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XLSX Skills Evaluation

Spreadsheet Generation & Formula Discipline

Ten self-contained spreadsheet tasks that probe how well a model creates Excel workbooks — from simple data tables with SUM formulas to multi-sheet financial models with cross-sheet references, strict color coding, DIV/0 guarding, and wide-column mappings past Z. Each task has a copy-paste prompt, a verify command, and clear pass criteria.

These tasks test the xlsx skill — the model's ability to produce well-structured, correct, and professional .xlsx files using ExcelJS. Tasks progress from create-only to edit-and-recalculate, edge-case prevention, and complex multi-workbook orchestration. Start at Task 1 and work up.

XLSX Technology (Quick Reference)

These tasks use the generate_xlsx MCP tool and ExcelJS. Knowing the conventions helps you evaluate whether the model followed the skill correctly.

ConceptRuleWhy
FormulasAlways use Excel formulas, never hardcoded JS resultsSpreadsheet stays dynamic when data changes
AssumptionsPlace rates/margins in separate cells, reference themOne change updates all projections
Blue textRGB 0,0,255 — hardcoded inputs the user changesIndustry-standard financial model convention
Black textRGB 0,0,0 — formulas and calculationsImmediately visible what's computed vs entered
Green textRGB 0,128,0 — cross-sheet linksTraces dependencies across workbooks
Yellow fillRGB 255,255,0 — key assumptionsWhat to tweak when scenario planning
Zero as dashFormat $#,##0;($#,##0);-Cleaner than showing "$0"
RecalcAlways recalculate after creation or editFormula strings need LibreOffice to resolve cached values
Column Z+Column 27 = AA, 52 = AZ, 64 = BL, not BKOff-by-one errors in column mapping break everything

Setup

You need one terminal with the Aperio server running on your preferred AI provider. Paste each task prompt into the chat (web UI or CLI). All output files go to trash/ — no project files are modified.

Terminal — Aperio server 
npm run start:local        # or any AI_PROVIDER, port 31337

Paste each task's prompt into the chat. Use a fresh conversation per task when possible. After the model responds, check that the .xlsx file was created, then run the Verify command. The verify commands use Node.js inline scripts with exceljs — no LibreOffice needed.

Cleanup between runs

If you want to re-run tasks against a different model, clean up the output files first:

rm -f trash/test-*.xlsx

The Tasks

Ordered by complexity: simple tables first, then single-sheet formulas, financial-model conventions, multi-sheet workbooks, editing existing files, data cleaning, wide-column handling, and edge-case prevention. Each task lists difficulty, what to look for, the prompt to paste, and the verify command.

Task 1 — Basic Table + SUM

Expense Tracker ★☆☆☆☆

Probes: table structure, formula usage, basic formatting

Files:

1 new file  (trash/test-expenses.xlsx)

Paste thisCreate a spreadsheet at trash/test-expenses.xlsx with columns: Date, Category, Description, Amount. Add 10 sample expense rows across at least 3 categories (Food, Transport, Utilities, Entertainment). Add a SUM formula at the bottom of the Amount column. Use Arial font, bold headers, and auto-fit column widths. Use an Excel formula for the total — do NOT hardcode the sum.
What to evaluate
  • Does the file contain a SUM formula (not a hardcoded number)?
  • Are headers bold and readable?
  • Are there 10 data rows across 3+ categories?
  • Is the file saved to trash/test-expenses.xlsx?
Verify:
node -e "import('exceljs').then(E=>{new E.Workbook().xlsx.readFile('trash/test-expenses.xlsx').then(w=>{const s=w.getWorksheet(1),v=s.getCell(s.rowCount,2).value;if(v&&v.formula&&v.formula.includes('SUM')){console.log('OK — SUM formula found:',v.formula);process.exit(0)}else{console.log('FAIL — no SUM formula or not a formula cell:',JSON.stringify(v));process.exit(1)}})})"
Result:
Task 2 — Formulas + IF Logic

Gradebook ★★☆☆☆

Probes: IF formula chaining, SUM/AVERAGE, cell referencing

Files:

1 new file  (trash/test-grades.xlsx)

