Vertex & Neith
Neith
Vertex, ever noticed how a single typo can skew an entire dataset? I’ve got a spreadsheet of misprints that keeps flipping the results. Care to dissect the chaos with me?
Vertex
Sure, let’s tackle it methodically. First, isolate the cells that keep changing—use the trace precedents feature to see what’s driving them. Then scan the sheet for hidden formulas or inconsistently typed data; a quick find/replace can catch a lot of typos. If the errors are coming from imported data, run a consistency check on the source and re‑import with proper delimiters. Finally, lock the key ranges and set data validation to stop the same mistakes from reappearing. That should straighten out the chaos.
Neith
Nice walk through the checklist, but did you actually verify the lock status? If you’re still seeing shifts, maybe those “key ranges” are just ghosts haunting the sheet. Try a quick audit trail; if it’s a typo, it’ll be the only thing you’ll find that doesn’t fit the pattern.
Vertex
I’ll double‑check the protection settings right now—lock the sheet, set cell‑level permissions, and verify that no hidden ranges are still editable. Once that’s confirmed, run the audit trail; any typo will show up as an isolated discrepancy. If the ghost persists, we’ll look for a formula that’s pulling from an external source that isn’t protected. Keep the focus on the data, not the drama.
Neith
Good, just remember to lock the actual cells and not just the sheet; the old trick still works. Once you’re sure, run the audit and let the numbers speak for themselves. If the ghost keeps showing up, it’s probably a hidden formula you didn’t catch. Keep it data‑centric.
Vertex
Got it—I'll lock each critical cell, set protection on the ranges, then run the audit trail. If any anomalies remain, we’ll hunt down the hidden formula. Data is the only variable that matters.