Search Data using Original Values

Sometimes the value of the data is hidden because it is formatted in some way. For example, suppose cell D4 has formula =Sum(A1:A2) and its value is 20 but it is formatted as —, then the value 20 is hidden and cannot be found using Microsoft Excel find options. However, you can find it using Aspose.Cells for Python via .NET using LookInType.ORIGINAL_VALUES.

The following sample code illustrates the above point. It finds cell D4 which cannot be found using Microsoft Excel find options but Aspose.Cells can find it using LookInType.ORIGINAL_VALUES. Please read the comments inside the code for more information.

Python code to search data using original values

from aspose.cells import FindOptions, LookAtType, LookInType, Workbook


#  The path to the documents directory.
dataDir = "./"
#  Create workbook object
workbook = Workbook()
#  Access first worksheet
worksheet = workbook.worksheets[0]
#  Add 10 in cell A1 and A2
worksheet.cells.get("A1").put_value(10)
worksheet.cells.get("A2").put_value(10)
#  Add Sum formula in cell D4 but customize it as ---
cell = worksheet.cells.get("D4")
style = cell.get_style()
style.custom = "---"
cell.set_style(style)
#  The result of formula will be 20 but 20 will not be visible because the cell is formated as ---
cell.formula = "=Sum(A1:A2)"
#  Calculate the workbook
workbook.calculate_formula()
#  Create find options, we will search 20 using original values otherwise 20 will never be found because it is formatted as ---
options = FindOptions()
options.look_in_type = LookInType.ORIGINAL_VALUES
options.look_at_type = LookAtType.ENTIRE_CONTENT
foundCell = None
obj = 20
#  Find 20 which is Sum(A1:A2) and formatted as ---
foundCell = worksheet.cells.find(obj, foundCell, options)
#  Print the found cell
print(foundCell)
#  Save the workbook
workbook.save(dataDir + "output_out.xlsx")

Console output generated by the sample code

Here is the console output of the above sample code.

Aspose.Cells.Cell [ D4; ValueType : IsNumeric; Value : ---; Formula:=SUM(A1:A2)]