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Show HN: Nobie – an Excel-compatible runtime for agents and humans

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Re: Show HN: Nobie – an Excel-compatible runtime for agents and humans

#71

Post by narcraft »

matthewgapp wrote: post #70
narcraft wrote: post #69

Are you able to create formatted tables and use structured references? I see Tables listed as a feature on your webpage, but can't find any further information. If it's in the app already, I'm having trouble finding it.

it's a bit hidden and not fully featured. But we do support table references. You can run cmd + T (or search for create table in the cmd +k menu) on a range to display the create table dialog.

Ok, I see it now, thanks! I was able to reference columns after adding the table as a defined name manually. You've already mentioned that it's not yet fully featured, but just to catalog a few things:

- In Excel, when you format a range as a table, usually they become a defined/named range by default (Table_1). If that's happening in the background, it's not apparent to me as a user

- Named ranges should get suggested in autocomplete when typing formulas

- The cell name box in the top left corner should reflect range selections (e.g. A1:B4) and likewise table references when selected

- The cursor should transform to a down arrow and allow the selection of entire table columns when hovering over header cells

- Should likewise be able to select table data range when hovering over the top left corner

Sorry if you're already aware of all that!

Re: Show HN: Nobie – an Excel-compatible runtime for agents and humans

#73

Post by MiroslavPokorny »

From what ive seen and some guessing, im thinking you are trying to make Excel a platform, where a Platform means something that is programmable rather than just an App that a user can click or type text in.

What platform ideas will you bring in addition to what you have done.

Im asking because I am also creating a spreadsheet platform, where everything (lots) of features are programmable rather than users being forced to use what the UI provides.

Re: Show HN: Nobie – an Excel-compatible runtime for agents and humans

#74

Post by MiroslavPokorny »

njaremko wrote: post #6

Some features I think are pretty cool: - We can render pixel perfect PNGs and PDFs (native vectorized PDFs) - You can pass an xlsx, inputs, and output cells, and get a JSON API from any excel workbook - You can pipe a postgres query into an xlsx file, and then run excel formulas over it - You can pretty easily setup a `git diff` helper for xlsx files that shows you the changes you care about - We have a built-in term…

Do you plan to make other features within the spreadsheet "programmable", like allowing the user to "enter a script" to do the formatting of a cell etc ?

Im asking because my own spreadsheet efforts are also trying to make the spreadsheet a platform. A lot has been done but there are a few cool features that are nearly there. Everything is on github (look up my name).

Re: Show HN: Nobie – an Excel-compatible runtime for agents and humans

#76

Post by matthewgapp »

narcraft wrote: post #71
matthewgapp wrote: post #70

Earlier quoted context omitted.

it's a bit hidden and not fully featured. But we do support table references. You can run cmd + T (or search for create table in the cmd +k menu) on a range to display the create table dialog.

Ok, I see it now, thanks! I was able to reference columns after adding the table as a defined name manually. You've already mentioned that it's not yet fully featured, but just to catalog a few things: - In Excel, when you format a range as a table, usually they become a defined/named range by default (Table_1). If that's happening in the background, it's not apparent to me as a user - Named ranges should get suggest…

we've fixed a bunch of this which will be out in the next release.

Re: Show HN: Nobie – an Excel-compatible runtime for agents and humans

#77

Post by matthewgapp »

MiroslavPokorny wrote: post #74
njaremko wrote: post #6

Some features I think are pretty cool: - We can render pixel perfect PNGs and PDFs (native vectorized PDFs) - You can pass an xlsx, inputs, and output cells, and get a JSON API from any excel workbook - You can pipe a postgres query into an xlsx file, and then run excel formulas over it - You can pretty easily setup a `git diff` helper for xlsx files that shows you the changes you care about - We have a built-in term…

Do you plan to make other features within the spreadsheet "programmable", like allowing the user to "enter a script" to do the formatting of a cell etc ? Im asking because my own spreadsheet efforts are also trying to make the spreadsheet a platform. A lot has been done but there are a few cool features that are nearly there. Everything is on github (look up my name).

we have a CLI and we'll launch SDKs. Every aspect of Nobie will be scriptable. Love that your head is in the same place.

Re: Show HN: Nobie – an Excel-compatible runtime for agents and humans

#78

Post by matthewgapp »

MiroslavPokorny wrote: post #73

From what ive seen and some guessing, im thinking you are trying to make Excel a platform, where a Platform means something that is programmable rather than just an App that a user can click or type text in. What platform ideas will you bring in addition to what you have done. Im asking because I am also creating a spreadsheet platform, where everything (lots) of features are programmable rather than users being forc…

Yeah we think there is an opportunity to really open up the xlsx runtime. There are a lot of smart people in the world - and we're excited for them to build on top.

Re: Show HN: Nobie – an Excel-compatible runtime for agents and humans

#79

Post by matthewgapp »

stuaxo wrote: post #55

"fall in love with it" - maybe just being from the UK but I hate this over the top stuff, when I first went to the Apple shop to buy a Mac they asked when I first used it and then asked "and did you fall in love with it then" - it felt like a proper cult moment.

join our cult, you will love it.
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