Excel's Workbook Properties
A workbook is a Microsoft Excel data file that contains multiple worksheets. These worksheets are grouped together into a workbook to organize and consolidate information. An Excel file containing 12 monthly budget worksheets can be organized into an annual budget workbook which consolidates data for analysis and reporting. Excel collects and tracks data and statistics about each workbook called properties. Workbook properties are useful for identifying and organizing workbooks for retrieval, analysis and programming.
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Description
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Excel tracks statistical information which is referred to as "metadata" as you perform work. These workbook properties include the title, author, file name, file directory location, comments and templates that the workbook is based upon.
Types of Properties
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Excel tracks four basic types of workbook properties consisting of general, summary, statistical and custom information. General information includes file name, location, author, creation and modification date information. Summary information includes user defined fields describing title, subject, author, categories, keywords and comments. Statistical information is automatically generated as you work calculating creation and modification dates, revision histories, and time spent editing the workbook files. Contents list the worksheets included within the workbook and custom data allows you to create user defined fields to track information according to criteria which you specify.
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Usage
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You can view workbook properties within an open file using the properties icon on the toolbar, or the "File" - "Properties" menu selection. You click the tabs at the top of the dialog box to review workbook property entries, and enter property information for user defined fields. You can create a separate worksheet or write a macro which defines the name and contents of worksheet properties on a summary worksheet for review and reporting purposes. You can "right click" an existing worksheet tab at the bottom of your screen to add, delete, insert, or append an additional worksheet into your workbook. You can also search and filter workbooks based upon worksheet and workbook property criteria.
Programming
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Microsoft Windows technologies such as dynamic data exchange "DDE" and object linking and embedding "OLE" can be used to transfer data between workbooks, or to other Windows applications using workbook properties. You can simply copy and paste workbook property fields into worksheets within different workbooks. Microsoft Excel workbook properties also map directly to various database fields within external Windows applications including Lotus Notes. Title, author, keywords, comments and category fields map to corresponding fields within Lotus Notes by default.
Benefits
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Excel workbooks automatically generate statistics and allow users to define and track customized information about their spreadsheet applications. Workbook properties provide a mechanism to search, sort and organize Excel workbook information, and to leverage this data within external Windows applications.
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