Expanding Excel with XLnotes
With XLnotes you can use Excel in a number of new ways:
As a free-form outliner.Use the Excel grid as a free-form structure to arrange your records. Create notes to store text that contains pictures, web pages, and files. If you have already stored data in comments, import it to XLnotes using the From Comments function. Use the Search function to quickly find text entries across multiple worksheets and notes.
As a mind map.Use Excel’s built-in drawing tools to create mind maps. To present nodes in more detail, add text notes, web pages, and attachments to them. If you want to have your notes outside Excel, export them to a selected directory using the To files function.
For writing.Structure your writing project by breaking it into small blocks of content and arranging them on an Excel grid. Write text and paste citations and your thoughts into text notes. Finalize your work by gathering all your fragments into one MS Word document using Export to Word function.
Example: if you are writing a dissertation, it’s easier to start with writing and citing small fragments of text using Text notes and then merge them into one file.
As a visual database.Add new columns to your tables such as Pictures, Files, and Web pages to bring additional perspective to your spreadsheets. Use corresponding note types to store required data. Notes remain connected to their cells when sorting and dragging them.
Example: if you are doing calculations in Excel, add web pages and notes describing the formulas and methods used in the calculations.
As a personal information manager (PIM).Create personal schedules and plans using Excel functions and graphs. Add notes to describe your activities in more detail.
Example: if you want to create an account book with Excel, use notes to add comments and attachments to store related information like checks, contracts, and invoices.
For business analysis.Use functions and graphs to track your business data and project activities. Use notes to store additional information such as pictures, files, and web pages.
Example: when listing product portfolios for marketing research, add product images, specifications, web pages, and documentation to your notes in addition to traditional sales and market share data.
As a bookmarks manager.Create a list of web pages and bookmark them or save copies. View them directly in Excel using XLnotes’ built-in browser. Use text notes to add comments and store important fragments.
Example: to prevent your bookmarks in browser from cluttering, move web pages that you do not need to visit regularly in Excel. Save web pages as copies if you need to save current state of a web page, or as bookmarks if you want to save the address only.
For cataloguing.Use the Directory index function to build an index of your selected directory in Excel. Create notes to add comments to file entries.
Example: build an index of your books and add notes to describe them and store extracts and citations.
For each of these eight usage scenarios, you would normally need a specific program, but with XLnotes add-in for Excel you can enjoy these benefits:
- More freedom compared to a typical tree structure. Excel workspace allows you to arrange elements in free-form, and this does not impose restrictions on structure.
- You can work with numbers and formulas. Excel remains the world’s most powerful and widely used application for working with numbers.
- More opportunities. You can attach not only text notes, but also web-pages and various files.
- No learning and switching costs. The familiar interface and standard file formats allow users to begin work immediately and share files with others without having to experience format incompatibilities.
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