xlsx
The xlsx skill handles creation, editing, and conversion of spreadsheet files including .xlsx, .xlsm, .csv, and .tsv formats. Use it when the primary deliverable is a spreadsheet file that requires opening, reading, editing, cleaning messy tabular data, adding formulas or columns, or converting between tabular formats. It ensures financial models follow industry-standard color coding for inputs, formulas, and links, maintains zero formula errors, and applies proper number formatting for currency, percentages, and multiples.
git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/ginlix-ai/LangAlpha /tmp/xlsx && cp -r /tmp/xlsx/skills/xlsx ~/.claude/skills/xlsxSKILL.md
# Requirements for Outputs
## All Excel files
### Professional Font
- Use a consistent, professional font (e.g., Arial, Times New Roman) for all deliverables unless otherwise instructed by the user
### Zero Formula Errors
- Every Excel model MUST be delivered with ZERO formula errors (#REF!, #DIV/0!, #VALUE!, #N/A, #NAME?)
### Preserve Existing Templates (when updating templates)
- Study and EXACTLY match existing format, style, and conventions when modifying files
- Never impose standardized formatting on files with established patterns
- Existing template conventions ALWAYS override these guidelines
## Financial models
### Color Coding Standards
Unless otherwise stated by the user or existing template
#### Industry-Standard Color Conventions
- **Blue text (RGB: 0,0,255)**: Hardcoded inputs, and numbers users will change for scenarios
- **Black text (RGB: 0,0,0)**: ALL formulas and calculations
- **Green text (RGB: 0,128,0)**: Links pulling from other worksheets within same workbook
- **Red text (RGB: 255,0,0)**: External links to other files
- **Yellow background (RGB: 255,255,0)**: Key assumptions needing attention or cells that need to be updated
### Number Formatting Standards
#### Required Format Rules
- **Years**: Format as text strings (e.g., "2024" not "2,024")
- **Currency**: Use $#,##0 format; ALWAYS specify units in headers ("Revenue ($mm)")
- **Zeros**: Use number formatting to make all zeros "-", including percentages (e.g., "$#,##0;($#,##0);-")
- **Percentages**: Default to 0.0% format (one decimal)
- **Multiples**: Format as 0.0x for valuation multiples (EV/EBITDA, P/E)
- **Negative numbers**: Use parentheses (123) not minus -123
### Formula Construction Rules
#### Assumptions Placement
- Place ALL assumptions (growth rates, margins, multiples, etc.) in separate assumption cells
- Use cell references instead of hardcoded values in formulas
- Example: Use =B5*(1+$B$6) instead of =B5*1.05
#### Formula Error Prevention
- Verify all cell references are correct
- Check for off-by-one errors in ranges
- Ensure consistent formulas across all projection periods
- Test with edge cases (zero values, negative numbers)
- Verify no unintended circular references
#### Documentation Requirements for Hardcodes
- Comment or in cells beside (if end of table). Format: "Source: [System/Document], [Date], [Specific Reference], [URL if applicable]"
- Examples:
- "Source: Company 10-K, FY2024, Page 45, Revenue Note, [SEC EDGAR URL]"
- "Source: Company 10-Q, Q2 2025, Exhibit 99.1, [SEC EDGAR URL]"
- "Source: Bloomberg Terminal, 8/15/2025, AAPL US Equity"
- "Source: FactSet, 8/20/2025, Consensus Estimates Screen"
# XLSX creation, editing, and analysis
## Overview
A user may ask you to create, edit, or analyze the contents of an .xlsx file. You have different tools and workflows available for different tasks.
## Important Requirements
**LibreOffice Required for Formula Recalculation**: You can assume LibreOffice is installed for recalculating formula values using the `scripts/recalc.py` script. The script automatically configures LibreOffice on first run, including in sandboxed environments where Unix sockets are restricted (handled by `scripts/office/soffice.py`)
## Reading and analyzing data
### Data analysis with pandas
For data analysis, visualization, and basic operations, use **pandas** which provides powerful data manipulation capabilities:
```python
import pandas as pd
# Read Excel
df = pd.read_excel('file.xlsx') # Default: first sheet
all_sheets = pd.read_excel('file.xlsx', sheet_name=None) # All sheets as dict
# Analyze
df.head() # Preview data
df.info() # Column info
df.describe() # Statistics
# Write Excel
df.to_excel('output.xlsx', index=False)
```
## Excel File Workflows
## CRITICAL: Use Formulas, Not Hardcoded Values
**Always use Excel formulas instead of calculating values in Python and hardcoding them.** This ensures the spreadsheet remains dynamic and updateable.
### ❌ WRONG - Hardcoding Calculated Values
```python
# Bad: Calculating in Python and hardcoding result
total = df['Sales'].sum()
sheet['B10'] = total # Hardcodes 5000
# Bad: Computing growth rate in Python
growth = (df.iloc[-1]['Revenue'] - df.iloc[0]['Revenue']) / df.iloc[0]['Revenue']
sheet['C5'] = growth # Hardcodes 0.15
# Bad: Python calculation for average
avg = sum(values) / len(values)
sheet['D20'] = avg # Hardcodes 42.5
```
### ✅ CORRECT - Using Excel Formulas
```python
# Good: Let Excel calculate the sum
sheet['B10'] = '=SUM(B2:B9)'
# Good: Growth rate as Excel formula
sheet['C5'] = '=(C4-C2)/C2'
# Good: Average using Excel function
sheet['D20'] = '=AVERAGE(D2:D19)'
```
This applies to ALL calculations - totals, percentages, ratios, differences, etc. The spreadsheet should be able to recalculate when source data changes.
## Common Workflow
**Execution pattern**: for any non-trivial workbook (multi-sheet, formulas, styling loops, sensitivity grids), write the builder to `work/<task_name>/build_workbook.py` and run via `Bash` rather than sending the openpyxl code inline via `ExecuteCode`. You will iterate on styling, formulas, and layout — `Edit`+rerun is cheaper than resubmitting inline code.
1. **Choose tool**: pandas for data, openpyxl for formulas/formatting
2. **Create/Load**: Create new workbook or load existing file
3. **Modify**: Add/edit data, formulas, and formatting
4. **Save**: Write to file
5. **Recalculate formulas (MANDATORY IF USING FORMULAS)**: Use the scripts/recalc.py script
```bash
python scripts/recalc.py output.xlsx
```
6. **Verify and fix any errors**:
- The script returns JSON with error details
- If `status` is `errors_found`, check `error_summary` for specific error types and locations
- Fix the identified errors and recalculate again
- Common errors to fix:
- `#REF!`: Invalid cell references
- `#DIV/0!`: Division by zero
- `#VALUE!`: Wrong data type in formula
- `#NAME?`: UnrecognizedIntegrated 3-statement financial model: linked income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow
Create and manage scheduled and price-triggered automations.
Event tracker: earnings dates, economic releases, conferences, regulatory events
Investment deck QC: number consistency, data-narrative alignment, IB language, formatting audit
Financial model audit: structural checks, formula validation, integrity testing
Competitive landscape analysis: positioning, scorecards, moat assessment, market share trends
Comparable company analysis: operating metrics, valuation multiples, peer benchmarking
DCF valuation: free cash flow projections, WACC, terminal value, sensitivity analysis