ctrl + G or F5. In the Go To dialog box, click the [Special] button, select [Blanks], and click OK.

Step	Action	Shortcut / Path
Step 1	Select target range	`Ctrl + A` or mouse drag
Step 2	Open Go To dialog	`Ctrl + G` or `F5`
Step 3	Select all blank cells	Click [Special] > select [Blanks] > OK

If you prefer the ribbon menu, click the [Home] tab > [Editing] / [Find & Select] > [Go To Special] > [Blanks] for the exact same result.

Step 2: Fill Same Value or Cell Above with `Ctrl + Enter`

Once all blank cells are highlighted, the key rule is not to click anywhere with your mouse. If you want to insert a fixed value like 0 or a hyphen -, type it on your keyboard and press Ctrl + Enter. Every selected blank cell will populate with that value at once.

If you want to fill each blank with the value from the cell directly above it, type = into the active cell, press the up arrow key (↑) or enter the cell reference above (for example, =A2), then press Ctrl + Enter.

After filling blanks with formulas, always convert them to static values. Copy the entire dataset (Ctrl + C), then open [Paste Special] > [Values] (shortcut Ctrl + Alt + V or Alt + E + S + V) to replace formulas with text or numbers, preventing errors when sorting or filtering later.

Alternative Methods and Practical Precautions to Check First

For simple fixed text, you can also use Ctrl + H (Find and Replace). Leave ‘Find what’ completely blank, enter your target value in ‘Replace with’, and click [Replace All] to swap blanks simultaneously.

Keep a few practical points in mind. Phrases like “done in 1 second” emphasize speed, but actual execution time varies depending on the size of your dataset.

Also, if cells are pre-formatted as ‘Text’, entering a formula like =A2 will display the formula string instead of calculating. Check that your cell format is set to ‘General’ before starting. These shortcuts apply to Windows Excel (Excel 365, 2016, 2019, 2021).

Open your current Excel spreadsheet, select your data range, and press Ctrl + G to test the blank selection feature right now.

References

1-Minute Video Summary

2026년 10월 12일

How to Mute Tabs in Google Chrome

Have you ever had dozens of tabs open when suddenly a blaring ad or music starts blasting? Most people have scrambled to find the culprit, closing tabs one by one in a panic. Here is how you can find and silence unwanted noise in just one second.

Quick Summary
Spot noisy tabs instantly using the speaker icon next to the tab title or the media control icon in the toolbar.
Right-click the noisy tab and select [Mute site] to silence it right away.
Hold Ctrl (or ⌘ on Mac) to select multiple tabs and right-click to mute them all at once.
Enable Tab audio muting UI control in chrome://flags to mute tabs with a single click on the speaker icon.

How to Find the Noisy Tab in 3 Seconds

Finding the source of unwanted noise among dozens of open tabs is simple. Google Chrome displays a small speaker icon right next to the title of any tab currently playing audio.

It is like spotting a house with the lights on in the middle of the night. If you spot a tab with a speaker icon, that is the source of the noise.

You can also click the media control icon (the music note symbol) next to the address bar. This opens a list of all currently playing media so you can pause it immediately without switching to that page.

Mute Any Site Instantly with a Right-Click

Mute a site instantly with a right-click

Once you locate the offending tab, you can silence it with a single mouse action. Right-click the tab and select [Mute site] from the menu.

When you want to listen again, right-click the tab and select [Unmute site] to restore the sound.

You can also mute multiple tabs at the same time. Hold down the Ctrl key on Windows or Linux, or the ⌘ (Command) key on Mac, select the tabs you want to silence, and right-click to mute them in bulk.

Enable One-Click Speaker Muting in Chrome Flags

Chrome flag setting to mute by clicking the speaker icon

By default, clicking the speaker icon on a tab in Chrome does not mute the audio. However, enabling an experimental flag lets you mute tabs with a single click on that icon.

Type chrome://flags or chrome://flags/#enable-tab-audio-muting into your address bar and press Enter. Search for tab audio, set Tab audio muting UI control to Enabled, and click the [Relaunch] button at the bottom to restart the browser.

Browsers like Microsoft Edge and Firefox support one-click icon muting by default without extra setup. Note that experimental flags in Chrome may change or disappear depending on your browser version.

Control Tab Audio Faster with Shortcuts and Extensions

Control audio faster with shortcuts and extensions

If you prefer using keyboard shortcuts to silence tabs instantly, extensions from the Chrome Web Store are your best bet. Chrome does not include a native keyboard shortcut for muting tabs.

Installing an extension like ‘Mute Tab Shortcuts’ allows you to mute the active tab immediately by pressing Alt + Shift + M. Other tools like ‘Silent Tabs’ or ‘Tab Muter’ also give you quick, flexible control over individual tabs.

