MAC FAQ

I have a Mac? How much of a difference is there?

Very little difference on most things. Don’t worry about internationalization (this is for the test).

Here is a running list of differences students have found so far:

  • Maps
  • Macros
  • Themes

How do I remove personal information from my workbook on a Mac

In the Mac version of Excel, the Inspect Workbook feature is not available in the same way as it is on Windows. However, you can manually check for issues using these alternative methods:
 
1. Check for Hidden Data & Properties
Click File > Properties > Summary to review document metadata.
2. Find Hidden Rows, Columns, or Sheets
Go to the Home tab.
Click Format (in the Cells group).
Look under Hide & Unhide to check for hidden elements.
3. Check for External Links
Click Edit > Links to see any external connections.
4. Find Comments or Annotations
Go to Review > Show All Comments.
Unfortunately, Excel for Mac lacks a built-in “Document Inspector” like Windows, so these manual checks are necessary.

I want to use the 3D mapping capabilities on a Mac. How can I do this?

You get maps if you have “Office Volume License 2019”.  If you want maps, you have to belong to “Insider Fast” –

NOTE: If you purchased Excel 2016 for Mac (not a subscription), you will no longer be offered Insider Fast updates. If you want to continue receiving Insider Fast updates, you can become an O365 subscriber or purchase Excel 2019. Here are the release notes for Office 2016 for Mac.

https://support.office.com/en-us/article/excel-for-mac-release-notes-for-insider-fast-builds-2425ec86-7c37-4d37-a276-225d4d7e1e17

I guess you used to become an “Office Insider” – https://insider.office.com/en-us/

It looks free.  You should be able to do it join it and then “unlock” that feature.

https://insider.office.com/en-us/join/mac

How do I start a Macro on a Mac?

Before you add macros in Excel for Office 365 for Mac or in Excel 2019 or 2016 on a Mac, display the Developer tab on the ribbon. By default, the Developer tab is not visible.

  1. Go to Excel and choose Preferences
  2. Select Ribbon & Toolbar
  3. In the Customize the Ribbon section, go to the Main Tabs list and select the Developer check box.
  4. Select Save.

Now you can create a macro

  1. Go to the Developer tab.
  2. In the Code group, select Record Macro.
  3. Now, it is the same as in the video for a PC

How do I add a custom color or font for the theme of a graph or table?

In Mac Office custom Theme Colors can be created only in PowerPoint. Word & Excel do not have the tools to do so. Once you create & save a custom Theme Colors scheme using PowerPoint’s tools it will be available to the other programs in the suite.

In PowerPoint go to View> Master> Slide Master. Open the Colors list on the Slide Master tab & you’ll find Customize Colors at the bottom of the drop-down menu.

How do you access options like printing?

Excel Menu item -> Preferences…
This should now be similar to the PC — the option titles are different – but all of the possibilities are still there.

For Lists, it is: Excel Menu item -> Preferences->Custom Lists

For the Header/Footer options:
File->Print…->Margins-> Select Manage Custom Margins

I do not have access to previous versions of workbooks (version history) in Excel

You have to sign into your MS Office account to see your previous versions.

Is the PC version the only one on the MOS test?

That is a great question! The test is agnostic. It doesn’t matter what version you use (Mac/PC) – just as long as you can do the tests ask. So, you know what that means? You will probably be asked to put a theme on a workbook – but not change the theme – since it is only possible on a PC.

From the certification website:

MOS 2016 exam task instructions generally do not include the command name, as in previous versions. For example, function names are avoided and are replaced with descriptors. This means candidates must understand the purpose and common usage of the program functionality in order to successfully complete the tasks in each of the projects.

Therefore, if you understand what they ask and can do it – you should be good.

Also, now that they are proctoring the test online – it even says that you can use a Mac!

From: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/certifications/online-exams

Operating System: Mac OS 10.13 and above (excluding beta versions)

And, what about the test?

Your instructors are giving the tests online.  You sign in to take the test and you are taking it on your own computer!

I think this is a free practice test:

https://www.iprep.online/courses/microsoft-excel-certification-test/#free_web_res/

If you are taking the exam, I HIGHLY recommend taking the practice exams by G’Metrix. It will give you the form and feel of the exam – using questions that are close to the ones on the real test.