robust_excel_ole 0.3.1 → 0.3.2

data/README.rdoc

@@ -1,8 +1,10 @@
 = RobustExcelOle
 
-robust_excel_ole processes Excel files, allows to perform all win32ole operations, 
-provides convenient methods for opening, saving, closing, and modifying Excel files,
-and implements an Excel file management system.
+robust_excel_ole implements methods for accessing Excel files using win32ole.  
+It provides convenient methods for opening, modifying, saving and closing Excel files.
+Furthermore all VBA methods can be sent. 
+
+robust_excel_ole manages Excel workbooks that have been opened in several Excel instances.
 
 This is work in progress.
 
@@ -16,86 +18,93 @@ This is work in progress.
 
 == Usage
 
-=== Opening a book.
-
-  include RobustExcelOle
+=== Opening a workbook.
 
 Example:
 
-  book = Book.open('simple.xls')
+  include RobustExcelOle
+  book = Book.open('workbook.xls')
 
-Opening a book with a block. 
+Opening a workbook with a block. 
 The semantics is similar to, e.g.,  File.open.
 
-  Book.open('simple.xls') do |book|
+  Book.open('workbook.xls') do |book|
     # do something
   end
 
-Options are +default_excel+, +force_excel+, +if_unsaved+, +if_obstructed+, +read_only+, +visible+, +displayalerts+. 
+Options are +:default_excel+, +:force_excel+, +:if_absent+, +:if_unsaved+, +:if_obstructed+, +:read_only+, +:visible+, +:displayalerts+. 
 
 Here are a few examples:
 
-Opening another book in a new Excel instance and make it visible.
+Opening a workbook in a new Excel instance and make it visible.
 
-  second_book = Book.open('simple.xls', :force_excel => :new, :visible => true)
+  book = Book.open('workbook.xls', :force_excel => :new, :visible => true)
 
-Opening a book with the same name in a different path. 
-The option +:if_unsaved => :forget+ causes the old book to close such that it does not block the new book anymore.
+Opening a workbook with the same name in a different path. 
+The option +:if_obstructed+ => +:forget+ causes the old workbook to close such that it does not block the new workbook anymore.
 
-  third_book = Book.open('more/simple.xls', :if_obstructed => :forget)
+  book2 = Book.open('path/workbook.xls', :if_obstructed => :forget)
 
-Opening another book with the same file name in the running Excel. With the option +:if_unsaved => :accept+  the book remains open if it contains unsaved changes.
+Opening another workbook with the same file name in the running Excel. The option +:if_unsaved+ => +:accept+  has the effect that if the workbook contains unsaved changes, then the workbook remains open, but no error is raised, i.e. the program can continue.
 
-  forth_book = Book.open('simple.xls', :if_unsaved => :accept)
+  book3 = Book.open('workbook.xls', :if_unsaved => :accept)
 
 
-=== Closing a book.
+=== Closing a workbook.
 
   book.close
 
 The option is : +:if_unsaved+. Example:
 
-Closing the book and saving it before if it has unsaved changes.
+Closing the workbook and saving it before if it has unsaved changes.
 
   book.close(:if_unsaved => :save)
 
 
-=== Reopening books.
+=== Reopening workbooks.
 
-The books can be reopened after closing them. Example:
+A special feature of robust_excel_ole is that it allows to reopen books after closing them.
 
-  book = Book.open('simple.xls')
+  book = Book.open('workbook.xls')
   book.close
-  reopened_book = Book.open('simple.xls')
+  reopened_book = Book.open('workbook.xls')
 
-robust_excel_ole provides transperency identity. That is the same Book objects refer to the same Excel files, and vice versa.
+The closed book is now alive again, i.e. responds to Excel methods.
 
-  reopened_book == book
+ book.alive?
   => true
 
+This feature is achieved by providing identity transperence and by storing the file name.
+Identity transperence means that the same Book objects refer to the same Excel files, and vice versa.
+In other words, a Book objects is a proxy of an Excel file.
+
+  reopened_book === book
+  => true
 
-=== Saving a book.
+=== Saving a workbook.
 
   book.save
 
-Saving a book with a file name.
+Saving a workbook with a file name.
 
-  book.save_as('another_simple.xls')
+  book.save_as('another_workbook.xls')
 
 The option is +:if_exists+. Example:
 
-Saving a book and overwriting the file if it exists before.
+Saving a workbook and overwriting the file if it exists before.
 
