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PLEASE HELP!! Can't Get Excel Formatting To Stay Fixed?

I've created a very complex Excel Workbook for tracking fitness workouts. In order to make it look physically appealing and beautiful to clients. I added arrows and graphics into it. Then I uploaded it to Google Sheets where my clients and myself can both share access to it. But all of the graphics are ridiculously messed up in Google Sheets. ALL OF THEM. They scattered all over the place. None of the formatting stayed in place.

Even worse than that, I went into Google Sheet and I manually moved all of the graphics back into place. One by one. I moved each one back to where it's meant to be. Google Sheets is supposed to save all changes automatically. But apparently not. Because as soon as I left Google Sheet and went back into it again, all the graphics were completely messed up again. Even after I manually moved each one back into its position. So apparently it can't save any changes made to graphics.

The graphics are under the sheets called VO2 MAX STATS, SLED STATS, LIFTING STATS.

THE LINK TO THE EXCEL WORKBOOK IN DROPBOX. JUST SO YOU CAN SEE HOW IT ORIGINALLY LOOKS IN EXCEL. ALL THE GRAPHICS SHOULD APPEAR IN THE CORRECT POSITION WHEN VIEWED IN EXCEL. VIEW IT IN EXCEL FIRST.

SCREENSHOT FROM EXCEL (FORMATTING IN PLACE).

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NOW, VIEW IT IN GOOGLE SHEETS WITH THIS LINK. YOU CAN SEE HOW BADLY MESSED IT IS. EVEN THOUGH I MANUALLY MOVED THE GRAPHICS BACK IN POSITION IN GOOGLE SHEETS. IT DID NOT SAVE A SINGLE CHANGE.

SCREENSHOT FROM GOOGLE SHEETS (ALL MESSED UP).

Image

THE QUESTION IS...

How do I get the formatting to stay in position? Google Sheets is supposed to be very Excel friendly. It's essentially Google's version of Excel. But apparently that doesn't apply to any graphics, nor does it save changes made to graphics like positioning. If their positioning can't be fixed or saved, then I'll just have to delete all graphics.

Best regards,

Alexander

Answer
Answer

I'm guessing it's just Microsoft Excel on the internet instead of local on the computer?

- Alexander

Yes. Excel Online is a dumbed down version of desktop Excel.

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Will they be using Excel online or Google sheets to access the file, or do they have Excel desktop?

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A better solution is to create your file in Excel on desktop. Save in your PERSONAL OneDrive. Give the person a share link to the file. Sharing with outsiders on Corporate OneDrive is a PITA.

With Excel desktop you can open and edit file directly from OneDrive, no download to desktop step required.

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This is formally called "collaboration" by MS

Suggestion: sure use color to highlight sheet, but lose the unattached graphics. You can actually replace the arrow graphics with conditional formatting to display arrows that will stay put in the cell

What is the point of those big blob-by braces(?) Use bullet points instead

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The following description is about sharing "example" files, but the process is essentially the same for "collaboration".

Upload Example - Share via “Personal” OneDrive File

There is no way to upload example files directly to this forum.
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Trouble shooting problems using this text only forum can be like a visit to the dentist without anaesthetics: a long, slow painful process of us trying to “extract” the clues needed to recognize the problem in a back and forth flow of questions and answers so that we hopefully can eventually come up with a / “the” solution.
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Often it is faster and easier for everyone if we have a “sample file(s)” get "hands on", to look at, and to “play with”. There are a couple of advantages of providing example files:

. * we have exactly the same data you are describing,

. * if your problem requires merging multiple files, we can work with that

. * you will often get different suggestions from users with points of view and experience.
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This next link provides some tips on setting up a sample file and specific instructions for uploading and "sharing" it for us to access:
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_other-winapps/trouble-shooting-share-onedrive-file/a231a097-bcbf-4e34-ad6c-a33118baf471?tm=1523189328156
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The above article includes links to a macros to randomize text in Word and Excel
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Note: make sure to upload to your Personal (consumer) OneDrive rather than your work OneDrive or SharePoint. Files in the Work cloud can be hard to share due to security restrictions placed by the work admins. Or use any other free storage service (anything other than business OneDrive or SharePoint).
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Another article explaining need for sharing example files:

Why a sample file is important for troubleshooting. How to do it.
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/msoffice/forum/all/why-a-sample-file-is-important-for-troubleshooting/9441ae3c-1e92-41c6-9a1f-5b377b08e5a5
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2021 05 25- 15 Best Free Cloud Storage in 2021 – Up to 200 GB Free Storage
https://www.whizlabs.com/blog/best-free-cloud-storage/
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Last updated April 13, 2025 Views 1,194 Applies to: