The Federation Cruiser

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Overview2

This page provides guidance on how to format a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet to be attached to a Solution Center page.

Worksheets

Name each worksheet within the spreadsheet according to the content it contains.
Remove empty worksheets.

Formatting

For each worksheet in the spreadsheet, you will need to:

Update the Font.
Hide columns and rows containing no data.
Format the spreadsheet using a Table Style.
Format Sections within the Worksheet.
Review Cell Sizing.

Update the Font

Update the font face and font size:

Font Face: Calibri
Font Size: 10

Hide Columns and Rows Containing No Data

Hide all empty columns to the right of the content:

Select the first column with no content.
Press CNTRL+SHIFT+Right arrow.
Right-Click on any row selected.
Select Hide.

Hide all empty rows below the content:

Select the first row with no content.
Press CNTRL+SHIFT+Down arrow.
Right-Click on any row selected.
Select Hide.

Format the Worksheet Using a Table Style2

From the Microsoft Excel menu, click Format as a Table.
Select Table Style Medium 2:
Note, you will be asked to select a cell range.

Format Sections within the Worksheet

Sometimes a spreadsheet is broken up into different sections, and color is used to define these sections. In this case:

Use the colors defined in the Diagram Fonts and Colors guide to determine an appropriate color.
Create a Thick Box Border around the sections to further visually separate them.

Refer to this spreadsheet for an example.

Review Cell Sizing

The spreadsheet should be reviewed for cell size:

For cells with content longer than the cell width, use the Word Wrap functionality.
Cells and Columns should be automatically adjusted to fit the content - this can be achieved by double clicking the dividing line between the row/column.

Saving

When saving the spreadsheet:

Confirm there are no empty worksheets and no other worksheets that require formatting.
Scroll and select the top left cell (A1) of each worksheet so that the next time it's opened it returns to the beginning of the worksheet.
Navigate to the first worksheet so that the next time it's opened it returns to the beginning of the spreadsheet.
Name the spreadsheet appropriately.
1. For example, DeterminingConfigurationAfterSubscription.xlsx (instead of Aftersubscription.xlsx).
2. Be sure there are no spaces in the file name.

Attaching the Spreadsheet to the Solution Center Page

To upload the spreadsheet as an attachment, follow the steps below:

From the bottom of the page click the Attachments tab.
Click Attach a File.
Click Choose Files, locate the spreadsheet file.
Click Open.

Linking the Spreadsheet to the Solution Center Page

Link to the spreadsheet within the context of the guide. For example, "The Determining Configuration After Subscription spreadsheet provides information on how tasks are configured using the subscription approach..."

To do this:

Highlight the text.
Right-click and select Create Link
1. or select the Link button from the the menu
2. or press CTRL+K
Navigate to the Browse tab.
Locate and select your attachment.
Click Update link.