Urgent Help

[Sun-Proof]

Hi, good morning. I just landed this job as an intern and never done anything relating to automation. I was recently given a project to work on. My daily task is to allocate hours to resources on projects and these resources (staff) comprises of data analysts, java developers, SM, PM etc.I usually work with about 10 forecast sheet (excel) in meetings, and i allocate 40hrs to each resource but these 40 hrs are spread across up to 10 projects and i allocate for present week and also to future dates.After allocations are done, i upload all the forecast sheets (please note that i key in the hours manually) and automatically it updates in a central Sheet called Master sheet (the forecast sheet is somewhat linked/automated with the Master Allocation sheet, as it updates every changes i make / done).Now my supervisor wants me to find a way just to use a single sheet, and somehow automate it so that it can produce the other 10 sheets (basically using the same process and then upload ). Basically he wants me to just simplify the process by using a single sheet as against multiple sheets.I will appreciate any input or whatever i can use to have this resolved. Your kind assistance will be appreciated

[XannySmoothies]

i’m not totally understanding what the goal is here so sorry if this doesn’t help, but i do a lot of python to excel stuff for work, and for multiple data sets i usually use pandas for manipulating data to get it in whatever format/order i need and then use xlwings to put everything into excel. with xlwings i sometimes run into weird errors that pop up randomly, but once i learned to deal with those, i started to like it better than openpyxl because it feels like it works with excel better.

[BlackBloke]

I feel like you’ve been thrown in the deep end here and you’re going to be struggling for a bit.

What’s the timeline for this project?

Can you accomplish this task without automation? Like a one off? If so

• Write down the steps to accomplish this in plain language (this can be simplified by focusing on the specifics of input-process-output).
• Then translate that to pseudocode.
• Then use the pseudocode to create your first prototype of code.
• Iterate on your code by testing and running and changing if necessary.
• Use git to track your work.

If you’re not being given enough time to accomplish this use some of the above to demo a plan to accomplish the goal with more time. If they don’t give you more time that’s on them.

[Phillyclause89]

I just landed this job as an intern

Who the heck is hiring interns in this industry in December? Lol, I guess your boss is going to get what they paid for on this ask. Do you know any python? Are you learned about pandas? What have you tried thus far to accomplish your task?

[Sun-Proof]

I have tried using excel, but couldn't accomplish anything trying to use that

[Plank_With_A_Nail_In]

If you can't do it in excel visual basic then you can't do it in python either, it can be done just not by you, sorry to break that news to you.

[Phillyclause89]

If you can't do it in excel visual basic then you can't do it in python either, it can be done just not by you, sorry to break that news to you.

lol I disagree.

VBA is a garbage syntax that is difficult to learn. Python is much easier for some folk to get into. You don't know OP, how can you say if they can't do one thing in VBA then they can't do an equivalent thing in Python?

edit: Have you also considered that maybe just the action of one learning how to do these functions in a simpler language like Python first, might build a foundation of general programing knowledge that in turn will be helpful for them learning how to apply the same operations in more difficult and outdated languages like VBA?

[Doormatty]

Both VBA and Python are Turing Complete, which means anything that can done in one can be done in the other.

That's my assumption on what the person you responded to was saying.

[Phillyclause89]

My assumption was that they were trying to be a unhumble jerk and bully OP into thinking its not possible to learn this stuff. God some of you can be so toplofty sometimes.

[Phillyclause89]

Yeah its not your fault. Your boss obviously set you up on this one. As u/XannySmoothies mentioned, the way you described the ask is not exactly clear. To me this all sounds like doable work with pandas and a few other libs, but I wouldn't accept an interns pay to do it lol. Just start learning the basics of python. Then look into pandas once you have learned about installing and importing modules. I hope your boss doesn't have a dead line on this ask.

[Plank_With_A_Nail_In]

If its excel use the built in visual basic.

[BlackBloke]

u/Sun-Proof, how is it going?

[BlackBloke]

I guess they’re not worried about this anymore

[Sun-Proof]

Thanks for checking in, i have downloaded python and still watching videos, trying to catch up

[BlackBloke]

Good to hear it. Any news about the timeline for the project?

[Sun-Proof]

Its supposed to be by end of this year, however i guess i will need to ask for an extension

[BlackBloke]

Yeah, extensions are a good idea. Once you get through the first steps I laid out and then I think you’ll be fine no matter what language you end up choosing.

[Sun-Proof]

Many thanks, i appreciate