Introduction

Here are some of the basics of the Cheatsheet Compiler and Draft Buddy software to get everyone up and running as quickly as possible.

Download and Installation

The download file, indicated with a .exe extension on the end of the name, is a self-extracting zip file. The Compiler and Draft Buddy files, one each and indicated with a .xls extension, are archived within the download file. It is packaged this way to save on download time. Here are the steps to download and install the Compiler and Buddy:

1. Save the download (.exe) file to you computer, and then choose Open when the download is complete.

2. A window will appear prompting you to unzip the file. Select Unzip.

3. After unzipping this file, your copy of the Cheatsheet Compiler and Draft Buddy (two .xls files) will be located on your hard drive in the directory:

/Program Files/Cheatsheet Compiler/

4. From Excel, choose File > Open and browse to this directory to open the Compiler and Buddy files. (Note the Compiler file should open right away in Excel the first time after unzipping.)

Mac Users

One of the benefits of the Compiler being in Excel is that it works cross-platform for both Windows and Mac users. However, unfortunately, the self-extracting zip file which makes installation a breeze for Windows users does not work on a Mac. It's not the product, but the packaging.

Therefore, if you are a Mac user please download the standard zip file package of the Compiler and Draft Buddy from the members page. Save the file to your computer, open it and extract the Compiler and Buddy files to the directory of your choice. The standard zip does work on a Mac.

Enabling Macros

When you open either the Compiler or Draft Buddy, you should be prompted by Excel to enable macros. Macros must be enabled for the Compiler and Buddy to work properly. If you are not prompted to enable macros, then it likely means your Excel macro security setting is set at high, which automatically disables macros. Perform the following steps:

1. In Excel, choose Tools > Macro > Security.

2. Adjust your security level to Medium. Low will also work, but Medium is recommended.

3. Close the Compiler and Buddy, then re-open them.

4. You should now be prompted to enable macros. Select Enable.

Compiler Operating Basics

Here are some Compiler basics to create your custom cheatsheets in the Compiler:

1. Start at the setup tab (formerly the inputs tab), and input your starters, backups, number of teams and the remaining settings for your league.

2. Go to the scoring tab and input your scoring. Most all the scoring inputs are input as X points per Y units. For example, 6 points per 1 TD.

3. After the scoring is inputted, go back to the setup tab. Now hit the Compile Cheatsheets button. It will run the calculations and flip you over to the cheatsheets tab where you can review the rankings by position for offense, IDP (if applicable) and overall rankings. Print this tab and you will have your rankings (2 or 3 pages).

Draft Buddy Operating Basics

1. Start on the setup tab in Draft Buddy. In the very first yellow box that indicates "Cheatsheet Compiler Filename:", input the full filename of the Compiler file you want to copy over the cheatsheets from. Note the filename must be EXACT (including the .xls on the end) and the Compiler and Buddy files you are using must be in the same directory on your computer. By default, that should be the case.

2. Complete the Team Information box by inputting the team and owner names for each team in your league.

3. Hit the Setup Draft Buddy button on the setup tab. Flipping through the tabs, the offense, overall, depth chart and IDP (if applicable) cheatsheets should be consistent with the data you had from the Compiler.

4. Go to the auction or draft input tab, depending on the type of draft it is, and start selecting players as they are acquired. This is done by first selecting the appropriate position under the Pos heading, and then the player name under Player. As each player is input on the auction or draft input tab, the other tabs in Draft Buddy will update.

Draft Buddy Note: Word to the Wise

Hopefully to the wise. Certainly not from the wise ;)

Seriously, I just want to mention to all of you who are planning to use Draft Buddy at your live draft, to take a hardcopy of your cheatsheets, notes, etc. to fall back on if you need to. Let me stress that I really don't think anything should go wrong with Buddy, BUT, you never know when something unexpected could happen with the laptop, battery, Windows, Compiler, Buddy, etc. I would hate to see someone get frustrated at their draft because Buddy is not working the way they expect it to.

Along the same lines, make sure to spend sufficient time with Buddy beforehand to get used to its functionality rather than figuring it out on the fly at the draft. If you've done this, and have sufficient backup, then you'll be more than ready to kick some ass!

Questions?
Check out the Compiler Message Board or send an email to Mike MacGregor and he will respond ASAP.