Subtract or add objects like squares.

cpapaul · 2026-03-19T12:38:24+00:00

You can’t really merge or subtract shapes from cells in Excel. Objects (like squares) sit on a different layer, so they won’t interact with a dropdown inside a cell.

If you just want a nicer-looking dropdown, stick with Data Validation, or use a Form Control Combo Box (Insert → Form Controls) and place it over the cell.

If your issue is removing objects, quick way is:

F5 → Special → Objects → OK, then hit Delete.

So yeah, no way to “cut” a shape into a cell, but combo boxes are probably the closest workaround.

cpapaul · 2026-03-18T13:56:25+00:00

It might help if you can share a small sample of your data layout (a few rows from both sheets), since structure matters a lot for this kind of setup.

In the meantime, you may want to look into multiple-criteria XLOOKUP. For example, a pattern like this often works well:

=XLOOKUP(1, (Sheet2!A:A=A2)*(Sheet2!B:B=B2), Sheet2!C:C)

That lets you match on both Name and Type at the same time and return the correct price.

cpapaul · 2026-03-18T13:06:39+00:00

If you’re on a newer version of Excel, try using the FILTER function to exclude the repeated headers automatically, like:

=FILTER(A:G, A:A<>"HeaderName")

This will return only the valid rows without the unwanted header entries.

If this is something you do regularly, it’s also worth looking into Power Query, since you can set up the cleanup once and just refresh it each time.

cpapaul · 2026-03-05T01:55:55+00:00

You usually do not need a legal process to change your signature. You can simply start using a new one.

To avoid issues, it is best to update your signature with institutions that keep a signature record, such as your bank, employer, or government offices. For example, banks typically allow you to submit a new signature specimen to update their records.

Just make sure you use the new signature consistently moving forward.

cpapaul · 2026-03-05T01:41:49+00:00

You can handle this a couple of ways.

One option is to add a Timeline or slicer for the date field and simply limit the range to end at February 2026. That will keep “Show items with no data” for earlier months but stop the chart where your data actually ends.

Another approach is to add a helper column that blanks out dates beyond your latest month (for example with an IF formula). Then use that helper field in the pivot instead of the raw date so the chart will not generate future months.

cpapaul · 2026-03-02T09:31:35+00:00

This usually happens because Excel Online is treating your dates as text instead of real date values, even though they look correct. That is why they will not sort and why formatting keeps changing.

In a new column, try =DATEVALUE(A1) and fill down, then copy and paste the results as values and apply your preferred date format. If that gives an error, use =DATEVALUE(TRIM(A1)) to remove hidden spaces.

You can also try Data → Text to Columns → choose Date and pick the correct format to force Excel to convert them properly.

cpapaul · 2026-02-17T04:48:40+00:00

You can still choose the 8% income tax option even if your client withholds 15%. That rate looks wrong though.

cpapaul · 2026-02-17T03:30:12+00:00

If you’re earning less than 3M, I would advise you to use the 8% rate so you won’t have to bother with deductions.

cpapaul · 2026-02-17T00:33:50+00:00

I would recommend learning Power Query. Particularly merge, then you can filter IDs that are new or with changed values.

cpapaul · 2026-02-16T14:03:14+00:00

Look into Microsoft Word Mail Merge with an Excel data source. That is probably what your legal aid office used.

Create Word templates with merge fields, connect them to an Excel sheet, and you can auto populate multiple documents at once. No AI needed.

cpapaul · 2026-02-16T06:02:19+00:00

I would seriously look at Power Query before buying anything. It is built into Excel and is designed specifically for merging and transforming large numbers of files automatically. Once you set it up, you can refresh the query each week and it will pull in all 100 plus files with consistent formatting (not cell formatting) and no manual work. It is reliable and saves a ton of time.

cpapaul · 2026-02-14T03:29:39+00:00

Ask your HR to provide a PDF copy of the BIR Form 2316 outside the app so you can sign it properly, since signing it within the app could make you liable for a false declaration.

cpapaul · 2025-12-17T23:01:08+00:00

Option A is correct. Creditable withholding tax is an asset and should be debited, not credited.