Muting Method	How to Do It	Scope
Right-click Tab	Select [Mute site] from the menu	Entire domain
Chrome Flag	Click the speaker icon on the tab	Specific clicked tab
Shortcut Extension	Press `Alt + Shift + M`	Currently active tab

Right-click the noisy tab right now and select [Mute site] to reclaim a quiet, distraction-free workspace.

함께 읽으면 좋은 글

참고자료

1분 요약 영상

2026년 10월 12일

How to Add Hyphens to Phone Numbers in Excel Without Formulas

Have you ever typed phone numbers into Excel only to see leading zeros disappear or digits bunched together without hyphens? Manually typing dashes into thousands of rows is tedious. Here is how to format them cleanly in three seconds without creating helper columns or writing complex formulas.

Quick Summary
11-digit numbers: Select cells, press Ctrl + 1 → under [Custom], enter 000-0000-0000
Mixed 10- and 11-digit numbers: Apply [>999999999]000-0000-0000;000-000-0000 under [Custom]
13-digit ID numbers: Select [Special] or enter 000000-0000000 under [Custom]
Note: Number formatting only changes the visual display; copying raw cells into external tools may omit hyphens

Why Does Excel Remove Leading Zeros from Numbers?

Why Excel removes leading zeros from numbers

When you enter numbers into Excel without hyphens, Excel treats them as numeric values for calculations. Because leading zeros have no mathematical value, Excel deletes the initial zero—turning 01012345678 into 1012345678. Long digits, such as 13-digit identification numbers, are also compressed into scientific notation like 1.23456E+12.

This is where cell number formatting comes in. Changing the format does not alter the underlying stored value; it simply changes how the number appears on screen. You can instantly improve readability in three seconds without corrupting original data.

Format 11-Digit Numbers in 3 Seconds with ‘Ctrl + 1’

Standard 11-digit mobile numbers can be formatted with a single keyboard shortcut. There is no need to create extra columns or build formulas.

1. Select the range of cells containing the numbers you want to format.

2. Press Ctrl + 1 on your keyboard to open the Format Cells dialog.

3. On the Number tab, click the Custom category at the bottom.

4. In the Type field on the right, enter 000-0000-0000 and click OK.

In format codes, the digit 0 acts as a placeholder that forces Excel to display a digit even when it is zero. This restores the dropped leading zero and places hyphens exactly where specified.

Formatting 10-Digit Landlines and 13-Digit ID Numbers

Custom formats also handle datasets with mixed 10-digit and 11-digit numbers, or 13-digit identification numbers.

Data Type	Length	Recommended Format Code & Path
Mobile Numbers	11 digits	`000-0000-0000`
Mixed 10- and 11-digit	10–11 digits	`[>999999999]000-0000-0000;000-000-0000`
13-Digit ID Numbers	13 digits	[Special] > [Social Security/ID] or `000000-0000000`

When 10- and 11-digit numbers are mixed, conditional bracket syntax inside the format code automatically places hyphens based on value length.

Important Cautions When Using Custom Cell Formats

Custom cell formatting is the fastest and safest approach when reviewing or printing reports within Excel, as it avoids creating extra columns for functions like TEXT or SUBSTITUTE.

However, check how your data transfers into external tools. Because formatting only alters visual presentation, copying and pasting these cells into text editors or web-based ERP systems may transfer only the unformatted raw numbers—omitting hyphens and leading zeros. Always test before importing data into external databases.

Additionally, shorter 9-digit numbers will not align with a standard 000-0000-0000 rule, so datasets with varying lengths may require dedicated text preprocessing.

Try it now in your spreadsheet: select your number column, press Ctrl + 1, and apply 000-0000-0000 under Custom format.

Related Guides

References

1-Minute Video Summary

2026년 10월 11일

Windows 11 High RAM Usage: Which Startup Apps Should You Disable?

Have you ever turned on your PC only to hear the fans spin up and feel sluggish system response before launching a single app? On systems with 8 GB or 16 GB of RAM, apps that boot up automatically can drastically slow down your PC. How many system resources are running apps eating up in the background without your consent?

Quick Summary
Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc), go to ‘Startup apps’, and disable messengers, game launchers, and auto-updaters.
In startup impact ratings, apps using under 300 ms of CPU time and under 292 KB of disk I/O are considered ‘Low impact’. Start by disabling high-impact third-party apps.
Keep Windows Defender and graphics/audio drivers set to ‘Enabled’ for system security and stability.
For Microsoft Store apps, go to Settings (Win + I) > ‘Installed apps’ > Advanced options and set background permissions to ‘Never’.

