Getting Access to Spreadsheet Models for Managers

Spreadsheet Models for Managers

When we're using a template across a large organization, it's important to get it right. Mistakes can be expensive. But even when we test a template thoroughly, it's impossible to anticipate everything. You'll probably have to issue updates — maybe not for every template, but once in a while. When you do issue an update, people will have to transfer data from the old template to the new.

To support updates, always include a named variable that contains the template's version number. This helps an update macro determine just what to do. Update macros can be tricky to write — always have an expert write them.

A couple of things to avoid with templates: don't let submitters enter formulas, and don't include macros. Submitters generally are unsophisticated. Although they can enter data fairly reliably, formulas are riskier. Including macros in your templates makes it more difficult to distinguish virus infection, and increases the likelihood that the template will contain an error. Put macros in add-ins.