Simple (web?) application for producing something like a bank statement - ideas?

[Jim Byrnes]

On 06/14/2012 12:07 PM, Chris Green wrote:
> On Wed, Jun 13, 2012 at 10:52:43AM -0500, Jim Byrnes wrote:
>> On 06/13/2012 04:38 AM, Chris Green wrote:
>>>>
>>>> a spreadsheet is probably the best solution.  If you enter the formula
>>>> in the top cell of the running balance column yoiu can use the drag
>>>> handle to automatically enter the appropriate formula in all the cells
>>>> below it; you don't need to enter the formula in each cell manually.
>>>>
>>> But the cells aren't there below it until the 'next line' has been entered.
>>>
>>> I don't want a huge table of emptiness with just a few rows and columns
>>> with data in them (as seems to be the norm with most Spreadsheet use I
>>> have seen).
>>>
>>> When there are (say) eight debit/credit entries in my table I just want
>>> to see eight rows in the spreadsheet with (probably) just three or four
>>> columns.
>>
>> In that case turn off the display of grid lines so unused cells are
>> not shown.  Then if you know how many entries you will have to make
>> just copy your formula to that many lines.
>>
> But I don't know how many entries there will be - do you know how many
> lines there will be on your bank statement next April?  :-)

No, but you will when you have your bank statement in front of you. I 
actually do what you want to do, only I download my bank trasactions as 
a csv file and cut and paste them into my spreadsheet in one operation.

>>> If I understand you correctly you are saying one should copy the formula
>>> for the running balance into the Balance column for lots of columns into
>>> the future - is this right?
>>>
>>> Another issue is that the formula is *different* for the running balance
>>> as you go down isn't it as it's the sum of all rows up to and including
>>> the current row and the current row changes as you go down the table.  I
>>> seem to remember there isn't an easy way to code this in most
>>> spreadsheets.
>>>
>>
>> The spreadsheet will change the formula to the correct one for you.
>> Just select the last cell in your balance column and copy it to the
>> clipboard.  Then select the cell immediately under that cell and
>> drag it down the number of lines necessary to match the number of
>> entries you will make.  Then set the spreadsheet to move one cell to
>> the right when hitting the enter key.  When you have entered all the
>> lines date hit down arrow then home and you will be at the start of
>> a fresh line ready to enter more data.
>>
> I think you have just explained why I find a spreadsheet solution to
> this rather 'uncomfortable'!  All those actions required just to add one
> new entry?!?!?
>

It's not just one entry it is for all of them in one operation.  The 
point about setting how the spreadsheet moves from cell to cell was just 
tom make data entry easier, as opposed to selecting each cell by 
pointing to it with the mouse.  I think if you open up your spreadsheet 
and try it with some test data you will see it is not as bad as it sounds.

Regards,  Jim