Paste thisCreate a gradebook at trash/test-grades.xlsx. Columns: Student Name, Assignment 1, Assignment 2, Assignment 3, Assignment 4 (each scored 0–100), Total, Average, Letter Grade. Add 8 students with varied scores. Use Excel formulas: SUM for Total, AVERAGE for Average, and a nested IF formula for Letter Grade: A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, F below 60. Bold the headers. Use a professional font (Arial). Make sure the letter grade formula handles all five ranges correctly.
What to evaluate
  • Are Total, Average, and Letter Grade all formula-driven?
  • Does the IF chain cover A, B, C, D, F correctly?
  • Does a student averaging 94 get A, an 85 get B, etc.?
  • Are at least 3 different letter grades represented?
Verify:
node -e "import('exceljs').then(E=>{new E.Workbook().xlsx.readFile('trash/test-grades.xlsx').then(w=>{const s=w.getWorksheet(1);let grades={};for(let r=2;r<=9;r++){let g=s.getCell(r,8).value;if(g&&g.result)grades[s.getCell(r,1).value]=g.result};let distinct=new Set(Object.values(grades));console.log('Grades found:',Object.values(grades));if(distinct.size>=3){console.log('OK —',distinct.size,'distinct grades');process.exit(0)}else{console.log('FAIL — only',distinct.size,'distinct grades');process.exit(1)}})})"
Result:
Task 3 — Financial Model Conventions

Income Statement Projection ★★★☆☆

Probes: assumption extraction, cell referencing, industry-standard color/number formatting

Files:

1 new file  (trash/test-finmodel.xlsx)

Paste thisBuild a 5-year income statement projection at trash/test-finmodel.xlsx. Layout: • Top section — Assumptions block: Revenue Growth 10%, COGS % 60%, SG&A % 15%, Tax Rate 21%. Each in its own cell with a label. • Below — Income Statement: rows for Revenue, COGS, Gross Profit, SG&A, EBIT, Taxes, Net Income. Columns: Year 1 through Year 5. Apply strict financial-model formatting: - Blue text (RGB 0,0,255) for all hardcoded inputs (the assumption values) - Black text (RGB 0,0,0) for all formulas - Yellow background (RGB 255,255,0) for the assumption value cells - Currency: $#,##0;($#,##0);- (negatives in parens, zeros as dash) - Percentages: 0.0% All formulas must reference the assumption cells — no hardcoded numbers in formula expressions (e.g., use =B5*(1+$B$2), not =B5*1.1).
What to evaluate
  • Are assumption values in separate cells, referenced by formulas?
  • Are inputs blue text, formulas black text, assumptions yellow fill?
  • Is the currency format showing zeros as dash?
  • Are percentages formatted as 0.0%?
Verify:
node -e "import('exceljs').then(E=>{new E.Workbook().xlsx.readFile('trash/test-finmodel.xlsx').then(w=>{const s=w.getWorksheet(1);let fcount=0,blue=0;for(let r=1;r<=s.rowCount;r++){for(let c=1;c<=s.columnCount;c++){const cell=s.getCell(r,c);if(cell.value&&cell.value.formula)fcount++;if(cell.font&&cell.font.color&&cell.font.color.argb==='FF0000FF')blue++}};console.log('Formulas:',fcount,'Blue cells:',blue);if(fcount>=20&&blue>=2){console.log('OK —',fcount,'formulas,',blue,'blue input cells');process.exit(0)}else{console.log('FAIL — too few formulas or blue cells');process.exit(1)}})})"
Result:
Task 4 — Cross-Sheet Formulas

Multi-Sheet Budget ★★★☆☆

Probes: multi-sheet workbook structure, cross-sheet references, green text convention

Files:

1 new file  (trash/test-budget.xlsx) — 3 sheets

Paste thisCreate a personal budget workbook at trash/test-budget.xlsx with 3 sheets: Sheet 1 — "Income": columns for Month (Jan–Dec), Salary, Freelance, Investments, and Total. Add realistic monthly values. Total row at bottom with SUM formulas. Sheet 2 — "Expenses": columns for Month (Jan–Dec), Housing, Food, Transport, Utilities, Entertainment, Savings, and Total. Add realistic values. Total row with SUM. Grand Total row below. Sheet 3 — "Summary": cells showing:
A1: "Total Income" — B1: =SUM(Income!E2:E13) or similar cross-sheet SUM
A2: "Total Expenses" — B2: cross-sheet SUM from Expenses
A3: "Net Savings" — B3: formula subtracting expenses from income
A4: "Savings Rate" — B4: Net Savings / Total Income, formatted as 0.0% Use green text (RGB 0,128,0) for all cross-sheet formula cells. No hardcoded values in Summary — all formulas must reference the other sheets. Bold the labels in Summary.
What to evaluate
  • Are Summary values cross-sheet formulas, not hardcoded?
  • Are cross-sheet formula cells in green text?
  • Do the three sheets have correct names (Income, Expenses, Summary)?
  • Does the Savings Rate formula resolve without errors?
Verify:
node -e "import('exceljs').then(E=>{new E.Workbook().xlsx.readFile('trash/test-budget.xlsx').then(w=>{let names=w.worksheets.map(s=>s.name);let s3=w.getWorksheet('Summary');let c1=s3.getCell('B1'),c2=s3.getCell('B2'),c3=s3.getCell('B3');let crossSheet=(c1.value&&c1.value.formula&&c1.value.formula.includes('Income'))&&(c2.value&&c2.value.formula&&c2.value.formula.includes('Expenses'));let green=c1.font&&c1.font.color&&c1.font.color.argb==='FF008000';console.log('Sheets:',names);console.log('Cross-sheet formulas:',!!c1.value?.formula,!!c2.value?.formula);console.log('Green text:',green);if(crossSheet&&green){console.log('OK — cross-sheet refs with green text');process.exit(0)}else{console.log('FAIL — missing cross-sheet refs or green text');process.exit(1)}})})"
Result:
Task 5 — Data Cleaning

Messy CSV to Clean XLSX ★★★☆☆

Probes: parsing, missing-value handling, notes annotation, totals logic

Files:

1 new file  (trash/test-cleaned.xlsx)

Paste thisTake this pipe-delimited raw data and turn it into a professional spreadsheet at trash/test-cleaned.xlsx. Handle the missing values: Name|Age|City|Salary|Dept Alice|30|NYC|55000|Eng Bob||LA|62000|Eng Charlie|35||47000|Mktg Diana|28|SF||Sales Eve|42|CHI|71000|Mktg Frank|39|SEA|53000|Eng Grace|31||68000|Sales Hank|27|BOS||Mktg Requirements: - Bold header row with a colored background (any muted color) - Add a "Notes" column that flags any cell with missing data (e.g., "Missing: Age, City") - Add a Total row at the bottom: COUNTA for Name, AVERAGE for Age and Salary (ignoring blanks), department counts below - Below the main table, add a small summary table showing count of employees per department (using formulas) - Use Arial font throughout
What to evaluate
  • Are blank cells flagged in the Notes column?
  • Is the header styled (bold, colored background)?
  • Does the Total row show AVERAGE for Age and Salary, COUNTA for Name?
  • Is there a department count table using formulas?
Verify:
node -e "import('exceljs').then(E=>{new E.Workbook().xlsx.readFile('trash/test-cleaned.xlsx').then(w=>{const s=w.getWorksheet(1);let notesCol=0,header=s.getRow(1);header.eachCell((c,i)=>{if(c.value&&c.value.toString().toLowerCase().includes('note'))notesCol=i});let hasNotes=notesCol>0;let hasTotal=false;for(let r=2;r<=s.rowCount;r++){let val=s.getCell(r,1).value;if(val&&val.toString().toLowerCase().includes('total'))hasTotal=true};let boldHeader=header.getCell(1).font&&header.getCell(1).font.bold;console.log('Notes column:',notesCol,'Has total row:',hasTotal,'Bold header:',boldHeader);if(hasNotes&&hasTotal&&boldHeader){console.log('OK — cleaned, annotated, totalled');process.exit(0)}else{console.log('FAIL — missing notes, totals, or bold header');process.exit(1)}})})"
Result:
Task 6 — Editing Existing XLSX

Insert Column, Add Rows, Reformat ★★☆☆☆

Probes: reading existing file, surgical edits, formatting preservation

Files:

1 new file  (trash/test-enhanced.xlsx) — based on the output of Task 1

Prerequisite: Complete Task 1 first, or manually create trash/test-expenses.xlsx with the structure described there.

