This special issue features selected Reviews, Short Communications, and Articles on advanced powder diffraction techniques in inorganic chemistry, highlighting recent progress in the field. Additionally, the Historical Review by Martin Etter and Robert Dinnebier summarizes the developments of powder diffraction within the last century. Some of the leading experts in powder diffraction discuss hot topics of this field with a very special focus on its applications in modern inorganic chemistry. About thirty articles have been collected including two reviews on in situ methods in neutron powder diffraction (Kohlmann & Hansen) and in situ analysis of gas‐solid reactions focusing mainly on synchrotron powder diffraction (Møller et al.). With respect to today's techniques, two new instruments at the Elettra synchrotron (Trieste/taly) and PETRA III/DESY (Hamburg/Germany) are highlighted in the contributions of Rebuffi et al. and Dippel et al. As intended by the two guest editors with their different scientific backgrounds the communications and articles of this special issue cover the typical approach of inorganic chemistry, i.e. synthesis and characterization of new compounds applying powder diffraction techniques as well as more crystallographic aspects of this field.