Excel
XLS Versus XLSX Versus XLSB and Which to Hand Over
Compare the XLS, XLSX and XLSB Excel formats on limits, size, macros and library support, detect which one a file really is, and pick one to hand over.
8 min read
Topic
Excel
Where the business keeps its data. Reading workbooks, taming dates and formulas, and moving sheets to and from a database.
ExcelGuide
What Is Inside an Excel File and What It Means for Data
See what an XLSX workbook really contains, from cell types and shared strings to dates, formulas, styles and limits, and what each part means for your data.
17 min read
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
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
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