How to Prepare Your Data for Spreadsheet Customisation

A spreadsheet project is easier to scope when you can show what goes in, what should come out and which part currently takes too much manual work.

You do not need to send your entire customer database to explain the problem. Start with a small invented example that follows the same structure.

Describe the job the workbook needs to do

Write one sentence about the recurring task: for example, “I receive a monthly CSV and need a summary by category.” Then describe what is difficult today. Is it matching categories, correcting dates, combining totals or keeping the output consistent?

Name the Lark workbook you want to adapt and the application you will use. Include the application version if you know it. Native Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets behavior has not been independently verified for the supplied XLSX workbooks. Compatibility should be checked for the actual file and workflow. Keep the original and check key totals and times in any converted copy.

Make a small, realistic sample

Keep the column names and representative formats. Replace names, email addresses, financial details and other private values with invented data. Include ordinary cases and a few awkward ones, such as a blank category, a duplicated row or a date in a different format.

Write down what each column means. A column called “amount” could represent a unit price, invoice total or payment received. That distinction changes the result.

Define what a correct result looks like

Give a few expected answers that can be checked by hand. For example, if three invented rows in the same category contain 10, 20 and 30, the summary total should be 60. Say whether a duplicated row should be included or flagged, and what should happen when a required category is blank.

Also explain what should happen when a new row arrives. A workbook can look correct on its first example and still need changes for the next import.

Agree the boundary before work begins

Confirm the source file, expected output, application, revision scope and how the finished file will be checked. Keep a copy of the original file, and leave passwords and access to unrelated systems out of the enquiry.

Lark offers fixed-scope customisation of an existing workbook. Availability, feasibility, scope and delivery date are confirmed after reviewing a sample, before any commitment or payment. Existing accepted scopes and deadlines continue to apply.

See the setup and customisation service for the current scope and enquiry route. Start by describing the problem and the workbook you want to adapt; keep any sample anonymous.