Paste thisOpen the file trash/test-expenses.xlsx and save an enhanced version to trash/test-enhanced.xlsx. Changes: 1. Insert a new "VAT Amount" column between Description and Amount. VAT = 20% of the Amount. Use an Excel formula, not a hardcoded value. 2. Insert 3 new expense rows with realistic data (after row 10 but before the total). 3. Apply UK pound format £#,##0.00 to the Amount and VAT columns. 4. Freeze the header row. 5. The SUM formula at the bottom should still cover all data rows (including the new ones).
What to evaluate
  • Is VAT column formula-driven (not hardcoded)?
  • Are there 13 data rows (original 10 + 3 new)?
  • Is the currency format £#,##0.00?
  • Is the header row frozen?
  • Does the SUM range cover all rows including the new ones?
Verify:
node -e "import('exceljs').then(E=>{new E.Workbook().xlsx.readFile('trash/test-enhanced.xlsx').then(w=>{const s=w.getWorksheet(1);let vatCol=0,frozen=s.views&&s.views[0]&&s.views[0].state==='frozen';s.getRow(1).eachCell((c,i)=>{if(c.value&&c.value.toString().toLowerCase().includes('vat'))vatCol=i});let vatFormula=s.getCell(3,vatCol).value;let isFormula=vatFormula&&vatFormula.formula&&vatFormula.formula.includes('*0.2');let dataRows=s.rowCount-(frozen?1:0);let poundFormat=s.getCell(3,vatCol).numFmt&&s.getCell(3,vatCol).numFmt.includes('£');console.log('VAT col:',vatCol,'Formula:',isFormula,'Frozen:',frozen,'£ format:',poundFormat,'Data rows:',dataRows);if(isFormula&&frozen&£Format&&dataRows>=13){console.log('OK — enhanced correctly');process.exit(0)}else{console.log('FAIL — missing criteria');process.exit(1)}})})"
Result:
Task 7 — Multi-Sheet Dashboard

Project Management Office Workbook ★★★★☆

Probes: COUNTIF/SUMIF, multi-sheet orchestration, dashboard layout

Files:

1 new file  (trash/test-pmo.xlsx) — 3 sheets

Paste thisCreate a project management workbook at trash/test-pmo.xlsx with 3 sheets: Sheet 1 — "Projects": columns for Project Name, Owner, Status (Not Started / In Progress / Complete / On Hold), Priority (High/Med/Low), Start Date, End Date, Budget ($), Spent ($), Remaining (=Budget−Spent). Add 10 projects in mixed states with varied priorities. Sheet 2 — "Risks": columns for Risk ID, Project Name, Description, Likelihood (1‑5), Impact (1‑5), Risk Score (=Likelihood × Impact), Mitigation. Add 8 risks tied to the projects. Sheet 3 — "Dashboard": 2‑column layout with formula-driven summaries: - Count of projects per status (use COUNTIF) - Total Budget vs Total Spent (SUMIF or SUM) - Average Risk Score - Count of High‑Priority projects - Count of In Progress projects Style the Dashboard: centered headings, alternating row background colors, clear section labels. No hardcoded summary values — all formulas.
What to evaluate
  • Are all 3 sheets present with correct names?
  • Are Dashboard values formula-driven (COUNTIF, SUMIF, AVERAGE)?
  • Is Risk Score a formula (Likelihood × Impact)?
  • Does the Dashboard show correct counts matching the source data?
  • Is there styling (centered headings, alternating rows)?
Verify:
node -e "import('exceljs').then(E=>{new E.Workbook().xlsx.readFile('trash/test-pmo.xlsx').then(w=>{let names=w.worksheets.map(s=>s.name);let proj=w.getWorksheet('Projects'),risks=w.getWorksheet('Risks'),dash=w.getWorksheet('Dashboard');let missing=[];if(!proj)missing.push('Projects');if(!risks)missing.push('Risks');if(!dash)missing.push('Dashboard');if(missing.length){console.log('FAIL — missing sheets:',missing);process.exit(1)};let projRows=0;proj.eachRow((r,i)=>{if(i>1)projRows++});riskRows=0;risks.eachRow((r,i)=>{if(i>1)riskRows++});let dashFormulas=0;dash.eachRow(r=>{r.eachCell(c=>{if(c.value&&c.value.formula)dashFormulas++})});console.log('Sheets:',names,'Projects:',projRows,'Risks:',riskRows,'Dashboard formulas:',dashFormulas);if(projRows>=10&&riskRows>=8&&dashFormulas>=4){console.log('OK — full PMO workbook');process.exit(0)}else{console.log('FAIL — missing data or formulas');process.exit(1)}})})"
Result:
Task 8 — Wide Column Mapping

