Data Preparation Guide

Clean data in = quality presentations out. Here's how to structure your project data for the best SlideStrike results.

The Golden Rule

“Garbage in, garbage out.”

SlideStrike is an intelligence accelerator, not a data validator. We transform your data into presentations—we don't fix, clean, or verify it. The quality of your output is directly proportional to the quality of your input.

Do This

Use Consistent Status Values

Stick to standardized terms: Complete, In Progress, At Risk, Blocked, Not Started

Good: "In Progress" | Bad: "Working on it", "IP", "🔄"

Format Dates Consistently

Use ISO format (YYYY-MM-DD) or standard formats. Don't mix formats.

Good: "2024-03-15" | Bad: "Mar 15", "3/15/24", "15-Mar"

Keep Numbers Clean

Remove currency symbols, commas, and text from numeric fields.

Good: "50000" | Bad: "$50,000", "50k", "50000 USD"

Include Headers

First row should contain clear, descriptive column names.

Good: "Budget ($)" | Bad: "Column F", blank headers

Track Planned vs Actual

Include both planned values and actual values for meaningful variance analysis.

Columns: Planned Date, Actual Date, Planned Budget, Actual Spend

Include Context

Add a notes/comments column for important context that numbers can't capture.

"Delayed due to vendor issues" provides context for a missed date

Don't Do This

Merge Cells

Merged cells break data parsing. Use repeated values instead.

Unmerge "Q1" spanning 3 rows → Put "Q1" in each row

Use Colors as Data

SlideStrike can't read cell colors. Use explicit status columns.

Don't rely on red highlighting → Add "Status: At Risk" column

Leave Formula Errors

#REF!, #VALUE!, #DIV/0! errors will appear in your presentations.

Fix or hide error cells before generating

Mix Data Types

A column should contain one type of data (all dates, all numbers, all text).

Don't put "TBD" in a date column → Use a separate status indicator

Include Sensitive Data

Remove SSNs, passwords, API keys, or confidential employee info.

Scrub sensitive columns before upload

5-Minute Pre-Flight Checklist

Run through this checklist before every upload:

  • 1
    All dates are in consistent format
  • 2
    All numbers are clean (no symbols or text)
  • 3
    Status values match expected options
  • 4
    No formula errors (#REF!, #VALUE!, etc.)
  • 5
    No merged cells in data range
  • 6
    Header row is complete and clear
  • 7
    No sensitive or confidential data
  • 8
    Data is current and accurate

Pro Tip: Create a Reporting View

Don't export your entire working spreadsheet. Create a separate “Reporting” tab or view that contains only the clean, relevant data for presentations. This keeps your working data messy (as it should be) while ensuring clean exports for SlideStrike.

Ready to Generate?

Once your data is clean and ready, upload it to SlideStrike and watch the magic happen.

Upload Your DataKPI Selection Guide