Please note: The algorithm descriptions in English have been automatically translated. Errors may have been introduced in this process. For the original descriptions, go to the Dutch version of the Algorithm Register.

Excel Standardiser

Tool that converts dynamic Excel files to static versions.

Last change on 19th of June 2025, at 11:58 (CET) | Publication Standard 1.0
Publication category
Other algorithms
Impact assessment
Field not filled in.
Status
In use

General information

Theme

Organisation and business operations

Begin date

2025-04

Contact information

data-science@minvws.nl

Responsible use

Goal and impact

The purpose of the Excel Standardiser is to make dynamic Excel documents static. In this way, an Excel file can then be anonymised by a lawyer in a safe and efficient manner, without losing the functionality of the original file. The Excel Standardiser makes it possible to publish Excel files in their original format with Woo requests, allowing the requester to directly use the data in the file for further processing. This replaces publishing Excel files in PDF format, which resulted in unreadable and unusable large PDFs.

The tool is an improvement in the processing efficiency of Woo requests involving Excel files. As a result, requesters receive more readable and reliable documents in original file format. In addition, lawyers can work more efficiently and pleasantly, resulting in better turnaround times and job satisfaction.

Considerations

Deploying the Excel Standardiser significantly reduces the time required to process Excel documents, increasing efficiency and improving the quality of delivered documents. The risk of accidentally releasing sensitive information is reduced. Moreover, requesters often expect their request to be published in native format, which is made possible by using the Excel Standardiser.

Human intervention

Lawyers check the output before the file is further processed for manual anonymisation. The algorithm only performs the transformation from dynamic to static, the content assessment remains entirely with the staff.

Risk management

Possible loss of functionality in complex Excel files, potential incompatibility with certain Excel functions, risk of incomplete transformation leaving dynamic elements still present. The lawyer interacts with the Excel after using the tool, so inconsistencies are noticed and can be adjusted manually if necessary.

Legal basis

Open Government Act

Links to legal bases

Wet open overheid: https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0045754/2025-02-12

Operations

Data

All kinds of Excel files to be made public under the Open Government Act.

Technical design

The Excel Standardiser is a Python tool developed to convert dynamic content in Excel files to static content. Lawyers have to handle thousands of Excel documents that were converted to PDF before using this tool, which resulted in poorly readable documents. There was a great desire to be able to offer native files with requests, but making redactions in Excel is difficult because of many dependencies such as sequential calculations that can be disrupted if a cell is modified. For some elements, such as pivot tables, cells cannot be modified at all. The Excel Standardiser solves this problem by making all dynamic content static, making it safe to anonymise in the original Excel files without disrupting functionality. The tool can handle both individual files and batches.

External provider

in-house developed

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