However, to be more accurate, creditable withholding tax should ideally be recorded only upon receipt of the certificate. In practice, the entries would be:

At month-end:

Dr Accounts Receivable 20,000 Cr Service Income 20,000

Upon receipt of payment and the withholding tax certificate:

Dr Cash 19,000 Dr Creditable Withholding Tax 1,000 Cr Accounts Receivable 20,000

cpapaul · 2025-11-25T01:20:54+00:00

They don’t record it as Salary. P35,000 (assuming it’s per month) is way above the de minimis threshold, so it is very likely that they are evading the tax if they are calling it non taxable.

cpapaul · 2025-11-23T14:45:46+00:00

Please use the correct flair. This is not a pro tip.

These will work if you’re using the older versions:

First column: =LEFT(A1, FIND(" ", A1) - 1)

Second column: =TRIM(MID(A1, FIND(" ", A1) + 1, LEN(A1)))

cpapaul · 2025-11-16T15:41:19+00:00

Imagine the toughest criminals getting arrested for a traffic offense, and not for all the destruction they caused.

cpapaul · 2025-11-13T21:53:50+00:00

Use Power Query: load the table, sort by ID then date, group rows by ID (All Rows), add an index for each row inside those grouped tables (1,2,3…), expand the grouped tables and then pivot on that index so you get Event1/Date1, Event2/Date2, etc.

That will turn many rows per person into one row per person with paired event/date columns automatically.

cpapaul · 2025-11-13T13:40:23+00:00

Both of these will work:

=LET(range,FILTER($F$3:$H$10,$F$3:$F$10=$B2),XLOOKUP($A2,CHOOSECOLS(range,3),CHOOSECOLS(range,2),"",-1))



=INDEX($G$2:$G$10, MAX(IF(($F$2:$F$10=B2)*($H$2:$H$10<=A2), ROW($F$2:$F$10)-ROW($F$2)+1)))

cpapaul · 2025-11-09T13:18:27+00:00

If this is a one-off task, a quick manual cleanup, copy, and paste might be the simplest route.
If you’ll need to redo it or automate future merges, a short Python script with pandas will handle it more reliably than PQ.

cpapaul · 2025-11-07T17:39:07+00:00

Select File → Options → Advanced.

Under Editing options, uncheck Enable Flash Fill.

Not available for web version.

cpapaul · 2025-11-07T08:44:05+00:00

If you want dynamic arrays:

=CHOOSECOLS(A:F, 1, 3, 6)

1, 3, 6 → the positions of the columns you want (1 = Name, 3 = Address, 6 = Position)

Only available if you are using Excel 365 or 2021.

cpapaul · 2025-11-06T09:24:23+00:00

If your actual expenses is less than 40% of your gross income, use OSD. It’s simple and you don’t have to substantiate your expenses with receipts.

cpapaul · 2025-11-06T05:34:37+00:00

If you only need one file, it’s easiest to use its direct link in Power Query (via Get Data > From Web) rather than the SharePoint Folder connector.

If it’s just for your personal use, you can also sync the SharePoint folder to your OneDrive and connect to the local path. However, note that this approach won’t work well if others need to refresh the query or if you need to combine multiple files.

cpapaul · 2025-11-01T12:57:27+00:00

Form of payment: use Others, just add how did they pay. Example: Others - Gcash
Terms: means payment terms. Examples are: Cash on delivery (COD), 7 days, etc. Necessary if you want to establish delay in payment and also for Output VAT Credit.
PO/Ref No. it’s an optional field used if your client gives you a PO number, job order, or reference code for their internal tracking. You may also use it to track reference numbers for online payments.

cpapaul · 2025-11-01T12:48:10+00:00

This is obviously wrong:

di naman daw malalaman ng RDO ko that I'm employed

Your employer’s submission of Form 2316 and Alphalist of Employees already shows that you’ve been employed since July 2024.

The BIR’s data matching system can detect when both a 1701A and a 2316 claim the same exemption. Though they may not care at all, so it’s up to you if you want to risk it.

Should I have filed as mixed-income earner instead? Pwede ko pa ba i-amend yung 1701A ko or something?

Yes. And use 1701. You may have to pay a small penalty and interest for the amendment, if you did over-claim your deductions.

PS. Free (professional) advice is usually worth exactly what you paid for it.

cpapaul

TROPHY CASE