Version 1.56 includes faster sorting speeds for files of up to 2 billion rows with sorting by up to 200 columns. Also included is the ability to run XL Audit Commander using either Excel macros or through  the Windows Scripting Host.  A paper on the topic is available.   There is also a web page which describes the process.  An Excel macro workbook named Macros.xls is included with the installation software.  Note that version 1.56 is required in order to run these macros or scripts.  The setup program (11.9 MB) is available for download at http://ezrstats.com/online/inno/XLACSetup.exe.

Version 1.54 includes sorting capabilities for files of up to 100 million rows with sorting by up to 200 columns. Included with the sort capability is the merge function as well as a sub-total facility and the ability to detect duplicates, using sort key specifications. A description of the feature is available at http://ezrstats.com/doc/Sort_Merge_Duplicates.pdf.  Release 1.54 also introduces the ability to perform test for certain fraud patterns using a statistical basis.  Tests include round numbers, day of week, holidays, trend analysis, univariate statistics and Benford's Law.  A description of the feature is available at http://ezrstats.com/doc/Fraud_Pattern_Detection.pdf.  A setup program (11.4 MB) is available for download at http://ezrstats.com/online/inno/XLACSetup.exe.

Support is now provided for both comma separated value format files (CSV), as well as "print" files through the use of file specifications. Further information is available.  Also, there are now a variety of tutorials available in shockwave format to demonstrate the system in action.  Information about system limitations is now available.

XL Audit Commander v 1.38 has new graphics, features and fixes, e.g. produce charts for Benford's Law:

The save and load commands have been expanded to enable copying commands from worksheets, database and file to and from the toolbar. A menu option “copy commands” has also been added. The toolbar now retains a history of commands processed, i.e. as a command is entered it is stored in the list of commands in the toolbar. Image file locations are now shown in the log file (WorkSheet $Log) for those commands which generate graphics stored in worksheets. The visual appearance of the toolbar contents has been changed to display the key used. This is to facilitate documentation of the commands used. The Comparative Financial Statement (ks) has been changed to work with highlighted ranges. The commands po, un, b5, t5 and be have been enhanced to work with highlighted ranges.

Corrections

Corrected an error in the computation of Chi Square for Benford’s Law distributions. Corrected charts for display of a/r ageing and histograms (un command). What’s new in version 1.36 Version 1.36 adds three commands: query, graphics and trend line. The purpose of the query command is to import data from databases to a worksheet for further analysis. The trend line command is used to chart a series of points. Also, in version 1.36, the charts have been made a little larger, along with the option to specify a title, using the title= parameter. The graphics command is used to set the color theme of the charts displayed. There is no cost for the software license. More details .  Help files for the commands are also available.

Over the years I've either developed or located macros which I used in performing a variety of audits. These macros may also be of some use to others, if for no other reason than to save time searching for the needed functionality. There is a page with links to all the various routines, each contained within Excel workbooks. Many of the workbooks contain little or nothing on the Worksheet, all the functionality is within the modules and classes. Sorry, I do not support any of these modules, but I have used them all at some point.

XL Audit Commander now includes three commands which may be useful during accounts payable audits. The first "nearmiss" uses fuzzy logic to identify potential duplicate payments based upon dates and invoice number matching. The second, "splitinv" can identify split invoices if used to circumvent controls over automated matching systems. The last is a more generic function "cr - cash recovery" to identify up to five key column matches. Further details on accounts payable testing.

XL Audit Commander provides a variety of audit tools which can be run from within Excel, all at no cost. An operation guide explains the commands available and the procedures to perform them.The software uses a very minimal portion of your spreadsheet area and can easily be invoked only when needed by pressing Control-E. Download the software to try. Also included is the capability to perform a variety of data extracts for audit tests, and examples are included in a sample workbook for download. These include such tests as searching for close matches on names, data extraction using conditions, etc. More details.

If you perform fairly complex extracts/analysis on data in Excel workbooks, you may want to consider an alternative approach, which is to upload the Excel data to a secure server and then run the analysis using the industry standard PHP language. Advantages include formulae and procedure which may be easier to maintain/understand, the robustness of the PHP language as well as the ability to perform additional procedures. Example pages and help is available. Working examples are provided. Comments are welcome.