Spreadsheet Readability

Use meaningful column titles
Use colour to highlight cells

Make the Spreadsheet More Readable

Formatting the Title bar

When DataLoad opens a form playback file it attempts to identify the correct name for each column. Conversely, when a Macro load is created the title bar is initially blank. In this case when data is entered in the first row of the grid, titles are automatically inserted into the title row according to what was entered in the first row.

Titles not only provide a useful reference but also enable DataLoad to automatically insert Macro commands into the grid for you. As you tab through the grid, columns that have a command for a title will have that command inserted into the cell, thus saving typing effort. This facility is only of use if you structure your data and commands by records such that each row is identical. From DataLoad V4.1 onwards this functionality is optional and may be disabled using the Options form from the Tools menu.

Whatever type of load is being used the title row can be edited so the column names can be changed to something more appropriate. Although you can't directly edit the Title bar, you can access it through a form that is available from the Edit menu, by clicking the right mouse button, or by double clicking on the title row itself. You can use this form to set the Titles to display a value that is more meaningful than the default value.

In the following example the Person and Customer column titles have been added:

You can also choose to automatically size titles, by turning on this functionality on the Options form. When this option is enabled the column width is automatically adjusted to just fit the column title.

Adding Colour to Cells

Using colour in your DataLoad spreadsheet not only makes it look more attractive but is very useful in distinguishing between cell types. In Macro mode DataLoad can automatically colour each cell according to its type. By automatically colouring the cells you do not have to spend time formatting each cell, or changing the formatting when a spreadsheet layout is changed.

Default colours can be set for data, command and keystroke cells and cells are painted that colour as soon as DataLoad identifies what the cell contains. By default all cells are white, but by using the Options form, which is accessed via the Tools menu or using it's toolbar icon, you can select a colour for cells in your spreadsheet.