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Easily ‘appify’ (sounds like amplify) table driven models.
Background
We create a fantastic model and immediately see how it can address many situations. So we create copies and distribute them to those who can use them. But some users need more model periods. Others need to evaluate more scenarios and everyone is changing things they shouldn’t and wondering why our model no longer works. We need a better way to distribute our models. We need to transform them from XL spreadsheets to table driven XL apps.
What are XL Apps?
XL apps are workbooks specifically designed for use by others who may not know Excel at all.
Appify Features
Pop-up Data Entry Forms with Data Validation.
(Because our clients may not know how to enter into Excel's cells)
Navigation from the Ribbon
(Because our clients may not know how to use Excel's tabs)
Pivot Chart Drilldown
(Because this is the easiest, most intuitive way to understand supporting numbers)
Chart Expand/Restore
(Because multiple charts on a single worksheet might be too small to read comfortably)
Chart Conditional Formatting
(Because our clients want to know readily what's good or bad)
Formula Protection
(Because our clients may not know what to change and what not to)
Automated Model Scaling
(Because our clients probably have no idea how to extend our formulas)
Links to External Documentation:
(Because MS Word is a superior tool for creating clear instructions)
Links to Support Website
(Because we want to our clients comfortable with our models)
How Appify Works
Appify is an Excel Add-in. When we load Appify it looks for its configuration settings in our models.
Configuration settings tell Appify things like which tables to add pop-up entry forms to or which tabs to let users navigate to. If it doesn't find its configuration settings in our model, it asks us to add them. Once we complete the configuration settings, save our workbook with Appify's configuration settings so Appify won't ask us to do that again.
NOTE! Appify does not add VBA to our models. VBA free models remain VBA free after Appified.
Appify reads our model's configuration settings and displays its Ribbon tab which we can use to Navigate from worksheet to worksheet or select input tables. Appify also monitors our model and responds to things like drilldown requests when we double click a pivot chart bar.
How to Appify our Model for the First Time
Open our model.
Load the Appify add in. It will ask permission to add worksheet ACTs to our model. Click Yes.
Using the PDF documentation and YouTube video as guides, key our model's parameters in ACTs' tables.
Save our model with the completed ACTs worksheet in it.
Click Reset Appify.
Our model now has all of Appify's features..
How to Appify an Already Configured Model
Open our model
Load Appify
If needed, click Reset Appify.
No special skills required. Appify is completely configurable through Excel’s tables. Need more periods? Just make a table entry and Appify adjusts our model. Need to attach end user documentation? Again, one table entry attaches any PDF (like the one below) to our model.
Advanced Appify
If you have VBA skills and would like to eliminate the step of loading an add-in or having to distribute an add-in with your model, copy Appify's ribbon and code to your model and save your model with the code.
To get this add-in, download the PDF (below). It contains links and explanations.
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