MrExcel vs ExcelJet: which reference site should you use?
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How to Use XLOOKUP in Excel Step-by-Step Tutorial for Beginners
Kevin Stratvert
Open on YouTube (opens in a new tab)MrExcel and ExcelJet are the two most-used independent Excel reference sites. They have different strengths and are worth bookmarking both.
ExcelJet
ExcelJet (exceljet.net) is a clean, focused function and formula reference. Each function page explains the syntax, shows worked examples with screenshots, and lists common errors and variations. The examples are minimal and practical — the goal is to answer a specific formula question fast and let you get back to work.
ExcelJet is the better choice when you need to look up a function you have not used before or need a quick reminder of the argument order. The site is fast, uncluttered, and searchable.
MrExcel
MrExcel (mrexcel.com) started as a Q&A forum in 1998 and has grown into a large library of questions, answers, articles, and video tutorials. The forum is its strongest feature: questions from real workbooks, solved with real formulas. Bill Jelen (MrExcel) also produces books and training videos.
MrExcel is the better choice when you have an unusual problem — the forum search often surfaces a solved version of whatever you are stuck on, even if it involves complex VBA or Power Query.
When to use which
| Question type | Better start |
|---|---|
| What does this function do? | ExcelJet |
| What are the arguments for XLOOKUP? | ExcelJet |
| My formula works but runs slowly | MrExcel forum |
| I need a formula to do something unusual | MrExcel forum |
| VBA question | MrExcel forum |
Go deeper with this skill
Build a confident foundation by practicing navigation, data entry, formatting, references, and simple calculations together. For this article, the goal is to practice: A side-by-side look at MrExcel.com and ExcelJet.net — what each one does well, where to start for a formula question, and when to use both.
Practice workbook setup
Create a starter workbook with one sheet for raw practice data, one sheet for formatted output, and one sheet for notes.
Practice workflow
- Enter a small table manually so you practice rows, columns, headers, and basic formatting.
- Use simple formulas such as totals, averages, and percentages before moving to advanced functions.
- Practice copying formulas while watching how relative and absolute references change.
- Format the result for readability, then remove any formatting that does not help the reader.
Quality checks
- Numbers are stored as numbers, dates as dates, and labels as text.
- Formulas copy correctly down the table without broken references.
- The final sheet can be understood without needing the practice notes.
Common mistakes
- Typing numbers with currency symbols or spaces that turn them into text.
- Copying a formula before checking whether references should stay fixed.
- Using formatting to cover unclear labels or inconsistent structure.
Next actions
- Rebuild the same workbook without looking at the tutorial.
- Turn the range into a table and repeat the formulas using table headers.
Formula focus: even if this workflow is not formula-heavy, add one check cell that confirms the final output still matches the source data.
