# Embedding a Named Range in a Canvas (Sheetlet)

Display and edit spreadsheet data directly on your canvas

A sheetlet is a live, editable window into your spreadsheet displayed directly on a canvas. Unlike static images, sheetlets maintain full interactivity—click cells to edit values, see formulas, and watch calculations cascade through your model in real-time.

# How Sheetlets Work

Sheetlets connect to named ranges in your Live Worksheets:

```
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                     Canvas                               │
│  ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────┐    │
│  │              Sheetlet                            │    │
│  │  ┌─────────┬─────────┬─────────┐                │    │
│  │  │ Cell A1 │ Cell B1 │ Cell C1 │                │    │
│  │  ├─────────┼─────────┼─────────┤   ← Editable! │    │
│  │  │ Cell A2 │ Cell B2 │ Cell C2 │                │    │
│  │  └─────────┴─────────┴─────────┘                │    │
│  │         ↓                                        │    │
│  │   Named Range in Live Worksheet                  │    │
│  └─────────────────────────────────────────────────┘    │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
```

When you edit a cell in a sheetlet:
1. The change syncs to the Live Worksheet
2. Formulas recalculate immediately
3. Other elements referencing that worksheet update
4. All viewers see the change in real-time

# Adding a Sheetlet to a Canvas

## Step 1: Create a Named Range

In your Live Worksheet (Google Sheets):

1. Select the cells you want to display
2. Go to **Data → Named ranges**
3. Give it a descriptive name (e.g., "Assumptions", "Summary", "Inputs")
4. Click **Done**

**Naming tips:**
- Use descriptive names: "Q4_Forecast" not "Range1"
- Avoid spaces and special characters
- Keep names short but meaningful

## Step 2: Add to Canvas

1. Open your canvas in edit mode
2. Click **+ Add** from the toolbar
3. Select **Sheetlet**
4. Choose your Live Worksheet from the dropdown
5. Select the named range
6. Click to place on your canvas

![](https://docs.scoopanalytics.com/assets/legacy/fb73c79-image-b3f512e930.png)

## Step 3: Position and Size

- Drag to reposition
- Resize using corner handles
- The sheetlet automatically shows row and column headers

# Working with Sheetlets

## Viewing Cell Details

Click any cell to see:
- Current value (formatted)
- Underlying formula (if any)
- Raw numeric value

## Editing Cells

Click a cell and type to change its value:
- Numbers update immediately
- Formulas recalculate dependents
- Changes sync to Google Sheets

**What you can edit:**
- Values in cells without formulas
- Cells marked as editable in the worksheet

**What you cannot edit:**
- Formula cells (shows formula but can't change)
- Cells outside the named range
- Protected cells

## Real-Time Sync

Changes propagate instantly:

```
Edit cell in sheetlet
        ↓
Google Sheets updates
        ↓
Formulas recalculate
        ↓
Other sheetlets/charts update
        ↓
All viewers see change
```

This happens in seconds, enabling live collaboration and real-time what-if analysis.

# Use Cases

## What-If Analysis

Build a model with editable assumptions:

**Worksheet structure:**
```
┌──────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Assumptions (Named: "Assumptions")   │
├──────────────────┬───────────────────┤
│ Growth Rate      │ 12%               │ ← Editable
│ Expense Ratio    │ 35%               │ ← Editable
│ Tax Rate         │ 21%               │ ← Editable
└──────────────────┴───────────────────┘

┌──────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Results (Named: "Results")           │
├──────────────────┬───────────────────┤
│ Revenue          │ =Base*(1+B1)      │ ← Formula
│ Expenses         │ =B4*B2            │ ← Formula
│ Net Income       │ =(B4-B5)*(1-B3)   │ ← Formula
└──────────────────┴───────────────────┘
```

**On canvas:**
- Sheetlet showing "Assumptions" (editable)
- Sheetlet showing "Results" (calculated)
- Chart visualizing the results

Change Growth Rate → Watch Revenue and Net Income update → Chart reflects new values.

