Sheetlets

Create interactive spreadsheet windows on your canvas with live editing

Sheetlets are interactive windows into your Live Worksheets that you can place anywhere on a canvas. Display any named range or worksheet area, edit values live, and watch all connected charts and calculations update instantly. This creates an infinite spreadsheet experience with portals into your data wherever you need them.

What Are Sheetlets?

FeatureDescription
Live Data WindowsDisplay any portion of a Live Worksheet on your canvas
Real-Time EditingClick any cell to edit values, just like a spreadsheet
Instant UpdatesAll connected charts and calculations refresh immediately
Named Range SupportReference specific ranges by name for precision
Formatting ControlFull styling including transparent backgrounds

How Sheetlets Work

Live Worksheet ←→ Sheetlet on Canvas ←→ Connected Charts/Objects
       ↑                                         ↓
       └─────── All stay synchronized ──────────┘

When you edit a value in a sheetlet:

  1. The change is immediately sent to Scoop's cloud
  2. The underlying Live Worksheet updates
  3. All charts, KPIs, and other sheetlets that reference that data refresh
  4. Changes sync across all users viewing the canvas

Creating a Sheetlet

Step 1: Add to Canvas

  1. Open your canvas in edit mode
  2. Click Add Object in the toolbar
  3. Select Sheetlet from the object menu

Step 2: Connect to Data

Choose the data source for your sheetlet:

OptionWhen to Use
Live WorksheetDisplay entire worksheet
Named RangeShow specific cells only
Dynamic RangeRange that expands with data

Step 3: Configure Display

Select what to show:

  • Worksheet: Choose which Live Worksheet to connect
  • Range: Specify cells (e.g., A1:D10 or a named range)
  • Headers: Choose whether to show row/column headers

Step 4: Position and Size

  • Drag the sheetlet to position it on canvas
  • Resize handles adjust the visible area
  • Enable scrolling for larger data ranges

Interactive Editing

Sheetlets are fully interactive:

Editing Values

Click any cell to edit:

  • Numbers update immediately
  • Formulas recalculate in real-time
  • Text changes propagate to references

Example: Margin Adjustment

If a chart is based on revenue and expense calculations in your worksheet:

  1. Before: Margin set to 80%
  2. Edit: Click the margin cell, change to 60%
  3. After: All charts recalculate and redisplay instantly

What You Can Edit

Cell TypeEditable?Notes
Numbers✅ YesUpdates immediately
Text✅ YesPropagates to references
Formulas✅ YesMust enter full formula
Dates✅ YesUse consistent format
Protected cells❌ NoBased on worksheet settings

Formatting Options

Sheetlets have extensive formatting options for creating compelling presentations:

Visual Styling

SettingOptions
BackgroundSolid color, transparent, or image
BordersNone, subtle, or pronounced
Cell GridlinesShow or hide
Row/Column HeadersShow or hide
FontMatch theme or customize

Transparency

Transparent backgrounds allow sheetlets to blend seamlessly with canvas designs:

  • Layer over images or backgrounds
  • Create floating data displays
  • Build professional dashboards

Size and Scroll

OptionDescription
Fixed SizeShows set number of rows/columns
Auto-SizeExpands to fit content
ScrollableEnables scrolling for large ranges

Use Cases

Interactive Dashboards

Create dashboards where users can:

  • Adjust assumptions and see impact
  • Enter new data and watch charts update
  • Explore scenarios in real-time

Financial Models

Build interactive financial models:

SheetletContains
InputsRevenue assumptions, cost factors
OutputsP&L summary, key metrics
ScenariosWhat-if toggle controls

Connected charts show results based on current inputs.

Presentation Mode

Use sheetlets in presentations:

  • Edit values live during meetings
  • Show impact of changes instantly
  • Engage audience with interactive data

Data Entry Forms

Create structured input forms:

  • Named ranges for specific fields
  • Validation from worksheet rules
  • Automatic calculations from entries

Sheetlet Capabilities

Full Worksheet Portal

Sheetlets provide complete access to your Live Worksheet:

CapabilityDescription
View dataSee any cells from your worksheet
Edit valuesChange numbers, text, dates
Edit formulasModify calculations directly
Receive updatesSee changes from other sources
Trigger calculationsEdits cascade through formulas

Behind the Scenes

Scoop maintains your Live Worksheet in the cloud:

  1. Memory Instance: Complete worksheet kept in memory
  2. Real-Time Sync: Changes propagate instantly
  3. Multi-User: All viewers see updates
  4. Persistence: Changes save automatically

Multi-Source Integration

Sheetlets can display data that comes from:

  • Manual entries
  • Dataset queries
  • API connections
  • Calculated formulas
  • Other sheetlets

Named Ranges

Why Use Named Ranges?

BenefitDescription
PrecisionShow exactly the cells you want
MaintainabilityRange adjusts if worksheet changes
ClarityDescriptive names vs. cell references
ReusabilitySame range in multiple sheetlets

Creating Named Ranges

In your Live Worksheet:

  1. Select the cells to name
  2. Define a name (e.g., "SalesInputs")
  3. Reference by name in sheetlet configuration

Dynamic Named Ranges

For data that grows:

  • Define range with formulas
  • Range expands as data is added
  • Sheetlet shows current data extent

Best Practices

Design Tips

PracticeWhy
Use named rangesEasier maintenance
Limit editable cellsPrevent accidental changes
Show relevant data onlyReduce visual clutter
Match canvas themeProfessional appearance

Performance

ConsiderationRecommendation
Large rangesUse scrolling instead of full display
Complex formulasKeep calculations efficient
Many sheetletsBalance interactivity with load time

User Experience

TipDescription
Label editable cellsUsers know what they can change
Provide contextHeaders and labels for clarity
Show feedbackUsers see calculation results
Test interactionsVerify all updates propagate

Troubleshooting

Sheetlet Not Updating

  • Verify Live Worksheet is connected
  • Check named range still exists
  • Refresh canvas if needed

Edits Not Saving

  • Ensure you have edit permissions
  • Check network connectivity
  • Verify worksheet isn't protected

Formatting Issues

  • Adjust sheetlet size
  • Check cell formatting in source worksheet
  • Verify theme compatibility

Performance Slow

  • Reduce visible range size
  • Simplify formulas in source
  • Limit number of connected objects

Related Topics