-  book.save_as('another_simple.xls', :if_exists => :overwrite)
+  book.save_as('another_workbook.xls', :if_exists => :overwrite)
 
 
-=== Unobtrusively modifying a book
+=== Unobtrusively opening a workbook
 
-Sometimes the user wants to read and possibly modify a book, no matter if it is open in some Excel instance or not, is saved or unsaved. The method +unobtrusively+ provides this service. When modifying a book unobtrusively, its status remains unchanged. This status includes, wheter the book is opened or closed, saved or unsaved, readonly or writable. If the books were closed and the Excel instance are still running, then the book is opened in the Excel instance where it was opened most recently or in a new Excel. This is relevant if the book has references to other books.
+The method +unobtrusively+ enables the user to read or modify a workbook, no matter if it is open in some Excel instance, if it is saved or unsaved, and if it is writable or not. When opening a workbook unobtrusively, its status remains unchanged. This status includes, whether the book is opened or closed, saved or unsaved, readonly or writable. 
 
-Options are +:if_readonly+, +:use_this+, +:keep_open+, +:visible+ 
+Options are +:if_closed+, +:read_only+, +:use_readonly_excel+, +:keep_open, +:visible+
 
-  Book.unobtrusively('simple.xls') do |book|
+The option +:if_closed+ => +:hidden+ provokes that a closed book is opened unobtrusively in a separate Excel instance that is not visible and has no DisplayAlerts. Any following closed book would be opened in this Excel instance as well when using this option.
+
+  Book.unobtrusively('workbook.xls', :if_closed => :hidden) do |book|
     # some modification
     sheet = book[0]
     sheet[0,0] = "c" 
@@ -107,9 +116,9 @@ Returning the value of a cell or range that has a with a defined name.
 
   book.nvalue(name)
 
-=== Alive?.
+=== Checking whether the workbook is alive.
 
-Checking whether the referenced Excel workbook responds to methods.
+This method finds out whether the Excel workbook that is referenced by the Book object responds to methods.
 
   if book.alive? then sheet = book[0] end
 
@@ -168,10 +177,12 @@ Reading a cell from a range object.
   row_range[0]  => first cell in row_range
   column_range[1] => second cell in column_range
 
+Methods to a cell are just delegated. Example:
+
 Reading the value of a cell.
 
   cell = sheet[0,0]
-  cell.value  => value of the cell.
+  cell.Value  => value of the cell.
 
 Writing a cell
 
@@ -261,7 +272,7 @@ Turning on and off in a block.
 
   excel = Excel.create
   excel.with_displayalerts true do
-    book = Book.open('simple.xls')
+    book = Book.open('workbook.xls')
   end
 
 === Closing all Excel instances.
@@ -274,7 +285,7 @@ Turning on and off in a block.
 
 Opening a book.
 
-  book = Book.open('simple.xls')
+  book = Book.open('workbook.xls')
 
 Accessing a sheet via its name.
 
@@ -290,7 +301,7 @@ Saving the book.
 
 Saving the book with a different name, and overwrite if a file with this name exists.
 
-  book.save_as('different_simple.xls', :if_exists => :overwrite)
+  book.save_as('different_workbook.xls', :if_exists => :overwrite)
 
 Closing the book.
 
@@ -300,15 +311,15 @@ Closing the book.
 
 Opening a book.
 
-  book = Book.open('simple.xls')
+  book = Book.open('workbook.xls')
 
 Opening the book in a new Excel instance and make it visible.
 
-  new_book = Book.open('simple.xls', :force_excel => :new, :visible => true)
+  new_book = Book.open('workbook.xls', :force_excel => :new, :visible => true)
 
 Opening the book in a given Excel instance.
 
-  another_book = Book.open('simple.xls', :force_excel => book.excel)
+  another_book = Book.open('workbook.xls', :force_excel => book.excel)
 
 Closing the books.
 
@@ -318,11 +329,11 @@ Closing the books.
 
 Reopening the book.
 
-  reopened_book = Book.open('simple.xls')
+  reopened_book = Book.open('workbook.xls')
 
 The writable book is being prefered.  
 
-  reopened_book == book
+  reopened_book === book
   => true
 
 Opening another book.
@@ -336,17 +347,15 @@ According to :default_excel => :new a new Excel is created, and the book is open
 
 Opening a book.
 
