embeded qwz into MS Excel as object

I had an idea of a way that I could help manage my list of quizzes by using Excel spread sheets.

For instance I currently have 4 columns that help me track some work that I know I needed to do to all my quizzes. The columns record, with a check mark symbol, whether I have corrected the spelling, updated the images, posted to QW Tracker with randomization turned on etc, a link to the QWT hosted qwz etc.

I then thought that the sheet could become a storage receptacle also for all the quizzes, allowing me to order and group the various quizzes into a logical layout for my needs. I had hoped that I could save each quiz into the Excel sheet as an "embedded object" and that would become my master file to open if I needed to do anything to any quiz. Rather then storing qwz files in multiple Windows folders etc.

I tried this quickly and had some success but wanted to discuss it with you.

Firstly Excel did not have the option to insert a new qwz file. (insert/object/create new) (not sure if htis a windows issue or something for you to fix?

But that’s ok because I already had my list of quizzes. So I wanted to create an object from existing files. (Insert/Object/Create from File/Browse) Once the qwz file was selected I chose to display it as an icon. But I have to browse through my C:/program files to the qw install to find the qw icons every time.

When I open the qwz from the Excel sheet it only opens if the QW application is shut down (again I don’t know if that is a windows issue?) I think a similar issue occurs if you double click on a qwz file from windows explorer. It works fine if the application is closed, the app fires up and then opens the selected quiz. but if you already have the app open or even already have another qwz open the double click on the second qwz file doesn’t work.

So getting back to the Excel sheet, when you open the embedded qwz it opens with a new file name but the quiz title in the properties stay the same, which is important when publishing to QWT.

Could you see any issues with using Excel & QW in this way?

Hi Adam,

I haven't used Excel a lot, so I'm not familiar with some of the issues. I'd say trying to store the .qwz files inside an Excel document would cause trouble somewhere along the line, but keeping links inside a spreadsheet sounds like a good way to keep things organized.

Thanks for reporting the bug with opening additional documents. I've added a fix to the 3.5 Alpha and updated the download to allow launching additional documents from Explorer (and I suspect this will work from Excel now too).