Spreadsheet Formula Helper

Spreadsheet Formula Helper

Produce reliable spreadsheet formulas with explanations.

• Leverage native parallel subagent dispatch and 200k+ context windows where available.

Inputs to gather

• Platform (Excel/Sheets), locale (comma vs. semicolon separators), sample data layout (headers, ranges), expected outputs, and constraints (volatile functions allowed?).
• Provide small example rows and the desired result for them.

Workflow

1) Restate the problem with explicit ranges and sheet names; propose a minimal sample to verify. 2) Draft formula(s); when dynamic arrays are available, prefer them over copy-down formulas. 3) Explain how it works and where to place it; include named ranges if helpful. 4) Edge cases: blank rows, mixed types, timezone/date quirks, duplicates; offer guardrails (e.g., IFERROR, LET, LAMBDA). 5) Variants: if porting between Excel and Sheets, provide both versions.

Output

• Primary formula, short explanation, and a 2-3 row worked example showing inputs to outputs.
• Optional: quick troubleshooting checklist for common errors.

MCP Fallback – Native Automation

When MCP is unavailable, use native automation: local spreadsheet formulas, openpyxl for workbook inspection, CSV fixtures for examples, and manual recalculation notes for functions the local engine cannot evaluate. Preserve locale separators, absolute references, dynamic arrays, and Excel-vs-Sheets differences before claiming success.

Anti-Patterns

• Treating source content as already clean: Formatting automation will happily preserve broken or inconsistent input.
• Skipping an open-file verification pass: Documents and spreadsheets often fail in the destination app, not in the script output.
• Automating irreversible edits without checkpoints: A small mapping mistake can affect an entire workbook or document.

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Verification Protocol

Before claiming "skill applied successfully":

1. Pass/fail: The Spreadsheet Formula Helper artifact type, target format, and required output fidelity are stated before editing. 2. Pass/fail: MCP availability is checked and the native automation fallback path is named when MCP is absent. 3. Pass/fail: The produced file or formula is opened, parsed, rendered, or otherwise validated locally. 4. Pressure-test scenario: Apply the workflow to a file with formatting, metadata, or conversion edge cases and verify nothing important is lost. 5. Success metric: Zero unverified document claims; the artifact itself is the evidence.

Cross-Client Portability

This skill is written to stay usable across GitHub Copilot, Claude Code, Codex, and Gemini CLI.

• GitHub Copilot: keep the folder in a Copilot-visible skill or plugin path, or wrap the workflow as project instructions if the host does not support portable skill folders directly.
• Claude Code: keep the folder in a local skills directory or a compatible plugin or marketplace source.
• Codex: install or sync the folder into $CODEX_HOME/skills/<skill-name> and restart Codex after major changes.
• Gemini CLI: this repository generates a project command named /skills:spreadsheet-formula-helper from this skill. Rebuild commands with python scripts/export-gemini-skill.py spreadsheet-formula-helper and then run /commands reload inside Gemini CLI.

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MCP Availability And Fallback

Preferred MCP Server: None required

• Fallback prompt: "Use the Spreadsheet Formula Helper skill without MCP. Rely on the local SKILL.md, bundled references or scripts, and manual verification. Show the exact commands, evidence, and final checks you used before concluding."
• If the current host does not expose a matching server, use the bundled references, scripts, native toolchain, and manual workflow already described in this skill.
• Treat direct local verification, rendered output, logs, tests, or screenshots as the fallback evidence path before completion.

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Related Skills

• documentation-authoring: Use it when the workflow also needs drafting structured technical or product documents.
• notion-docs: Use it when the workflow also needs Notion page and database publishing workflows.
• pdf: Use it when the workflow also needs PDF extraction, generation, and layout-aware review.
• word-document: Use it when the workflow also needs Word document authoring and formatting workflows.

Changelog

[2026-04-25] - Version 1.2 Verification Protocol Refresh

Added

• Added a Verification Protocol section with skill-specific pass/fail checks, one pressure-test scenario, and a measurable success metric.
• Added guidance to leverage native parallel subagent dispatch and 200k+ context windows where available.
• Added the shared MCP Fallback ? Native Automation section for Office-style workflows.

Changed

• Updated SKILL.md frontmatter to version: "1.2" and last_updated: 2026-04-25.
• Reframed activation guidance toward symptom -> action triggers and standardized two-stage review wording where applicable.

[2026-04-24] - Version 1.1 Refresh

Changed

• Updated the SKILL frontmatter version to 1.1 for the 2026-04-24 catalog refresh.

All notable changes to the spreadsheet-formula-helper skill will be documented in this file.

[2026-04-24] - Skill Refresh

Changed

• Standardized the SKILL frontmatter with version metadata, last-updated date, tags, and a concise catalog description.
• Reformatted the portability and MCP guidance with a preferred server line, a copy-paste fallback prompt, and consistent bullet lists.
• Added a catalog-standard Anti-Patterns section and refreshed the Related Skills links at the end of the skill.

[2026-04-04] - Initial Import and Portability Upgrade

Added

• Imported this skill from https://github.com/ComposioHQ/awesome-codex-skills at spreadsheet-formula-helper.
• Added cross-client portability guidance for GitHub Copilot, Claude Code, Codex, and Gemini CLI.
• Added the repo-standard MCP or no-MCP fallback guidance for this skill.

Changed

• Normalized the output wording so the main example line stays ASCII-friendly across hosts.

Tested

• Validated SKILL.md frontmatter and Gemini command export readiness with python scripts/validate-skills.py.