-  book = Book.open('simple.xls')
+  book = Book.open('workbook.xls')
 
 Adding a copy of the first sheet after the second sheet.
 
   book.add_sheet(book[0], :as => 'Sheet1_copy', :after => book[1])
 
-Close the book.
-
 Opening a new book with the same name in a new Excel. Leave the book that contains unsaved changes in the old Excel.
 
-  new_book = Book.open('simple.xls', :if_unsaved => :new_excel)
+  new_book = Book.open('workbook.xls', :if_unsaved => :new_excel)
 
 Accessing a sheet and change a cell.
 
@@ -355,7 +364,7 @@ Accessing a sheet and change a cell.
 
 Opening another book with the same name in the running Excel. The book that contains unsaved changes will be closed before. 
 
-  third_book = Book.open('simple.xls', :if_unsaved => :forget)
+  third_book = Book.open('workbook.xls', :if_unsaved => :forget)
 
 Adding a sheet.
 
@@ -373,11 +382,11 @@ Closing the first book and saving it before.
 
 Opening a book.
 
-  book1 = Book.open('simple.xls')
+  book1 = Book.open('workbook.xls')
 
 Opening a book with the same name in a different path. Close the old book.
 
-  book2 = Book.open('more/simple.xls', :if_obstructed => :forget)
+  book2 = Book.open('more/workbook.xls', :if_obstructed => :forget)
 
 Changing its cell.
 
@@ -386,11 +395,11 @@ Changing its cell.
 
 Opening a book with the same name in a different path. The old book that was modified will be saved and closed before.
 
-  book3 = Book.open('simple.xls', :if_obstructed => :save)
+  book3 = Book.open('workbook.xls', :if_obstructed => :save)
 
 Opening a book with the same name in a different path. The other book will be closed, because it does not contain unsaved changes.
 
-  book4 = Book.open('more/simple.xls', :if_obstructed => :close_if_unsaved)
+  book4 = Book.open('more/workbook.xls', :if_obstructed => :close_if_unsaved)
 
 Closing the book.
 
@@ -401,7 +410,7 @@ Closing the book.
 
 Opening a book.
 
-  book = Book.open('simple.xls')
+  book = Book.open('workbook.xls')
 
 Printing its first cell.
 
@@ -410,7 +419,7 @@ Printing its first cell.
 
 Unobtrusively modify the book.
 
-  Book.unobtrusively('simple.xls') do |book|
+  Book.unobtrusively('workbook.xls') do |book|
     sheet = book[0]
     sheet[0,0] = 'simple'
   end
@@ -425,6 +434,10 @@ The book is modified, but its status is unchanged.
   => true
 
 
+=== More Details
+
+For more details about usage: see link:Readme_detail_rdoc.html
+
 === Development
 
 robust_excel_ole started as a simple fork from tomiacannondale's wrap_excel adapted to Ruby 1.8.6.

data/README_detail.rdoc

@@ -21,12 +21,12 @@ This is work in progress.
 
 Example:
 
-  book = Book.open('simple.xls')
+  book = Book.open('workbook.xls')
 
 Open a book with a block. 
 The semantics is similar to, e.g.,  File.open.
 
-  Book.open('simple.xls') do |book|
+  Book.open('workbook.xls') do |book|
     # do something
   end
 
@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@ Options are the following:
 
 +:default_excel+::   open in the Excel instance used before if the book was once open (default: +reuse+)
 +:force_excel+::     open in a new or given Excel instance (defaut: +:new+)
++:if_absent+::       create a new workbook and save it if it does not exists (default: +create+)
 +:if_unsaved+::      specify behaviour if the book was unsaved (default: +new_excel+)
 +:if_obstructed+::   specidy behaviour if the book is blocked by another book (default: +new_excel+)
 +:read_only+::       open in read-only mode (default: +false+) 
@@ -44,7 +45,7 @@ The option +:defaut_excel+  :
 
 If the book was open before, then open it in the Excel instance used before. If the book cannot be reopened, then
 
-+:reuse+:: Connect to a running Excel, if it exists, open a new Excel otherwise.
++:reuse+:: Connect to a running Excel, if it exists, otherwise open a new Excel.
 +:new+:: Open in a new Excel.
 [instance]:: Open in a given Excel instance.
 
@@ -55,6 +56,13 @@ No matter if the book was open before,
 +:new+:: Open in a new Excel.
 [instance]:: Open in a given Excel instance.
 
+The option +:if_absent  :
+
+If the Excel file does not exists, then
+
++:create+::   Create a new Excel file
++:raise+::    Raise an exception.
+
 The option +:if_unsaved+  : 
 
 If an unsaved book with the same name is open, then
@@ -72,8 +80,8 @@ If a book with same name in a different path is open, then
 +:raise+::          Raise an exception. Don't open the book.
 +:forget+::         Close the old book, open the new book.
 +:save+::           Save the old book, close it, open the new book
-+:close_if_saved+:: Close the old book and open the new book, if the old book is saved, raise an exception otherwise
-+:new_excel+::        Open the new book in a new Excel instance.
++:close_if_saved+:: Close the old book and open the new book, if the old book is saved, otherwise raise an exception.
++:new_excel+::      Open the new book in a new Excel instance.
 
 The values :displayalerts and :visible are reached to the class Excel that controls opening and closing Excel instances.
 
@@ -85,7 +93,7 @@ Simple close.
 
 The option is : +:if_unsaved+ . It can have one of the following values:
 
-+:save+ (default), +:raise+, +:forget+, +:alert+
++:raise+ (default), +:save+, +:forget+, +:alert+
 
 The option specifies: If the book is unsaved, then
 
@@ -103,7 +111,7 @@ Simple save.
 
 Saving a book with a file name.
 
-  book.save_as('another_simple.xls')
+  book.save_as('another_workbook.xls')
 
 Options are the following:
 
@@ -124,17 +132,17 @@ Sometimes the user wants to read and possibly modify a book, no matter if it is
 
 Options are the following:
 
++:if_closed+::  :hidden (default) : open closed books in one separate Excel instance that is not visible and has no displayaslerts
+                :reuse            : open closed books in the Excel instance of the book, if it exists, otherwise reuse another Excel
 +:read_only+:: Open the book unobtrusively for reading only  (default: false)
-+:use_this+::  If the book is opened only as ReadOnly and shall be modified, then
-
-               true:  close it and open it as writable in the excel instance where it was open so far
-               false (default): open it as writable in another running excel instance, if it exists
-                                    in a new excel instance, otherwise
-
-+:visible+::   Make the book visible in the Excel (default: false)
-+:keep_open+:: Let the book open after modification (default: false)
-
-  Book.unobtrusively('simple.xls') do |book|
++:use_readonly_excel+::  if the book is opened only as ReadOnly and shall be modified, then
+                  true:  close it and open it as writable in the excel instance where it was open so far
+                  false (default)    open it as writable in another running excel instance, if it exists, 
+                                     otherwise open in a new excel instance
++:visible+::   Make the Excel instance of the book visible (default: false)
++:keep_open+:: let the book open after unobtrusively opening (default: false)
+
+  Book.unobtrusively('workbook.xls') do |book|
     # some modification
     sheet = book[0]
     sheet[0,0] = "c" 
@@ -209,10 +217,12 @@ Reading a cell from a range object.
   row_range[0]  => first cell in row_range
   column_range[1] => second cell in column_range
 
+Methods to cell are just delegated as VBA methods. Example:
+
 Reading the value of a cell.
 
   cell = sheet[0,0]
-  cell.value  => value of the cell.
+  cell.Value  => value of the cell.
 
 Writing a cell
 
@@ -304,7 +314,7 @@ Turning on and off in a block.
 
   excel = Excel.create
   excel.with_displayalerts true do
-    book = Book.open('simple.xls')
+    book = Book.open('workbook.xls')
   end
 
 === Closing all Excel instances.
@@ -321,7 +331,7 @@ Including robust_excel_ole.
 
 Opening a book.
 
-  book = Book.open('simple.xls')
+  book = Book.open('workbook.xls')
 
 Accessing a sheet via its name.
 
@@ -337,7 +347,7 @@ Saving the book.
 
 Saving the book with a different name, and overwrite if a file with this name exists.
 
-  book.save_as('different_simple.xls', :if_exists => :overwrite)
+  book.save_as('different_workbook.xls', :if_exists => :overwrite)
 
 Closing the book.
 
@@ -347,15 +357,15 @@ Closing the book.
 
 Opening a book.
 
-  book = Book.open('simple.xls')
+  book = Book.open('workbook.xls')
 
 Opening the book in a new Excel instance and make it visible.
 
-  new_book = Book.open('simple.xls', :force_excel => :new, :visible => true)
+  new_book = Book.open('workbook.xls', :force_excel => :new, :visible => true)
 
 Opening the book in a given Excel instance.
 
