Welcome!
If you are on this page, you probably just installed !SEMTools. This page opens automatically the first time you run Excel with the add-in.
!SEMTools is a powerful set of tools for Excel. It simplifies your work and speeds it up significantly.
But with any new tool, you need to learn the basics. This article will help you do that.
The top menu of this website mirrors the add-in’s own menu. It is a detailed guide. If you want to know what a specific tool does, look for it in the top navigation bar.
I also recommend watching the introductory webinar below. It covers the same topics in more detail.
How to Process Data
Most procedures assume you have already selected the data you want to process. It is just like making text bold in Excel. You select the cells first, then click the button.
!SEMTools works the same way. First, select the range you want to work with. Then, choose the procedure you need.
By default, the add-in changes data “in place.” The selection will remain after processing.
Limitations
Like any tool, !SEMTools has its limits.
The add-in does not work correctly with ranges that contain filtered, hidden, or merged cells. Before using it, I recommend you:
- Make sure no filters are applied. The add-in needs solid, contiguous data ranges.
- Remove any hidden rows.
- Unmerge any merged cells in the range you are processing.
If you need to process only part of a filtered table, you can:
- Add a helper column with a unique value for the rows you want to process.
- Sort the sheet by that column.
- Now the data you need will be in one solid block you can select.
Procedure Modes
!SEMTools offers two useful modes:
- Output result to the next column.
- Ignore punctuation.
You can turn these on with checkboxes on the toolbar. Their state is saved in the add-in file. Your settings will not reset when you restart Excel.
Output Result to the Right
This mode keeps your original data safe. It puts the results in the column next to it. This is great for comparing before and after.
The results column is inserted, shifting other data one column to the right. This prevents overwriting your existing data.
Ignore Punctuation
Activate this checkbox if you want to ignore punctuation during processing. This is perfect for analyzing text and numbers where punctuation is not important.
Useful Features
The add-in also includes helpful functions to improve your Excel experience.
Undo After Using Macros
Mistakes happen. If you run a procedure by accident, use the “Undo” button on the !SEMTools panel.
Excel’s normal undo (Ctrl+Z) often does not work after running macros. This feature fixes that.
How it works:
- When a procedure runs, the add-in saves the original data and its location.
- Clicking the Undo button puts that data back on the sheet.
Please note:
- This undo only goes back one step. Be careful.
- It does not work with normal Excel actions like adding rows. The author is not responsible for your data integrity.
This feature is available in the free version. It is very useful, as the free version often replaces results with a “available in the full version” message.
Auto-Detecting the End of a Range
You do not have to drag your mouse to select a long column of data.
Save time. Just click the column letter to select the entire column. The procedures will automatically find the last used cell and only process data up to that point.
Processing Multiple Ranges at Once
Need to process several separate ranges? No problem. Just select each one while holding the Ctrl key. The undo feature will still work correctly for all of them.
Free Custom Functions
For users who want to extend Excel’s functionality, I offer a set of free features. You can read about them here: Free features in !SEMTools.
Conclusion
I hope this article helped you learn the basics of working with !SEMTools. If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to contact me.
Best regards,
Dmitry Tumaikin
This post is also available in RU.