Audit missing spreadsheet values before analysis

Blank, zero and not applicable often mean different things. Document those meanings before a tool fills gaps and changes the conclusions.

Prepare the workbook

Keep an unchanged source copy and explain column meanings, units and date boundaries. Use a spreadsheet or data role with compatible local tools, or the prepared sandbox. Ask for a rejected-row report instead of silently deleting inconvenient records. OfficeCubs text previews do not recalculate formulas; open the final workbook in a spreadsheet application and check representative formulas and totals.

Inputs for this workflow: A copy of the workbook and a data dictionary for required fields.

Work through the task

1. Count missing values by column.
2. List affected row IDs and distinguish blank from zero.

A brief you can adapt

Create missing-values.csv and an audit note. Do not impute values. Show which required columns are absent and which records need source-owner review.

The filenames above are examples. Replace them with your actual inputs and destination before submitting the task.

Review the deliverable

Check that legitimate zero quantities were retained and excluded values still appear in the audit trail.

Where this approach can fail

Replacing all blanks with zero can fabricate quantities and distort averages.

For the related desktop setup, see missing document tools.