-  another_book = Book.open('simple.xls', :force_excel => book.excel)
+  another_book = Book.open('workbook.xls', :force_excel => book.excel)
 
 Closing the books.
 
@@ -365,7 +375,7 @@ Closing the books.
 
 Reopening the book.
 
-  reopened_book = Book.open('simple.xls')
+  reopened_book = Book.open('workbook.xls')
 
 The writable book is being prefered.  
 
@@ -383,7 +393,7 @@ According to :default_excel => :new a new Excel is created, and the book is open
 
 Opening a book.
 
-  book = Book.open('simple.xls')
+  book = Book.open('workbook.xls')
 
 Adding a copy of the first sheet after the second sheet.
 
@@ -393,7 +403,7 @@ Close the book.
 
 Opening a new book with the same name in a new Excel. Leave the book that contains unsaved changes in the old Excel.
 
-  new_book = Book.open('simple.xls', :if_unsaved => :new_excel)
+  new_book = Book.open('workbook.xls', :if_unsaved => :new_excel)
 
 Accessing a sheet and change a cell.
 
@@ -402,7 +412,7 @@ Accessing a sheet and change a cell.
 
 Opening another book with the same name in the running Excel. The book that contains unsaved changes will be closed before. 
 
-  third_book = Book.open('simple.xls', :if_unsaved => :forget)
+  third_book = Book.open('workbook.xls', :if_unsaved => :forget)
 
 Adding a sheet.
 
@@ -420,11 +430,11 @@ Closing the first book and saving it before.
 
 Opening a book.
 
-  book1 = Book.open('simple.xls')
+  book1 = Book.open('workbook.xls')
 
 Opening a book with the same name in a different path. Close the old book.
 
-  book2 = Book.open('more/simple.xls', :if_obstructed => :forget)
+  book2 = Book.open('more/workbook.xls', :if_obstructed => :forget)
 
 Changing its cell.
 
@@ -433,11 +443,11 @@ Changing its cell.
 
 Opening a book with the same name in a different path. The old book that was modified will be saved and closed before.
 
-  book3 = Book.open('simple.xls', :if_obstructed => :save)
+  book3 = Book.open('workbook.xls', :if_obstructed => :save)
 
 Opening a book with the same name in a different path. The other book will be closed, because it does not contain unsaved changes.
 
-  book4 = Book.open('more/simple.xls', :if_obstructed => :close_if_unsaved)
+  book4 = Book.open('more/workbook.xls', :if_obstructed => :close_if_unsaved)
 
 Closing the book.
 
@@ -448,7 +458,7 @@ Closing the book.
 
 Opening a book.
 
-  book = Book.open('simple.xls')
+  book = Book.open('workbook.xls')
 
 Printing its first cell.
 
@@ -457,7 +467,7 @@ Printing its first cell.
 
 Unobtrusively modify the book.
 
-  Book.unobtrusively('simple.xls') do |book|
+  Book.unobtrusively('workbook.xls') do |book|
     sheet = book[0]
     sheet[0,0] = 'simple'
   end

data/TodoList.md

@@ -1,18 +1,16 @@
 
 ### immediately
 
---- 2015.05-05 unobtrusively:  
-               more tests,
---- 2015-04-27 excel.rb: implement sucht that remove attr_writer
---- 2015-04-27 documentation: a crisp one and a detailed one, better examples
---- 2015-04-02 set options: make it dry
---- 2015-04-17 acceptance test from Testschmiede
+--- 2015-05-21 documentation: link to detailed, Book accessible in git hub
+--- 2015-05-21 opening connected Excel files
+--- 2015-04-17 acceptance tests
 
 ### quick
 
 --- 2015-05-09 open with option :reuse_excel: 
                choose the last opened Excel that is different to a certain Excel, if it exists,
                open a new Excel, else
+               use this in unobtrusively
 
 ### short-term
 
@@ -27,6 +25,10 @@
 
 ### done
 
+--- 2015-04-02 set options: make it dry
+--- 2015.05-05 unobtrusively:  if_closed: hidden
+--- 2015-04-27 documentation: a crisp one and a detailed one, better examples
+--- 2015-04-27 excel.rb: implement sucht that remove attr_writer
 --- 2015-04-17 unobtrusively: readonly
 --- 2015-04-27 tests for life cycle (weakrefs to books)
 --- 2015-04-01 examples for unobtrusively

