Over a decade ago I was working on a very large and complex budget model, come to think of it I still am?
It involved 4 linked Excel workbooks, about 30 worksheets, all different, and multiple views of each worksheet.
There were regular Worksheets and Chart Sheets interspersed throughout.
Some of the Ranges had Outlined/Grouped Totals that were indented on some reports, but not on others depending on whom the various reports were going to.
It was a great budget model until you had to print a copy of it.
And of course the different levels of Managers all want different reports etc, etc.
The Solution
To solve this I developed a simple VBA routine which has evolved over the years to what is presented here.
The basic idea is to add a Printing Control sheet to your workbook.
This sheet has a list of print views, not Excel views, of various pages within the current workbook.
Each page can be setup as you wish and allows for a number of common parameters for each printed page.
Pages can be listed, multiple times if required, with different ranges or outlining selected each time
The Code handles Worksheets and Chartsheets, Normal and Named Ranges, Page Orientation, Page Size, Page Grouping and Headers/Footers.
As a user you setup the sheets as a list in the order you want them, with appropriate parameters.
The code then:
- Loops through the list,
- Obtain the parameters,
- Sets up the print page and
- Prints it.
You just need to sit back and wait for the printer to jam.
HOW DO I USE IT
Download the sample file here Excel 97-03, Excel 2007/10
You can use the sample file as is, for demo purposes or read on later where I describe how to use this in your workbooks.
Open the workbook and Goto the “Print_Control” worksheet.
Browse through the various Headings in Row 4 and field values below them.
Note that some of the Row 4 cells have comments in which explain what options are available.
Each field is described below:
No.
The Row No. in the list of page layouts available.
This has no use except when someone says the 5th page should be…
Description/Header
A text field that is used as a Reminder of the layout of the Page Setup also serves as a Centred Header.
Status
Print = On
Don’t Print = Off
The code only prints the pages marked as On.
Sheet
The name of the Worksheet or Chartsheet you want to print
Area
The Range on the Sheet that you want printed
Ignored for Chartsheets.
Land/Port
Specify if the page should be printed Landscape or Portrait
Ignored for Chartsheets.
Chartsheets are printed in Landscape.
Pages Wide
How many pages wide should the Range be printed on
This is fixed at 1 for Chartsheets.
Pages Tall
How many pages tall should the Range be printed out on
This is fixed at 1 for Chartsheets.
Copies
How Many Copies do you want of that individual page.
Rows & Columns
If outline/grouping is used specify what level of Indentation should be used for the Rows and Columns.
0 – Leave as is
1 – Indent 1 level
8 – Indent 8 levels
The maximum indentation is 8
Ignored for Chartsheets.
Footer (Left)
A description field printed as lower left footer.
No. of Copies
This specifies the Number of Copies of the Whole Report you want
Print All “On” Areas
The Print All “On” Areas Button executes the code and prints out a number of copies of the report as specified in the various page setups.
The printing is done on the default printer on your PC,
Important: Ensure that the printer you want to use for the job is set as the default before you start Excel.
You can print to a PDF file by specifying your Adobe or other PDF Printer as the Default Printer.
I’m sorry, This doesn’t fix the printing multiple pages to multiple files when printing to PDF issue.
Warning ! I maybe old school but I still recommend saving before printing !
HELP
There is limited help built into the system, That’s what this Post is doing.
Some of the field headings have comments which show what values are acceptable in those fields.
HOW DO I ADD THIS TO MY WORKBOOK ?
To add this to your workbook, copy the Print_Control worksheet to your workbook
- Open your workbook.
- Open the Demo File
- Copy the Print_Control worksheet by Right Clicking on the Print_Control tab, and copy to your workbook.
- Run the VBA Code using the “Setup Print Control Named Formula” Button
That’s it.
All the code required for the printing is part of the Print_Control page.
HOW DOES THE VBA WORK ?
The following describes the VBA Code driving this worksheet.
To examine this goto VBA (Alt F11)
Select the workbook and double click on Sheet0 (Print_Control)
The code should appear in the right hand window
If you are unfamiliar with VBA it may be worth going through Chandoo’s Crash Course in VBA
There are 2 Subroutines and a Function in this system which are documented below
Print_Reports
This is the main subroutine that drives the printing
It is called by the Print All On Button and when finished returns the user to the Print_Control worksheet.
