BEST PRACTICES:
A Checklist for Excel projects

Whenever you prepare an Excel workbook containing worksheets, charts, text notes, etc., please check that you have completed these little chores:

• Blank, unused worksheets in the workbook are deleted.
• All worksheet tabs are named descriptively.
• Plotted data fills the space available on the chart.
• All regression equations use the same x and y terms as the variables that are analyzed (i.e., don’t use “x” and “y”). Include descriptor and units if applicable .
• For wide column headings (wider than data in columns), use the text wrapping in cell feature.
• Embedded charts are sized to be readable on-screen and in print.
• Chart fonts in titles and axes are readable.
• Variables and their units of measurement are included on the axes titles [e.g. Heat of formation (kJ/mol)].
• Remove gridlines in x,y scatter charts. Gridlines should appear only on Histograms.
• Trendlines are formatted so as not to obscure the data points, that is, make them thinner than the default weight.
• If you are putting the workbook as an HTML file on your web site, check the appearance on another computer, not just your own.