How to colour-code an excel budget to surface every hardcoded assumption for peer review
- Step 1Save the budget workbook before distributing for review — Work from a copy — the tool adds visual formatting that reviewers need but that shouldn't be in the master.
- Step 2Run the Formula Highlighter — Blue (FFBDD7EE) applied to formula cells; amber (FFEB9C) applied to hardcoded values. All sheets in one pass.
- Step 3Distribute to peer reviewers — Reviewers see the colour map immediately on opening. The review can start with amber cells.
Frequently asked questions
Should I remove the highlighting from the master budget after review?+
Yes. Run the peer review on a highlighted copy. After incorporating feedback, keep the master without highlighting for clean distribution.
Does this work for P&L, balance sheet, and cash flow models?+
Yes. Any Excel workbook with formula and hardcoded cells is supported regardless of the financial structure.
What if a reviewer modifies a highlighted cell?+
The highlighting is standard cell fill — it remains unless the reviewer explicitly removes the fill. Edits to cell values or formulas do not affect the fill colour.
Privacy first
Every JAD Excel tool runs entirely in your browser using SheetJS and ExcelJS. Your spreadsheets, formulas, and data never leave your device — verified by zero outbound network requests during processing.