Introduction to NExS.app
The NExS.app worksheet is the control center for your NExS application. It’s a special worksheet in your Excel file that tells NExS how to present your spreadsheet on the web.
Why NExS.app Matters
Without a NExS.app worksheet, your Excel file is just a spreadsheet. With it, you gain control over:
- What users see — Define which cells are visible and which stay hidden
- What users can edit — Specify exactly which cells accept user input
- Web-specific features — Add charts, sliders, buttons, and other interactive elements that don’t exist in Excel
Think of it as the bridge between your Excel calculations and a polished web application.
Basic Structure
The NExS.app worksheet uses a hierarchical format:
| A | B | C | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | app | My Calculator | |
| 2 | view | Sheet1!A1:F20 | |
| 3 | editable | Sheet1!B2 |
- Column A contains section headers (
app,view) - Column B contains the section value OR option names
- Column C contains option values
The editable in row 3 is an option of the view defined in row 2—that’s why column A is empty. Options belong to the section above them.
Keywords aren’t case-sensitive and may contain spaces, so submitList and Submit List mean the same thing. Formatting on the NExS.app worksheet is ignored, so feel free to use colors or bold text to make it easier to read.
What You Can Configure
The NExS.app worksheet lets you configure:
| Feature | What it controls |
|---|---|
| Views | Which cell ranges are visible to users |
| Editable Cells | Which cells accept user input |
| Charts | Interactive charts that update with your data |
| UI Components | Sliders, LED indicators, and buttons |
| Deployment Mode | Who can access your app and how data is shared |
Creating Your First NExS.app Worksheet
- Open your Excel workbook
- Add a new worksheet
- Rename it to
NExS.app(the name isn’t case-sensitive, but spelling and punctuation matter) - Add your configuration in columns A, B, and C
Minimal Example
| A | B | C | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | app | Rate Calculator | |
| 2 | view | Calculator!A1:D10 | |
| 3 | editable | Calculator!B2 |
This creates an app that:
- Shows cells A1:D10 from the “Calculator” sheet
- Lets users edit cell B2
- Keeps your formulas protected and hidden
What’s Next
The following sections cover each feature in detail:
- Views & Layouts — Control what users see, work with multiple views, and handle navigation
- Inputs & Forms — Make cells editable, add validation, and build forms
- Charts — Add interactive charts that update automatically
- UI Components — Add sliders, LED indicators, and buttons
- Deployment Modes — Control access and data sharing
For a complete reference of all configuration options, see the NExS.app Worksheet Reference.