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At a glance
What it is
Advanced Excel and Google Sheets mastery covering lookup functions, pivot tables, conditional formatting, macros and Apps Script, data validation, dashboard creation, and financial modeling techniques for business analysis.
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SKILL.md
325 lines · 1,480 words
Use this skill when:
User asks about spreadsheet wizard techniques or best practices
User needs guidance on spreadsheet wizard concepts
User wants to implement or improve their approach to spreadsheet wizard
Advanced Excel and Google Sheets mastery covering lookup functions, pivot tables, conditional formatting, macros and Apps Script, data validation, dashboard creation, and financial modeling techniques for business analysis.
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Yes. Open it in Settings → Skills to read, edit or duplicate it. Skill Guard scans it again after every edit.
Download the app, connect the AI you already pay for, and tell your Chief of Staff what needs doing. Plan on about ten minutes from install to a working team.
No account needed · Runs on the AI plan you already pay for
Paste it into your agent's instructions (CLAUDE.md, AGENTS.md or a custom GPT), or add it to a bot in Murage.
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Step 1
Send your Chief of Staff this message. It proposes the bot and its role first, and creates it when you say go.
Send this to Ember
“Create a bot that uses the Spreadsheet Wizard skill, and show me the plan first.”
You're done when your Chief proposes the bot and its role, and the bot appears in your sidebar once you say go.
Step 2
You're done when you see the bot’s skills and the library.
Step 3
You're done when the skill shows as on for that bot.
Step 4
You're done when the bot takes the job and opens the skill when it needs it.
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What it teaches a bot, what it covers, and the whole file to read.
What it covers
When to Use
Questions to Ask First
Lookup Functions
Pivot Tables
Conditional Formatting
Macros and Apps Script
Data Validation
Dashboard Creation
Financial Models
Essential Formula Reference
Common Pitfalls
Process
Output Format
Edge Cases
Example
The request falls outside the scope of spreadsheet wizard
User needs a different specialized skill for their specific situation
The topic requires professional consultation beyond general guidance
What problem are you trying to solve? (Tracking, analysis, reporting, modeling, automation)
What data do you currently have? Where does it come from?
Who will use this spreadsheet? What is their skill level?
How large is the dataset? (100 rows, 10,000 rows, 1,000,000 rows)
Does this need to update automatically or is it a one-time analysis?
Are you using Excel (desktop), Excel Online, or Google Sheets?
Do you need to share this with others?
What outputs do you need? (Charts, reports, PDFs, dashboards)
Are there formulas or techniques you've tried that didn't work?
Is this a temporary analysis or a permanent business tool?
=VLOOKUP(lookup_value, table_array, col_index_num, [range_lookup])
Example: =VLOOKUP("John Smith", A2:E100, 4, FALSE)
Limitations: Can only look right, returns first match only,
column index breaks if columns inserted, slower on large datasets.=INDEX(return_range, MATCH(lookup_value, lookup_range, 0))
Example: =INDEX(D2:D100, MATCH("EMP-042", A2:A100, 0))
Advantages: Looks any direction, doesn't break when columns change,
faster on large datasets, more flexible for complex lookups.=XLOOKUP(lookup_value, lookup_array, return_array, [if_not_found])
Example: =XLOOKUP("John Smith", A2:A100, D2:D100, "Not Found")
Returns multiple columns: =XLOOKUP("John Smith", A2:A100, B2:E100)Have Excel 365/Google Sheets? -> Use XLOOKUP. Need to look left? -> INDEX-MATCH. Quick simple lookup? -> VLOOKUP is fine.
Multi-criteria: =INDEX(D2:D100, MATCH(1, (A2:A100="Sales")*(B2:B100="Q1"), 0)) (Ctrl+Shift+Enter in older Excel) All matching values: =FILTER(B2:B100, A2:A100="Sales") (Google Sheets/Excel 365)
Summarize large datasets, group/aggregate by categories, cross-tabulate dimensions, explore data without formulas, create interactive reports.
Source: Flat table (one row per record, headers on every column, no merged cells)
Configuration: Rows (labels), Columns (headers), Values (calculations), Filters
Example: Rows=Region,Product | Columns=Quarter | Values=SUM(Sales) | Filter=Year=2024| Calculation | Use Case |
|---|---|
| SUM | Total sales by region |
| COUNT | Number of transactions |
| AVERAGE | Average order size |
| % of Grand Total | Each region's share |
| Running Total | Year-to-date cumulative |
| Difference From | Change from previous period |
Source data: flat table, no merged cells, no blank rows, consistent data types, no subtotals. Refresh after source changes. Use calculated fields for derived metrics.
Color Scale: Red-to-green heat map for numeric ranges. Data Bars: Bar length proportional to value for visual comparison. Icon Sets: Green check/yellow dash/red X for KPI status.
Formula-Based Rules:
Overdue items: =AND(E2<TODAY(), F2<>"Complete")
Duplicates: =COUNTIF($A$2:$A$100, A2)>1
Zebra striping: =MOD(ROW(),2)=0
Row by cell value: =$E2="Urgent" (apply to $A2:$Z2)Tips: Apply to data ranges not entire columns. Use $ to lock references. Order matters (higher priority on top). Don't exceed 3 rules per area.
Record a macro: Developer tab > Record Macro > Perform actions > Stop Recording > Assign to button/shortcut.
