Requirements for Outputs

All Excel files

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 recalc.py script. The script automatically configures LibreOffice on first run

Reading and analyzing data

Data analysis with pandas

For data analysis, visualization, and basic operations, use pandas which provides powerful data manipulation capabilities:

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

# Bad: Calculating in Python and hardcoding result
total = df['Sales'].sum()
sheet['B10'] = total  # Hardcodes 5000

# Bad: Computing growth rate in Python

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