All the VBA code is in RED,
Comments and notes are in BLACK before the line or section they refer to.
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
At the start of the Print_Reports subroutine, setup variables for later use
Option Explicit
Public Sub Print_Reports()
Dim PrintArea As Variant
Dim i As Integer
Dim j As Integer
Dim sht As Long
Dim Orientation As String
Dim NCopies As Integer
Dim PWide As Integer
Dim PTall As Integer
Dim Footer As String
Dim Header As String
Dim Sheets As String
Dim gRow As Integer
Dim gCol As Integer
Dim PaperSize As String
Dim msg As String
Dim tmp As String
Turn off the Automatic Calculation so that it is faster and isn’t as jerky
Application.Calculation = xlCalculationManual
This loads the entire array of the Print_Control page into an array called PrintArea
PrintArea = Worksheets(“Print_Control”).Range(“Print_Control”).Value
This sets up a loop for the No of Total Copies of the Whole report
For j = 1 To [Copies].Value ‘Loop through the No of Copies
This sets up a loop for the to check each line of the Print Control area
For i = 1 To UBound(PrintArea, 1) ‘Loop through the print area
If the Column Status is On print using that line of settings
If UCase(PrintArea(i, 3)) = “ON” Then ‘When On is enabled Print using the settings
Extract the settings from the stored array, row i
Header = PrintArea(i, 2) ‘Set Header variable
Orientation = PrintArea(i, 6) ‘Set Orientation variable
PWide = PrintArea(i, 8 ) ‘Set Pages Wide variable
PTall = PrintArea(i, 9) ‘Set Pages Tall variable
NCopies = PrintArea(i, 10) ‘Set No Copies variable
gRow = PrintArea(i, 11) ‘Set Row Group Expansion
gCol = PrintArea(i, 12) ‘Set Column Group Expansion
Footer = PrintArea(i, 13) ‘Set Footer variable
Check paper sizes against the built in page sizes
If PrintArea(i, 7) = “A4” Then
PaperSize = 9
ElseIf PrintArea(i, 7) = “A3” Then
PaperSize = 8
ElseIf PrintArea(i, 7) = “A5” Then
PaperSize = 11
ElseIf PrintArea(i, 7) = “Legal” Then
PaperSize = 5
ElseIf PrintArea(i, 7) = “Letter” Then
PaperSize = 1
ElseIf PrintArea(i, 7) = “Quarto” Then
PaperSize = 15
ElseIf PrintArea(i, 7) = “Executive” Then
PaperSize = 7
ElseIf PrintArea(i, 7) = “B4” Then
PaperSize = 12
ElseIf PrintArea(i, 7) = “B5” Then
PaperSize = 13
ElseIf PrintArea(i, 7) = “10×14” Then
PaperSize = 16
ElseIf PrintArea(i, 7) = “11×17” Then
PaperSize = 17
ElseIf PrintArea(i, 7) = “Csheet” Then
PaperSize = 24
ElseIf PrintArea(i, 7) = “Dsheet” Then
PaperSize = 25
Else
PaperSize = 9 ‘Defaults to A4
End If
Activate the relevant sheet
This checks that the sheet exists first
tmp = PrintArea(i, 4)
SheetExists(tmp) is a UDF that’s checks if the sheet exists and returns True or False
If Not SheetExists(tmp) Then
msg = “Sheet ‘” + PrintArea(i, 4) + “‘ not found.” + vbCrLf + “Check the sheets Name.”
msg = msg + vbCrLf + vbCrLf + “Processing will continue for remaining sheets.”