Example -- Format Report:
Sub FormatReport()
Rows(1).Font.Bold = True
Cells.EntireColumn.AutoFit
Dim lastRow As Long
lastRow = Cells(Rows.Count, 1).End(xlUp).Row
Range("A1:F" & lastRow).Borders.LineStyle = xlContinuous
Rows(2).Select
ActiveWindow.FreezePanes = True
End SubAccess: Extensions > Apps Script. Uses JavaScript.
Auto-timestamp on status change:
function onEdit(e) {
const sheet = e.source.getActiveSheet();
if (e.range.getColumn() === 4 && sheet.getName() === "Tasks") {
sheet.getRange(e.range.getRow(), 5).setValue(new Date());
}
}Custom function:
function SLUGIFY(text) {
return text.toString().toLowerCase()
.replace(/\s+/g, '-').replace(/[^\w\-]+/g, '').trim();
}
// Use: =SLUGIFY(A1)| Type | Purpose | Example |
|---|---|---|
| List (dropdown) | Limit to options | Status: Open, In Progress, Closed |
| Number range | Valid numbers | Quantity: 1 to 1000 |
| Date range | Valid dates | Start date: after today |
| Custom formula | Complex rules | No duplicates in column |
Dependent dropdowns: Column A = Country dropdown. Column B = City dropdown filtered by Country. Google Sheets: =FILTER(Cities!B:B, Cities!A:A = A2). Excel: =INDIRECT(A2) with named ranges.
Best practices: Dropdowns over free text. Set number formats. Add input/error messages. Protect formula cells. Use named ranges for validation lists.
Every chart answers a specific question
Fits on one page (no scrolling)
Top-left for most important metrics
Consistent color meanings throughout
No 3D charts, minimal decoration
Interactive filters for drill-down
| Data Type | Best Chart |
|---|---|
| Trend over time | Line chart |
| Category comparison | Bar chart (horizontal) |
| Part of whole | Stacked bar or pie (max 5 slices) |
| Distribution | Histogram |
| Relationship | Scatter plot |
| KPI status | Number with comparison |
Google Sheets QUERY: =QUERY(Data!A:F, "SELECT A, SUM(D) WHERE B = '"&$B$1&"' GROUP BY A", 1) -- chart data filters when dropdown changes.
Slicers: Visual filter controls for pivot tables/charts. Insert > Slicer.
Inputs: Starting MRR, Monthly growth rate, Churn rate
Formulas:
New MRR = Beginning_MRR * Growth_Rate
Churned MRR = Beginning_MRR * Churn_Rate
Ending MRR = Beginning + New - Churned
Next month Beginning = This month EndingFixed costs / (Selling price - Variable cost per unit) = Break-even units
Use Data Table (What-If Analysis) for sensitivity across price points.Three columns: Conservative | Base Case | Optimistic
Rows: Revenue, COGS, Gross Margin, OpEx, EBITDA, Margin %
Use dropdown to switch between scenarios. All formulas reference scenario assumptions.TRIM, PROPER, LEFT/RIGHT/MID, SUBSTITUTE, TEXTJOIN, LEN, SEARCHTODAY, NOW, YEAR/MONTH/DAY, DATEDIF, EOMONTH, NETWORKDAYS, TEXT(date,"format")IF, IFS, SWITCH, AND/OR, IFERROR, ISBLANKSUMIFS, COUNTIFS, AVERAGEIFS, UNIQUE, SORT, FILTER, PERCENTILE, RANKNot using tables/named ranges: Raw references break when data grows
Hardcoded values: Put assumptions in labeled cells, reference those
Volatile functions everywhere: NOW(), INDIRECT() recalculate constantly
No documentation: Add a README sheet explaining the workbook
Mixing data and presentation: Raw data on one sheet, analysis on another
Merged cells: Break sorting, filtering, formulas, and pivots -- avoid them
Not locking formula cells: Users overwrite critical formulas
Building everything in one sheet: Use separate sheets for data, calculations, dashboards
Gather information. Ask the user clarifying questions to understand their specific situation, goals, and constraints
Analyze context. Review the information provided and identify key factors relevant to spreadsheet wizard
Develop recommendations. Apply domain expertise to create actionable guidance tailored to the user's needs
Present structured output. Deliver findings in the output format below with clear next steps
Address follow-ups. Answer additional questions and refine recommendations based on feedback
## Spreadsheet Wizard Analysis
### Assessment
[Key findings and observations]
### Recommendations
1. [Primary recommendation]
2. [Secondary recommendation]
3. [Additional suggestions]
### Action Items
- [ ] [First action step]
- [ ] [Second action step]
- [ ] [Follow-up task]Incomplete information: Ask clarifying questions before proceeding with recommendations
Conflicting requirements: Prioritize the most critical constraint and note trade-offs
Out of scope requests: Redirect to appropriate specialized skill or professional resource
Beginner vs advanced: Adjust depth and terminology based on user's experience level
Input: "Help me with spreadsheet wizard for my current situation"
Output:
Based on your situation, here is a structured approach to spreadsheet wizard:
Assessment: Evaluate your current state and identify key areas for improvement
Strategy: Develop a targeted plan based on best practices
Implementation: Execute the plan with specific, measurable steps
Review: Monitor progress and adjust as needed
SKILL.md
325 lines · 1,480 words
The text of SKILL.md is shown as it downloads, under the Apache-2.0 license, by Ferrox Labs. The license is the one in the file's own frontmatter.
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