CSV
Round Tripping Exports Back Into Imports Without Drift
A CSV export should re-import to the same data. A test where identical files hid a NULL turned into an empty string, and how to test round trips on rows.
7 min read
Tag
quality
52 posts
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
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
Spotting Data Entry Errors With Conditional Formatting
Use Excel conditional formatting to flag duplicates, blanks, out of range values, bad dates and unknown codes as people type, with formulas that stay fast.
7 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
Excel
Data Validation Lists and Their Limits in Excel Sheets
How Excel data validation lists behave and where they stop: the 255 character typed list, range sources, long lists, dependent dropdowns and pasting.
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
XML
Dealing With XML Feeds That Break Their Own Schema
A feed with a raw ampersand, a missing id, a bad date, a duplicate id and an extra element: repair what is safe, quarantine the rest, report each reject.
7 min read
XML
Importing Product Feeds for Shopping Platforms With Checks
Check a Merchant-style product feed before loading it: required fields, price format, availability values, GTIN check digits, duplicate ids and links.
6 min read
CSV
CSVLint and Other Validators for CSV Files Compared
Four CSV validators run on the same broken files: qsv validate, csvkit csvclean, CSVLint and Frictionless. What each reports, how it exits and which to use.
7 min read
CSV
CSVW and Describing CSV With Metadata That Tools Can Read
Describe a CSV's delimiter, header, column names, types and keys in a CSVW metadata file, then use it to read the file correctly. Includes a working example.
7 min read