tmp = MsgBox(msg, vbExclamation, “Sheet not Found”)
Else
The sheet exists now process
Select the sheet
Application.Sheets(PrintArea(i, 4)).Select
Check if it is a Worksheet or a Chartsheet
If ActiveSheet.Type = -4167 Then ‘Its a worksheet
Turn off screen updating
Application.ScreenUpdating = False
Select the relevnt area of the sheet
ActiveSheet.PageSetup.PrintArea = PrintArea(i, 5) ‘Select the relevent Print Area of the Sheet
Set Outline levels
ActiveSheet.Outline.ShowLevels RowLevels:=gRow, ColumnLevels:=gCol ‘Set Outline Grouping
Apply print settings
With ActiveSheet.PageSetup ‘Set print settings
.PrintTitleRows = “”
.PrintTitleColumns = “”
.LeftHeader = “”
.CenterHeader = Header ‘User Defined Header (Shift to Left or Right as required)
.RightHeader = “”
.LeftFooter = Footer ‘User Defined Footer (Shift to Left or Right as required)
.CenterFooter = “”
.RightFooter = “”
.LeftMargin = Application.InchesToPoints(0.1)
.RightMargin = Application.InchesToPoints(0.1)
.TopMargin = Application.InchesToPoints(1.0)
.BottomMargin = Application.InchesToPoints(0.4)
.HeaderMargin = Application.InchesToPoints(0.1)
.FooterMargin = Application.InchesToPoints(0.3)
.PrintHeadings = False
.PrintGridlines = False
.PrintComments = xlPrintNoComments
.CenterHorizontally = False
.CenterVertically = False
.Draft = False
.PaperSize = PaperSize ‘ User Defined Paper Size
.FirstPageNumber = xlAutomatic
.Order = xlDownThenOver
.BlackAndWhite = False
.Zoom = False
.FitToPagesWide = PWide ‘User Defined No Pages Wide
.FitToPagesTall = PTall ‘User Defined No Pages Tall
.PrintErrors = xlPrintErrorsDisplayed
End With
Apply page orientation settings
If Orientation = “L” Then ‘User Defined Page Orientation
ActiveSheet.PageSetup.Orientation = xlLandscape
Else
ActiveSheet.PageSetup.Orientation = xlPortrait
End If
Turn Screen updating back on
Application.ScreenUpdating = True
Finished setting up Worksheet goto the Printing area
Else ‘Its a Chart page
Turn Screen updating off
Application.ScreenUpdating = False
Apply print settings
With ActiveChart.PageSetup
.LeftHeader = “”
.CenterHeader = Header
.RightHeader = “”
.LeftFooter = Footer
.CenterFooter = “”
.RightFooter = “”
.LeftMargin = Application.InchesToPoints(0.1)
.RightMargin = Application.InchesToPoints(0.1)
.TopMargin = Application.InchesToPoints(1#)
.BottomMargin = Application.InchesToPoints(0.4)
.HeaderMargin = Application.InchesToPoints(0.1)
.FooterMargin = Application.InchesToPoints(0.3)
.ChartSize = xlScreenSize
.PrintQuality = 600 ‘Change to 300 for Excel 97-03
.CenterHorizontally = True
.CenterVertically = True
.Orientation = xlLandscape
.Draft = False
.OddAndEvenPagesHeaderFooter = False ‘Removed from 97/03 Ver
.DifferentFirstPageHeaderFooter = False ‘Removed from 97/03 Ver
.EvenPage.LeftHeader.Text = “” ‘Removed from 97/03 Ver
.EvenPage.CenterHeader.Text = “” ‘Removed from 97/03 Ver
.EvenPage.RightHeader.Text = “” ‘Removed from 97/03 Ver
.EvenPage.LeftFooter.Text = “” ‘Removed from 97/03 Ver
.EvenPage.CenterFooter.Text = “” ‘Removed from 97/03 Ver
.EvenPage.RightFooter.Text = “” ‘Removed from 97/03 Ver
.FirstPage.LeftHeader.Text = “” ‘Removed from 97/03 Ver
.FirstPage.CenterHeader.Text = “” ‘Removed from 97/03 Ver
.FirstPage.RightHeader.Text = “” ‘Removed from 97/03 Ver
.FirstPage.LeftFooter.Text = “” ‘Removed from 97/03 Ver
.FirstPage.CenterFooter.Text = “” ‘Removed from 97/03 Ver
.FirstPage.RightFooter.Text = “” ‘Removed from 97/03 Ver
.PaperSize = PaperSize
.FirstPageNumber = xlAutomatic
.BlackAndWhite = False
.Zoom = 100
End With
Turn Screen Updating back on
Application.ScreenUpdating = True
End If
Now Print the active sheet using user defined No. Copies
ActiveWindow.SelectedSheets.PrintOut Copies:=NCopies, Collate:=True
End If
End If
Next i
Next j
Clear PrintArea array, just in case
PrintArea = Null
Turn Auto Calculation back on
Application.Calculation = xlCalculationAutomatic
Go back to the Print Control sheet
Application.Sheets(“Print_Control”).Select
End Sub
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
The SheetExists Function
This is a Function that is used by the Print_Reports subroutine to check if a sheet exists.