Annual Sales Forecast (Columns past Z) ★★★★☆

Probes: column-letter arithmetic, no #REF! errors, range correctness

Files:

1 new file  (trash/test-forecast.xlsx)

Paste thisCreate a sales forecast at trash/test-forecast.xlsx: - 12 months (Jan–Dec) as column groups. Each month has 3 sub-columns: Sales, Cost, Profit. That's 36 data columns starting at column B (B=Jan Sales, C=Jan Cost, D=Jan Profit, E=Feb Sales, … going past column Z into AA, AB, AC…). - 15 product rows (Product A through Product O). - For each product, Profit = Sales − Cost (formula). - At the far right (after Dec Profit, around column AN), add one more column "Annual Total" showing SUM of all 12 monthly Sales for that product. - Below row 15, add a totals row with SUM formulas for each month's Sales, Cost, and Profit. - Bold the headers. Use currency format $#,##0 for dollar values. Set appropriate column widths. Critical: Every formula must reference the correct column letters. Double-check that column AA is correct (not ZA), that ranges span exactly 12 months of data, and that no #REF! errors exist.
What to evaluate
  • Are columns past Z (AA, AB, etc.) used correctly?
  • Does the Annual Total SUM cover all 12 months?
  • Are there 15 product rows + a totals row?
  • Are Profit cells formula-driven?
  • No #REF! errors in any cell?
Verify:
node -e "import('exceljs').then(E=>{new E.Workbook().xlsx.readFile('trash/test-forecast.xlsx').then(w=>{const s=w.getWorksheet(1);let profitFormulas=0,annualTotals=0,errors=0;for(let r=2;r<=16;r++){let p=s.getCell(r,4).value;if(p&&p.formula&&p.formula.includes('-'))profitFormulas++;let at=s.getCell(r,37).value;if(at&&at.formula&&at.formula.includes('SUM'))annualTotals++};for(let r=1;r<=s.rowCount;r++){for(let c=1;c<=s.columnCount;c++){let v=s.getCell(r,c).value;if(typeof v==='string'&&v.startsWith('#'))errors++}};console.log('Profit formulas:',profitFormulas,'Annual totals:',annualTotals,'Errors:',errors);if(profitFormulas>=14&&annualTotals>=14&&errors===0){console.log('OK — wide columns correct, zero formula errors');process.exit(0)}else{console.log('FAIL —',errors,'errors, or missing formulas');process.exit(1)}})})"
Result:
Task 9 — Error Prevention

Formula Edge Case Guards ★★★☆☆

Probes: #DIV/0! prevention, IFERROR, defensive formula design

Files:

1 new file  (trash/test-safeguards.xlsx)

