Using Excel for Text Only?

[debpeg]

I am currently an independent contractor who has been
doing basically word processing and report preparation for
one of my clients using WordPerfect as their standard
format. These are text-only reports and include no
numerical data, i.e., pretty much just straight "typing"
of narrative. They have now decided to attempt to do
these reports in Excel, from what I understand merely to
be able to transmit the reports electronically. I have
never used Excel at all up to this point, I am not
familiar with it in any application, but from what I do
know about it and have read about it, this seems an
inappropriate format for text only, especially when we're
talking about reports that are sometimes hundreds of pages
long. Do any of you out there currently using this
program see this as practical, and if so, just how well-
versed do you believe I will have to become in Excel in
order to accomplish this? I don't want to lose my job
merely because I am not yet familiar with Excel, but I
also don't want to have to go through a long learning
curve if what they are talking about only involves
installing the program and learning a few simple steps.
Any feedback would be appreciated. Thank you.

 

[Kent]

I didn't think it was April 1st yet!

WordPerfect = great word processor
Excel = lousy word processor

Viewable text in an excel cell is 1024 characters altho
each cell could conceivably hold 32K.

Any chance they just want to treat excel like a table of
contents by hyperlink-ing references to the text files?

Yes, it is inappropriate for hundreds of pages of text.

Excel Support Technician
www.canhelpyou.com

 

[JE McGimpsey]

I know many engineers who use XL as a word processor. It's rather
cumbersome, however. I would agree that what you described seems rather
stupid unless the receiver of the "electronic transmission" for some
reason requires an XL workbook format (various branches of the US
Government have been known to do this on occasion).

One major impediment for a report of hundreds of pages, is that each
cell in XL can display/print at most 1024 characters without inserting
manual line feeds. That can make editing a very labor intensive
proposition.

If your client insists, you shouldn't have to learn much about XL,
though if you're generating the reports, formatting may require a lot of
tweaking.

One piece of free advice: If possible, stay as away from merged cells as
you possibly can. They will make your life a living hell in terms of
formatting for display.

 

[debpeg]

Thank you for your informative response and support in
what I was thinking was a futile endeavor myself. Your
advice and credentials will go a long way in sustaining my
argument against this. Much appreciated.

 

[Ken Wright]

Lunacy is a word that springs to mind. They'd be better off using Wordpad and
sending rtf files across. Pretty much anyone with a computer is going to be
able to read them, and they are easily transferarble electronically. If they
have Excel then they likely as not have Word, and this is what they should
really be using for this.

 

[Harald Staff]

unless the receiver of the "electronic transmission" for some
reason requires an XL workbook format (various branches of the US
Government have been known to do this on occasion).

Do you have any idea how many calories it takes to not reply spreadsheet related jokes on
this ? I need a beer

Best wishes Harald

 

[JE McGimpsey]

Do you have any idea how many calories it takes to not reply
spreadsheet related jokes on this ? I need a beer

But then, Harald, when don't you? (I'm thirsty, too - I'll buy when I
next see you!)