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Function SheetExists(SheetName As String) As Boolean
‘ This function Returns TRUE if the sheet exists in the active workbook
SheetExists = False ‘Set default value of SheetExists
On Error GoTo NoSuchSheet ‘Set error trapping such that if the sheet doesn’t exist it will exit
Check length of sheet name, if the sheet exists it will return a value, otherwise an error
If Len(Sheets(SheetName).Name) > 0 Then
The sheet exists so set SheetExists = True and exit
SheetExists = True
Exit Function
End If
NoSuchSheet:
The sheet doesn’t exists so use default SheetExists = False and exit
End Function
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
The Setup_Print_Control_Named_Formula Subroutine
This is a simple subroutine that sets up the 2 named formula for use the first time a sheet is used.
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Sub Setup_Print_Control_Named_Formula()
Setup Named Formula “Print_Control” which is the table of settings
ActiveWorkbook.Names.Add Name:=”Print_Control”, RefersToR1C1:= _
“=OFFSET(Print_Control!R4C2,1,,COUNTA(Print_Control!R5C2:R24C2),COUNTA(Print_Control!R4))”
ActiveWorkbook.Names(“Print_Control”).Comment = _
“Used by the Print_Reports Subroutine”
Setup Named Formula “Copies” which is the No of Copies of the Whole Report
ActiveWorkbook.Names.Add Name:=”Copies”, RefersToR1C1:= _
“=Print_Control!R26C13”
ActiveWorkbook.Names(“Copies”).Comment = “Specifies the No. of Copies for the Print_Reports Subroutine”
End Sub
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
NAMED FORMULA
The code relies on two Named Formulas
Copies:
=Print_Control!$L$27
Print_Control:
=OFFSET(Print_Control!$B$4,1,,COUNTA(Print_Control!$B$5:$B$24),COUNTA(Print_Control!$4:$4))
Automatically adjusts the Print_Control Named Formula for the number of Page Setup lines and Fields to be processed
If you have queries about how any of the above code works, please let me know in the comments below:
WHAT DOES THE ARRAY “PrintArea” DO ?
The print area array stores the values of the Print_Control range in a 2 dimensional array which represents the Print_Control range.
This is done for a few reasons, but simply it is faster as it results in less reading of the worksheet
It also allows more flexibility in the subsequent processing as all the data is in one area.
DOWNLOADS
Download the sample file here Excel 97-03, Excel 2007/10
WHAT’S NEXT
There are a number of parameters used in the Print Setup area which are not used or not used in the 97/03 version.
The code above is easily extended to include these if you desire.
One day when I have a spare moment (Most likely in 2025!) I will add the option for automatic incremental Page Numbers.
CLOSING
This code has saved, my staff and I, hundreds and hundreds of hours over the past decade whilst printing complex Excel workbooks.
This functionality was also one of the more requested issues from our poll of 3 months ago We Want Your Ideas!
I hope you enjoy it as much as I have ?
Updates
I will be extending the functionality of this in the future and so if you have any suggestions, lets hear them in the comments below:
How have you tackled large print jobs ?
I look forward to your comments below:
Hui…
For a list of my other contributions at Chandoo.org please visit; Hui.
70 Responses to “10 Tips to Make Better and Boss-proof Excel Spreadsheets”
Proper print settings on each sheet helps your boss to print the reports quickly without hastling you after printing irrelevant stuff.
It is highly relevant that you print your reports once before circulating it to your boss or other people.
Knowing that what your boss actully look at in the entire report can be very usefull. You can build a good summary of what your boss wants and put that as separate tab in the form of dashbord report, so that your boss does not peep into rest of your work and start pocking you with irrelevant stuff.
You can also put that Dashboard into the email summary and not trouble your boss to open your workbook. This is ultimate boss proof tip and I have been using this for long time now.