How to Check Startup Impact and Disable Apps in Task Manager

The quickest way to stop apps from launching automatically at boot is through Task Manager. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc or right-click the Start button and select Task Manager.

Navigate to the Startup apps tab in the left sidebar to see the list of registered programs and their ‘Startup impact’. According to Microsoft’s criteria, an app has a ‘Low impact’ rating if it uses less than 300 milliseconds (ms) of CPU time and less than 292 KB of disk I/O during boot.

It is like walking out the door carrying a backpack stuffed with unnecessary weight. Right-click any third-party app with a high impact rating and select Disable to ease the boot burden.

Which Programs to Disable and Which to Keep

Disabling every startup app indiscriminately can cause issues with essential security functions or peripheral devices. You need to distinguish between critical system utilities that must launch on boot and everyday apps you can open manually.

Category	Recommended Setting	Examples
Disable	`Disabled`	Messengers (Discord, Slack), game launchers (Steam), updaters (Chrome Updater, third-party software updaters), cloud sync services
Keep Enabled (Essential)	`Enabled`	Windows Security (Windows Defender), real-time antivirus, audio/graphics drivers, dedicated mouse/keyboard software

Messengers and gaming clients run perfectly fine when you launch them manually from an icon, even if they do not boot up with Windows. Hardware drivers and security tools like Windows Defender, on the other hand, should stay enabled to ensure background protection.

Managing Background Permissions for Store Apps in Settings

You can also press Win + I to open Windows Settings and go to Apps > Startup to toggle off apps that start with Windows. In Windows 11, it is equally important to manage individual background app permissions for Microsoft Store apps.

Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps, click the three-dot menu (…) next to the target app, and select Advanced options. Look for the Background apps permissions section.

From the three available options—Always, Power optimized (recommended), and Never—selecting Never prevents the app from consuming resources in the background once you close its window. Keep in mind that this advanced option primarily applies to Microsoft Store apps; traditional desktop programs (Win32) require toggling off startup and background options within their own in-app settings.

The 50% Memory Reduction Myth and Caution with Services

Claims that cleaning up startup programs will automatically cut your memory usage in half (a 50% reduction) have no official basis. The actual amount of RAM freed depends on how many third-party programs you have installed and your system specifications.

Some internet guides also suggest opening the services.msc console and disabling the SysMain service (formerly Superfetch). However, Microsoft’s official performance optimization documentation does not recommend disabling SysMain as a standard performance fix.

Disabling critical Windows services without proper verification impairs file caching and can actually make your system feel slower and less responsive. It is far safer to start by disabling verified startup programs and background apps.

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc right now and switch off the messengers and game launchers you don’t need running every time your PC boots up.

References

support.microsoft.com

1-Minute Video Summary

2026년 10월 11일

How to Use XLOOKUP in Excel and Why It Replaces VLOOKUP

Ever had to cut and paste columns because the value you needed was to the left of your lookup column? Or typed 0 or FALSE at the end of every formula, only to have the whole sheet break when someone inserted a column? You no longer need nested formulas just to pull data cleanly.

Quick Overview
Basic formula: Enter just 3 required arguments as =XLOOKUP(lookup_value, lookup_array, return_array) to search immediately
No direction limits: Look up data to the left of your lookup column without moving columns
Built-in error handling: Add fallback text in the 4th argument to prevent #N/A errors without using IFERROR
Supported versions: Available in Microsoft 365 and Excel 2021 or later (older versions return #NAME?)

What Makes the Classic VLOOKUP So Frustrating?

For years, VLOOKUP has been the go-to lookup function in Excel. But its structural limitations often caused unnecessary delays.

The biggest issue is one-way searching. VLOOKUP requires the lookup value to be in the first (leftmost) column of the table range. It cannot retrieve data to the left of that column. It is like a bookshelf where you can only read the leftmost label and pull books from the shelves to the right.

It also requires hardcoded column index numbers like ‘3.’ If someone inserts or deletes a column in your table, the formula returns the wrong data. On top of that, its default match type is approximate match, meaning that forgetting to add 0 or FALSE at the end frequently produces incorrect results.

The Basic XLOOKUP Syntax: Just 3 Arguments

XLOOKUP drastically simplifies data lookups. Out of six total arguments, you only need the first three to get started.

The basic syntax is =XLOOKUP(lookup_value, lookup_array, return_array). Because you select the lookup range and the return range separately, it can pull values whether they sit to the left or right of your lookup column.

Order	Argument Name	Required	Description
1	lookup_value	Required	The value you want to look up
2	lookup_array	Required	The range or array to search
3	return_array	Required	The range or array to return values from
4	[if_not_found]	Optional	Text to display if no match is found
5	[match_mode]	Optional	Match type (0: Exact match by default)
6	[search_mode]	Optional	Search direction (1: First-to-last, -1: Last-to-first)

If you specify multiple columns in return_array (e.g., B2:D9), XLOOKUP supports dynamic arrays—spilling the results across neighboring cells automatically from a single formula.

