Advice on 'reverse engineering' a workbook...

[gidsy]

Hi,

I'm not sure if 'reverse engineering' is the correct term, but I'm after advice on the best approach to assess the complexity of a workbook.

I have been tasked to take an existing workbook and prepare a report to say how complicated it is and make recommendations about how it works, what doesn't work, what functions/macros it uses. I will also need to recommend what to do with it, re-design, replace or put some band aids on it?

Any help much appreciated...

 

[Taul]

I’m sure there are many ways and may things you can do to investigate a file’s functions.
The most basic start point is “Does it work” and “does it do what it is supposed to do”
The answer to these questions may point you in the appropriate direction.

After the basic questions have been addressed, there are some tools you could use, like:-
On the Formulas (or Formulae) tab use the “Trace Precedents” and “Trace Dependence” tools.
If you click on a cell that contains a formula these tools will allow you to physically see the connection between a cell with formulae in it and the cells it depends on and the cell it feeds data into it.

Other factors to consider:-
Do you need to be trained to use it?
How much time does it take to use it?
If you can reduce the basic functions of the workbook to a word description, is there an easier way to do the same thing?

Good luck

 

[Taul]

Also,
Treat it like a "Black Box"
what are you feeding into it and what do you need to get out of it.

 

[Taul]

You’ve got me started now!
It would be worth looking beyond what the workbook does.

To give an example, I was recently asked to automate an order request form, basically the person concerned receives an email request for some products, and as a result they generate a pdf formatted order request (this was the request for automation)
On further investigation, I discovered the pdf file is sent to another person that prints it so they can see it in front of their computer and type the order into another piece of software.
How daft is that!

Take a look beyond what your workbook is supposed to do.