The Spreadsheet Data Lists are lists of the data held on the worksheet or sheets contained in the active workbook. For access to these functions see the Spreadsheet Data Lists Menu and the Audit Tools Shortcuts.

There are 5 list types

Data Type	Description
Numbers	Lists cells containing numbers (but not dates) and the associated formula.
Formulae	Lists cells containing formulae and the associated result
Shapes	Lists shapes, their location on the worksheet and any associated macros
Errors	Lists cells containing errors and the formula that generated the error
Text	Lists cells containing text and the associated formula if generated by one.

The lists are standardised such that they are ready for immediate investigation using the List Analysis and Comparison tools.

The data lists provide the raw data for a variety of analyses and purposes. these include

• confirming the consistent application of formulae for fields within a working model
  
• monitoring the overwriting of formulae with numbers or other changes within a working model
  
• monitoring changes to numeric value entries
  
• monitoring the existence of shapes on individual worksheets and their associated macros
  
• monitoring the presence of error values, their sources and the error type
  
• searching for the presence and location of particular search strings.
  

This is not an exhaustive list of the purposes to which the Spreadsheet Data Lists can be put, but it gives a flavour of the range of analyses that they can provide the basis for.

Remarks

You may want to retain a Spreadsheet Data List as a record of the state of play of the worksheet and/or workbook at a particular date and time. The List Management dialog allows spreadsheet designers to secrete copies of the data lists within the workbooks such that normal users do not see or have access to them.

See also

User Tools