Advanced Features: Built-In Error Handling and Reverse Search

XLOOKUP handles errors and changes search direction natively without nesting extra functions.

Previously, you had to wrap formulas in IFERROR or IFNA to suppress #N/A errors when a value was missing. With XLOOKUP, simply provide a custom message like "Not Found" in the 4th argument, [if_not_found].

Because match_mode defaults to 0 (exact match), you can skip extra configuration in most cases. Additionally, entering -1 for the 6th argument, [search_mode], searches from bottom to top (last to first), making it easy to find the most recently added entry.

Supported Excel Versions and Common Error Codes

Because XLOOKUP is a newer function, check your Excel version before using it.

XLOOKUP is currently supported in Microsoft 365 subscriptions and standalone Excel 2021 or later. Opening a workbook containing XLOOKUP in older versions like Excel 2016 or Excel 2019 will return a #NAME? error because the function is not recognized.

Error Code	Common Cause	Solution
`#NAME?`	Opening the file in older versions like Excel 2016 or 2019	Use a supported version (Microsoft 365, Excel 2021+)
`#VALUE!`	Lookup range and return range have different row or column counts	Match the dimensions (number of rows) of both ranges
`#N/A`	No match found and the 4th argument is omitted	Add fallback text to the 4th argument

Check your current Excel version and replace cumbersome VLOOKUP formulas with the simple 3-argument XLOOKUP.

References

1-Minute Video Summary

2026년 10월 10일

How to Reduce Image File Size Without Installing Software in 10 Seconds

Ever tried uploading an ID photo to an official website or job application portal, only to get an error saying ‘File size must be under 1MB’? You don’t need expensive software like Photoshop to shrink your image in seconds without losing noticeable quality.

At a Glance
Web compression tools (TinyPNG): Instantly compress JPG and PNG files by 50–80% without installing any software (free tier allows up to 20 images per session, 5MB per file).
Windows Paint: Open the image and press Ctrl + W to reduce percentage or pixels at zero cost.
Samsung Galaxy Gallery: Go to Edit > More > [Resize] and choose a 20% to 80% ratio to save a copy directly.
Files over 10MB: These exceed the TinyPNG free limit (5MB), so resize them first using Windows Paint or iLoveIMG before compressing.

How to Compress Images Instantly in Your Browser

When you have no time to download and install software, browser-based compression tools are the fastest option. These services typically use color quantization techniques and strip unnecessary metadata.

Much like neatly packing a suitcase to save space, these tools cut file size by 50% to 80% with virtually no visible loss in image quality.

Service	Supported Formats	Key Features & Free Tier Limits
TinyPNG	WebP, PNG, JPG	Free for up to 20 images per session, max 5MB per file
iLoveIMG	JPG, PNG, SVG, GIF	Select 25%, 50%, or 75% reduction presets with free resizing tools
Squoosh	JPG, PNG, WebP, etc.	Google open-source tool with real-time compression preview, no sign-up needed

However, if your original image exceeds 10MB, you cannot upload it directly to TinyPNG’s free tier (5MB cap per file). In that case, resize the resolution first using iLoveIMG or built-in Windows tools.

How to Reduce File Size for Free Using Built-In Windows Tools

If your PC runs Windows 10 or 11, you can reduce file sizes without spending a cent using pre-installed tools.

The first method is Microsoft Paint. Right-click the image and open it in Paint, then press Ctrl + W to open the ‘Resize and Skew’ dialog. Make sure ‘Maintain aspect ratio’ is checked, then reduce the percentage to 50% or 70%, or lower the pixel count directly and save the file.

The second method is the Photos app. Open the image in Photos and click the three dots (···) at the top, then select [Resize image]. You can manually adjust the width and height in pixels, or slide the quality down to 60–70% to hit your exact target size.

How to Shrink Photos on Samsung Galaxy Without Installing Apps

If you need to submit a phone photo directly from mobile, you do not need third-party apps either. Samsung Galaxy’s built-in Gallery app comes with a built-in resize feature.

Open the photo in the Gallery app and tap the pencil icon (Edit) at the bottom. Then tap the three dots (More) and select [Resize].

Choose your desired resolution—20%, 40%, 60%, or 80% of the original—and save it as a copy. This keeps the original intact while producing a file in the hundreds of kilobytes.

If you have a large photo you need to submit right now, press Ctrl + W in Windows Paint or use a web compressor to shrink it in under 10 seconds.

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