ExcelExt! is a freeware Windows application developed as a part of Cost Modelling Studio. It can process the simulation models based on Microsoft Excel workbooks. The program extends the field of application of Microsoft Excel. You may download ExcelExt! and use it freely on conditions of MIT-license.

The principle of operation is easy. First, the user builds an arbitrary model by means of Microsoft Excel — i.e. put formulae into spreadsheet cells that show the dependencies between parameters and resulting values, writes data into certain “input” cells and reads results from certain “output” cells. It is a sealed calculation model. With this approach it is necessary to reenter parameter values every time a different model should be simulated. But how to force Microsoft Excel to calculate the model iteratively for different sets of input parameters without boring manual data input? It is quite easy!...

Run the ExcelExt! and select an appropriate XLS file. Define criteria to specify input/resulting cells. For example, such cells may be named, emphasized by italic or bold type, underlined, coloured, etc. The program analyzes the workbook and forms two lists of “candidate” cells: input parameters containing numerical constant values and results containing formula, i.e. computable cells. Then you may choose parameters of interest and assign their variation ranges (“from-to-step” triads); choose the resulting cells and — that is all. The program is ready to start the model simulation, i.e. vary the parameters, poke the values at the corresponding cells, activate the workbook calculation, peek the resulting cells.

After tens, hundreds, thousands cycles (calculated automatically without any keystroke) it becomes possible to visualize the dependence between the resulting values and parameters. Moreover, one may export the tabular data for optimization analysis to text files or Excel workbooks.

Download: coming soon...