## Data Entry Forms

Create input forms for:
- Budget submissions
- Forecast updates
- Inventory counts
- Time tracking

Users enter data directly on the canvas without needing Google Sheets access.

## Live Dashboards

Display key metrics calculated in spreadsheets:
- Complex calculations not available in standard Scoop analytics
- Custom scoring models
- Rolling averages with specific logic
- Multi-source data combinations

## Assumption Documentation

Show the assumptions behind your analysis:
- Viewers see exactly what inputs drove the results
- Transparent methodology
- Easy to modify and re-run scenarios

# Creating Visualizations from Worksheets

## From Worksheet Data

Click **"Create from worksheet"** to build charts from spreadsheet tables:

![](https://docs.scoopanalytics.com/assets/legacy/ec1e43e-image-849ca2df7e.png)

### Data Requirements

| Requirement | Description |
|-------------|-------------|
| **Headers** | First row must contain column names |
| **Structure** | Tabular data (rows and columns) |
| **Data types** | Numbers for metrics, text for dimensions |
| **Optional time** | Include a date column for time-series charts |

### Creating the Visualization

1. Select the data range
2. Choose which columns are metrics vs. dimensions
3. Pick a chart type
4. Scoop creates an interactive visualization

![](https://docs.scoopanalytics.com/assets/legacy/545e666-image-fa74caeb59.png)

The resulting chart:
- Updates when the worksheet data changes
- Supports drilling and filtering
- Works with prompts like any other Scoop visualization

## Linked Sheetlets and Charts

When a sheetlet and chart reference the same worksheet:

![](https://docs.scoopanalytics.com/assets/legacy/3a705fa-image-1980d9591c.png)

- Edit assumptions in the sheetlet
- Chart updates automatically
- Present live what-if scenarios
- No manual refresh needed

# Connecting Sheetlets to Prompts

Sheetlets can respond to canvas prompts:

1. Create a prompt on your canvas (e.g., Region selector)
2. Link the sheetlet to the prompt
3. When users select a region, the sheetlet can:
   - Filter displayed data
   - Pass the selection to worksheet formulas
   - Update calculated values based on selection

This enables dynamic models where prompts drive spreadsheet calculations.

# Best Practices

## Worksheet Organization

- Keep editable inputs in dedicated named ranges
- Separate inputs from calculations
- Use clear, consistent naming
- Document assumptions in the worksheet

## Sheetlet Sizing

- Size to show all relevant cells
- Avoid excessive scrolling
- Consider mobile viewing
- Leave room for cell editing UI

## Performance

- Limit complex formulas in frequently-edited cells
- Avoid volatile functions (NOW, RAND) in visible ranges
- Keep named ranges focused (not entire sheets)

## User Experience

- Label sheetlets clearly
- Indicate which cells are editable
- Group related sheetlets together
- Provide context for what each value means

# Troubleshooting

## Sheetlet Shows No Data

- Verify the named range exists in the worksheet
- Check that the worksheet is a Live Worksheet
- Confirm you have access to the worksheet

## Edits Not Saving

- Check your Scoop session is active
- Verify you have edit permissions on the worksheet
- Look for sync conflicts (multiple simultaneous editors)

## Formulas Not Calculating

- Ensure dependent cells are included in named ranges
- Check for formula errors in Google Sheets
- Verify circular references aren't blocking calculation

## Display Issues

- Refresh the canvas
- Check column widths in the source worksheet
- Verify formatting is compatible

# Related Topics

- [Creating a Live Worksheet](creating-a-livesheet) - Set up cloud-connected spreadsheets
- [Google Sheets Plugin](scoop-for-sheets-plugin) - Pull Scoop data into worksheets
- [Prompts](../Canvases/canvas-objects/prompts) - Add filter controls to canvases
- [What is a Canvas](../Canvases/what-is-a-canvas-and-what-can-it-do) - Canvas overview