Excel
Locking Down Shared Input Sheets Without Breaking Them
Lock a shared Excel input sheet so people can enter data but not break it: protect the sheet, allow the right actions, handle tables, keep a master.
8 min read
Tag
how-to
590 posts
Excel
Checking an Incoming Workbook Against a Template by Code
Check an incoming Excel workbook against a template in Python: headers, column types, required cells, allowed values, duplicates and a clear report.
9 min read
Excel
Using Excel Tables for Structured Input in Data Entry
Use Excel tables for data entry: automatic expansion, calculated columns, structured references, validation that follows new rows, and reading tables by name.
7 min read
Excel
Protecting Formula Cells From Edits in Shared Workbooks
Protect Excel formula cells from accidental edits: lock cells, protect the sheet, allow sorting and filters, hide formulas, and set it up from code.
7 min read
ExcelGuide
Controlling What Goes Into a Spreadsheet Before It Spreads
Control what goes into a shared spreadsheet: templates, data validation, tables, protection, error flags and import checks that stop bad data at the source.
17 min read
Excel
Avoiding Misleading Axes in Excel Charts Built From Data
Avoid misleading axes in Excel charts: start bars at zero, set scales on purpose, avoid dual axes, use consistent scales across charts and label the units.
7 min read
Excel
Exporting Excel Charts as Images From a Script or Server
Export charts as PNG or SVG from a script: draw with matplotlib from the same data, render headless with LibreOffice, or use Windows COM.
6 min read
Excel
Building Dashboards in Excel From SQL Output Step by Step
Build an Excel dashboard from SQL output: one data sheet per query, a presentation sheet of tiles and charts, scheduled refresh and tie-out checks.
7 min read
Excel
Sparklines and Conditional Formatting for Quick Scans
Add sparklines, data bars, color scales and icon sets to a table so readers can scan 40 rows in seconds, written from XlsxWriter with accessible choices.
7 min read
YAML
Merging YAML Files From the Command Line With yq Safely
Deep-merge a base and an override with yq eval-all, choose whether lists replace or append, and check what a null or an empty value in the override does.
6 min read
YAML
Validating YAML Configuration With pydantic Models
Load YAML, validate it with pydantic models and get every error with its path. The Norway problem caught, extra keys rejected and ranges enforced.
7 min read
YAML
Loading Multiple Documents From One YAML File in Python
A YAML file can hold several documents separated by three dashes. safe_load fails on them, safe_load_all reads them and safe_dump_all writes them.
6 min read