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Nov 3 • 8 tweets • 4 min read
5 Excel hacks that save hours of research time

(spoiler alert, no.5 is a game changer 🙀)

@AcademicChatter
@msexcel
Separate data using flash fill (Ctrl+E)

This function detects patterns in data between columns and automatically fills. Useful for separating survey responses, data strings, people's names, it goes on

Import tables from a paper
(Data > Get data > from web)

Forget manually copy/pasting data from the journal website. Use data from web function to import an entire table from a URL to Excel

Import tables from a paper
(Photo > Crop > Data from picture)

Only have a PDF of the paper?
No problems! Take a photo on your phone and then import table via data from picture function

Sparklines (=sparkline)

Want to a quick way to see trends in your data? This function creates tiny charts in a cell so you can compare multiple data series at once

excelformulabot.com

Forgot the right Excel formula?

Type what you want to do and this Bot will use AI to transform your instructions into a formula.
TL;DR

5 must know Excel Hacks

1. Flash fill (Ctrl E)
2. Import web tables (Get data from web)
3. Import PDF tables (Data from picture)
4. Sparklines (=sparklines)
5. Excelformulabot. com
Enjoyed this🧵? Please RT the first tweet.

And follow me @LNivisonSmith if you are interested in

- macular degeneration research
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More from @LNivisonSmith

Dr Lisa Nivison-Smith Profile picture
Oct 5
Is the paper you need stuck behind a paywall?

Five websites every researcher should know to access any research paper for free

@AcademicChatter
@OpenAcademics
1. @SciHubUpdated

Online library created from downloading papers through institute logins to Scihub's own server.

✅️Pros
▫️Claims to have 99% all papers

❌️Cons
▫️questionable legality
▫️blocked in some countries
▫️no papers added since 2021
2. @unpaywall

A browser extension which finds paper PDFs legally by searching various online repositories

✅️Pros
▫️Legal
▫️Extension automatically searches for paper in your browser

❌️Cons
▫️Only on Firefox and chrome desktop browsers
Read 8 tweets
Dr Lisa Nivison-Smith Profile picture
Sep 21
Grants 😞
Manuscripts 😣
Course evaluations 😫

Rejection is everywhere in academia.

But we keep it quiet.
Only stories of success get told.

So heres a story on rejection:
"The potato, the egg and tea bag"

@AcademicChatter
A young man comes to his father.

"Father, life is hard. I'm struggling all the time. Just as I solve one problem, another follows"

The father nods. "Come with me."
He takes man to the kitchen and fills 3 pots with boiling water.
In the first pot he places a potato.
In the second pot he places an egg. In the third pot he places a tea bag.

After some time, the father takes the potato, egg and tea bag out of the boiling water

“What do you see?” he asks

"A potato, egg and tea bag" the man replies annoyed
Read 8 tweets
Dr Lisa Nivison-Smith Profile picture
Sep 14
Are you 'Excited to share my new paper!'

Harsh truth:
Most people don't care

5 tips on how to tweet about your new paper to get real engagement

@OpenAcademics @PhD_Genie @PhDVoice @AcademicChatter
Firstly, a disclaimer.

I'm not saying your new paper is bad

On the contrary, it got accepted so it brings new knowledge to your field

It deserves to be read.
This thread gives you tips to achieve that with Twitter
1. Use Numbers

Numbers attract attention because -they stand out against words
-add credibility
-make info easier to visualise

❌️ Our study shows this new method is highly efficient

✅️ Our study shows this method reduced waste by 87%
Read 9 tweets
Dr Lisa Nivison-Smith Profile picture
Aug 31
Want advice on how to improve your academic writing?

Try listening to non-academics

5 writing threads from non-academics that are 🔥🔥🔥

@AcademicChatter @PhDVoice @PhD_Genie @PostdocVoice @ThePhDPlace #acwri
How to instantly up your writing 📝

Fav tip:
Never use a complex word when a simple one will do

How to build a killer writing habit 💪

Fav tip:
95% of writing is re-writing

Read 7 tweets
Dr Lisa Nivison-Smith Profile picture
Aug 10
I've visited the profiles of all my 9000+ followers and learned one important thing

No one teaches academics how to write a Twitter bio

5 simple ways to improve your bio so your first impression counts 👀

🧵

@AcademicChatter @OpenAcademics
1. Don't write a CV

Many bios are lists of academic positions and acronyms

Its not a great way to get a 'feel' for who you are

Your profile should say
▫️ Who you are
▫️ What you do
▫️ How to engage with you

It should introduce you like a handshake, not a CV.
2. Tag your organisation

You're at CSU? Which one?
Colorado State Uni 🇱🇷
Central South Uni China 🇨🇳
Charles Sturt Uni Australia 🇦🇺

Most of us use our institute's acronym but few of us know all 25000+ universities worldwide. Tag your organisation so we know exactly where you are
Read 8 tweets
Dr Lisa Nivison-Smith Profile picture
Aug 3
I've spent years trying to figure out how to be a great academic writer

It comes down to one thing

A story for every academic who wants the cheat code to better writing 🧵

@AcademicChatter @CouragePhD @hapyresearchers @ThePhDPlace @thephdstory #acwri
A photography professor walks into his new class.

He decides to do an experiment

He divides the class in two groups: quantity and quality
The quantity group are graded on how many photos they take.
For an A, they need to take the most photos.

The quality group are graded on the calibre of their photos. For an A, they only need one photo but it has to be excellent
Read 8 tweets

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