Workbook Mental Model
Understand how workbooks, worksheets, rows, cells, ranges, and metadata fit together.
Updated
What you will learn
- Use the same terminology as the public API.
- Understand where values end and workbook metadata begins.
- Choose between row-oriented and cell-oriented operations.
WorkbookThe complete spreadsheet file
WorksheetA named grid such as Orders
RowAn ordered record
CellA value, formula, style, link, or comment
Row-oriented vs cell-oriented APIs
| Need | API shape |
|---|---|
| Business records and imports | rows(), chunks(), headers, projection |
| Lookup/configuration cells | cell(), cells(), rangeValues() |
| Rich workbook inspection | cellDetails(), styles, images, metadata |
| Pre-read package inspection | inspect(), sheetNames(), countRows() |
| Output composition | WorkbookBuilder |
Ranges connect the model
A range such as A1:F20 selects a rectangular group of cells. Styling, filters, validation, charts, conditional formatting, and pivots refer to ranges.
Metadata lives beside values
A cell can carry a displayed value, original type, formula, cached result, number format, hyperlink, comment, rich-text runs, protection flags, and merged-range membership. Use a detailed snapshot when values alone are insufficient.
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