Best Practices

For Excel Models

1. Use Named Cells: Essential for field detection - name every cell you want in your API
2. Descriptive Names: Use clear names like "annual_income" not "input1" - these become your API field names
3. Formula vs. Value Cells: Cells with formulas become output-only, cells with values become input/output
4. Consistent Cell Types: Use proper Excel formatting (currency, percentage, date) for automatic type detection
5. Test Edge Cases: Include validation for negative numbers, division by zero, etc.

For API Integration

1. Handle Errors Gracefully: Always check the success field
2. Validate Inputs: Check data before sending to API
3. Cache When Appropriate: Don't recalculate unchanged data
4. Monitor Usage: Track API calls to stay within rate limits
5. Version Control: Keep track of Excel model versions

Security

1. Protect API Keys: Never expose keys in client-side code
2. Use HTTPS: All API calls are encrypted
3. Audit Access: Monitor who accesses your calculations
4. Regular Updates: Keep your Excel models and API configurations current