Excel Import

This article explains how to import data from Excel workbooks into Model Reef and how Excel import differs from PDF and CSV import.

You will learn how to:

• Choose the right Excel sources for import.

• Select sheets and ranges.

• Map rows and columns to variables, categories and branches.

• Combine Excel imports with other data sources.

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When to use Excel import

Excel is often the cleanest source for import when:

• You have direct access to management reports or exports from accounting and BI systems.

• You can control or edit the layout of the workbook.

• PDF versions of the same report are messy or poorly structured.

• You are consolidating data from multiple spreadsheets into a single model.

If you only have PDFs, use the PDF import. If you have neat, tabular data with a simple structure, CSV import may be even simpler than Excel.

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Supported Excel formats

Model Reef supports:

• .xlsx workbooks.

• .xls files in many cases, though converting to .xlsx is recommended where possible.

Workbooks can contain:

• Multiple sheets.

• Multiple tables per sheet.

You will decide which tables to import during the mapping step.

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Uploading the workbook

1

Upload the workbook

In the import interface:

• Choose Import from Excel.

• Upload one or more Excel workbooks.

• Wait for Model Reef to analyse the sheets and identify candidate tables.

You will see a list of sheets and previewed tables to work with.

2

Selecting sheets and ranges

For each workbook you can:

• Pick one or more sheets that contain data you want to import.

• Let Model Reef detect table ranges automatically.

• Or manually define ranges if the sheet is complex.

Automatic detection works best for sheets where tables:

• Have clear headers and contiguous data.

• Do not contain large gaps, charts or heavy formatting inside the table.

For messy or multi-purpose sheets, it can be easier to define a named range in Excel and then import just that range.

3

Mapping columns and rows

Once a table or range is selected, the mapping and cleaning workflow is similar to PDF import:

• Confirm or adjust date columns and frequency.

• Confirm units.

• Clean row labels and remove non-data rows.

• Map each row to a variable type, category, subcategory and branch.

If the workbook already uses consistent headings and labels, this step is often faster and more accurate than PDF mapping.

4

Creating variables and Data Library entries

As with PDF import, completing the mapping step causes Model Reef to:

• Create Data Library entries for each imported series.

• Create variables linked to those entries with the chosen type and structure.

• Recalculate model outputs immediately.

You can then adjust timing, drivers and other logic on imported variables as needed.

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Updating data from Excel

If you receive updated versions of the same Excel file over time, you have two options:

• Repeat the import for the updated ranges and replace or update existing Data Library entries.

• Use a consistent workbook layout and keep mapping templates so that re-import is quick.

For highly recurring data flows, you may later prefer to move to a direct integration or API-based feed where available.

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Practical tips

• Where you control the workbook, design sheets with clean, simple tables and clear headers for easier import.

• Use one sheet per logical statement or data set if possible.

• Avoid mixing unrelated tables on a single sheet unless necessary.

• Use named ranges in Excel to make targeting specific tables easier.

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