Opening an existing Excel file
If you already have a spreadsheet you want to work with, begin by using the Launch Excel command. Set the launch mode to “Open existing Excel.” You can provide the file path directly if you know where the file is stored, or click the Select File button to browse to it. The command offers three driver modes—Default, Office, and WPS. In most cases, leaving it on Default is best. The software will detect whether Microsoft Office or WPS Office is installed on your computer and use the appropriate driver automatically.
Before finishing, assign a name to this variable—this is your “Excel object.” Think of it like a label for the open workbook. Giving it a clear name makes future steps much simpler: whenever you want to read from or write to this spreadsheet later, you can select the corresponding object by name instead of searching for the file again.
Creating a new Excel workbook
If you’d rather start from scratch, use the same Launch Excel command but switch the launch mode to “Create new Excel.” The tool will create a blank workbook, typically named workbook.xlsx by default. You can enter a destination path to choose where the new file should be saved, or use the Select File button to pick the folder and confirm the filename.
As with opening an existing file, choose a driver mode. Default is usually the right choice, allowing the software to detect whether Office or WPS is available and configure itself accordingly. Don’t forget to assign a name to this new Excel object. This name will be your handle for any later actions—such as writing data, reading cells, or saving—so pick something descriptive enough to recognize at a glance.
Closing Excel and saving your work
When you’re finished, use the Close Excel command to save your changes and close the workbook. You don’t need to add this command manually; it automatically comes with Launch Excel. Running Close Excel ensures your current Excel object is properly saved and the application is closed cleanly, preventing data loss and keeping your workflow tidy.
Tips for a smooth workflow
Use clear, consistent names for Excel objects so you can quickly target the right workbook in subsequent steps.
Stick with the Default driver unless you have a specific reason to force Office or WPS.
Decide on your save location early when creating new files to avoid confusion later.
With these steps, you can confidently open existing spreadsheets, create new ones, and close Excel safely as part of your routine tasks.