AX3210

Taking a snapshot copy of an Axiom file

You can take a “snapshot” of a spreadsheet Axiom file, so that you can save a copy as a normal Excel file and then open it in Microsoft Excel (without needing Axiom Software). For example, you may want to send a copy of a report to someone that does not have access to Axiom Software.

When you create a snapshot of an Axiom file, the file is copied as an XLSX file, and the following occurs:

  • All Control Sheets and any hidden sheets are automatically removed. You can choose whether to include all remaining sheets, or only the active sheet.
  • All Axiom formulas are replaced with values. You can choose whether to retain Excel formulas, or replace them with values. If Excel formulas are preserved, certain formulas will be replaced with values if they reference sheets or cells that are deleted as part of the snapshot processing.
  • Rows and columns flagged for delete are deleted.

Due to the file format, any VBA macros in the file are also removed.

To take a snapshot of an Axiom file:

  1. Open the file in Axiom Software.

  2. On the Axiom tab, in the File Output group, click Snapshot.

    NOTE: In systems with installed products, this feature may be located on the Main tab—either directly on the ribbon or under Publish.

    The Snapshot File dialog opens.

  3. In the Formula Replacements section, select one of the following:

    • Convert All Formulas (default): All formulas are replaced with values.

    • Retain Excel Native Formulas: All Excel formulas in the spreadsheet will be retained as is, with one exception. If a cross-sheet formula references a sheet that will not be present in the snapshot (depending on the Sheets To Snapshot setting), that formula will be replaced with values.

      NOTE: If the file contains a pivot table, this option must be selected in order for the pivot table to work in the snapshot copy.

  4. In the Sheets to Snapshot section, select one of the following:
    • Limit to Active Sheet (default): Include only the active sheet in the snapshot.
    • All Sheets In File: Include all sheets in the file (except any Control Sheets and hidden sheets, which are always removed).
  5. Click OK.

The snapshot file is created and is opened in Axiom Software. The navigation tab for the file is titled either Sheetname_snapshot (if the snapshot contains only one sheet) or FileName_snapshot (if the snapshot has multiple sheets). You can now use Save As features to save the file locally or to a network location.

NOTE: If you are using the Excel Client and you want to save a copy of the snapshot as a PDF file, you can use standard Excel functionality to do so. Use File > Save As, and then select PDF as the file type. This is an Excel-specific feature that is not available in the Windows Client.

If you want to email a snapshot to someone directly, you can use the E-Mail Workbook feature. This creates a snapshot and attaches it to an email (instead of opening it in Axiom Software).

See also