Thank you Chandoo. Great checklist to follow before delivering an excel spreadsheet to someone else. Some points you mention are seemingly so simple that we might overlook them - like selecting cell#A1, but they make a difference to the impression the spreadsheet creates at the recipient's end.
Dear Chandoo,
Great tricks.
One trick I use (more and more) is to hide the sheet tabs and to hide the formulabar via the 'tools' 'options' and the 'view'-tab.
Another trick is to limiting the scrolling area to hide all columms (or rows) until the end of the sheet. Select the column, press CTRL+SHIFT+RIGHT, right-click on the column and hide (also possible via VBA).
I was wondering though if 'boss-proof' is related to 'excel-stupid-proof'?
Cheerio
Tom
Just wondering if the hiding formula bar really works when a recipient opens it whose "view-show-Formula Bar" is still checked...
It's saved to the sheet I believe.
Absolutely agree with this post !!!
on the past months, after reading this blog, PTS's and Debra's Contextures, one of the things I've beggining to do as a best practice is to create all my spreadsheets with 3 tabs: data, summary and control, and this last one generally xlveryhidden, and sometimes the data one hidden as well.
And this restrictions are also being applied as best practice, and with a lot of benefits as you well mentioned. Furthermore, if combined with dynamic named ranges, formulae is more readable to users, and the WOW effect is often achieved when the question "How did you do that?" arises.....
Keep on the good posts !!!
Rgds,
Martin
Would you mind sharing an example of this technique?
Is there a way to keep the data in a seperate file rather than the same excel. This way you could keep presentation and data separate. But not sure how you would link up the two excel files
Yes, there is a way but it is not prefered.
I used this a coulple of times, (You need to code).
mail me if you need assistance with some sort
It entirely is possible. The problem comes though, when you share the spreadsheet.
If the recipient doesn't have both files, or access to both, things break when the values try to refresh.
ey, why is the boss a she??
haha - welcome to the future. About time.
Chandoo, one more trick that we could use with the help of VBA, RT click on the View code of the particular sheet, in the properties table set the Visible status to 2-xlveryhidden, this ensures the sheet name does not show up even when the BOSS tries to unhide the sheet from the sheet >> unhide option. Dont forget to password protect the VBA (available under tools >> VBAProject properties.
Very good tips, although I have to say Chandoo, that your cats probably need to be spayed or neutered if they behave like that. =)
Good to see all these tips on a single "sheet", and giving the name *boss proof*, and Dilbert was a great welcome 😀
The best way to "Boss Proof" (and "Self Proof"!!) a spreadsheet is to keep back ups. I use a macro that saves the last 3 significant versions of the spreadsheet all with a date stamp included in the file name.
To quickly select cell A1 on all sheet, use CTRL-Page UP or CTRL-Page down to navigate between sheets and CTRL-Home to select cell A1 (if you have frozen pane, it will select the top left cell of the section below).
Great list. And I follow every single item... I also use a consistent background color for input cells in every report/dashboard. And I use a little VBA to identify the user and change the report accordingly (selecting the right market, for example).
Chandoo, Nice post. I like to use the hidden Paste Picture Link option. Keep the original report you want displayed on a hidden sheet and only show the boss the report picture. Also great to watch the confusion when boss trying to select cells is worth the effort!
I usually save as PDF if there's no interactivity in the report. That way nothing can go wrong 🙂
PDFs work a dream for me too and saves the boss's EA from telling me all the time that she can't print my work!!
@All.. thanks a ton for sharing your ideas. I am thinking of writing a part 2 of this post explaining some of your ideas in detail.
@Bazlina ... I will make sure the boss is a HE in the next post 🙂
"10 Tips to Make Better and Boss-proof Excel Spreadsheets"...
Unless of course your Boss reads PHD !
Great article with one glaring error.
If (like me) the majority of your spreadsheet errors are *caused* by cats, adding more cats is just going to increase the problem.
@Hui you always have a boss, even if you are boss. If you dont have a boss, then may be a cat or even a dog.
@Debra: hmm... Are you sure the cats are not after the mouse? Go learn some keyboard shortcuts.. now 😛
Great Web Site. I've done almost all the above in trying to build my application and it's taken me hours and hours reading my "dummies " book. Thank you for all this information.
