Rapid Application Development / Advanced Excel Development

Logic/Formulas

• Sketch design on a whiteboard or large piece of paper before commencing the build
• Don't use IF(ISERROR(, be specific (IFERROR( can hide a #REF! )
• Put expected part first in IFs
• Don't start in A1 - Give yourself room to manoeuvre. Try D10 - hide the unused edge rows and columns if required.
• Line sheets up on first data cell rather than headers
• Don't hide non edge rows and columns for visual effect, use a separate sheet/report/view if required
• Use Goal seek and or VBA rather than circular references
• Avoid more than 2 or 3 levels of formula nesting - break it out across several cells.
• Use tools - many pay for themselves on first use. But don't totally rely on them.
• Place totals above and to the left of details (more flexible, and stable and robust eg links, filtering)
• Build for testability - how to test you did what you meant to do