data export: can I do this?

[George]

I have a fairly complex (Excel 2002) workbook that several ppl use, each
with their own data set. When I distribute a 'program' change, each
person has to re-enter their data. This is not well-received.

To address this complaint, ...

The user-data cells are all unprotected, and named. Non-user-data cells
are protected. My thought is to add a function that loops through the
sheet(s), and for any unprotected cells, extracts its name and value,
which it exports these to a (text??) file.

There would be a second function to run through that text(?) file, and
put the data values from there into the corresponding named cells in the
spreadsheet.

The idea is to allow the user to move their existing data from an old
version of my workbook into a (quite similar) new one.

- Does this seem feasible?
- Is it already done, or is there a better way to do it?
- If it is feasible, is a text file the appropriate choice for storing
the saved information?

Any thoughts appreciated. If I'm not being clear, I can elaborate.

Thanks,
George

 

[Jon Peltier]

Anything you can do to separate code from data is worthwhile.

My usual approach is to let the users have their data in workbooks and
worksheets, and have the code in a separate add-in, which can be swapped out
without hosing the data.

If the code is embodied in worksheet formulas, then this is more
complicated. Your view of using a text file is as good an approach as any;
I've used similar.

- Jon