A quick tidy up!
So we have already created a simple spread sheet to use as a temporary master log. In this post we are going to look at making it a bit more presentable, really just so as you can see things at a glance. We are also going to look at and create some simple filtering tools, these are just to make finding and presenting things easy. The example above covers a log over a couple of days at Prestwick Airport, not everything that was in was in the log.
Centre some Columns.
Really simple, just right click on the column headings that you want to centre and then click on the centre icon in the tool bar. You can justify the data any way that you want, left, right or centre – it is all down to personal preference.
Setup your heading row
There are three actions required for the row containing the headings, these are all optional but I would suggest that you use them to make life a bit easier. I used a spread sheet for a while, effectively until my data set got too large for a spread sheet. The steps are simple and detailed below, once you have completed these you will have a fully serviceable temporary solution for your master log.
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- I like to colourise the header row, just to make things easy to identify. It is very simple, just highlight the range of cells here it is A1 to F1 and click the fill icon.
- Keep the top row in view all the time, again this is a very simple action. At the left edge we have the row numbers, click on the row below the header row (row 2) this should highlight the complete row. And then at top of the screen click on Window and select Freeze Panes.
- Finally we add the column based data filters, again at the left click on the row number – in this case row 1. And then from the top of the screen select Data and Filter, then Auto Filter.
That is it, your basic, temporary master log solution is ready to go and should look like the image below.
The Header Row.
The header row is now permanently visible, regardless of how far you scroll down it will stay static and always visible at the top of the sheet. From the header row you can use the filters to filter or sort the data on any column, this makes getting to the data that you want easy.
Using Filters.
The automatic filtering is now setup, what can we do with it? You can filter your data on any combination of columns, for example select a date, manufacturer, operator or model. In the image below I have used Lockheed in the Manufacturer column.
You can see that the screen is now only displaying Lockheed in the Manufacturer column, quick filters on a single column are easy. But you can add as many filters as you want, I could add the Operator filter to reduce the number of displayed records even further.
Add to that that you can sort on the registration column and you get, the following output.
There is a caveat here.
It is important that you turn the filters off (select show all) in all the columns that you filter on, once you have finished. Put simply leaving a filter on all the time might cause you an issue, you simply can only see filtered data when they are turned on.
Basic Setup is now Complete!
So we are now good to go, the setup of your temporary solution is complete – it is basic but enough to get you going. As I have said, a master log is a personal thing, you can customise it by incorporating different or additional columns. For example you may want to have a Country column or a Construction Number column, some people have a Notes column. The data that you can record is entirely down to you, Flight Number, Call Sign, where it came from, my Granny was on it, I took a picture of it – the list just goes on.
But in essence the spread sheet above is enough to get you going, it is perfectly suitable. A cautionary word at this point, adding additional columns may make importing your sightings into another Master Log – whether it is on-line or off-line difficult.
Do not forget to backup the spread sheet, you have now put a bit of work into it.
In part 3
Part three will cover two topics, how to input the data using the default form and directly. And I will cover how to import and export the data. Being able to export data is important once you decide on a Master Log permanent solution, but being able to import data will also allow you to keep a local copy if you use a cloud service.
All Photographs Copyright © Dave Munro
Post Author – Dave Munro