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Spreadsheet Integration TSTool Doc umentation <br />Spreadsheet Integration - 2 <br />• TSTool provides immediate feedback on errors when editing commands , but does not fully <br />process data until commands are run; Ex cel processes formulas immediately and provides <br />feedback on errors. <br />• TSTool is designed to separate data and processing logic whereas Excel allows users to mix . <br />• TSTool data representations are generally human -readable, whereas Excel files are binary and <br />can be difficult to interpret . <br /> <br />TSTool and Excel Comparison <br /> <br />Feature TSTool Excel <br />Software language Java Microsoft technologies, depend on <br />version. <br />File extension *.TSTool for commands, others for <br />data and configuration files . <br />*.xls (pre -2007 version), binary <br />*.xlsx (2007 version) zipped XML . <br />Data file formats <br />supported <br />See datastore appendices for time <br />series formats, also DBF and CSV <br />files for tables. <br />*.xls , *.xlsx , *.dbf , and other formats . <br />In -memory data <br />representation <br />Lists of objects : <br />• Time series <br />• Tables <br />• Processor properties <br />Workbook of worksheets, each <br />containing a grid of cells, with each <br />cell having a type (e.g., number, text , <br />formula ) and formatting properties . <br />Data processing logic <br />representation <br />C ommands text , saved in text <br />command file . Commands used <br />named parameters <br />(Parameter=”Value”) that allow <br />defaults and any parameter order. <br /> <br />Standards are enforced or <br />recommended by TSTool. For <br />example, TSTool uses a standard time <br />series identifier (TSID) convention. <br />Formulas de fined for cells (select <br />cell to see formula). Formula <br />arguments must be in a specific <br />order, although arguments are <br />optional in some cases . <br /> <br />Excel is a free -form tool and does <br />not impose many standards. <br />However, there are limitations such <br />as character re strictions for named <br />ranges. <br />Data processing <br />mechanism <br />Commands access data objects and <br />manipulate s their contents . <br />A formula in a cell modifies one or <br />more cells. <br />Command editing Editor dialogs are provided for editing <br />commands in TSTool. T ext <br />command files can be edited directly . <br />Formula editors are provided and can <br />also be edited as the cell contents. <br />Data and processing <br />separation <br />Processing logic and graph <br />configuration is clearly separated <br />from data. <br />Data can be saved on separate sheets, <br />with comp utations on other sheets. <br />However, it is easy to mix data and <br />processing logic. <br />User -defined code • Call external Python script or <br />other software externally (see <br />General commands) <br />• Templates <br />• Plug -in commands (planned for <br />future) <br />• Macros programmed in VBA <br />• Call external programs <br />• Third party extensions <br />• Microsoft libraries (e.g., <br />available in IronPython) <br />Third -party plug -ins Not yet supported in integrated way <br />but can read/write file formats and <br />call Python, etc. <br />Available from third parties . <br />130