OfficeSheet

 To leverage the data and functionality made available by the MsExcel Automation Interface we use the “AppSheet” application engine, which combines many of the benefits of highly-structured database management systems with the benefits of user-centric, highly-interactive productivity software such as MsExcel and other MsOffice applications.

The “AppSheet” engine enables users to “cache” data acquired in MsExcel so that it can be processed, transformed and analysed using functions or approaches not available in MsExcel. The results of these transformations can be applied to other downstream systems or returned to MsExcel for further use there.  Within OS4XL data is managed in two internal forms as “cached” data from multiple sources: MsExcel, other AppSheet applications and external sources.

OS4XL provides many functions that manipulate this data, and from there it can be:

• Returned to MsExcel
• Saved for later use
• Printed or Published in a variety of media;
• Converted to other data formats;
• Distributed via email

Note: transparent round-trip data management between MsExcel and OS4XL is not provided. Data is acquired from MsExcel, manipulated in OS4XL and “pushed” back to MsExcel in three easy to use, but very discrete steps. A screenshot of OS4XL activated with MsExcel 2007 is shown below:

OS4XL provides many capabilities and functions, including:

MsExcel Application management: from OS4XL, you can start and stop the MsExcel application, and control its window visibility using standard windows concepts such as Minimise, Maximise, Hide, and Show. OS4XL adds a new windowing mode called “Underlay”, where the MsExcel application is positioned immediately under the OS4XL window, but offset up and to the left of OS4XL to provide access to the MsExcel menus and to see the workbooks and worksheet data that is being selected.

MsExcel Internal Data and Document Integration: when Ms Excel is activated, OS4XL detects the Workbooks and Worksheets that are open, and represents these in a special control called the MsOffice Navigator (or “OfficeNav”). The OfficeNav is also used to show other internal MsExcel data elements that are present in the workbook, such as Hyperlinks, Comments, and Names.

MsExcel File Management: from the OS4XL application window, you can directly open and close MsExcel files, individually or in groups. OS4XL provides extensive capabilities to manage groups of files as a group using a file specification collection called a “FileList”. This powerful feature can either explicitly refer to multiple files, or can reference a pattern, including file attributes such as size or modified date. For example, if you regularly work with a number of reports that you download on a periodic basis, the File List can be specified to open the most recently saved file(s) that match a certain name pattern.

MsExcel Data Management: OS4XL enables you to rapidly perform numerous functions using cell data from open worksheets, or to create data in worksheets in MsExcel. There are four modes for data management: Get, Put, Report and Manage (not all are available in all editions of OS4XL, but all are described below):

1. Get: enables you to rapidly acquire cell data and interpret underlying metadata such as column structures, data types and data representations 
2. Put: enables you to transfer data from OS4XL back to MsExcel in either standard grid layout or automatically creating Grouped & Outlined data using MsExcel structures.  
3. Report: the reporting capability enables data in OS4XL to be generated into MsExcel files using MsExcel templates and variable substitution. This gives the most flexibility in terms of creating MsExcel output files 
4. Manage: from the OS4XL application window, you can perform functions on MsExcel Workbook and Worksheet structures, for example “bursting” individual worksheets out of workbooks by data values or outline structures. You are also able to “assemble” worksheets from predefined templates in separate workbooks into single workbooks. 

Data Analysis, Filtering, Summarisation & Transformation: OS4XL provides a number of features for analysing, summarising and transforming data using methods that are not readily available in MsExcel. Many of these functions are typically only found in database solutions, but are available in OS4XL for application “on the fly” without the overhead of defining database structures and creating tables.

Export & Publishing: OS4XL enables you to rapidly format data in visually appealing layouts many of which are not readily available in MsExcel, but without the overhead of a fully-blown reporting tool. For most office or enterprise applications, the visual reporting and publishing capabilities are more efficient than MsExcel or other tools.

Communication: having summarised, transformed or formatted your information, OS4XL provides extensive capabilities for using this information to communicate with your colleagues and partners.

Automation via Scripting: OS4XL Enterprise Edition also includes a Scripting capability that enables you to write and execute multiple commands in sequence. The Scripting engine is based on Microsoft’s VBScripting engine with over 100 additional commands added, all representing functions that can be performed via the OS4XL User Interface.

All of OS4XL’s functions are designed to provide you with additional data transformation and management capabilities in information-intensive environments where MsExcel spreadsheets are common means of information distribution and dissemination. OS4XL dramatically simplifies the process of assimilating the information from multiple spreadsheets and distilling and communicating the relevant information to your key work colleagues and partners.