Workbook design: basic principles

Design your workbook for both EFFICIENCY and LOOK & FEEL.

• First of all - plan it well for your specific purpose, in order to avoid complications down the road. In cases where there is complexity of data and calculations, use multiple worksheets within the workbook and label them properly (name them by their purpose) to separate clearly data input, assumptions, calculations, output, tables, charts, etc.
• Use highlighting/shading to differentiate, in particular, data entry parts (input) from outcome (results, report).
• If you design the workbook for multiple users, add instructions and documentation, record of changes, wherever needed.
• Use Comments or Callouts features to add meaningful explanatory notes to some cells, e.g. to explain more complex calculations, especially for external users.
• Break formulas involving complex calculations into multiple cells to make any troubleshooting much easier. Use cell references rather than numbers (constants) to avoid errors related to input. Any assumptions must be clearly visible in worksheet layout.