General Tips
Significant portion of any design are routine calculations. We believe that a well designed spreadsheet can significantly reduce the time required to perform these routine calculations and thus allow a designer to focus more on more interesting, challenging and rewarding tasks. We consider the following to be important building blocks of high quality engineering spreadsheets:
| Spreadsheet Reusability | It is important to realize that many engineering calculations are performed over and over with different sets of input data. Whenever possible, attempt to develop reusable spreadsheets. Separate input data from the actual calculation and clearly designate the input cells. All project specific information should always be treated as input. |
| Modular Design | Developing spreadsheets and programming have many common aspects. It is a common programming practice to handle complex problems by separating them into smaller, more manageable units. Similar approach should apply to spreadsheet. Do not attempt to create a spreadsheet that will handle "everything". |
| ReadMe Tab, Instructions and Documentation | Each spreadsheet should have a ReadMe Tab with spreadsheet and project information. The spreadsheet information includes instructions, color coding convention, spreadsheet version and revisions history. Project specific information includes changes made to the analysis or design as it relates to the spreadsheet input. |
| Formulas, Input Fields and Color Coding | Printout of a typical engineering spreadsheet should include not only inputs and output values; it should include also all intermediate calculations steps and list the formulas used to enable one reproduce the calculations without the need to open the spreadsheet electronic file on a computer. |
| Header and Footer | In addition to standard engineering header with project name, subject, date, job number, etc. DesignSpreadsheets.com found it very useful to include also the following information: file name, tab name, spreadsheet version, date and time of print. |
| Overall Clarity | Remember that less often means more. Make your spreadsheet simple, easy to follow, the sequence of calculations should be from top to down and from left to right; use colors consistently to simplify navigation and data input. Lock cells that are not intended for input to prevent input errors. |
| Database Features | DesignSpreadsheets.com developed very general method for keeping different sets of input data in a single spreadsheet as opposed to making copies of the spreadsheet to perform identical calculations. |
| Spreadsheet Management | Good management of spreadsheets and other computational tools leads to greater efficiency and productivity. It is not important only on an individual's level, but also on company's level. Maintaining and sharing available resources prevents re-inventing of the wheel, saves time and resources. |
| Versioning | Assign a version number of each spreadsheet. If error is discovered, it helps tremendously to track down which calculations are affected. |