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Ptah

(33,984 posts)
Tue Dec 9, 2025, 02:09 PM Tuesday

I have a spreadsheet question.

I have been tracking my expenses for several years using Open Office Calc.
I believe it is similar to Excel.
I have a separate sheet for each month.
I would like to create a chart or sheet that shows the expenses for a particular line item.
For example, what are the costs over the years for the account TEP?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

10 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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I have a spreadsheet question. (Original Post) Ptah Tuesday OP
Unix junkie here. usonian Tuesday #1
Export each monthly sheet as a CSV? Ptah Tuesday #2
"Separate Sheet for each month" usonian Tuesday #4
You can create a Lookup Table JoseBalow Tuesday #3
Thanks, JoseBalow. Ptah Tuesday #5
excel uses macros in visual basic rampartd Tuesday #6
I don't want to purchase (rent) Excel. Ptah Tuesday #7
understand fully rampartd Tuesday #8
What macro would you use in excel to create a sheet or chart? Ptah Tuesday #9
it wouldn't be much rampartd Tuesday #10

usonian

(23,027 posts)
1. Unix junkie here.
Tue Dec 9, 2025, 02:38 PM
Tuesday

I'd export each one as CSV (I use CSV for all my bank statements, from their sites)

Then I'd grep on TEP and merge the files, and then do whatever. (open in Calc. It's an excel clone)

grep TEP * >> TEP.csv

Use the parent directory in case TSV.csv decides to grow endlessly.

Simple enough for grep and cat.


=============
If not, perl will do lots and lots.

Luv my command line.

I used to use a relational database known as /rdb, written entirely in perl that used flat data files.

https://github.com/ironsmith58/RDB

Ptah

(33,984 posts)
2. Export each monthly sheet as a CSV?
Tue Dec 9, 2025, 02:44 PM
Tuesday

That would leave me with more that 30 files.
I thought there might be a way to do this within Calc.
Can I define a range and search that range?

usonian

(23,027 posts)
4. "Separate Sheet for each month"
Tue Dec 9, 2025, 02:59 PM
Tuesday

If they are all in the same file, as opposed to each in its own file (I can't tell) then something internal is possible, but that's beyond me.

1. If they are all in the same file as "separate sheets" then export it one CSV and see.

2. Otherwise, some internal operation might work.

I am better at the former than the latter. Most people are the opposite.

Good luck.

rampartd

(3,403 posts)
8. understand fully
Tue Dec 9, 2025, 04:27 PM
Tuesday

i got used to it when i was working, but these new versions in win 11, well. i'm glad i retired.

Ptah

(33,984 posts)
9. What macro would you use in excel to create a sheet or chart?
Tue Dec 9, 2025, 04:35 PM
Tuesday
excel uses macros in visual basic

rampartd

(3,403 posts)
10. it wouldn't be much
Tue Dec 9, 2025, 05:05 PM
Tuesday


actually, i just came back from the new xcel version. they no longer do it that way. but there s a screen to "automate" and it looks like they will walk you through a "script." i'm going to do a little of that late tonight or tomorrow night.
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