Workbook preferences
The behaviour specified by the preferences for a particular workbook will override your use preferences (see Preferences overview).
Most workbook preferences are specified by adding checkmarks to the boxes by the option descriptions. Each box can be marked in three different ways:
- With a checkmark in the box. This means that this option has been chosen for this workbook.
- With an empty box. This means that this option has not been chosen for this workbook.
- With a greyed-out box. This means that the user's preference will be applied to this workbook.
You can change the marking of a checkbox simply by clicking on it. It will cycle through the three different types of mark.
Other workbook preferences are set by using drop-down lists. Each of these lists includes a User entry. Choosing this means that the user's preference will be applied to this workbook.
The default settings for all workbook preferences are to apply the user preferences.
You can set workbook preferences in the following categories:
You can't change the preferences for a shared workbook.
Updating
In this section you can choose when the AutoDocumentation sheets are updated, when the tests are run and when the import sheets and timestampsare updated. Whatever you choose here, you can always update the sheets or run the tests manually through the XLSior menu.
You can choose to update existing AutoDocumentation sheets, or to run the tests in the workbook, whenever any of the following events occur
Depending on the setting you choose, if this workbook contains AutoDocument sheets they will be updated automatically. No new sheets will be added to this workbook as a result of this setting. The update that is performed is the same one that happens when you choose the XLSior > AutoDocument > Update menu item.
Also depending on the setting you choose, the tests will be run automatically when this workbook is opened or saved. Note that if the tests fail, the workbook will not be saved. The recommended setting is to run the tests automatically when you save a release, but not at any other time.
Finally, depending on the settings you choose, if this workbook contains import sheets or timestamps they will be updated automatically.
XLSior will make sure that the settings you choose are consistent. For example, if you choose to update the AutoDocumentation sheets when the workbook is saved, they will also be updated when a version is saved. If you choose to run the tests when a version is saved, they will also be run when a release is saved.
Sort AutoDocs
You can choose the order in which the entries on the AutoDocumentation sheets appear. Any changes will take effect the next time the sheets are updated.
The options for sorting the list of sheets are:
- User
- Apply the user preference. This is the default.
- Workbook order
- The sheets appear in the same order as they appear in the workbook.
- Name
- The sheets are listed alphabetically by name.
- Hidden
- The sheets are listed according to whether they are hidden or not, and within that by their order in the workbook.
- Protected
- The sheets are listed according to whether their contents and objects are protected, and within that by their order in the workbook.
The options for sorting the list of Names are:
- User
- Apply the user preference. This is the default.
- Name
- The Names are listed alphabetically by name.
- Sheet
- The Names are listed alphabetically by the name of the sheet to which they are local, if any, and within that alphabetically by name.
- Reference
- The Names are listed alphabetically by the formula that they refer to, and within that alphabetically by name. Because the formula always includes the sheet name for ranges, this allows you to sort Names by the sheet that they appear on.
- Visible
- The Names are listed according to whether they are visible or not, and within that alphabetically by name. Names that are not visible are usually names defined by Excel, such as _FilterDatabase which is used by AutoFiltering.
- Valid
- The Names are listed according to whether they are valid or not, and within that alphabetically by name.
- External
- The Names are listed according to whether they contain an external link or not, and within that alphabetically by name.
The options for sorting the list of comments are:
- User
- Apply the user preference. This is the default.
- Location
- The comments are listed by worksheet in the order in which they appear in the workbook.
- Sheet name
- The comments are listed by worksheet in alphabetical order. address.
- Author
- The comments are listed by the name of their author, and within that by location.
The options for sorting the list of links are:
- User
- Apply the user preference. This is the default.
- Workbook
- The links are listed by the name of the workbook that they refer to, in the order that they appear in the Edit > Links dialog.
- Workbook name
- The links are listed by the name of the workbook that they refer to, in alphabetical order.
- Directory
- The links are listed by the directory of the workbook they refer to.
The options for sorting the list of advanced techniques are:
- User
- Apply the user preference. This is the default.
- Worksheet
- The worksheets are listed alphabetically by name.
- Total
- The worksheets are listed in the order of the number of advanced techniques appearing on each sheet.
Prompts
XLSior can remind you to add its functionality to workbooks, and to update the AutoDocumentation sheets when using Save As on a workbook. You can choose whether you want these prompts or not.
Workbook Save As
If this option is checked and the workbook contains AutoDocumentation sheets, you will be reminded to update the AutoDocumentation sheets after saving the file, if you are using the File > Save As... command.
This is useful because the AutoDocumentation sheets use the name of the workbook, which may be changed if you are using File > Save As...
Add information to worksheets
You can choose whether to automatically add information to worksheets. There are two types of information that can be added:
- Sheet description
- Comments box
These options help you to impose a common format for all your worksheets.
If you check the box in the New column, the information will be added to new worksheets that you add to this workbook.
Sheet description
The automatic documentation of sheets assumes that cell A1 of every worksheet contains a brief description of that sheet.
If you put a checkmark in the box in the New column, all new worksheets will have a placeholder description added to cell A1. This applies to new worksheets that you add to this workbook.
XLSior will not add a sheet description if doing so would overwrite existing information.
Note that this may be inappropriate if you use other tools that insert sheets automatically, including the Pivot table and Scenario tools.
Comments box
You also have the option of adding a comments box to new worksheets. This is a specially formatted area towards the top of the sheet in which you can write comments about the sheet: how to use it, what it contains, and so on. These comments are useful both to users who are new to the workbook, and to those who are maintaining it. Note that this may be inappropriate if you use other tools that insert sheets automatically, including the Pivot table and Scenario tools.
Printing
You can choose whether to use the standard XLSior footer when you print this workbook.
