With Xdata and InData, it is sometimes easier to solve a problem in Excel rather than in the prototype.
The booklet is free. I put it together as a service to the Xdata and InData community. A summary of the tips appear below. To receive the booklet, just send me an e-mail requesting it, and I'll send it to you by return e-mail.
If you'd like consulting help with either your Excel situation or your Xdata problems, send me an e-mail. References are available on request.
Here's what the Excel Tips booklet includes:
- The
Golden Tip. I call it that because it is so basic and so useful.
I used to waste hours of time typing out the long list of fields required
as the first thing in an Xdata or InData prototype. With this tip, all
that cumbersome work disappears.
- How
to make all the Excel columns fit what's in them. Two simple commands
that make all those cells easily visible. So simple, so much aggravation
gone.
- With a
big Excel file, it's hard to always know exactly where you are. I just
did a project where the Excel file was 253 columns wide (out of a possible
256 columns that Excel allows). Thanks goodness I had figured this tip
out years ago. This tip shows how and why to use Excel's color commands
to establish landmarks in your data file.
- This tip
explans how to paste values rather than formulas, and uses as
an example the idea of putting serial numbers or record numbers in your
data file. Both tips can save you aggravation later on.
- In addition
to pasting values, the same command can be used for perform other
tricks in Excel that you might find useful. For example, say your
information is vertical, from top to bottom, and you want to make it
go across the spreadsheet in a horizontal direction. Here's the easy
way to do it.
- Sometimes
you need to sort your entire data file. It's a dangerous procedure
when some columns get sorted and others do not. Here's how to avoid
the danger, and here's a very useful alternative to sorting.
- This is a practical application showing how to solve a prototype problem in Excel. Four-up postcards need to be trimmed out of one sheet of paper. How do you get the names and addresses on them in pre-sort order for the Post Office? You may well find other uses for this tip and the techniques it contains.