Paste thisCreate a spreadsheet at trash/test-safeguards.xlsx that demonstrates correct handling of formula edge cases. The spreadsheet has two sections: Section 1 — Division Safety: Columns for Product, Revenue, Cost, Margin %. Use an IF guard to prevent #DIV/0! when Cost is zero or blank. Add these rows: Product A (Rev 1000, Cost 600), Product B (Rev 500, Cost 0), Product C (Rev 2000, Cost 1200), Product D (Rev 0, Cost 0), Product E (Rev 800, Cost blank). The Margin % should show a dash or "0.0%" instead of #DIV/0! for rows B, D, E. Section 2 — Growth Calculator: Columns for Year, Revenue, YoY Growth %. Use IFERROR or an IF guard to handle the first year (no prior year) and any zero-revenue edge cases. Add 6 years of data (2025–2030) with at least one zero-revenue year. Use professional formatting: percentage format 0.0%, dashes for zero values, Arial font, bold headers.
What to evaluate
  • Are DIV/0 cases guarded with IF or IFERROR?
  • Does the first year of growth show a dash or "N/A" instead of #DIV/0!?
  • Are percentage cells formatted as 0.0%?
  • Are zero values displayed as dash?
Verify:
node -e "import('exceljs').then(E=>{new E.Workbook().xlsx.readFile('trash/test-safeguards.xlsx').then(w=>{const s=w.getWorksheet(1);let errors=0,ifs=0;for(let r=1;r<=s.rowCount;r++){for(let c=1;c<=s.columnCount;c++){let v=s.getCell(r,c).value;if(typeof v==='string'&&v.startsWith('#'))errors++;if(v&&v.formula&&(v.formula.includes('IF(')||v.formula.includes('IFERROR')))ifs++}};console.log('Errors:',errors,'IF/IFERROR guards:',ifs);if(errors===0&&ifs>=2){console.log('OK — zero formula errors with IF guards');process.exit(0)}else{console.log('FAIL —',errors,'errors remaining or no IF guards');process.exit(1)}})})"
Result:
Task 10 — Comprehensive Budget

Full Annual Budget with Verification ★★★★☆

Probes: end-to-end spreadsheet discipline, assumptions separation, cross-sheet integrity, recalc verification

Files:

1 new file  (trash/test-annual-budget.xlsx) — 4 sheets

Paste thisBuild a complete annual budget workbook at trash/test-annual-budget.xlsx with 4 sheets, no formula errors, no hardcoded calculated values anywhere: Sheet 1 — "Assumptions": - Salary Growth: 5%, Bonus Rate: 15%, Rent Escalation: 3%, Inflation: 2.5%, Tax Rate: 20%, Savings Target: 20% - Yellow background on assumption value cells, blue text Sheet 2 — "Income": - 12 months (Jan–Dec). Columns: Salary, Bonus (=Salary × Bonus Rate, referencing Assumptions), Investments, Other, Total Income - Salary grows each month by (Salary Growth / 12). Reference the Assumptions sheet. Sheet 3 — "Expenses": - 12 months. Columns: Rent, Utilities, Food, Transport, Entertainment, Savings Contribution (=Total Income × Savings Target from Assumptions), Other, Total Expenses - Rent escalates by 3% annually. Other expenses inflate at 2.5%. All rates from Assumptions. Sheet 4 — "Summary": - Total Annual Income (SUM cross-sheet), Total Annual Expenses, Net Savings, Savings Rate (Net Savings / Total Income) - Cross-sheet references in green text. - Below: a small "What If" section — add cells where the user can override the Savings Target and Tax Rate, with formulas that recalculate the entire budget based on the overridden values. Label these clearly.
What to evaluate
  • Are all 4 sheets present with correct names?
  • Are all assumptions referenced (not hardcoded in formulas)?
  • Are cross-sheet references in green text?
  • Are assumption value cells blue text with yellow background?
  • Does the "What If" section actually use overridden values and recalculate?
  • Are there zero formula errors (#REF!, #DIV/0!, #VALUE!)?
Verify:
node -e "import('exceljs').then(E=>{new E.Workbook().xlsx.readFile('trash/test-annual-budget.xlsx').then(w=>{let names=w.worksheets.map(s=>s.name);let missing=[];['Assumptions','Income','Expenses','Summary'].forEach(n=>{if(!names.includes(n))missing.push(n)});if(missing.length){console.log('FAIL — missing:',missing);process.exit(1)};let redir=w.getWorksheet('Summary'),greenCount=0,formulaCount=0,blueCount=0,yellowCount=0;redir.eachRow(r=>{r.eachCell(c=>{if(c.value&&c.value.formula)formulaCount++;if(c.font&&c.font.color&&c.font.color.argb==='FF008000')greenCount++})});let as=w.getWorksheet('Assumptions');as.eachRow(r=>{r.eachCell(c=>{if(c.font&&c.font.color&&c.font.color.argb==='FF0000FF')blueCount++;if(c.fill&&c.fill.fgColor&&c.fill.fgColor.argb==='FFFFFF00')yellowCount++})});let errors=0;w.worksheets.forEach(s=>{s.eachRow(r=>{r.eachCell(c=>{if(typeof c.value==='string'&&c.value.startsWith('#'))errors++})})});console.log('Formulas:',formulaCount,'Green:',greenCount,'Blue:',blueCount,'Yellow:',yellowCount,'Errors:',errors);if(formulaCount>=5&&greenCount>=2&&blueCount>=2&&yellowCount>=2&&errors===0){console.log('OK — comprehensive budget with zero errors');process.exit(0)}else{console.log('FAIL — missing criteria or errors found');process.exit(1)}})})"
Result:

