---
name: Analyzing Spreadsheets
slug: analyzing-spreadsheets
category: Data
description: Analyzing Spreadsheets processes Excel and CSV files to build workbooks, add formulas, preserve formatting, and analyze tabular data. Use it when working with spreadsheets or validating financial models with recalculation and zero formula errors.
github: "https://github.com/telagod/code-abyss/tree/main/skills/analyzing-spreadsheets"
language: JavaScript
stars: 239
forks: 32
install: "npx degit https://github.com/telagod/code-abyss/tree/main/skills/analyzing-spreadsheets ~/.claude/skills/analyzing-spreadsheets"
installs_to: ~/.claude/skills/analyzing-spreadsheets
source_path: skills/analyzing-spreadsheets/SKILL.md
collection_size: 25
category_size: 710
collection_url: "https://dirskills.com/collections/telagod/code-abyss"
added: 2026-09-03T06:03:45.298Z
last_synced: 2026-09-03T06:03:45.298Z
canonical_url: "https://dirskills.com/skills/analyzing-spreadsheets"
---

# Analyzing Spreadsheets

Analyzing Spreadsheets processes Excel and CSV files to build workbooks, add formulas, preserve formatting, and analyze tabular data. Use it when working with spreadsheets or validating financial models with recalculation and zero formula errors.

**Install:**

```bash
npx degit https://github.com/telagod/code-abyss/tree/main/skills/analyzing-spreadsheets ~/.claude/skills/analyzing-spreadsheets
```

## README

# XLSX Processing

Create, edit, analyze `.xlsx` files. LibreOffice required for formula recalculation via `recalc.py`.

## Iron Rule

**Zero formula errors at delivery.** All formulas must compute — no `#REF!`, `#DIV/0!`, `#VALUE!`, `#N/A`, `#NAME?`. Always run `recalc.py` after writing formulas.

## Decision Matrix

| Task | Tool | Reference |
|------|------|-----------|
| Data analysis, bulk ops, simple export | pandas | [recipes.md](references/recipes.md) |
| Formulas, formatting, Excel features | openpyxl | [recipes.md](references/recipes.md) |
| Financial model standards | — | [financial-model.md](references/financial-model.md) |
| Recalculate formulas | `recalc.py` | [recipes.md](references/recipes.md) |

## Common Workflow

1. **Choose tool**: pandas for data, openpyxl for formulas/formatting
2. **Create/Load** workbook
3. **Modify** data, formulas, formatting
4. **Save**
5. **Recalculate** (MANDATORY if formulas): `python recalc.py output.xlsx`
6. **Verify & fix errors** — check JSON output, fix `#REF!` / `#DIV/0!` / `#VALUE!` / `#NAME?`

## Hard Constraints

- **Use formulas, not hardcoded values** — calculations stay dynamic. See [recipes.md](references/recipes.md#critical-use-formulas-not-hardcoded-values).
- **Preserve existing templates** — match existing format/style EXACTLY when updating; user template overrides defaults.
- **Financial models** — follow color/format conventions in [financial-model.md](references/financial-model.md).

## Code Style

- Concise Python, no unnecessary comments or print statements.
- Excel files: comment cells with complex formulas, document hardcode sources.