Very basic Excel question.

[SKG]

Hi,

I have very basic and elementary knowledge of Excel.

I have taken up a project for an app company. I have divided the whole work among 2-3 freelancers. They are responsible for entering data from PDF to Excel.

Actually I don't trust them and I want to make sure that the Excel files which they submit to me dont contain any codes/macros which are malicious or for tracking the destination where the file finally goes and uploads etc. (if at all that's possible) I just want simple basic Excel files with content and no formulas, codes,macros,scripts etc within them.

Can you please tell me how can I ensure it? Any tips and suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[shrivallabha]

Welcome to Chandoo.org forums.

Important: Do not post a subject with words such as "Urgent". This is free forum so people volunteer (are not paid for those services). Have a read of forum rules.

What you are saying may not be simple in the end. Assuming Excel version is 2007 or higher you can save file as macro free Excel workbook (xlsx). If a workbook is having macros then its extension will be *.xlsm.

To remove formulas, you can select all cells and then paste them using Paste Special >> Values.

If the source person has used VBA based functions then you may get several incorrect results.

Easier route would be (I suppose this is commercial contract), you can lay down these very conditions in your agreement and then use some of the ideas like above to verify.

 

[Hui]

As well as the comments above, I find it odd to ask an Urgent question on Xmas day!

However, to answer he question you can ask them to supply the results in an Excel xlsx file type
Or if real concerned get the data in a text file format

 

[bobhc]

Actually I don't trust them

...You chose them!