Per‑Task Scoring Rubric

Apply these five signals to each task after running the verify command. They measure not just "does the file exist" but also "did the model follow the skill's conventions and actually verify its own work".

Signal0 = fail1 = pass
File is created at correct pathwrong path / wrong extension / wrong formatcorrect trash/test-*.xlsx
Verify command passesred / errors / missing filegreen, zero errors
Uses formulas, not hardcoded valuesJS‑computed values baked into cellsExcel formulas throughout
Follows skill conventions (colors, fonts, refs)wrong colors, mixed conventions, no assumptions separationmatches xlsx skill standards
Model actually verified (ran recalc / checked)claimed "looks good" without checkingran a verify step or fixed errors found

Scorecard

Results fill in automatically as you click the buttons above.

TestResultNotes
1. Expense Tracker (SUM)—
2. Gradebook (IF Logic)—
3. Financial Model (Color Coding)—
4. Multi-Sheet Budget (Cross-Sheet)—
5. Data Cleaning (Missing Values)—
6. Insert & Enhance (Edit Existing)—
7. PMO Workbook (COUNTIF/SUMIF)—
8. Wide Columns Past Z—
9. Formula Edge Case Guards—
10. Full Annual Budget—
TOTAL: ____ / 10 passed
Scoring notes:
  • Pass — the file exists at the right path, formulas work, and the verify command passes.
  • Fail — the verify failed, wrong file path, hardcoded values instead of formulas, or formula errors present.
  • N/A — prerequisite task not completed, or the test doesn't apply in your setup.
  • Task 6 requires the output of Task 1 — complete Task 1 first or create the prerequisite file manually.
  • A model that passes Tasks 1–6 but fails 7–10 handles basic spreadsheet tasks but struggles with complex orchestration.

What the Results Mean

← Your result
9–10/10
Production-ready spreadsheet generation. The model understands ExcelJS conventions, always uses formulas over hardcoded values, respects financial-model color/number standards, and handles complex multi-sheet workbooks with cross-sheet references and edge-case prevention. Trust it for real spreadsheet work.
← Your result
7–8/10
Strong spreadsheet skills. Handles basic and intermediate create/edit tasks well. May struggle with wide columns past Z, edge-case prevention, or the full budget cycle. Good for most day-to-day spreadsheet work.
← Your result
4–6/10
Moderate ability. Can create simple tables and basic formulas. Struggles with financial-model conventions, multi-sheet workbooks, and complex formula orchestration. Verify its output carefully.
← Your result
1–3/10
Limited spreadsheet ability. May handle a single table with a SUM formula. Not reliable for anything involving IF logic, cross-sheet references, or formatting conventions.
← Your result
0/10
Cannot produce working spreadsheets. This model cannot reliably create or edit .xlsx files with correct formulas and formatting.

What the progression reveals

The task order traces a curve from shallow to deep spreadsheet understanding:

basic tables (1) → formulas with IF logic (2) → formatting conventions (3) → cross-sheet orchestration (4) → data cleaning (5) → editing existing files (6) → multi-sheet dashboards with COUNTIF/SUMIF (7) → wide-column mapping past Z (8) → defensive formula design (9) → comprehensive budget (10)

A model that drops off after Task 2 knows table creation but not formula logic. One that drops off after Task 6 understands creating and editing but not complex orchestration. A model that passes all 10 understands spreadsheet creation — and its pitfalls — deeply.

All suites →Back to all evaluation suites. Next → Capability ExamThe full system benchmark — 65+ drills across every tool category.