Msg: 4208 *Conference*

04-14-93 23:13:14

From: RICHARD HANSON

To : RICHARD MARKS

Subj: REPLY TO MSG #4204 (SPREADSHEETING)

I've been meaning to e-mail you, Richard.  As I mentioned last month, I was
going to look into spreadsheet conversions, i.e., Multiplan to Lotus 1-2-3 via
SYLK or some other means.  We'll, I haven't gotten that far along, yet.  I did
start looking but have just notes on possible solutions at this point but no
real answers.

Anyway, since you are considering moving an application from paper to a
spreadsheet, let me add just one major consideration.  You must keep backups of
everything at all times; and document your work.  I like to make up a binder
for each project, wherein I keep the master program on a diskette,
use-documentation, strategies and considerations I used to develop the
spreadsheet, etc.  Thus, my application binder functions like an off-the-shelf
program/documentation product--except that its customized by myself for myself.

Another thing to consider is electronic systems differ from paper systems.
Paper systems are designed with the consideration that someone is going to use
a pencil to fill in the blanks, thus those blanks tend to be prominate; boxed
in, underlined, and verticle line divided.  Electronic applications need keep
nothing applicable to the paper system.

Example: A paper system involving a list of items that must be added,
vertically, with the sum at the bottom, may be developed electronically, with
the sum at the top via a start-to-end range from the cell below the sum to the
last cell in that column.  To test this in Multiplan, enter the following
formula in column 1, row 1.

=SUM(R[+1]C:R[+98]C)

This formula will accumulate all numbers entered in cells column 1, row 2,
through column 1, row 99, inclusive.

Thus, a continuing list of items will always display its sum at the top of the
screen; with no worry about not picking up all entries because you "forgot"
where a range begins or ends.  This is great for adding to lists of expenses,
or incomes, or "things" that must be counted, averaged, etc.

Furthermore, given the above simple example, if you lock your horizontal title
at row 1, you may scroll down to the end of the spreadsheet matrix without
loosing sight of row 1 and its accumulator.  Unfortunately, Multiplan on the
Model T's do not support the "locking title" command, so my suggestion will not
work on Model T Multiplan.  And, my assumption is that perhaps only Lucid
supports the command.  I have not explored this, yet, however.  I do know that
all DOS and Mac based spreadsheet programs support locking titles.

Spread-them-sheets... -Rick-