Is there a formula I can use that will automatically return to "A1" cell should an associate use the 10 page spreadsheet I have?
Is there a way to set an expiration date on my workbook so that beynd that date no one will get beyond the cover page?
Paul, in all my "user facing" workbooks (those that I distribute) I create a named range called "Home" on the worksheet(s) that are most likely to be used. Then I write a little VBA that selects the Home range whenever that worksheet is activated or on other triggers depending on the context of the sheet. This is more appropriate for the dashboard tabs or summary tabs my job requires.
But I usually set this functionality up early on in the design process so I can take advantage of it as well. I will sometimes assign a keystroke to the GoHome macro.
I'm in the marketing department (aka the picture department) and have to say that the macros/Excel sheets from our controlling department are the worst! They come to me to sort out the mess!!
@Peter: You can try creating a table of contents and then place it on each and every sheet so that user can jump to anywhere from anywhere. Here is a tutorial to help you get started.
Also, You can prevent users from accessing the workbook after a certain date using macros. But users can certainly by pass it by disallowing macros on that workbook.
@Jimmy: Wow... (just kidding) Welcome 🙂
I was recently given a spreadsheet to improve upon.
One of the "boss-proof" actions that the previous author had used was to use data validation instead of protecting the sheet to ward off people changing formulas.
After entering a formula or value into a cell, use data validation to only allow, in this spreadsheet, whole numbers between 9999999 to 99999999.
It's a bit of a pain to actually correct stuff instead of just unprotecting a sheet, but for those that know how to unprotect a sheet, it's a definite way to keep them from fooling with formulas.
Puchu,
We would love to see "Print" in your links section.
It helps us taking prints as neat as your posts 🙂
Chandoo,
I've emailed you a couple of times looking for avenues I need to try to put my workbook on the Internet.
I notice you use PremiumThemes for your Web Site...You must feel good about their service. Do you think PremiumThemes might be an option for me?
Paul
Instead of :
Now Right click and select “Hide” option.
Shortcut can be used : Ctrl+0 (to hide)..
sir i wanted to know,how to hide cells or tab without hiding rows and columns? PLZ TELL ME
Hi Chandoo!
Great tips! Im researching on an excel project now that you can create to "lighten" the size without sacrificing the data inside..
We usually encounter problems with the data, excel file is shared, in a network folder.. and there are 11 people that enters their own productivity in each tab.. however, there comes a time (uncertain) where some of the data they enter either gets deleted or changes value.. could this be a file size problem? are there other ways to create this file that will decrease data inconsistencies?
thanks!
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[...] 10 Tips to make better & boss-proof spreadsheets in Excel [...]
You will find another quick and easy technique here:
http://www.onsitetrainingcourses.com.au/main/page_blog_hiding_most_excel_rows_and_columns.html
[...] tips: Learn how to make better Excel sheets Spread some love,It makes you awesome! [...]
Save what you want the boss to see as a PDF. Absolutely foolproof and no cats hurt in the process.
I really enjoyed allot of the tips on here, especially the one on comments on cells. That will come in handy on allot of our projects. I would also like to share on on my little tricks. I am constantly working on several different reports with several different systems and in doing so I am constantly running in problems and my way out of them is simply calling <a href"http://www.reportingguru.com/"> Reporting Guru </a> and telling exactly what I'm going through and they can tell me exactly how to get out.
One of the things I've found to boss proof my worksheets are a few simple VBA scripts to automatically protect the workbook/worksheets, and direct them to the "Quick Look" dashboard page, I hide all of the raw data sheets before saving. The script looks like this:
Private Sub Workbook_Open()
Sheets("Summary").Protect Password:="password"
Sheets("Labor Cost by Site").Protect Password:="password", AllowUsingPivotTables: =true
Sheets("Labor Cost by month").Protect Password:="password"
Sheets("Quick Look").Protect Password:="password"
Sheets("Quick look").Activate
ActiveWorkbook.Protect Password:="password", Structure:=True, Windows:=False
End Sub
I also have a pivot that contains labor cost data which cannot be refreshed while the worksheet is locked.
