Spreadsheet before
- Rows with requester, type and a vague status
- Colour flags that mean different things by team
- Manual reminder emails from the coordinator
- No reliable record of decision rationale
Workflow
Replace Excel approvals when chasing sign-off becomes the job
Approval spreadsheets start as simple request lists. They degrade into inbox archaeology once several reviewers, exceptions and reminders are involved.
The problem
Replace Excel approvals
Status columns cannot explain who is waiting on whom. People ping each other outside the sheet, decisions lack durable history and audits ask questions the workbook cannot answer cleanly.
Signs Excel has been outgrown
- Requests stall without an obvious next owner
- Approvals happen in email while the sheet lags behind
- Delegates are unclear when someone is away
- Evidence sits in attachments nobody can find later
- Managers cannot see ageing requests at a glance
- Rejected items reappear without context
Managed app after
- Requests with explicit stages and owners
- Decision history attached to the record
- Ageing views for overdue approvals
- Clearer hand-offs after approval or rejection
What a replacement can include
- Request intake with required fields
- Multi-step or single-step approval paths
- Comments and decision notes
- Notifications or reminder-friendly queues
- Role-based visibility of sensitive requests
- Reporting on cycle times and bottlenecks
Why not just add more formulas?
Conditional formatting and shared inboxes do not create accountable workflow. A managed app makes ownership, decision history and ageing first-class.
Who it suits
- Operations and finance teams
- Quality and compliance reviewers
- Any process where sign-off currently lives in a tracker sheet
Managed service
Each app is built around your workflow. The plans set the size and access model, while your assessment decides which useful features belong in the app. Hosted plans include hosting, maintenance and ongoing support so your team is not left maintaining fragile workbooks.
Pricing context
Every project starts with a £295 Spreadsheet Assessment (excl. VAT). If you proceed, that fee is credited before VAT. Eligible managed plans such as Business (£399/month) include hosting and support.
FAQ
Ready to assess your spreadsheet process?
Start with a free fit check, then a Spreadsheet Assessment for a clear replacement plan.