Value Management Toolset™ - Frequently Asked Questions

A Data File is a Microsoft Excel .xls file which enables input data to be collected and saved independently of the Toolset. This means that Data Files can be shared with people who do not have a Toolset licence, which provides great flexibility in collaborative teams. A Data File is created by using File>Save after which it can be used as a normal Excel file and saved to a different filename and folder. Data Files are designed to operate in a similar way to the input screens in the Toolset, including validation, and provide the means to save scenarios.

Report File is a read only Microsoft Excel .xls file which provides all input and results screens. This functionality is new for version 2.2 of the Toolset and enables sharing of all information with clients and people who do not have a Toolset licence. The file is protected as read only and provides the equivalent of a pdf which can be read but not edited using a reader, in this case Excel. The advantage over a pdf is that the navigation buttons are live so the Report File has the same look and feel as the Toolset. A Report File is created by using File>Export Data and should be saved with the prefix rpt to differentiate it from a Data File because it should not be loaded into the Toolset.

The Toolset is supported to run on the latest upgrades for Microsoft Windows and Office and these should be kept up to date. We have experienced some circumstances when one or more specific upgrades, normally security related as is the case for the next issue, have resulted in some deterioration in operation, for example, presentational problems on specific screens. In all cases so far, the greater Office community has experienced similar problems and complained to Microsoft who introduced a patch in subsequent upgrades.Solution: Our response to these issues is to find and publish on this page a workaround if this ensures fitness for purpose. If not, we endeavour to incorporate a patch within the next release.

During loading of the Toolset, after enabling macros, an additional dialogue box appears with the warning, 'Office File Validation detected a problem while trying to open this file. Opening it may be dangerous.' This dialogue box was introduced in a recent Microsoft Office upgrade. We have investigated this issue and found it to be safe to open with no other effects on Toolset operation.Solution: Select Open and continue as normal.