Private Sub Worksheet_Activate()
Sheets("labor cost by site").Unprotect Password = "password"
Set pvttable = Worksheets("labor cost by site").Range("a1").PivotTable
pvttable.RefreshTable
Sheets("labor cost by site").Protect Password = "password", AllowUsingPivotTables:=True
End Sub
OPPAN GANGAM STYLE!
good
Your post are always with something creative , thanks for sharing this information , your post are worth reading and implementing 🙂 great job
Hi,
I will try to learn every point slowly !
Shokran Chandoo.
Best boss Proofing of sheets is useing indirect(address 😛 this prevents most smartass bossess from doing any actual changes cus the formula will be long and hard to understand for any bystanders..
Also putting the actual calculations on a different sheet can make a sheet bulletproof from bosses.. especialy if you put them in the Very hidden so when the boss learns how to unhide sheets he wont simply find them.
One thing iv also learned is that most bosses is scared of macros that gives "virus" warnings before beeing run 😛 That include the default warning from Excel...
Long formulas or work arounds is best way to go.
What's the best way to amalgamate two existing excel spreadsheets into one?
Two teams use the same format spreadsheets with individual data split into calendar months and I want to make them one without manually entering the data.
Alt + D + D + N
Write a query and viola, Two sheets into one.
Changing the properties of the file to read-only . (While the file is closed, right click on the file and check the read-only box.)
This allows my boss(es) to access the file -- even change it -- without being able to save their changes. If a boss likes his 'new' version, he can save it with a different file name.
But now -- how to prevent the boss from deleting the file altogether? Or deleting the whole network?
Hey man.
Think you can go as easy as to make a shortcut that links to your read only document. Then the boss wont know of the root document. He can figure it out but lets face it. He is a boss and 70% if them wont know squat
Instead of "Hiding" rows & columns, I find "Grouping" works best as its very easy to quickly see if a worksheet has hidden rows/columns. Sometimes hiding a random row/column is not easily noticed and can create issues.
I have one xl sheet with different dates in many columns and one raw's. I want to send this data to another xl sheets for each date. if somebody can help me will be great.
Dear Samantha,
Check out the website of Ron de Bruin. He has a great set of macro's and free add-in that can help you with this issue.
http://rondebruin.nl/win/s3/win006.htm
Tom
Hello, I have just found out that I made a mistake in my spreadsheet: I had a column of negative numbers, but one of them was positive (while it should have been negative). Is there a formula/system to avoid this?
Thanks.
Mariateresa
Yes, data validation. Values you denote would be between -1 and -999,999,999.
Hi,
Hiding any worksheet can be unhidden and messed around easily. I change the visibility in visual basic from -xlSheetVisible to -xlSheetVeryHidden. By this, even if you right click on sheets, you will be unable to find the hidden sheets.
Cool? I think so...
Very informative, Thanks
Is there a way to lock cells in an already protected worksheet.
(Thus the entire worksheet is protected, then the entire office can open it as read only but only a few users have the password to edit the file)
I would like an additional password or prompt box so these few users don't accidentally change formulas.
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I laughed out loud reading the 2nd solution about moving to marketing department and making ppts.
I've been using "technical" sheets for a long time already and depending on the audience it is hidden or not. I'm currently in my NO VBA mindset, so the very hidden option is no longer. Using sheets names like: TechnicalCodes; ExplicitVariables;SetUp; HeavyCalc seem to work to my experience as they send along a message "Don' t you mess-up here, you fool!". A "Read This" section or sheet however does not work!
Reading stuff on this site has helped me develop a good habit of using colors and themes to assist the end user in being well-behaved. In my book the best advise here, because it is about the user experience and not only about protection your own work.
For dashboards I get rid of tabs and scroll bars. Besides 2 exceptions, I need to come across a manager who can turn them on again without my help.
Seems that I forgot about protecting cells, sheets and workbooks altogether. Damn!
Thanks for the informative article Chandoo, I've been struggling with Excel lately. It's a powerful tool, but hard to learn for me.
Thanks Chandoo for sharing these excel sheet tips it helps me a lot to understand excel more.
Nice roundup, Chandoo! Here's one more I thought would be relevant:
For Excel 2013+, you can hide the ribbon, as shown in this animated gif: https://gridmaster.io/tips/hide-ribbon-excel-space
This will simplify the interface, making it less likely for people to accidentally make changes. 🙂
THANK YOU SIR
I'm better at Power BI thanks to you!