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Excel, Done Right.

We turn fragile workbooks into reliable decision tools—structured models, guardrails, and repeatable reporting that doesn’t break on month-end. Then we bridge Excel to Airtable, SQL, and BI so your numbers stay in sync.

Learn how Ironhide hardens Excel models, eliminates copy-paste chaos, and connects your sheets to a governed data layer.

Where Excel fits (fast analysis & handoff)

  • Analyst sandbox: quick exploration, modeling, and what-ifs.
  • Monthly/quarterly packs: curated tabs that roll up cleanly.
  • Ops scorecards: simple inputs → automated outputs (no macros required).
  • Bridge to BI: publish to Power BI/Tableau or sync to Airtable/SQL for scale.

Common pitfalls we fix

  • Hidden circular refs, volatile formulas, and manual “calc order” voodoo.
  • Link rot across files, uncontrolled versions, and broken pivots.
  • Macros nobody understands and security prompts that block work.
  • Copy-paste pipelines instead of reliable connections to source data.

Excel services we deliver

Model Hardening & Layout
  • 3-tier structure: Inputs → Calc → Outputs with color/locking conventions.
  • Formula audits, dependency maps, and circular-ref elimination.
  • Dynamic arrays/XLOOKUP/LET/LAMBDA refactors for clarity & speed.
  • Protected ranges, named tables, and tab-level documentation.
Automated Reporting & Packs
  • Monthly “Close Pack” that refreshes from source with one click.
  • Power Query pipelines (CSV/ERP/HubSpot/QuickBooks ingestion).
  • Pivot/Page layouts that print clean; PDF one-pagers for execs.
  • Calendarized measures and KPI definitions documented once.
Integrations & Data Connections
  • Power Query/OData/ODBC connectors to SQL, Snowflake, Airtable.
  • Governed extract layer to avoid direct hits on prod systems.
  • Zapier/Make handoffs for approvals, notifications, and file routing.
  • Templates that publish to Power BI or export to shared drives.
Macros & Low-Code Rebuilds
  • Replace risky VBA with Power Query + formulas where possible.
  • When needed: documented, modular VBA with error handling.
  • Button-driven tasks for non-technical users (refresh, export, archive).
  • Security-friendly settings and signed macro guidance.
Enablement & Handoff
  • Loom micro-walkthroughs embedded in the workbook (links/tooltips).
  • Runbook: data sources, refresh order, print areas, gotchas.
  • Change control & versioning strategy (SharePoint/OneDrive/GDrive).
  • Quarterly health checks and tune-ups.

How we work (fast)

  1. Discover — audit models, links, and refresh flow.
  2. Design — inputs/calc/output pattern & data sources.
  3. Rebuild — queries, formulas, guards, and templates.
  4. Connect — bridge to BI/warehouse for longevity.
  5. Enable — Loom handoff + runbook and QA cadence.

Typical outcomes

50–80%

less manual cleanup per reporting cycle

2–4×

faster refresh from governed sources

↓ errors

through locked inputs & tested formulas

1

trusted pack everyone uses

Proof it works

“Ironhide rebuilt our Excel pack with Power Query and a clean layout—close went from days to hours and we stopped breaking links.”

— Controller, Multi-site Services (case study coming soon)