data/examples/edit_sheets/example_access_sheets_and_cells.rb

@@ -10,18 +10,18 @@ include RobustExcelOle
 Excel.close_all
 begin
   dir = create_tmpdir
-  simple_file = dir + 'simple.xls'
-  simple_save_file = dir + 'simple_save.xls'
+  simple_file = dir + 'workbook.xls'
+  simple_save_file = dir + 'workbook_save.xls'
   File.delete simple_save_file rescue nil
   book = Book.open(simple_file)      # open a book
   sheet = book[0]                    # access a sheet via integer 
   cell = sheet[0,0]                  # access the first cell
-  puts "1st cell: #{cell.value}"     # put the value of the first cell
+  puts "1st cell: #{cell.Value}"     # put the value of the first cell
   sheet[0,0] = "complex"             # write a value into a cell
-  puts "new cell: #{sheet[0,0].value}"
+  puts "new cell: #{sheet[0,0].Value}"
   puts "all cells:"
   sheet.each do |cell|               # access all cells
-    puts "#{cell.value}"             #   for each row: for every column: put the value of the cells
+    puts "#{cell.Value}"             #   for each row: for every column: put the value of the cells
   end
   
   sheet_enum = proc do |enum_method|     # put each cell, each row or each column 
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ begin
         when :each_row    : "row"
         when :each_column : "column"
         end 
-      puts "#{item_name} #{i}: #{item.value}" # put values of the item of the sheet
+      puts "#{item_name} #{i}: #{item.Value}" # put values of the item of the sheet
     end
   end
 

data/examples/edit_sheets/example_adding_sheets.rb

@@ -10,8 +10,8 @@ include RobustExcelOle
 Excel.close_all
 begin
   dir = create_tmpdir
-  simple_file = dir + 'simple.xls'
-  simple_save_file = dir + 'simple_save.xls'
+  simple_file = dir + 'workbook.xls'
+  simple_save_file = dir + 'workbook_save.xls'
   File.delete simple_save_file rescue nil
   @book = Book.open(simple_file)      # open a book
 

data/examples/edit_sheets/example_ranges.rb

@@ -10,8 +10,8 @@ include RobustExcelOle
 Excel.close_all
 begin
   dir = create_tmpdir
-  simple_file = dir + 'simple.xls'
-  simple_save_file = dir + 'simple_save.xls'
+  simple_file = dir + 'workbook.xls'
+  simple_save_file = dir + 'workbook_save.xls'
   File.delete simple_save_file rescue nil
   book = Book.open(simple_file)      # open a book
   sheet = book['Sheet1']             # access a sheet via the name
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ begin
   cell = col_r[0]                    # access the first cell of these cells 
   puts "row range of 1st row: #{row_r.values}"                     # puts the values of the first row
   puts "1st and 2nd cell of the 1st column : #{col_r.values}"      # and the first two cells of the first column
-  puts "1st cell of these cells of the 1st columns: #{cell.value}" # and the first cell of the row range of the 1st row 
+  puts "1st cell of these cells of the 1st columns: #{cell.Value}" # and the first cell of the row range of the 1st row 
   
   i = 0
   row_r.values.each do |value|          # access the values of the first row 

data/examples/open_save_close/example_control_to_excel.rb

@@ -10,12 +10,12 @@ include RobustExcelOle
 Excel.close_all
 begin
   dir = create_tmpdir
-  file_name = dir + 'simple.xls' 
+  file_name = dir + 'workbook.xls' 
   book = Book.open(file_name)          # open a book
   book.excel.visible = true                   # make current Excel visible 
   sleep 1
   sheet = book[0]                                                        # access a sheet
-  sheet[0,0] = sheet[0,0].value == "simple" ? "complex" : "simple"       # change a cell
+  sheet[0,0] = sheet[0,0].Value == "simple" ? "complex" : "simple"       # change a cell
   sleep 1
   begin
     new_book = Book.open(file_name, :if_unsaved => :alert) # open another book with the same file name 

data/examples/open_save_close/example_default_excel.rb

@@ -10,8 +10,8 @@ include RobustExcelOle
 Excel.close_all
 begin
   dir = create_tmpdir
-  file_name1 = dir + 'simple.xls'
-  file_name2 = dir + 'different_simple.xls'
+  file_name1 = dir + 'workbook.xls'
+  file_name2 = dir + 'different_workbook.xls'
   file_name3 = dir + 'book_with_blank.xls'
   file_name4 = dir + 'merge_cells.xls'
   book1 = Book.open(file_name1)            # open a book in a new Excel instance since no Excel is open