Excel Importer

Excel can be used to build a more complex front-end for importable spreadsheets than is possible with just CSV.

The Excel importer currently will import a worksheet called 'SahanaData', or the first worksheet if none with the correct name exist.

Normally this is a hidden worksheet with a user-visible UI worksheet where data is entered & 1 or more lookup worksheets.

Lookup Lists

Simple L1s

=L1s

Prevent modifying the L1 again if the L2 has been selected

=IF(L2_Selected="", L1s, INDIRECT("FakeList"))

Simple L2s based on L1

• NB Dependent Lists must be sorted by dependency

  =OFFSET(L2_Start,MATCH(L1_Selected,L1s_for_L2,0),0,COUNTIF(L1s_for_L2,L1_Selected),1)
  

With prevention

=IF(L3_Selected="", OFFSET(L2_Start,MATCH(L1_Selected,L1s_for_L2,0),0,COUNTIF(L1s_for_L2,L1_Selected),1), INDIRECT("FakeList"))

Simple L3s based on L2

• ToDo: Multi-level lookups (Where L2s not Unique!)
• @ToDo: Can we prevent changes if any Fokontany selected?

  =OFFSET(L3_Start,MATCH(L2_Selected,L2s_for_L3,0),0,COUNTIF(L2s_for_L3,L2_Selected),1)
  

Simple L4s based on L3

• @ToDo: Multi-level lookups (Where L2s not Unique!)

  =OFFSET(L4_Start,MATCH(L3_Selected,L3s_for_L4,0),0,COUNTIF(L3s_for_L4,L3_Selected),1)
  

Examples

• Volunteers for Malagasy Red Cross

Using Python

It is possible to use Python to develop in Excel, e.g.

• ​XLWings
  • Can deploy standalone folders

However, is it worth the deployment complexity for the ease of coding?

NB Office 365 can be downloaded with a free month's trial to allow developing a template

See Also

• BluePrint for Excel Importer
• DeveloperGuidelines for Imports
• ​https://www.ablebits.com/office-addins-blog/2014/09/24/excel-drop-down-list/
• ​https://www.ablebits.com/office-addins-blog/2014/09/30/dependent-cascading-dropdown-lists-excel/
• ​http://www.excelcampus.com/tables/dependent-drop-lists/
• ​Popup Date Picker