This will automatically lock all writable data cells when doing a retrieve, so instead of having to perform a lock, then a send, only a send is necessary. On the "Mode" tab, select "Update Mode" when doing a number of data write-backs.This will not show me the exact formula utilize in the Essbase database, but will show me all members that appear in the formula from the same dimension as the member drilled upon. I find it easier to read an adhoc spreadsheet if a member's component members are indented, as opposed to the default. On the "Display" tab, change "Indentation" to "Subitems".This setting will automatically adjust the width of each column with either an Essbase data point or an Essbase member to the width of the largest item. On the "Display" tab, select "Adjust Columns".Some other settings I've found useful when using the older Excel Add-in (some I use all the time, some only occasionally): To have Excel adjust your formulas when performing Zooms or Keep/Remove only operations, use the second and third options.This will retain your formulas when doing a simple retrieval. On the "Model" tab, select "Retain on Retrieval" under "Formula Preservation".Alternatively, both tools have an option to preserve formulas during a retrieve. One option to prevent this is to highlight only the cells necessary for the retrieve (both the data cells and member cells). However, by default, all calculations are deleted from the worksheet whenever a blanket retrieve is performed. One of the greatest powers of both tools is the ability to utilize Excel's built-in calculations against Essbase data. ( This applies to the Excel Add-in only Smartview for Office retains formulas during a retrieve.) Retaining Excel formulas during a retrieve You may also want to make Read-only values a special color.Set formatting to your preference (I make writable values Green and Bold) On the "Styles" tab, select "Read/Write" under "Data Cells".You may also want to highlight read-only cells differently.Right-click "Writable" and select the manner in which you'd like to format them (I prefer to adjust the font, making Writable cells Bold and Green).On the "Cell Styles" tab, expand Analytic Services -> Data Cells.Users utilizing Excel to write to their database can have cells they have access to write to highlighed in a different color than read-only cells. Set formatting to your preference (I make Parent members Black and Bold) On the "Styles" tab, check "Parent" under "Members".On the "Display" tab, ensure "Use Styles" is checked (under "Cells").Right-click "Parent Cells" and select the manner in which you'd like to format them (I prefer to adjust the font, making Parent cells Bold and Black).On the "Cell Styles" tab, expand Analytic Services -> Member Cells.Connect to an Essbase data source in adhoc mode.One common question is simply "Where can I drill down?" Utilizing styles, it is possible to highlight all members that can be drilled down upon a differently than those which can not be expanded (i.e. Here I'll list several options every new user of the Excel add-in should be aware of to help them navigate their Essbase databases. However, getting started with either adhoc tool can be daunting. In addition, users can utilize all of Excel's built in calculation commands against retrieved Essbase data to perform unique analysis and problem solving. Both tools allow for real time drilldowns, pivots, and custom reporting directly from within Excel. Smartview for Office and the traditional Essbase Excel Add-in offer analysts a powerful adhoc capability to query an Essbase database.